South Holland Sightseeing
Below are 10 top sights to see in South Holland, Netherlands. These landmarks are striking in their beauty, whether it be a historic building hundreds of years old or a modern wonder of technical achievement, and should not be missed…
1) KINDERDIJK (Molenwaard)
19 windmills all in one location… what an amazing sight to see! This network of mills was created in the 1700’s for the purpose of draining marshy polder land where the Lek and Noord rivers meet. In 1997 UNESCO designated Kinderdijk as a world historic site. It is free to enter the park and walk or cycle among the mills. One of them has been turned into a museum (a small entry fee is charged). A boat tour is also offered. The easiest way to reach Kinderdijk is by boat from Rotterdam. Take the Waterbus from Willemsplein toward Dordrecht. Exit at Ridderkerk/De Schans and switch to the Molenkade ferry. Special Note: for 1 week each year the windmills are illuminated with floodlights at night. Even if you have been to Kinderdijk during the day, it is worth another trip to see them lit up in the evening.
2) BINNENHOF (The Hague)
Home to the Dutch Parliament, this castle-like building surrounds an inner courtyard where the grand Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall) sits. It is the oldest structure in the Binnenhof, built in the 13th century by Count Floris V. This is where the new session of Parliament is symbolically opened by the Dutch king on the third Tuesday each September. The gate on the north side is especially ornate as is the gilded gold fountain in the interior courtyard.
3) MARKTHAL (Rotterdam)
This 11-story multi-purpose building is truly an architectural sight to behold. From either end it looks like an upside down horseshoe. The walls and roof contain residential apartments while under the arch is the largest indoor food court in the country; aisles of stalls offering a wide range of breads, cheeses, pastries, fish, meat, produce, flowers, spices and international ready-to-eat cuisine. The ceiling is covered by tiles that form the largest mural in the world. It is located at Binnenrotte Plein (Station Blaak) so you can also see several other fun buildings like the Cube Houses, Blaak Toren and the Rotterdam Central Bibliotheek (library).
4) PEACE PALACE (The Hague)
Home to the International Court of Justice, this magnificent building celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013. The building is not open to the public, but guided tours are occasionally offered. The visitor center is open Tuesday-Sunday. The Peace Palace has appeared in several American television shows and movies including Amazing Race and The Hitman’s Bodyguard.
5) KEUKENHOF (Lisse)
This world-renown tulip and flower gardens attracts over one million visitors a year despite only being open for 8 weeks in the Spring. They come to see the incredibly vibrant colors on display as 7 million bulbs begin to bloom. Not only will you find crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and the iconic Dutch tulips in every imaginable color, but roses, orchids and other flower shows happening in Keukenhof’s two exhibition pavilions. Other attractions and activities include a Japanese garden, petting zoo, boat tour of the adjacent bulb fields and the Keukenhof windmill. Keukenhof is open every day from mid-March to mid-May. The easiest way to get there is by bus from one of the nearby train stations (Leiden, Schiphol or Haarlem). A combination ticket is available that includes entry to the park and round-trip bus transport from any of the three stations.
6) STADHUIS (Gouda)
This Gothic-styled town hall building was completed in 1459 and sits right in the middle of the old town’s main square. The building’s dramatic spires, stone sculptures, colorful stained glass, bright red window shutters and charming clock figurines that put on a show every hour make the Gouda Stadhuis one of South Holland’s do-not-miss landmarks.
7) NIEUWE KERK (Delft)
At nearly 109 meters in height (33 stories), the New Church Delft (built 1496) is the tallest church in South Holland and the second tallest in the Netherlands (behind the Dom Cathedral tower in Utrecht). The remains of the ‘father of the fatherland’, Willem I, Prince of Oranje are entombed in a mausoleum inside the church. Subsequent princes, king and queens have all been laid to rest in the royal crypt under the church. The church is open to the public; the admission ticket includes free entry into the Oude Kerk (Old Church) located a short distance away. Visitors can climb the New Church bell tower (376 stairs) to reach the viewing deck which offers a spectacular aerial view of the old town as well as The Hague and Rotterdam skylines.
8) MORSPOORT & ZIJLPOORT
Two original entry gates that provided access to Leiden back in the days when the city was protected by a perimeter wall, are still in existence today. The Morspoort (pictured above) located on the southwest side of the old town was built in 1611 and utilized a draw bridge over the Mors canal to grant or deny entrance. The Zijlpoort (pictured below), built in 1667, is equally impressive. It was the point-of-entry into Leiden from the northeast.
9) DEPOT (Rotterdam)
DEPOT Boijmans Van Beuningen is the first publicly accessible fine art storage facility in the world. It opened in late 2021 as the actual museum was closing for an extensive renovation. The Depot holds over 150,000 pieces of art belonging to the museum. But just as exciting is the building itself. It stands 39.5 meters tall, is bowl-shaped (40 meters wide at bottom, 60 meters at top), covered with 1664 mirrored panels, has a rooftop restaurant and was constructed and operates with high sustainability.
10) SCHEVENINGEN STRAND & PIER (The Hague)
The Hague’s seaside resort of Scheveningen beach has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. It all started when the iconic Pier was purchased by new owners who set about making it the attraction it deserved to be. A wide range of restaurants and bar stalls now line the lower level (indoors), while the upper (outdoor) level offers comfortable seating and fun music. In 2016 the Skyview Ferris Wheel was added (the first in Europe built entirely over water). The boulevard itself was completely replaced and widened from north of the Pier all the way to the harbor. The waterfront Kurhaus Hotel is still a truly majestic building built in the 1800’s. Also see the Fairytale Sculptures by the Sea in front of the Beelden aan Zee museum.
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