The 10 BEST Free Walking Tours in North Holland
Welcome to the timeless country and the captivating region of North Holland which is found in Netherlands. North Holland is more scenic, popular for its lovely countryside and townish, and thriving with its ages old cultural attractions, making it favorable for walkers and those who love nature. The purpose of this blog post will be to provide the reader with a list of recommendations where to go and what walking tours to take in North Holland. Well then, put on your walking shoes and let me guide you through the process.
1. Amsterdam: The Capital’s Hidden Gems
To launch your walking tour, start in the spirited and beautiful city of Amsterdam. Apart from its canals, hundreds of varieties of tulips, and many celebrated museums, the following are some of the secrets that lie in walking distance. Your first stop is Jordaan’s district where some of the thin streets, water canals and buildings are houses which are turned into shops. Visit a museum behind the house in which Anne Frank lived before going to the Vondelpark, a park in the centre of Amsterdam.
Then, move to the Museumly적 District with riijksmuseum and the van Gogh museum as the main attractions. Stroll around the Museumplein which is lined up with arts and architectural marvel and greenery all around. Finish your day by going for a walk by the beautiful canals and marvel at the beauty of the typical houses typical to this place.
2. For many this little village is a pleasant traveling destination – a step back in time.
Located a few tens of kilometers away from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is an exhibit of history of the Netherlands. This open-air museum showcases traditional Dutch windmills, wooden houses, and local crafts. Thus, the Zaanse Schans Museum is the first place for the walking tour where visitors can get acquainted with the historical industrial production of the area.
While in the area, some windmills that are still functioning today should be toured, such as De Kat that produces paint and mustard. Since the Nile is scenically located, one can take a walk along the riverside or take some snaps of the beautiful scenery of nature. Do not leave the country without stopping at the cheese and clog shops to have tastes traditional Dutch cheese and a first-hand experience on how these wooden shoes were made.
3. Alkmaar: A City of Cheese and Canals
It is famous for Dutch cheese as the cheese city of the Netherlands and it has got the well-preserved medieval city center. Begin your tour at the Waagplein, the square that is used for holding the cheese market for centuries. On a friday morning between April and September, the tradition of cheese weighing and trading is conducted here which has been passed for many centuries.
Book this, and you will be able to feel the atmosphere of the old city while walking through the canals as well as the narrow streets with exquisite houses of the merchants. For more detailed information about Alkmaar’s history and art, it is recommended to visit the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar. If you are not busy, then go for a walk to one of them, namely the Alkmaarderhout Park, which is the oldest city park in the country.
4. Texel: Beaches and Nature Trails
One of the West Frisian Islands and the largest island is situated in the Wadden Sea and will be simply heavenly for people who are fond of the nature. Hike over the tracks of landscapes such as beaches, the dunes, and the villages within the island destinations locations. Your tour begins at Ecomare Nature Center where you get details of the locals and sea creatures.
Visit the natural reserves of Texel: De Sluutter has recently formed a split without any human intervention, where the sea is not restricted and as a result a haven for birds and plants. Have a trip to the sandy beaches of Texel Island where one can relax in the fresh sea air and view the beautiful sceneries. It will interest you to know that you ought to take some seafoods from one of the restaurants here.
5. Haarlem: History, Art, and Blooming Gardens
Haarlem is a beautiful city situated to the immediate western coast of Amsterdam and has a great historical background. Begin your walking tour on Grote Markt, a place where there arial rods of great historic buildings such as the St. Bavo’s Church are situated. Do not leave the city without visiting the museum of Frans Hals, occupied with the collection of the paintings of the Golden Age.
Go on to Teylers Museum of which is the earliest active art and natural science museum in the Netherlands. When you are in this area, it is advisable to visit the Keukenhof Gardens that has a beautiful view of tulips and other plants during spring.
Conclusion
There are numerous attractions and beauty that surround many places in North Holland and therefore there are plenty of options where one can take nice walks. Obviously, our Northern Netherlands tour offers you a lot of opportunities to travel to different places and discover different countries’ charms; when choosing either Amsterdam, the windmills of Zaanse Schans, the canals of Alkmaar, the nature of Texel, or the culture of Haarlem, each place comes with its own distinct personality and experience.
This is why visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes for walking, dress appropriately for the current climate and carry a map or make use of a GPS application. Well, are you now prepared to start the walking tour of the actually wondorous place North Holland? Fear not, journey and its preparation starts now!
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