Netherlands Road Trip: Tulip Fields Tour + 5 More Stunning Routes
Dutch road trip ideas for your next self-drive adventure
From flower routes through the historic bulb fields, along canals lined with windmills, to the port cities with their pretty harbours and even a cheese fest, taking in the medieval markets in Gouda and Edam, there is so much variety in store on a Netherlands road trip.
Most of the routes we have listed for you are signposted. But you can also use navigation addresses to design your own journey across our favourite areas.
Drive the Tulip route - Netherlands best road trip
The Netherlands has been known as the world centre for bulb growing for nearly five centuries. In spring, vast swathes of the country turn into a riot of colour as millions of bulbs burst into bloom. Each year visitors flock to witness the breathtaking spectacle and indulge in the dreamy pursuit of driving the tulip routes. And you can join them.
Best three road trips to the flower fields
First stop for a great day among the tulips is the Keukenhof in Lisse near Amsterdam, Europe’s largest botanical garden and home to the Tulip Festival featuring 800 varieties.
Next, opt for one of the three main tulip routes in the Netherlands created each year to help visitors navigate the floral feast. From Keukenhof, follow the tulip trail through the surrounding Bollenstreek region of the western Netherlands, famous for its sand dunes as well as tulip cultivation.
Discover the best month to drive the Tulip route
The other main tulip areas are a short (45min) drive north of Amsterdam. Join the Noordoostpolder route which has around 2000 hectares of tulip fields on show before setting off on the Flevopolder route which boasts a magnificent 4000 hectares. Once you are there, as well as walking and selfies among the tulips, there are cycling trails and some locations even offer camping and glamping so you can wake up in this floral heaven bathed in scent and colour.
Tulip season begins around mid-March and runs until early May but the flowers reach their peak in April so plan your travel accordingly.
Car hire NetherlandsNo2. Delta Works, Zeeland
Starting with the longest in our selection, this 310-kilometre route connects the sites of the 13 Delta Works in the Netherlands – a breath-taking scheme of civil engineering. This is great highway drive taking in beautiful views of the area of the Delta Works – 3 locks, 6 dams and 4 storm surge barriers – which make up the Netherlands’ largest flood defence scheme.
Besides the Delta Works, Zeeland is perfect for a day of touring. The beautiful fishing villages and centuries-old port towns such as Goes give you the change to immerse yourself in the Dutch landscape.
No3. The Veluwe
The Veluwe region has been voted the finest area of scenic beauty in the Netherlands. Starting out from Arnhem, you can take a day to enjoy this vast wilderness. The hilly area of forest and heathland is particularly magical in spring and autumn. During your road trip through The Veluwe, which is in the province of Gelderland, you can explore nature at the National Park de Hoge Veluwe, visit the Kroller Moller museum or take in the 17th Century Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn. During your road trip, make sure you take time off for some hiking to explore this beautiful region.
No 4. The Salland route along Deventer and Zwolle
Within easy reach of Utrecht, the Salland Route starts in Deventer and ends in Zwolle. This scenic route takes you past beautiful churches, castles, mills and farmhouses. On a clear day, you can even see The Veluwe from the Holterberg nature reserve. It is a perfect route to take in a picnic stop along the way with the chance to explore the small villages of Raalte, Olst, Heerde and Wapenveld, among others.
No5. South Limburg
A large part of South Limburg consists of the hilly Mergelland region, with its half-timbered houses and vineyards. Setting out from Maastrict the drive takes in a number of picturesque villages and towns. Valkenburg is always a must with the ruins of the castle on the Heunsberg, the Wilhelmina Tower and the town caves. Other hotspots such as Cadier en keer, Gulpen (where you can visit the Gulpener brewery), the three countries point and Klimmen are also worth a visit. This is a region famed for its Christmas shopping including the underground Christmas market in the caves of Valkenburg.
No6. Friesland
Friesland gets attention especially in winter when there is speculation about a possible Elfstedentocht. The Elfstedentocht is a nearly 200-kilometre ice skating tour on natural ice. The Elfstedentocht is also fun to do by car. Besides this cultural heritage, Friesland also has around 50 castles, canals and mansions. Setting out from the provincial capital Leeuwarden the 89-kilometre, 6-castles route is not to be missed.