Discover the Beauty of Nature in the Netherlands

Visitors flock to the Netherlands year after year for its fascinating history and culture. The capital of Amsterdam, home to many must-see sites like Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum, make for a memorable vacation, especially for family travelers looking to give their kids an educational vacation they are sure to remember. But there is much more to experience in the country, especially for families looking to take a deep dive into the country’s natural beauty.

While you’ll find plenty of green spaces within the city, you’ll want to head out of Amsterdam to immerse yourself in some of the breathtaking beauty, which actually goes far beyond the sprawling tulip fields the country is known for. The Netherlands boasts an incredibly diverse landscape ranging from coast to hills with plenty of forest in between. This impressive geography is spread out over 12 provinces, each with its own unique personality and natural attractions.

East of Amsterdam, in the province of North Holland, lies the province of Gelderland. This is where you will find De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to lush forests, heathlands and sand dunes, along with freely roaming wildlife like deer and wild boar.

While the Netherlands may not be known as a beach destination, it does have plenty of coastline to explore. One such place beach-loving families shouldn’t miss is the Wadden Islands, located in the country’s Friesland province. These islands are a nature lover’s paradise and a great way to introduce kids to a life-long love of nature.

The archipelago consists of five islands: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. While they are each beautiful in their own right, they sit within the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for the world’s largest, unbroken intertidal system of sand and mudflats. At low tide, visitors can take part in one of the most unique nature experiences in the world — walking the seabed.

Whether you’ve got a few days or a few weeks for exploring the Netherlands and discovering the various ecosystems and landscapes, you and your family will go home with an immense appreciation for the country’s diverse natural beauty and wealth of memories to last a lifetime.