7 Best Small Towns in Netherlands for a Weekend Retreat
The still-life paintings of the Dutch countryside—from a time after the region Flanders was split into different nations like the Netherlands—truly capture the quotidian and quaint atmosphere of the best small towns in the Netherlands worthy for a weekend retreat. Though most Dutch Golden Age artworks and those from the Flemish Baroque genre of the 1600s may not show the modern world of the Netherlands, they nonetheless immortalize the sense of simplicity that artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh enjoyed from Holland’s culture. So whether you are eating delicious cheese in Edam, marveling at the fortifications at Naarden, or roaming about in the roadless paths of Giethoorn, you will undoubtedly enjoy your weekend retreat in the best small towns in the Netherlands.
Giethoorn
Hailed as the “Venice of the North” and about 33 minutes from the city of Zwolle, the dope dorp (village) of Giethoorn is only accessible via the many waterways and walking/bicycling paths crisscrossing the centuries-old thatched abodes of the town. Because it is a car-free and road-deprived area, Giethoorn promises plenty of fresh air and liberal treks for those interested in regions such as the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, where peats and reeds are harvested. Learn all about agriculture, minerals, and gemstones from De Oude Aarde (The Old Earth) museum, or appreciate Giethoorn’s dedication to peat excavations since the 1200s at the Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus. For those of you interested in discovering more of what Giethoorn has to offer, then book a room at either the Hotel Harmonie, Hotel Giethoorn, or Hotel De Eese-Giethoorn.
Edam
Want to savor the scrumptious cheese that the Netherlands is known for? Then, travel 22 miles north of the capital city of Amsterdam and into the delicious small town of Edam. Since the 16th century, Edam has provided cheese in the Kaasmarkt (cheese market) during the summer for newcomers to observe the process of cheese weighing. One can nibble and bite at these wholesome golden chunks while at the IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel) or when exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Beemster Polder. Close to the water are over 33 shipyards that have made numerous ships since the 12th to 17th centuries. Among these vessels is the Halve Maan, captained by Henry Hudson in 1609 when he tried to find a northern route to the East Indies but rather chanced upon the island of Manhattan. No need to feel unwanted in Edamn, especially in fine accommodations such as De Harmonie or De Krasse Man.
Zutphen
Approximately 19 miles from the city of Arnhern, on the banks of the Ijssel and Berkel rivers, the Hanseatic town of Zutphen thrusts travelers back into the medieval era. With its medieval wine house of the Wijnhuis, Gothic arches and towers of Saint Walburgiskerk, and its Librije—one of three remaining chained libraries throughout Europe—Zutphen is a picture of the past captured by the wonders of the present. The Jufferenstraat, Zutphen’s medieval main avenue, is lined with many more historic structures, such as the town’s magnificent clocktower, the Drogenapstoren. Should you wish to know more about the town’s past, then tour the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen, Museum Henriette Polak, and De Hoven Museum Boer Kip. Should you wish to stay a bit longer, then you should definitely put your belongings at the Broederenklooster or Hampshire Hotel - 's Gravenhof Zutphen.
Thorn
Do not feel so pricked when you are exploring the white-washed brick homes of Thorn. Originally part of the Imperial Abbey of the Holy Roman Empire, Thorn had governed itself as an independent state for more than 800 years. Most importantly, over 33 abbess-queens and postmistresses oversaw the administration in Thorn, and many women in positions of power continue to lead Thorn. As a welcoming town on the Meuse River and Witbeek River and so close to the nation of Belgium, Thorn has entreated many travelers with its Romanesque, 14th-century abbey of the Abdij Lilbosch or the Abbey Church and its Maasland Gothic architecture as best seen in Saint Michael's Church. There are also numerous treks and trails in the Thorn-Wessem ferry route beside the Maas River. When it comes to lodgings, places like the Hotel Abdijhof Thorn do not disappoint.
Doesburg
“Hansa” refers to an alliance among old European trading cities, and the small town of Doesburg is one of these prominent trading communities in the Netherlands. Only about 22 minutes from Zutphen, Doesburg used to be a bastion fort in the 1700s on the River IJssel at its confluence with the River Oude Ijssel. Designed by engineer Menno van Coehoorn at Prince Willem III’s request, part of Doesburg is shaped after a star-shaped fortress, replete with High Defensive Lines composed of ramparts, dry ditches, and trenches down to the Low Defensive Lines with the Turfhaven or Kraakselaan road. Within the town’s barricaded walls are the Martinotoren—an old church tower—and the Doesburgse Mosterdfabriek, a mustard factory from the 16th century. Naturally, one can find the Netherlands’ famous tulips at the National Park Veluwezoom, and one can enjoy a good night’s rest at either the Stadshotel Doesburg, Guesthouse in Het Voorhuys, or B & B Red Deer.
Zierikzee
Zierikzee is a resplendent small town on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland. Enter this historic port community vis-à-vis one of its three ancient gates, Nobelpoort, Noordhavenpoort, and Zuidhavenpoort. Afterwards, spend some time admiring the Gothic architecture of the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren or the many more buildings in Zierikzee, such as the church tower of Dikke Toren, an old orphanage called the Burgerweeshuis, a Lutheran church, and the 16th-century stone house of the Gravesteen. Whether you are strolling through the Oude Haven (Old Harbor) or traipsing through the Oosterschelde National Park, you will never feel reproachful or morose when exploring the beautiful sceneries Zierikzee promotes and protects. Only about 43 miles from Rotterdam, get a much-needed vacation and a long-awaited sleep at the Hotel van Oppen, De Theetap, or B&B De Schuur.
Naarden
Naarden is similar to Doesburg in that its shape is akin to a star-shaped fortress most European towns are known to have. Since the 16th and 17th century, the Naarden Vesting, the town’s bastion fort, has protected the Gooimeer River and the 20-minute-away city of Amsterdam from invading armies. Every third Sunday from the months of May to September, the townsfolk of Naarden their bulwarked legacy by reenacting the 17th century via the “Garnizoensdagen.” Travelers can learn all about Naarden’s past at both the Comenius Museum and the Vestingmuseum, while the Het Spans Huis (The Spanish House) focuses on the year 1572 when troops from the Spanish Empire massacred much of large Naarden’s people. Feel safe and sound while staying in Naarden’s welcoming establishments like the Fortress Hotel, ROOM One-Twenty-One, or B&B Naarden Vesting.
Conclusion
Whether you are coming from the neighboring nations of Belgium and Germany, or from any other country in the world, the Netherlands or Holland welcomes newcomers with an austere and straightforward attitude renowned among the Dutch. Step into fairytale-like dwellings in island abodes such as Zierikzee or in carless communities such as Giethoorn. Delve into a wartime past in fortressed abodes and dwellings as best seen in Doesburg and Naarden. Most importantly, sniff a few tulips and gaze up at the impressively lazy windmills that the Netherlands is known for. There are many new experiences to gain from this small but influential country, and among these wonders are the best small towns in the Netherlands suitable for a weekend retreat.
