15 Northern Netherlands Tours Worth Your Time

1.Village & National Park Canal Cruise with Coffee

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,596 reviews · 1 hour · from $12Our pick

Take a one-hour electric-boat cruise from Koppers Giethoorn through the village canals and out toward the nearby lake beside Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Your skipper explains Giethoorn’s homes, bridges, and traditions in Dutch, English, and German. Coffee, tea, or lemonade is included, but the route may not enter the national park itself.

“The guide was super. He was so funny and witty. we had a great tour!”

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2.Giethoorn Day Trip with Small Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 578 reviews · 8 hours · from $151

Travel from Amsterdam to Giethoorn in a coach or minivan, then cruise its quiet canals in a small electric boat you may help steer. Your English-speaking guide explains Dutch history and village life before you walk among thatched cottages, bridges, and narrow paths. Expect a long day, a small group of up to eight, lunch time, and two hours to explore.

“hassle free tour to this beautiful village. time enough for walking around the place as well as time for a meal.”

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3.Private Walking Tour through Leeuwarden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Walk Leeuwarden’s historic center with a private English-speaking guide for up to 15 people. You’ll see De Oldehove, Miniature People Leeuwarden, the former royal home Het Princessehof, and sites linked to M.C. Escher and the Second World War. The route begins near the station and may include a brief look inside the museum for small groups.

“Very informative and gave us a wonderful view of Leeuwarden. Our guide, was excellent. I loved the royal connection explanation. The slight drizzle was refreshing.”

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4.Biddinghuizen: Walibi Holland Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 244 reviews · 1 day · from $62

Spend one full day at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland, with admission to 40 rides for families, children, and thrill seekers. Ride Goliath, UNTAMED, YOY, Space Shot, water attractions, bumper cars, and Wind Seekers. The $62 ticket includes park entry, while the fast lane costs extra.

“It was very fun filled with adrenaline, the lines weren’t too long and overall the atmosphere was fantastic, especially in the evening”

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5.Canal cruise Giethoorn village and lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 220 reviews · 1 hour · from $12

You’ll spend one hour aboard a weatherproof electric boat, passing Giethoorn’s thatched cottages, arched footbridges, and narrow canals before reaching Weerribben-Wieden nature park. A captain provides live commentary, while audio guides are available in nine languages. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and the $12 price offers an easy introduction to the village.

“Man konnte den Kapitän kaum verstehen, Zeiten wurden nicht eingehalten.”

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6.Sightseeing Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 213 reviews · from $12

Set out from Grand Café Henri Willig for a one-hour cruise through Giethoorn’s canals and across the Giethoornse Lake. Your live guide speaks Dutch or English and explains the village’s history, customs, and waterways. Guides such as Tom bring a friendly, humorous touch. Drinks can be ordered before departure, and cheese tasting is optional.

“I had a wonderful tour of Giethoorn with Tom as my guide. His friendly demeanor and deep knowledge made the experience both enjoyable and informative. Tom’s passion for the village’s history and culture truly enriched the journey. I highly recommend him for an authentic Giethoorn experience.”

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7.Emmen: Wildlands Adventure Zoo and Rimbula River Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 88 reviews · from $32

Spend one full day at Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, moving from the Butterfly Temple and Rimbula River boat ride to savanna animals and polar wildlife. Ride the safari truck past giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, then let children loose in Animazia. Food, drinks, and shopping cost extra.

“Family of 7 from the uk,we enjoyed this sooo much it was amazing,the restaurant food was delicious very clean,safari ride was amazing giraffes came up close which was nice,well worth the money this place had tons to offer with even a polar bear!!the river ride was a nice touch also x”

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8.Boatrental 2 Hours 8 Person with Steeringwheel and cushions

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 72 reviews

Take the helm of a private electric boat for up to eight people in Giethoorn. You’ll receive clear instructions, a navigation app or map, and help from Dutch, English, or German-speaking staff. Cruise the canals, visit Bovenwijde, or head onto the lake before returning to Zuiderpad 14a.

“All good, super efficient system to get the boat and start exploring. People were super nice as well and there is a free parking at the rental place.”

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9.e-Scavenger hunt Leeuwarden: Explore the city at your own pace

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Use your own smartphone and mobile data to follow Qula’s self-guided Leeuwarden city game. Solve location-based questions and search tasks at 18 stops, including De Oldehove, Blokhuispoort, Fries Museum, and the 11Fountains. Plan on about two to three hours, with freedom to pause for food, shopping, or a drink.

“Fun tour of the city, allowing you to see more then you would if you'd just go for a walk or shopping. And you'll learn something as well. We were with 15 people and bought multiple coupons. That way we also competed with each other, to see who got the most points.”

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10.Canal Cruise & lake Tour & Sightseeing Village

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 17 reviews · from $16

Start at Hylkemaweg 15 for a one-hour covered boat ride through Giethoorn and across its shallow lake. Your captain guides in English, German, or Dutch, with adjustable windows for changing weather. Afterward, use the supplied map and local discount vouchers for a self-guided walk, shops, and museums.

“Having to pay an extra €4 per person to save €4 at the museum is a real rip-off in my opinion! Because visiting Giethoorn itself is free!!! And the one-hour boat tour only costs €9.75 on site.”

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11.Lelystad: Aviodrome Aviation Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Spend a full day at Lelystad’s Aviodrome Aviation Museum, tracing 100 years of Dutch aviation. See aircraft linked to the Wright brothers and Anthony Fokker, board a Boeing 747, try flight simulators, and watch the 4D film Skymania. The museum is wheelchair accessible, with English and Dutch support.

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12.Slagharen: Dayticket Themepark & Resort Slagharen

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 16 reviews · from $34

Spend a full day with Randy and Rosie at Slagharen, the Netherlands’ Wild West theme park. Ride the 30-plus attractions, watch live entertainment, eat Dutch poffertjes, shop Main Street, and try Gold Rush, Free Fall, or Ripsaw Falls. Aqua Mexicana requires a separate ticket.

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13.Leewarden: AquaZoo Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Spend a full day at AquaZoo Leeuwarden, a family-friendly zoo beside Friesland’s waterways. You can walk with penguins on the beach, watch seals, see Amur tigers and polar bears at close range, and meet red pandas, capibaras, nandus, and Pere David’s deer. Tickets cost $23, with English and Dutch assistance available.

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14.1 Hour Private open boat tour with local captain

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews

You’ll spend one hour in a new open-roof boat with a local captain, passing Giethoorn’s bridges, thatched cottages, and quiet lake waters. Captain Adam has guided private trips here, and your group of up to four gets a relaxed ride without the stress of steering through crowded canals. English, Dutch, and German tours are available.

“The experience was simply superb. Amazing young captain. Thank you for the wonderful experience.”

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15.take the famous Tulip route tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 8 hours · from $152

Travel from Amsterdam to the Noordoostpolder for an eight-hour small-group drive through nearly 2,000 acres of working tulip farms. Guides such as Michael and Simon share insights into tulip growing, Dutch culture, and local history. You will stop for photos, walk beside real fields, enjoy a snack pack, and visit the Tulip Experience Field.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I had the best time ever, completely surrounded by endless fields of tulips. Mikeal has been very kind and patient with us and made sure we get the most authentic experience!”

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