Top Things to do in North Holland Province
Top Restaurants in North Holland Province
10 Sights & Landmarks in North Holland Province That You Shouldn't Miss
Mostly jutting northward from its largest city of Amsterdam and its capital of Haarlem, the Noord-Holland region has much more to offer beyond those two wonderful cities. At Muiden is the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, as if it stepped out of a fairy tale. Showing more wear but no less interesting is Brederode Castle at Santpoort. At Zaanstad is Zaanse Schans, one of Holland’s top tourist destinations and a family-friendly open air museum of windmills, traditional buildings, crafts and shops.
Restaurants in North Holland Province
1. Anne Frank House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62,301 reviews
The Anne Frank House (Dutch: Anne Frank Huis) is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. As a visitor, you experience this story through a audio tour, quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The Anne Frank House can only be visited with an online ticket for a specific date and time.
Reviewed By Skiforever1223 - Salt Lake City, United States
This is a very special museum for many reasons but I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully the museum created the narrative and the spaces they created. My two teenage daughters and I will never forget this experience. I loved the amazing artwork at the end portraying scenes recreated from the hiding place and also recommend taking time to watch the touching tributes video at the end where you hear visitors’ experiences and guest book comments from Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg and more. Read or re-read Anne Frank’s diary prior to visiting to really feel the spirit of this young reminder of so many tragically lost. You do have to reserve tickets online. Per the website: 80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at 12:00* hours noon, 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00* hours, the tickets for the day are made available on this site. (*Amsterdam time). The museum recommends this for children 10 and older. I would recommend 11 yrs. for a well-prepared child. It is a quiet, sober tour and there is one brief concentration camp scene that is graphic. Bag check and audio guides included with your ticket and there is a cafe and shop for after your tour. No photography. You line up outside at your assigned time slot until it’s time for your group to go in and it’s best to take a picture of your ticket rather than try to pull it up in your email because connectivity is spotty. The actual house/store is encased and preserved by the museum surround on Prinsengracht street. We booked an evening visit which also added to the poignancy as you leave the museum and see the canals lit by street lights. Highly recommend.
2. The Jordaan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,726 reviews
This charming neighborhood is Amsterdam's Greenwich Village, with its narrow alleys, leafy canals lined with 17th-century houses, quirky specialty shops, cafes and designer boutiques.
Reviewed By rickcardo - St. John's, Canada
Wander around and see all the quirky shops and the market.Then take a cruise on the canal se it all from a different perspective.So many unique buildings and odd decorations on homes.Safe too.
3. Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,800 reviews
Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639 to 1658 in this 17th-century house, which today is a museum that pays tribute to the artist's life and career.
Reviewed By Fitz48 - Aurora, United States
We visited the Rembrandt House in late April and got in for free with the I Amsterdam card. There were no lines and the museum was not crowded. They have excellent free audio tours in multiple languages including English, Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Russian. We noted that they also had a children's audio tour in English in Dutch; however, I think most but not all children would find this museum to be boring. Since Rembrandt both lived here, ran and art school and worked here for 20 years and because of the inventory that was conducted when he went bankrupt is still in existence, the curators have been able to accurately refurbish the home with objects of the period. For those with mobility issues or claustrophobia, it is important to understand that the spiral staircases are steep and narrow. While there were many interesting exhibits in the museum, three stood out for me as especially interesting. First was the entrance where a chair was kept on an elevated platform for people watching on the street. Second, the beds, especially the maid's box bed in the kitchen clearly shows that the occupants slept sitting up (for their health). Finally, the highlight of the museum was the 20-30 explanation and demonstration as to how artists made their paints during the age of Rembrandt. This helps you see the paintings in the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, Hermitage and other museums that you will see in the Netherlands.
4. Sint-Bavokerk (Church of St. Bavo)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,085 reviews
Reviewed By Buddy_from_Oz - Greater Adelaide, Australia
If you're in Haarlem, don't miss a visit to St Bavokerk. Stunning architecture, fascinating history and a visually impressive organ played by both Mozart and Handel - and, surprisingly, mentioned in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. This was also the local church of Corrie ten Boom who, with her family, secretly helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust. The ten Boom museum is a few minutes walk away.
5. Muiderslot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in the Netherlands! It was built in 1285 and has gathered many interesting stories over the (700!) years. Visit the castle and the beautiful garden and get to know more about Dutch history.
Reviewed By cravingsofatraveler - Pennsylvania, United States
We had one last day in the Netherlands, and decided this would be where we spent it! Getting there was a little work - from Amsterdam Central, take the train to Weesp, and then a bus to Muiden. Our timing was a little off, so we had to wait in Weesp at the station for awhile, but we just stopped in the cafe at the station and had some snacks and coffees. It is about a 10-15 minute walk to the castle from the bus stop. Seriously such a magical place! The audioguide tour was really interesting, too. We weren't sure what to expect, but this ended up being one of my daughter's favorite things about our vacation.
6. Landgoed Zonnestraal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
The Sanatorium Zonnestraal by architect Duiker is one of the earliest and most important examples of architecture of the Modern Movement. Apart from a high point in architectural history, the complex is also an important social landmark. Conceived as a follow-up colony cure tuberculosis sufferers prepare for their reintegration into society, is the brainchild of Sunbeam trade unionist Jan van Zutphen (1863-1958). His ideal is realized with money that the diamond workers union brings together the TB Patients on its members to help.Monthly tourEvery last Sunday of the month there are tours (1 ½ hour) provided by a professional guide. These tours start at 12.00 hours and 14.00 hours from Dresselhuis Pavilion (nr. 19). One should specify in advance to Landgoed Zonnestraal
7. Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By Wellsie17 - Amstelveen, The Netherlands
A must visit when wandering around the Bos, where the kids can wander freely amongst the goats, pigs and chickens, feeding them and brushing the goats. Also a good play area and maze to run around. Fab restaurant to enjoy local produce.
8. Molen De Adriaan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
Reviewed By TheGoodShag
This was great. A tour around a working windmill with a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Lots of info not only about this windmill but also other windmills in The Netherlands. Don't miss itt.
9. Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
The Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory is set in the pastoral polder landscape just southwest of Amsterdam. This historic 160-year old farm creates an inviting atmosphere for visitors to step back into old-world charm. The original barn has been charmingly transformed into the wooden shoe factory and the cheese making room, with a spacious, nostalgic gift shop that has a large variety of Dutch souvenirs. Visitors are welcome to drop in for a tour and to taste a variety of our delicious, freshly made cheese.
Reviewed By StuartFamAbroad - Brussels, Belgium
Our family had the pleasure of spending a few hours at Clara Maria last weekend. We had an absolutely AMAZING time! Not only did we get to learn all about clogs, make and taste cheese, and enjoy coffee and yummy dutch apple pie, but we also got to know the farmer, Kees-Jan, and his wife, Katrina. They are incredibly warm and welcoming! This is not a commercial type place, this is a working family farm. Kees-Jan took our kids out to the hay barn to climb through the tunnels, let the kids pet and feet baby cows, and spent a lot of time telling us about how things work on the farm. The entire staff treated us like family and welcomed us with open arms. We stocked up on yummy cheese, several Holland souvenirs, and left with smiles on all our faces. It was absolutely the highlight of our weekend in the Netherlands. We will absolutely be back!
10. Grote Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,190 reviews
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, United States
We have been in Haarlem for several days, and have visited the Square each day. Our own home has a classic town square, and we’ve grown to appreciate how they change character each visit, as does this one. Surrounded by excellent shopping, quaint streets and alleys, with a stunning church and historic buildings, there are nice restaurants to hang out at, a bustling Saturday market, and for those of you who might share our secret vice, lots of Pokestops to hold your interest. The VVV (tourist information) on the square has several nice brochures featuring historic or memorial walks. Or (and this is the nuttiest tourist tip you’ll ever get) download Pokemon (a free app). Real world locations (or “Pokestops”) are points of interest that locals have added to the game. Particularly in Haarlem, we’ve found all kinds of local buildings, small statues, architectural features and more unique and easy to miss features and oddities we never would have noticed had other players not flagged them on the easy to follow 3D map that is part of the game. Pop into St Bavo’s and see if you are lucky enough to catch an organ rehearsal or concert. The little visitors center next to the big visitors center has a beautifully produced film with a history of Haarlem that is worth seeing.
