Top Things to do in South Holland Province
Top Restaurants in South Holland Province
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in South Holland Province, The Netherlands
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. Molenmuseum de Valk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 490 reviews
Visitors to the Valk Windmill learn about the history, life, skills and techniques of the 18th-century Dutch miller.
Reviewed By J8791LFmiker
Great way to spend an hour, exploring the Molenmuseum de Valk. A combination of factual history and engineering prowess. Excellent value for money a just 5Euro/adult ticket. The full tour does involve climbing and ascending steep ladders and an exposed panoramic view from outside the windmill, so may not be suitable for all; but otherwise well worth taking the time for a visit when you are in Leiden
2. Royal Delft - Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,046 reviews
Royal Delft, established in 1653, is the last remaining Delft earthenware factory from the 17th century. The world famous blue and white earthenware is still entirely handpainted according to centuries old tradition. Visit Royal Delft and see how we still authentically produce Royal Delftware!
Reviewed By gaia43 - Turners Falls, United States
I have never been a big fan of Royal Delft pottery though knowing it’s history and evolution; seeing master painters at work (up to ten years of training!); and touring its facility with a “magical” garden, large gift shop and lovely cafe have “sold” me. No, I may not purchase Delft pottery pieces though I have learned to appreciate and respect how it came to be and continues to enrich the world with its beauty.
3. The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,908 reviews
The Mauritshuis is home to the very best of Dutch Golden Age painting. The compact, yet world-renowned collection, is situated in the heart of The Hague, right next to the government centre. Masterpieces such as Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, The Goldfinch by Fabritius and The Bull by Potter are on permanent display in the intimate rooms of this seventeenth-century monument.
Reviewed By ViolettaM239 - The Hague, The Netherlands
Mauritshuis is a one of a kind well thought, conveniently arranged for all art lovers needs museum- four in one experience to the highest standards: exuberant historic building in the hart of the city, exquisite art collection, smart marketing model on all souvenir collection at the museum shop (hard to resist) and a stylish cafe to share impressions over a cup of coffee about Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. So far, Mauritshuis has offered the most enriching, 360 degree satisfaction experience from the first visit onward and by now I've been two or three times including the themed event. And want to come back for another great collection.
4. Panorama Mesdag
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,992 reviews
A magnificent experience in time and space.
Reviewed By 512saskiav - Oisterwijk, The Netherlands
Awesome Panoramic scenery, hand painted end of 19th century. Overview of seaside fishing boats and little town. Take your time to view this awesome panoramic painting and indulge yourselves in this 19th century surrounding.
5. Museum Prinsenhof Delft
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 584 reviews
The Museum Prinsenhof Delft offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Netherlands, Delft and delftware. The museum is housed in a building of great historical importance, the site of some of the most dramatic and consequential events of Dutch history. It was once the court of William of Orange, the Father of the Dutch Nation. In the museum you will also discover the role the citizens of Delft played in the history of the Netherlands and how delftware became the global brand it is today.
Reviewed By FamVanV - The Hague, The Netherlands
Great to have almost 30 paintings from all over the world of Golden Age (Gouden Eeuw) painter Pieter de Hooch in his creative home town Delft. The Prinsenhof museum is a historical place that does right to De Hooch’s paintings. Although PDH might not be as famous as his contemporary colleague from Delft, Vermeer, this temporary exhibition (till 16 February 2020!) is definitely worthwhile a visit to Delft in the next few weeks!
6. Museum Volkenkunde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
Museum Volkenkunde is a museum about people housed in a historic building just five minutes' walk from Leiden's central station. A huge totem pole greets visitors as they enter the museum through the garden. Museum Volkenkunde presents regularly changing exhibitions and its permanent display features objects from eight different cultural regions. Objects that all have a story to tell about humankind.
Reviewed By Cosetteiscookin - Utrecht, The Netherlands
One of my all time favorite museums in The Netherlands. Been here several times (before covid) Love the things on display and learning about different cultures.
7. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,331 reviews
This place is temporarily closed.
Reviewed By romaniliadis - Thessaloniki, Greece
This museum so diverse and large. It contain all eras of art. Medieval, modern.. Its well planned, so you can go by map where you can see which era of art you at now.. Salvador Dali, Rubens, Rembrandt, Rene Magrite all they are here. Very interesting.
8. Museum De Lakenhal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Museum De Lakenhal is the visual arts, history and crafts museum of the city of Leiden. The city’s illustrious past is highlighted in seven collection presentations, including The Cradle of the Golden Age, Leiden University City, The Siege and Relief of Leiden, and Seven Centuries of ‘Leids Laken’. The internationally renowned collection contains numerous highlights such as Lucas van Leyden’s ‘Last Judgment’ (approximately 1526-27), beautifully stained glass, and paintings by Rembrandt and contemporaries. Since 1874 the museum has been located in a monumental 17thcentury hall for woollen fabrics, carefully restored in 2017-2019 and expanded with modern architecture. The unique encounters between past and present that occur here make Museum De Lakenhal a source of inspiration for all!
Reviewed By mireilleb554 - Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
First of all ,I realized that Leiden is a city opened to culture.I would have liked to find an English booklet about the history of the museum .The building that looked like an elegant palace impressed me by its beauty ,I was curious to see what gems It hides inside ,I had a Museum Card ,but I had to wait at the desk ,there were many tourists there in the afternoon . The history and art museum tells several stories ,I was confused upstairs ,but step by step ,I painted ''my own painting''about the highlights of the collection .I was lucky to catch the temporary exhibition of Rembrandt ,the star of it was for me The peddler selling spectacles ,an early work of art and '' History painting ''. A real challenge was the woolen cloth Merchant hall where I could see for the second time ,the masterpiece of Lucas van Leiden ,The last Judgment ,seen by me in Amsterdam two years ago ,in a temporary exhibition .I also liked the Lamentation of Christ by another significant painter from Leiden ,Cornelius E . Gerrit Dou ,a student of Rembrandt danced in a small cabinet with The Astronomer as well as Jan Steen with the joyful The Merry Couple for example ,they were my favourite Dutch painters of the Golden age ,too. Upstairs I learnt that Theo van Doesburg stayed in Leiden where he founded the famous de Stijl movement ,The collection of decorative art and applied art was also interesting.
9. Vredespaleis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,448 reviews
Reviewed By VeryanW_12
Easy walking distance from the centre and has an interesting free exhibition. Tours of the Palace and gardens are guided only. Hang a wish on the 'peace tree'.
10. National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
The National Museum of Antiquities is housed in an old monumental building and ‘Begijnhof’. It is the Dutch centre for archaeology. A large part of the collection consists of objects related to ancient Egypt. Unique is the two thousand year old Egyptian temple in the central hall of the museum. Besides ancient Egypt, the museum covers the Middle East, the Classical world and the early history of the Netherlands. The entire collection consists of more than 80,000 objects, including statues of Roman emperors, Etruscan tomb finds and mummies.
Reviewed By 500dank - The Hague, The Netherlands
Had a wonderful visit with my family. Loved the collection which is marvellous! Especially the artefacts covering ancient Egyptian time. To my personal opinion, only the British Museum in London can match this. The temporary exhibit (untill 15 march 2020) was on Cyprus. The museum consists of three floorws and is housed in a fantastic, historical building, in the middle of the historical town centre of Leiden (Rapenburg). It's completely accessible: we brought our 8 month old son in his buggy and had no problems in navigating the museum. Baby changing facilities are located in the disabled toilet on the ground floor. In the entrance hall of the museum you can find and visit the Temple of Taffeh (free of charge, as it is before the ticket barriers), which was gifted to the Netherlands. The audio tour is free of charge too (but behind the ticket barriers). Museum staff was very friendly and helpful. One note in regard to parking: some reviews here complain about parking, but this has absolutely nothing to do with the museum itself. People who complain about parking, have themselves to blame for not planning their journey properly: The museum is located in the middle of the historical city centre of Leiden. so it's completely logical that there isn't a large parking garage to accommodate visitors. My advice is to plan your journey ahead, be sure you know where to park in Leiden or check the museum website if you don't and/or are not familiar with the historical centre of Leiden. If you come by public transport: the museum is about a ten minute walk away from the Leiden Central station. Concluding this review: this is a must visit if you like museums with ancient artefacts!
