9 Most Welcoming Small Towns in Netherlands

Currently home to over seventeen million people, the Netherlands has a history that dates back to the Ice Age. Also referred to as Holland, this land is best known for being inundated with windmills and rolling fields of brightly-coloured tulips. Yet, Holland also possesses a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of genuine hospitality. Bordering Belgium to the south, Germany to the east, and the North Sea to the north and west, the Netherlands offers visitors a plethora of small towns that roll out the welcome mat each and every day. From Oudenbosch in the province of North Brabant to Oud Beijerland in South Holland Province, here are some of the most welcoming small towns in the Netherlands.

Oudenbosch - North (Noord) Brabant

The town of Oudenbosch, situated in the municipality of Halderberge, is one of the most welcoming small towns in North Brabant Province. Possibly most famous for having a smaller version of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Oudenbosch Basilica, Oudenbosch is also home to the Botanical Gardens of Oudenbosch, which grows hundreds of varieties of plants and trees for the enjoyment of the public, as well as for the preservation of the planet as a whole. Along with the gardens, there are several museums in Oudenbosch, like the Zouave Museum, catering to the Zouaves, the fighters and protectors of the Pope, and the Museum of Natural History and Ethnology.

Naarden - North (Noord) Holland

Naarden, located in the Gooi region of the province of North Holland, maintains a small-town quality while still having attributes that appease those living in a larger city. Architectural wonders like Grote Kerk Cathedral and the building currently holding the town’s city hall, museums such as the Comenius Mausoleum and Weegschaal Museum, and several natural attractions, like Zwemstrand Naarderbos and Naardermeer, are within easy travel distance from anywhere in Naarden. Several unique attractions and excellent lodging choices are also available in and around Naarden. For example, history enthusiasts flock to Naarden-Bussum (Provincial Monument Station), a historic railway station that opened in the eighteen hundreds. Meanwhile, after a fun day out, one can book a room at Huize Koempoelan or Villa de Nachtegaal, both optimal lodging options in Naarden.

Vianen - Utrecht

Backed up against the southern bank of the Lek River, the small town of Vianen, in the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, is split between a modern town and an ancient city. As its roots stem from before the fourteenth century, there are several historical attractions, like the Lekpoort, one of the only town gates to remain intact and operational from medieval times to the present day. There are also many attractions in and around Vianen that showcase the local community's hospitality, like the horse market, which first opened in the mid-thirteenth century as an annual fair and way to trade horses. Event today, the horse fair in October attracts upwards of twenty-five thousand visitors every year, making it a perfect time to visit Vianen. For visitors, several quaint inns are available in and around town, including Bed & Breakfast aan de Lek and Bed & Breakfast De Poldersteeg.

Bad Nieuweschans - Groningen

As Thermen Bad Nieuweschans translates into thermal baths of Nieuweschans, the small town of Nieuweschans, with “Bad” - “bath” added on later to promote tourism, is perhaps best known for being home to some of the best spas in the area. Most people visit for the relaxing mineral spas, which provide an escape from urban woes and stress. Yet this town of just under fourteen hundred residents has more to offer that many overlook. Nieuweschans has several amenities that cater to the municipality of Oldambt, like Bricksart Nieuweschans, a museum that showcases a wide variety of cultural art. Some local dining and lodging choices are worth checking out in and around town, including de Gouden Leeuw (the Golden Lion), which offers guests excellent local food and a quaint, rustic place to sleep for a single evening or even the entire weekend.

Giethoorn - Overijssel

Giethoorn, located in the municipality of Steenwijkerland in the province of Overijssel, is home to a section of pastoral canals that were first created while digging for peat moss, earning the small town the honorific title “Venice of the Netherlands.” Along with the picturesque quality of the canals, which are situated to the south and east of Giethoorn, this quaint town of less than three thousand people is home to a plethora of day trips, including the Keukenhof tulip fields tour and the Zaanse Schans windmill tour. From beautiful tulip gardens to a scenic windmill, these day trips are ideal for all kinds of travellers. There are even several activities for visitors to experience along with the locals or even on their own in Giethoorn, like renting a boat or canoe for the day to experience the true sense of beauty this pastoral village town offers each and every day.

Brouwershaven - Zeeland

Located on the southern edge of Lake Grevelingen in the province of Zeeland, the town of Brouwershaven is a haven for water activities on the water and dry land. Activities on the water include boating, swimming, and fishing, making it a perfect summer destination. There are also several underwater activities, like free diving and snorkelling, for a more immersive experience. On land, guests are encouraged to experience the beauty of various great trails near the lake. The possibilities are endless, from cutting through thick foliage to running along Lake Grevenlingen's scenic shores. Plus, in downtown Brouwershaven, visitors can experience a variety of dining options, like the Restaurant La Plaisanterie, which has an excellent family menu, and Zeeuwse Schatkamer, which offers up more of a Japanese seafood cuisine.

Groenlo - Gelderland

The town of Groenlo, located in the region of Achterhoek and part of the municipality of Oost Gelre, is home to several attractions that cater to the entire family, individuals, and groups of friends. The International Marveld Tournament, a traditional football competition, takes place every June. They cater to professional football clubs from Brazil to Barcelona, providing a treat to football fans. Groenlo is also home to a deep canal that traverses around the north half of town. Visitors can take a one or two person kayak or a three person canoe along this canal and experience Groenlo in a whole new way.

Oud-Beijerland - Flevoland

Now a part of the municipality of Hoeksche Waard, the town of Oud-Beijerland is currently home to about twenty-five thousand people. That population swells significantly during King’s Day and the Toost Festival. King’s Day, or Koningsdag, is a festival held at the end of April that honours the birth of Willem-Alexander, the current king of the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the Toost Festival showcases a variety of Food Trucks, where one can enjoy all kinds of local, national, and international cuisines. Those who miss out on the local events need not fret as historical monuments like the Old City Hall and de Dorpskerk church await with rustic tales.

Thorn - Limburg

Last but not least, the town of Thorn, located within the municipality of Maasgouw in the province of Limburg, is home to a plethora of white-washed buildings in the centre of town, earning it the nickname the “white village” of Thorn. This small town of just under three thousand residents also lies on two different rivers, the Meuse and the Witbeek, allowing for a variety of watersports. Along with the historical and naturalistic views of Thorn, this town welcomes visitors every year to experience several attractions, like Wijngaard Square, which obtained its name when Napoleon invaded the Netherlands in the 1700s and converted the Abbey’s Garden and Vineyard into a town square. Now, visitors can enjoy the sights of the Thorn Museum on one side of the square and the former Abbey Church on the other.

Conclusion

There is a magnitude of small towns within the Netherlands that almost literally “roll out the red carpet” for visitors. From festivals to food trucks, these small towns possess a level of hospitality that includes everyone from three to ninety-three. Whether visiting Giethoorn for a smaller version of Venice and its famous canals or checking out the town of Brouwershaven for some Japanese seafood, a welcoming hand and a cheerful smile are available for anyone who wishes to stop by these small towns in the Netherlands.