What to do in the southwest of the Netherlands
Delft - Gouda - Kasteel Duivenvoorde - leiden
Find in this post 3 charming towns and 1 pretty castle to visit while you are in this area of the Netherlands, that are not The Hague, Amsterdam, or Rotterdam.
Map of the netherland
Find all the addresses I talked about in this post and much more! Great way to have an overview of what to see and visit in the area of your choice. (still a work in progress, updates soon)
Delft
Delft is a charming town with a magnificent cultural heritage. I recommend spending a day there at most. An absolute must is a visit to the famous 17th-century Delft pottery factory, which is still in operation, with a museum and guided tours. The museum is very beautiful and, in the end, you can even visit the workshop. You’ll learn all about Delft blue!
Another museum worth visiting is that dedicated to the life and art of Vermeer. Indeed, the famous painter was born in this town and was inspired by it.
If you’re hungry, I recommend a visit to the Warenmarkt, a pretty market. Check the schedule in advance, I think it’s only open two days a week. In this market, you can eat delicious stroopwafel and other delicious street food!
End your walk at the Nieuwe Kerk. This tall church is quite impressive to behold.
Finally, I recommend a stroll through the surrounding streets, following the canals. It’s a very pretty and bucolic area.
Gouda
[find all addresses in the map at the top of this post]
Welcome to the city of cheese! As this is a fairly small town, I recommend spending an afternoon or a day here.
As you may know, the Dutch are very fond of their potatoes. If you want to start your visit with a full stomach, go to Pomm’s. You can enjoy great French fries and other Dutch snacks as you stroll through the city.
Visit the city center, where there is a marketplace. You can find there the cheese museum and the stadthuis of Gouda.
Continue your walk to the cheese shop. Nice place to get a memory from Gouda, some gouda. Walk through Jeruzalemstraat and then Achter de Kerk. You arrive now at Sint-Janskerk. This beautiful church boasts astonishing stained glass windows. An audio guide explains the meaning of the stained-glass designs.
To finish with a very Dutch touch, go to this windmill.
Kasteel Duivenvoorde
So so so charming. Especially in spring. It is accessible by public transport and located 40 minutes away from Den Haag Centraal.
You can visit the castle, there is even a souvenir shop. What I recommend you do is to pack a little picnic and spend the afternoon in the park.
It is quite big, you can spend some time exploring it. The nature is truly pretty and the atmosphere is very pleasant. I just hope that you will have good weather!
leiden
[find all addresses in the map at the top of this post]
Leiden is a very pretty city in which it is easy to spend a day! If you arrive by train, you can start by seeing this pretty windmill.
A must-do is to visit the Burcht van Leiden which gives a lovely view of the city. In the area, take your time to stroll along the canals-side streets, stop off at a café, and try the Leiden Street Market (open on Wednesday and Saturday).
There are many nice museums in this city, including Museum De Lakenhal or Wereldmuseum.
If you prefer to relax and enjoy a sunny day, you can also hang out in one of their beautiful parks, such as at Het Plantsoen.