HISTORIC CITIES. TIMELESS STORIES.
The Netherlands
Explore centuries of trade, art and remarkable engineering in the Netherlands. From Amsterdam’s historic canals and Utrecht’s medieval towers to Rotterdam’s modern harbour and Maastricht’s Roman roots, discover the stories that shaped this remarkable country.
A COUNTRY SHAPED BY WATER AND HISTORY
Discover the Netherlands Through the Ages
From Roman frontier settlements and medieval trading towns to the Dutch Golden Age, world-famous artists and ambitious waterworks, the Netherlands has a history written in its streets, canals and landscapes. Explore a country shaped by commerce, innovation and the struggle to live with the sea.
EXPLORE BY DESTINATION
Discover the Netherlands’ Destinations
Amsterdam
Explore Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed Canal Ring, seventeenth-century merchant houses, Anne Frank House and museums celebrating Dutch art and maritime history.
Rotterdam
Discover Rotterdam’s historic port, the city’s wartime destruction and striking post-war architecture, alongside the surviving medieval Laurenskerk.
The Hague
Explore the Binnenhof, royal palaces and historic streets of the Netherlands’ seat of government, with Scheveningen’s seaside heritage nearby.
Utrecht
Discover Utrecht’s medieval Dom Tower, distinctive canals with wharf cellars, Roman frontier roots and centuries of religious history.
Maastricht
Walk through one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, from Roman-era roots and medieval churches to city walls and historic riverside squares.
THE NETHERLANDS THROUGH THE AGES
A Brief History of the Netherlands
From Roman frontier forts and medieval cities to the Dutch Republic, maritime prosperity and modern water management, the Netherlands’ past is visible across the country.
c. 50 BCE–400 CE
Roman Frontier
The Rhine marks part of the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, leaving forts and settlements.
1579
Union of Utrecht
Northern provinces form an alliance that becomes a foundation of the Dutch Republic.
1588
Dutch Republic
The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands emerges as an independent political entity.
17th century
Dutch Golden Age
Trade, shipping, art and science flourish, while colonial expansion relies in part on slavery and exploitation.
1815
Kingdom Established
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is formed after the Napoleonic era.
1940–1945
Occupation & Liberation
Nazi Germany occupies the Netherlands; persecution, resistance and liberation shape national memory.
Historic Waterways
Canals, dikes and reclaimed polders reveal centuries of adapting to low-lying land and rivers.
Art & Trade
The art of Rembrandt and Vermeer, merchant houses and harbour districts reflect Dutch cultural and commercial history.
Medieval Towns
Historic centres in Utrecht, Maastricht and many smaller towns preserve churches, city walls and trading traditions.
PLAN YOUR NETHERLANDS TRIP
Everything You Need for the Netherlands
Everything you need to plan your trip to the Netherlands, from places to stay and things to do to transport and flights.
Tours & Activities
Discover canal tours, historic walking routes, museums and memorable Dutch cultural experiences.
Car Hire
Explore Dutch heritage towns, countryside, coastal landscapes and historic fortresses at your own pace.
Trains & Buses
Plan rail and bus connections between Dutch cities, towns and historic destinations.