The Netherlands in Pictures: 56 Free Photos of Windmills, Cheese and Dikes
The Netherlands in 56 free photos, beyond Amsterdam: the cheese carriers and canals of Alkmaar, the nineteen windmills of Kinderdijk, the storm surge barriers of the Delta Works and the Afsluitdijk, the sea dikes, dunes and beaches of Zeeland, the new land of Flevoland with the replica ship Batavia, and the brick houses and harbours of the villages of West Brabant. Each set of photos has a short note on the place.
The Netherlands at a glance
- Getting there: Amsterdam Schiphol airport, with trains straight from the terminal to the whole country.
- Getting around: trains run often between all the cities; tap in and out with a contactless bank card. Hire a bicycle for the countryside.
- Money: euro. Many shops and cafés take cards only.
- When to go: April to September. The cheese market of Alkmaar runs from spring to September; the tulip fields bloom in April.
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Alkmaar and its cheese market
Every Friday morning from spring to September, the square in front of the old weigh house of Alkmaar fills with rows of golden cheeses. Cheese carriers in white, with straw hats in the colours of their guild, carry them on wooden barrows to be weighed, as they have for centuries. The old town around it is a ring of canals.
The windmills of Kinderdijk
At Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam, nineteen windmills built around 1740 stand along the canals; they pumped water out of the low polders into the river. They are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and some are still lived in. Walk or cycle along the canals, or take the boat.
The Delta Works and the dikes
After the North Sea flood of 1953, the Dutch closed the estuaries of Zeeland and South Holland with the Delta Works; the largest, the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier, is nine kilometres long and stays open except in storms. In the north, the Afsluitdijk of 1932, 32 km long, turned the Zuiderzee into a lake, with locks and sluices at Kornwerderzand.
Zeeland: Westkapelle, Domburg and the North Sea
The coast of Walcheren in Zeeland is a line of dunes and sea dikes. At Westkapelle, a Sherman tank on the dike remembers the liberation of 1944, when the dike was bombed to flood the island. Domburg, the oldest seaside resort of Zeeland, has a wide beach below the dunes.
Flevoland: new land and the Batavia
Flevoland is the youngest province, land pumped dry from the sea in the 1950s and 60s. In Lelystad, its capital, a replica of the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia of 1628 was built by hand; wind turbines line the dikes and the fields.
Villages of West Brabant
Brick houses, harbours, flower fields and industry in Zevenbergschen Hoek, Drimmelen and Lage Zwaluwe, on the edge of the Biesbosch.
Tips for a first visit
- Arrive in Alkmaar before ten on a Friday for a good place at the cheese market.
- Combine Kinderdijk with Rotterdam: the waterbus takes you there along the rivers.
- Visit the Delta Works at Neeltje Jans, where you can walk inside the storm barrier.
More about the Netherlands
There is often confusion about the name Holland. Some people call the Netherlands ‘Holland’, but it is not the same. Holland is only a small part of the Netherlands, which is divided into twelve provinces, only two of which, Noord Holland and Zuid Holland are properly called ‘Holland’. To add to the confusion, both the language and the people of the Netherlands are called ‘Dutch’.
Alkmaar is typical of a small historic town in Holland. It has a pretty city centre with canals and gable-topped houses, and is surrounded by water. At the world famous cheese market you can witness the traditional weighing of cheeses and the colourful cheese carriers.
The Mills at Kinderdijk: Kinderdijk is located 60 miles south of Amsterdam. Here nineteen glorious masterpieces, all dating from 1740, compete for the visitors’ attention. In 1997, the Kinderdijk mills were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Deltaplan: In 1953 the Netherlands was confronted with the worst natural disaster in its history. During an extremely strong storm, the North Sea flooded the river-delta of the southern part of Holland. No less than 1,835 people were killed, 47,000 houses were destroyed, 48 km of dykes were burst, and 139 km of dykes were damaged. The Dutch government decided “this should never happen again” and started later that year the ‘Deltaplan’. This development plan, which has been declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, involved building a series of dams, sluices and storm surge barriers to protect a large area of the southwest of the Netherlands from the sea.
Lelystad, only dozens of years old, is the capital of the reclaimed province of Flevoland. In 1967, the first inhabitants arrived and the city has grown to well over 60,000 inhabitants. This city, located on the water, is ideal for water sport activities. The many tourist and cultural-historical attractions ensure that you will have a whale of time in this unique part of Holland.
Hotels in the Netherlands
There are a few hotel chains you could choose from that operate throughout the Netherlands, offering consistently reliable accommodation. NH Hoteles has 4- and 5-star hotels, and 3-star inns all over the country from Amsterdam to Maastricht, and from the hills of Zuid Limburg to the coast, including Rotterdam. This chain has twelve hotels in Amsterdam alone, all with the NH prefix to their name, like the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky and the NH Museum Quarter. WestCord Hotels is much smaller, having only three hotels in Amsterdam, and fourteen hotels in total, but it remains very much a Dutch family business. Each hotel is unique and offers a different experience, whether in the city, countryside or on the beach, as in the Frisian Wadden Islands, where they have six hotels. At the other end of the scale, the giant international Accor hotel chain operates 42 hotels in the Netherlands, ranging in price from the luxury Sofit Legend The Grand Amsterdam, through the mid-range, 4-star Novotels, to the budget ibis hotels, of which there are sixteen in the country as a whole. All these three hotel chains cater for business customers and provide meeting spaces, as well as suiting individual travellers and families.
Town in the Netherlands
Netherlands, a country renowned for its picturesque windmills, vibrant tulip fields, and intricate canal systems, is home to countless towns that epitomize the essence of Dutch culture and heritage. However, amid this rich tapestry of Dutch towns, one stands out as a beacon of charm, history, and beauty – Delft.
Nestled in the province of South Holland, Delft effortlessly captures the hearts of visitors with its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and lively atmosphere. Here’s why Delft is hailed as the best town in the Netherlands:
Timeless Architecture
Delft’s skyline is adorned with the iconic spires of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Oude Kerk (Old Church), both of which date back centuries and boast stunning Gothic architecture. The Markt square, flanked by these majestic churches, serves as the heart of the town, bustling with activity as locals and tourists alike peruse the vibrant market stalls.
Vermeer’s Legacy
Art enthusiasts will find themselves enchanted by Delft’s association with the famed Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer. The Vermeer Centrum Delft pays homage to the artist, offering insights into his life and works. Visitors can delve into the world of Vermeer’s masterpieces, including the renowned “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” which continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Delft Blue
Delft is synonymous with the exquisite blue and white pottery known as Delftware or Delft Blue. Dating back to the 17th century, this distinctive ceramic style draws inspiration from Chinese porcelain and has become an enduring symbol of Dutch craftsmanship. Visitors can explore Delft’s numerous pottery shops and workshops, witnessing artisans meticulously hand-painting intricate designs onto porcelain pieces.
Canals and Bridges
While Amsterdam often takes the spotlight for its canal network, Delft boasts its own enchanting waterways that meander through the town, offering idyllic vistas at every turn. Strolling along the canals, crossing quaint bridges, and watching boats glide serenely by evoke a sense of tranquility and romance, making Delft a quintessential Dutch experience.
Academic Excellence
Delft is not just a picturesque town; it’s also home to one of the world’s leading technical universities – the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). With its cutting-edge research facilities and innovative approach to education, TU Delft attracts scholars and students from across the globe, further enriching the town’s intellectual and cultural landscape.
Festivals and Events
Throughout the year, Delft plays host to a myriad of festivals and events that celebrate its rich cultural heritage. From the vibrant King’s Day festivities in April to the enchanting Lichtjesavond (Evening of Lights) in December, there’s always something exciting happening in Delft. The annual Delft Chamber Music Festival and Delft Jazz Festival draw music enthusiasts from far and wide, showcasing top-tier talent against the backdrop of the town’s historic venues.
In essence, Delft encapsulates the essence of Dutch charm and hospitality, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its rich tapestry of history, culture, and beauty. Whether you’re wandering through its cobblestone streets, admiring its architectural wonders, or savoring its culinary delights, Delft promises an unforgettable experience that epitomizes the best of the Netherlands. So, if you’re planning a trip to this enchanting country, be sure to make Delft your top destination – you won’t be disappointed.
More free photos
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- Free spring pictures
- Free market pictures
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Questions about these Netherlands photos
Can I use these Netherlands pictures for free?
Yes, for personal and commercial projects. All we ask is a link back to BigFoto.com; the box at the top of the page has a credit link you can copy.
Where can you see windmills in the Netherlands?
At Kinderdijk near Rotterdam, with nineteen mills from around 1740, and at the Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam; many towns also have a working mill you can visit on Saturdays.
