The 5 Most Beautiful Villages in the Netherlands

If you have already visited the major cities in the Netherlands, where should you go next? The small villages are often forgotten but are just as interesting and beautiful as the big cities. Do you have no idea which towns you should really visit? We have made the top five of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands for you!

#1 Kinderdijk, Zuid-Holland

Kinderdijk is a village in South Holland, located in the Alblasserwaard. The place is mainly known for the Kinderdijk windmills. Since 1997, the 19 windmills have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are an important tourist attraction in the Netherlands. Not only because of the windmills, the place is of international value, but also because all the technology of water management from the Middle Ages can all be seen here close to each other. There are dikes, storage reservoirs, modern pumping stations, and administrative buildings to admire. Explore the beautiful surroundings by bike or take a nice walk along all the beautiful mills that this special village has to offer. If you want to view Kinderdijk from the water, you can also choose to take a cruise.

Spend the night near Kinderdijk

Do you want to complete your visit to Kinderdijk with an overnight stay nearby? Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Witte Brug is only 4 km away from this beautiful village. The hotel is located in Lekkerkerk and is located in an authentic farmhouse. Hotel De Witte Brug features a restaurant, terrace, sauna, and an outdoor swimming pool.

#2 Giethoorn, Overijssel

Giethoorn is known as the 'Venice of the North'. Giethoorn consists of several islands that are connected by canals and bridges. On the islands, you will mainly find historic 18th and 19th-century houses and farms. In the past, the waters were mainly used for transporting compost, but nowadays it is mainly a tourist attraction. The most important means of transport in this beautiful village is therefore not the bicycle, the bus, or the car, but the boat. There are also several other nice sights and museums in Giethoorn. For example, visit the car museum Histomobil, Pottery Rhoda, or Museum De Oude Aarde.

Spend the night near Giethoorn

To make your visit to Giethoorn complete, you can combine this with an overnight stay in one of our Fletcher hotels in the area. Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Steenwijk is only 7 km away from Giethoorn. Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Eese-Giethoorn is located 9 km away from the village and features a swimming pool and sauna.

#3 Spakenburg, Utrecht

Spakenburg is a former fishing village located north of Amersfoort on the Eemmeer. Before the construction of the Afsluitdijk, the village bordered the Zuiderzee. The village is known for the ports where in the past mainly the fishing boats could be found. Nowadays there are only 30 fishing vessels to be found in the Oude Haven. The fact that Spakenburg was an old fishing village can still be seen today in monumental buildings such as the former fish auction, the Nieuwboer shipyard, and the fish smokehouse. Due to external influences, the original character of the village is largely disappearing and the differences with the rest of the Netherlands are becoming smaller and smaller. Fishing has disappeared, but the traditional costume is also worn less and less. The three ports, De Oude Haven, De Nieuwe Haven, and Jachthaven Nieuwboer, are definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, you can discover the village by simply walking around.

Spend the night near Spakenburg

To make your visit to the village of Spakenburg complete, you can spend the night in Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Het Witte Huis, which is located at a distance of 10 km. The hotel is located in a wooded area where you can relax.

#4 Arcen, Limburg

Arcen is a village in North Limburg and is located between the river Maas and the German border. The largest flower and plant park in the Benelux, Kasteeltuinen Arcen, can be found in this charming village. Here is also the monumental castle from the 17th century that was built by order of the Dukes of Geire. You can admire the beautiful and numerous gardens by taking a nice walk. The Hertog Jan Brewery Arcen is also worth a visit. Accompanied by a guide, you can experience the complete brewing process. In Arcen, there is also Grain Roastery the Kingfisher. In this traditional distillery, local products such as asparagus liqueur, blueberry liqueur, fruit juice liqueur, and mustard are made. The grain roastery is located in a restored working water mill, located in nature reserve Barbara's Weerd. For a wonderful walk you can visit the nature reserves Het Maasdal and the National Park De Maasduinen.

Spend the night in Arcen

Would you like to combine your visit to Orvelte with an overnight stay in one of our Fletcher hotels? Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Rooland is 15 km away from the museum village. With various facilities such as a restaurant, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Beauty & Wellness Center, tennis, mini golf, and bowling alleys, it makes your outing complete.

#5 Orvelte, Drenthe

At first glance, Orvelte looks like a normal Drents village, but nothing could be further from the truth. The village calls itself a museum village because of the many historical sites in and around the village. Orvelte originated in the 10th century and nowadays you can experience how people used to live here in the countryside. Through a walk through the village, you can admire the old farms, houses, and special objects from the past. You can also learn how clogs and cheese are made in Orvelte. However, do not forget to look at the glass blowing, the forge, and the sawmill.

Spend the night in Orvelte

Would you like to combine your visit to Orvelte with an overnight stay in one of our Fletcher hotels? Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Hunzebergen is 15 km away from the museum village. With various facilities such as a restaurant, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Beauty & Wellness Center, tennis, mini golf, and bowling alleys, it makes your outing complete.