Looking to escape Amsterdam this summer? Its surroundings are more diverse than many visitors expect. Within one to two hours you can reach sandy beaches on the North Sea coast, quiet lakes perfect for sailing and kayaking, ancient castles, deep forest trails and some of the Netherlands’ most charming old cities. Here’s a guide to some of the best summer day trips from Amsterdam, with ideas for every mood. For a broader list, see the full day trips from Amsterdam guide.
Have a beach only for yourself
Day trips from Amsterdam to the beach are the most popular ones in the summer, when the weather allows it. The western coast of the Netherlands is peppered with many beautiful beaches. The easiest beach to reach from Amsterdam is Zandvoort, because it’s just a short train ride away. While this beach is beautiful and quite large, it’s always crammed, and the view you’ll have will most probably be someone’s bikini. For a different experience, go further north. There are beaches that are not crowded, even on the sunniest days. And if you walk further from the entrance, you can have the beach only for yourself! For this, go to Castricum, Egmond aan Zee, Bergen aan Zee, Petten or Sint Maartenszee! By public transport, the trip includes train & bus, but it’s totally worth it.
For a combination of city and sea, take the 20-minute direct train to Haarlem and rent a bike to Bloemendaal aan Zee. You get gorgeous dunes and beach clubs alongside one of the most beautiful old city centres in the Netherlands — perfect if you can’t quite decide between culture and sand.
And talking about having the beach only for yourself — head to the Wadden Islands: Texel, Vlieland (where no cars are allowed), Terschelling, Schiermonnikoog and Ameland. Texel is the most accessible: take the train to Den Helder (about 1 hour 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal) and then a 20-minute ferry. You’ll find wide beaches, cycling routes through the dunes and almost no crowds even on the busiest summer days.
By train from Amsterdam Centraal: Zandvoort aan Zee — 30 min (direct). Castricum — 25 min, then bus. Egmond aan Zee — train to Alkmaar (35 min), then bus. Texel — train to Den Helder (~1 hr 15 min), then 20-min ferry.
On the water: lakes, sailing and history
Summer is peak season on the Dutch waterways. The lakes warm up enough for swimming, the sailing clubs are in full swing, and the Markermeer towns take on an especially festive feel in July and August.
If you are a fan of water sports, head to the small village of Warmond, a village north of Leiden, with a rich history and on the lake system called Kagerplassen. In the village, you can admire the Huys te Warmont estate and the beautiful forest surrounding it, the ruins of the old church (Oude Toren) or the splendid houses with impeccable gardens. Warmond is surrounded by water, so you can explore the surroundings by boat or practice other water sports. You can also go to the Koudenhoorn island for a small beach or for cycling and walks.
Other amazing destinations for boating close to Amsterdam are villages on the Markermeer, like Monnickendam, Medemblik, Hoorn or Enkhuizen.
For a unique experience, spend a day at the Loosdrechtse Plassen. This is a mesmerising network of interconnected lakes and marshes that stretches across the townships of Loosdrecht and Wijdemeren. Loosdrechtse Plassen is an aquatic paradise, known for its abundant wildlife, and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can delve into an array of activities such as yachting, canoeing and windsurfing. There are also walking and cycling trails around the lakes, and, if you are in the mood, you can visit a nearby castle: Kasteel Sypesteyn.
By train from Amsterdam Centraal: Warmond — train to Leiden (35 min), then bus. Loosdrechtse Plassen — train to Breukelen (~25 min), then bike or bus. Hoorn — direct, ~40 min. Enkhuizen — direct, 1 hour.
Chill out in the forest: Schoorl & Amsterdamse Bos
Forests make a surprisingly good summer escape. They are cooler than the city on hot days, and spectacular in late August when the heather comes into full bloom.
The easiest forest to reach from Amsterdam is Amsterdamse Bos, a beautiful nature area on the outskirts of the city. However, there are other forests that you can easily reach for more rich experiences, like the one at Schoorl. Why choose this one? It’s a big forest, with long hiking trails, so you can spend a full day here. You can even cross the sand dunes and head towards the sea, but if you want to remain in the forest, that’s totally possible. You can walk or cycle, and there are special areas for mountain biking in these forests. To enjoy a spectacular view, go in the second half of August, when the heather is blooming. The purple trail will take you along the heather route and, trust me, it’s spectacular!
By train from Amsterdam Centraal: Amsterdamse Bos — tram or bus from city centre, ~20–30 min. Schoorl — train to Alkmaar (35 min), then bus (~25 min).
In the mood for city trips?
Dutch cities are at their most pleasant in summer. Terraces fill up along the canals, outdoor events take over the main squares, and the relaxed holiday pace makes a refreshing contrast to Amsterdam’s busier streets.
If nature is not your thing, but you want to get away from Amsterdam for a day, check out some old cities like Deventer, Utrecht, Hoorn, Leiden, Amersfoort or Alkmaar. These places aren’t packed with tourists and have a laid-back, resort-like feel during the summer. Spend time discovering architectural treasures, hidden gardens, take a boat tour, have a drink on the outdoor cafes on barges (in Leiden) and along the canals, or a dinner at a wharf restaurant in Utrecht, right on the water’s edge. All these cities have plenty of cultural events to offer in the summer, like De Parade in Utrecht or the biggest book market in Europe, hosted in Deventer in August. And, of course, many cool museums, if you feel like hiding indoors.
If you only have time for one city day trip this summer, consider Haarlem. Just 20 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal, it has a wonderfully relaxed, lived-in feel in summer — a beautiful Grote Markt, the Frans Hals Museum, and plenty of good food and drink. An added bonus: from Haarlem you can easily cycle to the beach at Bloemendaal aan Zee.
Looking for more city ideas? Check out the full day trips from Amsterdam guide.
By train from Amsterdam Centraal: Haarlem — 20 min. Utrecht — 30 min. Amersfoort — 30 min. Leiden — 35 min. Alkmaar — 35 min. Deventer — 1 hr 10 min.
Dream of fairy tales: castles near Amsterdam
Netherlands has an impressive collection of castles, and not many people know about them. So why not head towards a castle this summer? Put Paleis het Loo (Apeldoorn), De Haar Castle (Utrecht), Muiderslot (Muiden) and Radboud Castle (Medemblik) on your list. All these castles have impressive architecture and interesting stories, and in summer the surrounding gardens are at their best (most are in full bloom from June to August).
By public transport: Muiderslot (Muiden) — bus from Amsterdam Amstel station, ~20–25 min. De Haar Castle — train to Utrecht (30 min), then bus or taxi. Paleis het Loo (Apeldoorn) — direct train, ~1 hr.
Travel back in time: open-air museums
Zuiderzee Museum Enkhuizen takes you back in time to show what life was like around the Zuiderzee before it became the IJsselmeer in the 1930s. You’ll see authentic old buildings, boats and even a church that were brought from different parts of the region. There are also lots of hands-on activities making it perfect for families. Don’t forget to check out the indoor exhibits too – they have really cool stuff like historic ships. You can explore the houses on the inside too, and can imagine how people of the past lived in this area. It’s a great way to learn about Dutch history!
The outdoor section, which is the real highlight, is best experienced on a warm, sunny day, which makes summer the ideal time to visit.
By train from Amsterdam Centraal: Enkhuizen — direct, about 1 hour. A great option for families: the hands-on activities keep children busy for a full day.
Bike trips from Amsterdam
Summer is the best cycling season. Daylight in June and July extends past 10pm, so there’s no pressure to rush — you can take your time, stop for lunch, take a detour and still be back before dark.
Feeling sporty? Jump on the bike and visit some locations outside Amsterdam. The distances are not long and there are good bike lanes everywhere. The easiest one would be a bike along the Amstel River, all the way to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. On this route you will pass beautiful houses, farms, a windmill or two, meet some goats or cows and you can stop for refreshments in the village. After that, you can come back on the same side of the river or try the other one!
Another great biking route is the one to Broek in Waterland. Take the route that goes through Amsterdam North, about 12-15 km. The village itself is a jewel and you won’t regret the effort to get there!
For those feeling very sporty and daring to cycle more kilometres, a bike trip to Marken is a treat. This one is about 22 km, so not for the faint-hearted.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of great summer day trips from Amsterdam — and you don’t have to travel far to find quiet beaches, open water or centuries-old streets. Which one sounds most tempting? For more destinations and year-round ideas, check out the full day trips from Amsterdam guide.
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