Things to do in South Holland Province, The Netherlands: The Best Historic Sites

October 14, 2021 Viva Honore

Encompassing two of the Netherlands’ three largest cities (Rotterdam and The Hague), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) is also home to important towns like Leiden, Gouda and Delft. And many lovely smaller towns dot the gorgeous green landscape. Alphen aan den Rijn has several interesting attractions, including Dutch history theme park Archeon. Picturesque Kinderdijk, birthplace of the legend of the Cat and the Cradle, also has many windmills that together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in South Holland Province

1. Old Zandvliet Farm

Westelijke Randweg 2-4, 2163 GA Lisse The Netherlands
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Old Zandvliet Farm

2. Sawmill de Salamander

De Wiek 19, 2265 VK Leidschendam, The Hague The Netherlands +31 70 320 4168 [email protected] http://www.molendesalamander.nl/
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Sawmill de Salamander

Reviewed By B230FT-Volvo

Very interesting place to see and learn about windmills, survival and restoration of this one, and see it in operation (cutting huge logs with its vertical saw assembly)

3. Madurodam

George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ, The Hague The Netherlands +31 70 416 2400 [email protected] http://www.madurodam.nl
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,793 reviews

Madurodam

Discover Holland's highlights and heritage in this world famous miniature and Holland theme park. You will discover Holland’s most iconic landmarks and history through a story of magnificent miniatures and indoor attractions. The stunning park filled with flowers is a beauty for the eye and shows 338 miniatures. From little Amsterdam to Dutch national architecture built on a scale of 1:25 with miniature trains, boats and cars moving around. Madurodam will make you discover Holland's rich history with remarkable stories like the Dutch ability to transform water into land. And did you know New York was Dutch in former days? Come find out in our attraction Nieuw-Amsterdam! Madurodam is very family friendly with two large playgrounds and plenty of fun interactive installations. You will get the full Holland experience in one place and many Instagram worthy picture possibilities. Visit us! We are open 365 days a year and offer information in 11 languages. See you soon in Madurodam.

Reviewed By pearce71592

I thought this was an interesting way to see some of the places that are in Netherlands before going to see them in person. Great for kids to visit. The displays are very high quality. some with moving parts. We bought the 3D photo miniature of us, the statue is exact. A neat souvenir to have from Netherland.

4. Sint-Janskerk

Achter de Kerk 2, 2801 JW Gouda The Netherlands +31 6 48381257 [email protected] http://www.sintjan.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 528 reviews

Sint-Janskerk

THE LONGEST CHURCH OF THE NETHERLANDS The great fire of 1552 destroyed much of the medieval church of Saint John. Shortly after the disaster, the council commissioned the reconstruction of the most startling church of Holland. With 123 meters it is also the longest church in The Netherlands THE 72 STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS ARE WORLD-FAMOUS Entering the Church of St. John, one falls silent at the sight of the majestic space with the 72 world-famous stained-glass windows. That first experience will only get stronger when you see the marvellous light by the 'Dutch Masters' invading the Church. The rich history of Holland can be read in the large windows. It is a beginning of an impressive discovery along biblical and historical scenes of human emotions. Then you understand that the Gouda St. John is one of the highest rated attractions in the Netherlands!

Reviewed By exploringwithjune - The Netherlands, null

After visiting the museum we stopped by the church. As we'd already learned so much at the museum, we just wanted to pop in for half an hour. Therefore we didn't take an audio tour, which is included in the price, and instead walked around by ourselves. We received a leaflet with some information, which highlighted a couple of the gorgeous stained glass windows. We struggled finding the right numbers to go with the texts at times, but overall it was a lovely way to see the church and to learn something while wandering around. The architecture is really impressive and the windows are pure art. Some windows that interested us weren't included in the leaflet, but it is logical that choices had to be made. If we hadn't gone to the museum, we would've probably also gotten the audio tour as I can imagine that it's way more complete. The church also has a little gift shop with a good variety of products . We entered for free as we both have a museumkaart. Regular prices are 9 euros for adults, 5,25 for kids aged 13-17 and kids under 13 can visit for free. I definitely think this is really pricey for a church. If you visit with a family and, just like us, want to walk around for a short while, it will set you back 30 euros for a relatively quick visit. I can imagine that that can be a lot of money for some families. Also, I think it is really important for kids to see churches like these and learn about the history and architecture, so it should be made more accessible. With commissioning these prices; I think they put off people from visiting. Also, many other impressive churches in our country are free. If I hadn't had my museumkaart, I would probably not have gone in. Concluding, it was a lovely visit but I do wish that they would reconsider their prices.

5. World Heritage Kinderdijk

Nederwaard 1, 2961 AS Kinderdijk The Netherlands +31 78 691 2830 [email protected] http://www.kinderdijk.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,973 reviews

World Heritage Kinderdijk

The Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage site is a unique icon of seven centuries of Dutch water management. All phases of the history of our struggle against water are still visible here. The unique collection of 19 mills in an authentic Dutch landscape is a true eye catcher. With your ticket you'll have access to all visiting locations and tour boats for four hours. The Nederwaard Museum Mill shows how families lived and worked in our mills around 1900. At the Blokweer Museum Mill, you’ll experience what life was like in the fifties of last century. In the Overwaard Museum Mill and the adjacent education barn everything revolves around technology. Watch our multi-screen film in Secondary pumping station 'De Fabriek' and visit the historic Wisboom pumping station from 1868. Get on board of our tour boats and enjoy Kinderdijk from the water. Feel the wind, smell the water and listen to the sound of the windmills. The Kinderdijk World Heritage site is open almost the entire year!

Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States

If you are anywhere near to this area, this is simply a MUST DO! This UNESCO site is one of the most interesting and fun sites we have seen. There are several working windmills, and with a guided tour, you will learn more than you can imagine about the amazing water management history of the Dutch, and the critical role windmill technology plays in that history. You will explore the cramped, yet efficient, interior of a working windmill and see how "millers" ply their trade and live in those windmills. The grounds, like most of The Netherlands, are very green and gorgeous. They have two souvenir shops (I prefer the one in the brick building closest to the entrance) and a snack bar. Take your time and ENJOY!

6. Red Lion Windmill (Molen De Roode Leeuw)

Vest 65, 2801 VE Gouda The Netherlands +31 182 522 041
Excellent
52%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
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Poor
3%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Red Lion Windmill (Molen De Roode Leeuw)

7. Huis Sonneveld

Jongkindstraat 12, 3015 CG Rotterdam The Netherlands +31 10 440 1200 [email protected] http://www.huissonneveld.nl
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 279 reviews

Huis Sonneveld

Reviewed By Carlvanloey - Edegem, Belgium

Amazing how every little detail is still well preserved. It gives an impressive view on how ‘modern architecture’ was those days To me an absolute highlight of our visit to Rotterdam MUST DO

8. Gouda Cheese Market

Markt 35, 2801 JK Gouda The Netherlands +31 182 589 110 [email protected] http://www.goudakaasstad.nl/en/home#kaasmarkt
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 419 reviews

Gouda Cheese Market

Reviewed By medico44 - Margate, United Kingdom

excellent opportunity to buy the big originals Gouda cheese with reasonable prices, is hel in april til august on thursday.Bargain the price is a plus and mandatory

9. Groothoofdspoort

Palingstraat 2, 3311 BM Dordrecht The Netherlands http://www.wekdordrecht.nl/toerisme-dordrecht/groothoofdspoort-dordrecht/
Excellent
47%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Groothoofdspoort

Reviewed By TrippingHenry - Dordrecht, The Netherlands

Beuitifull city gate, one of many remaining gates of Dordrecht. This one still exists, the other gates has been lost during the century's unfortenately.

10. Stadswandeling Brielle

Markt 1, 3231 AH Brielle The Netherlands http://www.historischmuseumdenbriel.nl
Excellent
46%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 61 reviews

Stadswandeling Brielle

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