Netherlands
Details
Before visiting any country make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.
- Emergency Services: 112
- Language: English
- Currency: Euro
- Capital City: Amsterdam
- Country Code: NL
- Travel Visa: None required
- Population: 17,155,140
- Driving: Right hand side
Risk Level
Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;
Travellers Tips
Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.
Netherlands
What is the best time of year to travel to the Netherlands?
Weather-wise, the Netherlands is similar to a lot of countries in north-west Europe. The country experiences warm summers and cool winters, though temperatures usually never fall below 3°C.
You should plan your trip based on specific events that you want to experience, rather than what the weather will be like, as there are things happening all throughout the year. June-August are naturally when the country receives the most tourists, but March-April is also a great time to visit due to the plethora of events on show, such as Kings Day.
What are the top safety tips when visiting the Netherlands?
Despite the abundance of bars, don’t ever be tempted to drink and drive. The Netherlands take this concept incredibly seriously and have lower blood-alcohol level requirements than other cities (just 0.5). Penalties in place include a heavy fine or even court punishment.
Although marijuana is tolerated in the Netherlands, it is not legal to produce or deal drugs. If you get caught, you will be arrested, so please bear that in mind whilst travelling.
What common crimes occur in the Netherlands?
Despite being an incredibly popular tourist destination, the Netherlands has a relatively low crime rate. That being said, in major cities such as Amsterdam, always be vigilant of pick pocketers. Ensure that your valuables are safety stored away from sight when passing through crowded areas, and make sure you only bring what you need to.
Cybercrimes are taken very seriously in the Netherlands, as around one in six internet uses have experienced some kind of virtual fraud. If you’re connecting to public Wi-Fi, make sure the connection is secure and don’t input your personal details into any suspicious websites.
Cycling in the Netherlands is a very popular method of transport. If you are riding a bike, make sure you leave it locked and in a safe place when unattended in order to prevent theft.
What are the main annual events in the Netherlands?
January 21st is Tulip Day, where around 200,000 tulips in Dam Square where people come from all over to pick a free bouquet of tulips. This day marks the start of tulip season in the Netherlands – the flower in which this country is famous for.
King’s Day – April 27th. This is a day many Dutch people look forward to where they celebrate King Willem Alexander’s birthday. There are many parties held across the cities, with live music, street food and a lot of pop-up bars!
On the second weekend of September, Heritage Day occurs. This is where around 4,000 historic buildings become open to the public. This includes castles, old farmhouses, abandoned factories and ancient canal houses.