Leiden is a picturesque town centrally located between Amsterdam and The Hague, and happens to look gorgeous in the rain. Given that our DutchReview office is located here, it’s no surprise we think the city is glorious.

Some cities need sun for their beauty to truly shine but not our lovely Leiden! It is stunning in all seasons — wet winter, windy Autumn, cloudy spring and yes, the cold summer!

We teamed up with the talented @carjstudio, who clearly has a knack for city photography as well. Enjoy the following photos of Leiden in the rain!

The Leiden harbour

Views across Leiden harbour with the Molen De Valk in the background

The city centre — City Hall, Haarlemmerstraat and Leiden’s old trade office

Shooting across the pretty canals

We hope you enjoyed these stunning photos! (And that they make you appreciate the rainy weather a bit more).

Have you been to Leiden? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2019, and was fully updated in January 2024 for your reading pleasure.

Where do all the Christmas trees in the Netherlands go after the holidays? Unfortunately, not a better place.

Quite a few internationals have asked us how to get rid of their Christmas trees in the Netherlands. They thought that a neatly organized country had some kind of decent system in place.

Indeed, in some municipalities, there’s a pick-up scheme for Christmas trees right after New Year’s Day.

But there’s, of course, a traditional way of getting rid of the old tree in the Netherlands that warms my heart, figuratively and literally.

Burning the old Christmas tree

As a kid, I grew up with the burning of Christmas trees tradition that takes place every year in the Netherlands — the more trees burning the better!

It brings back the primal being in you, and, well, big fires are awesome!

So we at DutchReview can totally dig this photo report by Renzo Gerritsen on a good-old-burn-your-tree gathering in Amsterdam: it’s seriously lit!

READ MORE | Christmas in the Netherlands: your guide to Dutch holiday foods and celebrations

If you like Renzo’s photos, then follow his Facebook page.

How do you get rid of your Christmas tree in your home country? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2018, and was fully updated in December 2023 for your reading pleasure.

One thing that never changes in the Netherlands is the love for snow. And so, here are some magical pictures of the snowy Netherlands.

Every time snow falls, it completely paralyzes the country, with people either stuck in traffic or simply gazing at all the prettiness and funny business going on. It’s even set traffic jam records of over 1,000 kilometres in the past!

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #58: Go ice-skating whenever possible

Now it’s about time we fulfilled our duty in bringing you all those delicious pictures of the Dutch winter wonderland.

It’s snow time!

We scoured Instagram and asked you to send us your best pics of the Dutch winter wonderland. We got tagged, inboxed, mail-pigeoned, telegrammed and commented on so much that it made us a bit shy — thank you, guys!

DutchReview readers are just the best. Sadly we couldn’t all post them (our servers would die on us). So here are some of the good stuff we received.

And this absolute banger by Vincent Mullenders, of course, the Dutch winter wonderland doesn’t get any better than this!

For more snowy magic from the Netherlands, make sure that you’re following our Instagram.

Have you seen snow in the Netherlands? Was it the winter wonderland you were dreaming of? Let us know in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2019 and was fully updated in December 2023, for your reading pleasure.

Have you been loving our previous photo reports? If the Dutch weather has left you feeling a little blue lately, we have some beautiful photos for you to brighten up your day.

Here at DutchReview, we are self-confessed Insta-addicts, and we love to showcase the familiar faces that we always see on our feeds, so you can enjoy them too.

This time we’ve teamed up with Nora Maria to bring you some fantastic photographs of the Netherlands.

It may feel gloomy in the winter, but the Netherlands still looks beautiful! Head to the canals and enjoy the reflections of fairy lights in the water.

Seriously, Amsterdam never fails to impress!

Although it’s tempting to stay inside, sometimes braving the rain can be worth it — just look at this!

And after the rain comes the sun. Or at least beautiful skies!

The warm cosy feeling of gezelligheid

One of the things that Nora Maria does the best is capturing that warm fuzzy feeling you get when walking through the streets of Amsterdam and seeing all those canal houses light up. Just look at these beauties:

It’s not just all canals, though. Check out this incredible windmill shot!

Beautiful pictures, huh? And there are plenty more where that came from! If you haven’t done so already, check out Nora Maria on her Instagram.

We’re there too, sharing all kinds of great pictures that you’ve taken, so be sure to take a nose at our Instagram as well.

Which one of these photos do you love the most? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2019 and was fully updated in November 2023 for your reading pleasure.

There are a few things the Netherlands will never have: decent curtains, dinner after 6 PM, and mountains. But one can dream, right?

Imagine skiing next to the canals of Amsterdam, lush Alp-like mountains five minutes away from Vondelpark, or snow-covered hills giving a scenic backdrop to Rotterdam’s famous butt plug gnome. No, we’re not joking.  

These artists have created some pretty cool graphics of what the flattest country in Europe would look like if she had a mountain range.

Skiing next to Amsterdam’s canals

This video will take you on a magical ride along the canals of a mountainous Amsterdam. How breathtaking is that?!

Rotterdam’s high-rises besides peaks

If you’re more of a Rotterdam fan, check out these epic photos. These guys started an Instagram account back in July 2020, sharing images of what Rotterdam would look like with mountains!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Studio Downtime (@studiodowntime)

Doesn’t this picture make the Netherlands magically turn into the perfect winter destination?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Studio Downtime (@studiodowntime)

How cool would the contrast between the majestic mountains and Rotterdam’s modern architecture be?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Studio Downtime (@studiodowntime)

If you love these photos as much as we do, head over to Studio Downtime’s Instagram page and explore more of their mountainous creations!  

Would you still love the Netherlands if it had mountains? Or do you enjoy living in a land with flat terrain? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature image: studiodowntime

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2021, and was fully updated in August 2023 for your reading pleasure.

Colourful tulip fields offer some of the most picturesque sceneries in the Netherlands! Plus, we’ve got an extra bonus of beautiful cities in the Netherlands at the end. 

To bring you some incredible drone shots of the Dutch tulip fields, we’ve teamed up with the talented Dutch photographer Arden (also known as arden_nl on Instagram).

Enjoy how the different colours of the best flower fields come together for the perfect shot.

The tulip fields near Lisse and Keukenhof

Lisse — a town just southwest of Amsterdam — is mostly famous for the Keukenhof, which is located here. A place that should be on every tourist’s bucket list, Keukenhof is truly a treat for the eyes and a perfect way to spend a day in the summer.

You can hop on your bike, or take your car and drive around enjoying the sight. You can even take the train or bus here and then go on a long walk through the fields.

The Dutch tulips fields in Noordwijkerhout

Noordwijkerhout is located in the west of the Duin- en Bollenstreek region (Dune and Bulb region) of the Netherlands, which is also a tourists’ and locals’ favourite because of the flower fields and coastal dunes. It is located close to Leiden and it’s one of the best places to see flower fields in the Netherlands.

While walking in the tulip fields is not possible as it could damage them, you can still enjoy the views from all the possible angles thanks to Arden’s video.

The different sides of Amsterdam

Arden takes photos of not only tulip fields but also other picturesque locations across the Netherlands. He perfectly captures the atmosphere of Amsterdam in November, when the temperatures are cooling down, and the weather is getting a bit more grey.

Amsterdam covered in snow also has its magic. The temperatures are getting colder, and everyone is trying to find a way to make their indoors cosier. When snow falls, people come out to play in the streets.

Ever been to the pride parade in Amsterdam? This is what it looks like from up above! Everyone should participate in these parades to stand with our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters because the city used to be a lot less gay-friendly. We still have a long way to go to make sure there’s LGBTQ+ equality.

Beautiful photos of Rotterdam

Rotterdam is home to many different nationalities. The city has a tragic history where most of it was bombed during World War II. The resilience of Rotterdammers has kept the city going, and Rotterdam is now known for its quirky architecture and multicultural fervour.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Rotterdam for free, and marvelling at these epic buildings is definitely one of them.

The old city of Nijmegen

Did you know that Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands? It has existed for more than 2,000 years when it was first recognised as Noviomagus during Roman times.

Giethoorn, the Venice of the Netherlands

Sometimes called the Venice of the Netherlands, Giethoorn is a beautiful Dutch town with long winding canals which you can explore on a boat.

The perfect way to spend the day in Giethoorn is just by enjoying the beautiful nature this town has to offer. If you’re looking for beautiful Dutch towns that are not Amsterdam, this is the place to go!

Quirky Zaandam pictures

A photographers’ favourite and a town known for its windmill park Zaanse Schans, Zaandam has a lot to offer in terms of quirky and colourful architecture.

Beautiful Kasteel de Haar

This castle in Utrecht is supposed to be one of the most luxurious castles in the Netherlands. Built in 1391, the castle grounds stretch for 135 acres. The castle’s gardens were largely destroyed in WWII, but after that, they were restored so that everyone could enjoy them again.

The Netherlands has so much to offer, and this is just a glimpse of it. If you love these images as much as we do, make sure to head over to Arden’s Instagram, Facebook page, or website, where you’ll find plenty more incredible shots of the Netherlands.

Which one of the places featured here would you love to visit the most? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: Arden/Supplied
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2019, and was fully updated in August 2023 for your reading pleasure.

It’s official: we’re mega-fans of Rotterdam! Shedding its crappy parts and putting up new amazing architectural highlights, Rotterdam can be compared to a caterpillar that turned into a beautiful butterfly over the past few years.

As a born Rotterdammer, I already had the pleasure of writing at DutchReview about some great photographers in Rotterdam. Now, let’s look at some of the best shots of Rotterdam!

Epic Rotterdam by Gestaltes

Who are we talking about here? Gestaltes are two friends with a passion for photography and the city — and they do a great job making Rotterdam look super special.

READ MORE | 24 best and free things to do in Rotterdam in 2023

Let’s look at some of Rotterdam’s iconic architectural buildings one at a time, or as they say in Rotterdam: geen woorden maar daden — no words but deeds.

The Erasmus Bridge

While Erasmus Bridge is fairly young (opened in 1996), it quickly became a symbol of the port city. It’s also made it onto all kinds of “best bridges in the world” lists and you can see why:

De Rotterdam

Right next to the Erasmus Bridge, you can find De Rotterdam building. It’s huge and was only completed a few years ago, but is already a crowd favourite.

New Orleans

Right next to De Rotterdam is the New Orleans building. A 46-storey, 158-metre tall residential skyscraper designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, it is the second tallest residential building in the Netherlands (after Zalmhaven which was recently completed — also in Rotterdam).

Kop van Zuid

All these buildings, as well as Rotterdam’s Cruise Terminal, are located at the Kop van Zuid neighbourhood. It’s a Walhalla for architecture lovers and photographers.

The Central Station of Rotterdam

Amsterdam has been working for decades on theirs — but Rotterdam finished its awesome train station under its budget and time schedule (and it’s lit af).

Tons of other architectural highlights

Rotterdam has tons of other plans for new and epic buildings and there’s still plenty in the city to discover.

Bonus: the Buttplug Gnome in Rotterdam

The bronze statue was intended to show Santa holding a festive bell and a Christmas tree, but the artist that made it, Paul McCarthy, did it a bit differently.

READ MORE | 31 unmissable things to do in Rotterdam in 2023

After some moaning by Rotterdammers about the costs, the sexually active gnome became adopted and loved by the city.

Have you been to Rotterdam yet? What do you love the most about the city? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Gestaltes/Supplied
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2018, and was fully updated in July 2023 for your reading pleasure. 

There are many gorgeous Dutch cities that make everyday living in the Netherlands picture-perfect.

Living in the Netherlands can get just a tad bit too much when you begin missing the sun, and start dreading going outside to brave the wind.

Ominous, gloomy clouds loom over your head almost every day while you desperately try to master the Dutch art of biking with an umbrella.

Nevertheless, there are also a lot of things to appreciate about Dutch weather. You cherish the warm days more, you learn how to make the indoors a lot cosier, and you become really grateful for just one warm cup of just about anything.

So, what better way to prepare for the upcoming autumn than being reminded of how beautiful Dutch cities can be during the colder months!

This magical photo report is brought to you by @een_wasbeer

When we came across Christina Kooiker‘s photography account on Instagram, her photos translated these contrasting feelings into pictures.

By playing with the warm and cold tones of the pictures, she doesn’t shy away from emphasising the sombre weather outside, but also the splashes of bright warm tones from the street lamps, or lights shining through windows.

Alkmaar

It’s so unfortunate that so many smaller cities in the Netherlands fall off our radar because sometimes, they can be the very essence of what the country is made of.

Canals reflecting old Dutch buildings, and meandering streets that make for a gezellig day trip from Amsterdam!

Amersfoort

Did you know the royal family sometimes visits this cute, little city for King’s Day? And why wouldn’t it be on everybody’s list?

Just look at this picture Christina took! Looks so scenic, doesn’t it?

Amsterdam

No list of the Netherlands is complete without at least a mention of the capital: Amsterdam!

If you’ve just moved there, and are still starry-eyed about the city, you might need a few survival tips for living in Amsterdam.

Even if you thought you’d seen everything there is in the capital, these pictures will make you fall in love with the city all over again!

Christina really has an eye for detail! Framing the picture so that your focus goes directly to the little grey Beetle in the centre is iconic.

Breda

One of the Netherlands’ best-kept secrets: the medieval city of Breda!

Fun fact: this city was the official residence of the royal family of Orange-Nassau, the house that the current king is a descendant of.

Delft

This city needs no introduction because I think all of us would have heard about it in passing here on DutchReview, or anywhere else really!

READ MORE | Scenic Delft: 15 great photos to make you wanna visit (Another Dutchreview Photoreport!)

If this picture is the first you’re seeing of it, I don’t think you could’ve asked for a better one.

Den Bosch

Ever heard of this Dutch town? It is the capital of the province of North Brabant, which changes its name to Oeteldonk during the carnival days!

READ MORE | Have you seen these cool futuristic bulb houses in Den Bosch?

Deventer

See that beautiful piece of architecture standing out in the picture? That’s Deventer’s main church.

READ MORE | What the Dickens? Experiencing the Deventer Dickens Festival

It was built almost 1000 years ago, and it still stands tall!

Enkhuizen

One of the things we enjoy most about Christina’s pictures is the tones she uses to make the warm colours stand out more than the cold colours.

READ MORE | The 10 best authentic Dutch villages that you have to visit

Groningen

Did you know that Groningen is one of the youngest cities in the Netherlands, where almost 26% of the population is between the age of 20-29? The student population is strong in this one!

READ MORE | 26 thrilling things to do in Groningen in 2023

No wonder you can find a lot of free things to do in Groningen.

Haarlem

Aah, the good ol’ city of Haarlem!

READ MORE | 18 charming things to do in Haarlem

Like a laid-back mini Amsterdam, with a lot of mini canals running through the city, this is a perfect place to live nearby Amsterdam.

Houten

You might have seen this scenery on Insta before — can’t really get enough of it, right?

Kinderdijk

The town of windmills is a perfect day trip choice from Rotterdam!

Maastricht

This gem is on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium.

READ MORE | A day trip to Maastricht: what to see, do, and eat

Maastricht is good for a weekend trip, or a stopover during a road trip to Belgium for those beers!

Middelburg

Zeeland can be beautiful sometimes:

This picture really conjures up the lyrics of The Sound of Silence in my mind:

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

Somehow, it works perfectly, doesn’t it?

Muiderslot

Who else loves going to castles to soak up some history?

Head over to one of the most breathtaking medieval castles in the Netherlands in Muiderslot!

Ootmarsum

We don’t know where this is, but it sure looks lovely.

Rotterdam

A city we love here at DutchReview: it’s the city where old and new come together to give you the perfect mix of everything!

If this picture prompts you to go there, there are a lot of free things to do in Rotterdam.

Urk

Guess you didn’t expect this town when you clicked on a ‘best photos of the Netherlands’ article?

Utrecht

After you learn how to pronounce the name (it’s youtrekt or am I wrong?), go to this city because of how beautiful it is!

READ MORE | 18 unmissable things to do in Utrecht in 2023

Zaandam

The unique city of Zaandam has Zaanse Schans, a windmill park, as one of its neighbourhoods, quirky and colourful architecture, and a lot more — go exploring!

READ MORE | 7 great windmills to visit in the Netherlands

We feature Christina’s photos a lot on our Instagram as well, so hit that follow button too while you’re there!

Did you experience the pictures as we did? Was it different? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in March 2019, and was fully updated in May 2023 for your reading pleasure.

It is no surprise that there are plenty of stunning photo spots in Leiden — after all, the city is a breathtaking little gem, snugged neatly between Amsterdam and the Hague.

Leiden is a truly ideal spot for a photography tour, especially since all of its most stunning sights are within minutes of walking from each other. 

Are you ready to get that perfect shot? Here’s where you can find it!

1. De Burcht: for the best view of the Hooglandsekerk

De Burcht is worth visiting for many reasons. One of them, undoubtedly, is the fact that it’s located on a hill… in the Netherlands!?

If you know a thing or two about hills, you’ll know that they can provide fantastic views — and that sure is true for De Burcht as well. Here, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the glorious Hooglandsekerk of Leiden.

READ MORE | Why is the Netherlands so flat? The complete explanation

This imposing church is one of Leiden’s most famous monuments, so don’t miss this chance to get a stunning shot of it! 

2. The Hortus Botanicus: for exotic plants

Time for some greenery — and Leiden has just the right place to go: the university’s botanical gardens. 

The Hortus Botanicus is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Beautiful, romantic, and packed with a great variety of plants, it’s easily one of the best photo spots in Leiden. 

Whether you want to shoot some Dutch tulips, or Leiden’s famous penis plant (yes, you read that right), this is the place to be! 

3. The Rapenburg: for magnificent canal views

One thing that can’t be missing from a good ol’ Dutch photo series is pictures of a canal view: glistening water reflecting in the camera, a charming boat floating by, and lush green trees decorating the side of the roads. Oh la la!

Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! The Rapenburg in Leiden can provide you with just that. Trust us; the 700-metre-long street has not a singular spot that is not worthy of a spot in a Kruidvat photobook!

READ MORE | The Amsterdam canal houses: why are they so wonderfully weird?

The snazziest street of the city hosts the oldest building of Leiden University, as well as plenty of great cafés, museums, and historical Dutch houses.

On top of that, it has a stunning canal that is frequently called the mooiste gracht (prettiest canal) in the whole city — and we can see why!

4. The Molen de Valk: for a quintessentially Dutch shot

If you walk towards Leiden’s city centre from the station, you will come past what looks like your typical painting of the Netherlands. 

The main star of the show? The Molen de Valk, the only windmill left of the 19 that once stood within the city walls of Leiden. 

Surrounded by the water and the park’s greenery, it makes for a truly stunning and quintessentially Dutch shot! 

5. The Pieterskerk square: to capture Leiden’s history

History buffs, and appreciators of all things beautiful, this one’s for you! A feast for the eyes and the brain alike: the Pieterskerk and its surroundings.

Charming little streets lead you to what used to be Leiden’s main Catholic church, with its roots dating all the way back to the 1300s. 

READ MORE | The pilgrims in Leiden: Where were the pilgrims before they sailed to America?

Important not just for Leiden’s history, this district of the city actually used to be settled by the American pilgrims in the 16th century.

The stunning church’s big windows, and red doors, along with the typical cobbled streets, easily make for one of the best photo spots in Leiden.

6. The Koornbrug: for the hustle and bustle 

Next up, let’s head to the Koornbrug. This stunning bridge has a unique look that will look great in any photo. Its canopy even hosts Leiden’s coat of arms!

The Koornbrug is located right on the Nieuwe Rijn, one of Leiden’s main canals. Stroll along, sit by the water, admire the Dutch architecture and get shots of Leiden’s hustle and bustle.

Oh, and if you need a break from carrying your heavy camera through the city, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of great cafés and yummy ice cream shops along this canal!

7. The little pink house: for a pop of colour

Just like Los Angeles has its famous pink wall, Leiden has its charming pink house — a pop of colour in the middle of the city centre. 

Dating back to 1635, this little dream house has quite the history in its lap. It used to be home to a well-known prostitute, who went by the nickname of Groene Haasje (little green hare).

At the time, the area the Little Pink House is in was deemed a Leiden-version of Amsterdam’s Red Light District. 

Today, it’s just the perfect spot to spice up your Instagram feed. Just look at that beautiful contrast between the sky’s baby blue and the house’s baby pink! Mooi, hé?

8. Outside the Volkenkunde Museum: to see the cherry blossoms

Last but certainly not least: The Volkenkunde Museum — a beauty both inside and out!  

While the inside of the National Museum of Ethnology is among the best things to do in Leiden, the museum’s surroundings are an attraction in themselves. 

READ MORE | The museum town of the Netherlands: 14 great museums to visit in Leiden

In the spring, this is a great place to observe the cherry blossom season slowly unfolding. On top of that, the museum will occasionally have artwork of fairs outside as well. This is a photo spot in Leiden that’s definitely worth checking out!

Whether you’re looking to get that perfect shot for your apartment’s photo wall or just a casual snap for your ‘gram, these photo spots in Leiden are great locations to be featured.

Do you know of any more great photo spots in Leiden? Tell us in the comments!

Windmills are one of the most quintessential and stereotypical accents to the Netherlands (alongside clogs, smoking weed, stroopwafels, and unrivalled architecture of course!).

While there are about a thousand of them in all of the Netherlands, one of the best places to see windmills is undoubtedly the Zaanse Schans.

The Zaanse Schans is a neighbourhood in Zaandam, a quiet Dutch city near Amsterdam that boasts some of the most picturesque windmills in the Netherlands. The town attracts over one million visitors a year — and you’re about to see why.

To bring you these awe-inspiring shots of the Zaanse Schans and its windmills, we’ve teamed up with the talented Dutch photographer Ewout Pahud.

This dreamy video was captured on a misty morning:

The foggy mornings make for epic drone shots.

Windmills weren’t just used to grind flour, but also to dry waterlogged land the Dutch reclaimed from the sea.

Alluring spider web with a picturesque background.

Sunset time! Wouldn’t meandering along these windmills be so peaceful?

Incredible shots, huh? If you want to enjoy more beautiful Dutch scenery, check out Ewout Pahud on his Instagram.

Have you seen the typical Dutch windmills? What’s your favourite Dutch scenery? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2019, and was fully updated in March 2023 for your reading pleasure.