South Holland between water, nature and history

More than 1,000 kilometres of navigable waterways give South Holland its distinctive character: water here is not just a backdrop, but also a place to relax. The region also has towns, villages, natural areas and events. When planning your trip, first consider whether you are mainly looking for scenery and outdoor activities, experiences on the water, or art and history. This will also help you choose a place to stay that suits the interests you want to shape your trip around.

Waterways, Wetlands and Nature

Water sports in South Holland range from swimming, sailing and boating to fishing, kitesurfing and diving. At Vlietland, bodies of water meet woodland and bird-rich wetlands, creeks and reed beds. Swimming, surfing, sailing, canoeing, rowing and motorboating are possible at Noordplas and Meeslouwerplas; follow local safety and operating rules.

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen can also be explored in different ways: by boat, on foot or by bicycle, for example along paths through pastureland and at Lusthof De Haeck. You can join ranger-led trips with Natuurmonumenten there almost every day. You can also rent an electric whisper boat, a canoe or a SUP. Before your trip, check with the provider which tours and rentals are available on your visit date. The area is also of great importance for its populations of purple herons, marsh orchids and northern water voles; they are among the most significant in the Netherlands.

South Holland has two national parks: De Biesbosch and Hollandse Duinen, which received official national park status in 2026. De Biesbosch is Europe’s largest freshwater tidal area. Creeks, willow forests, numerous islands, polders and dikes define this landscape. Hollandse Duinen stretches along a broad strip of North Sea coast from Hoek van Holland to Hillegom. There, nature, culture and history meet close to major cities.

Routes for a Range of Activities

The province’s route networks provide access to walking, cycling, horse-riding and water routes. At Groene Halte in Rhoon, walking routes range from 7.5 to 20 kilometres. They are signposted or connected to regional or local walking networks; check route details before setting out, as they may be updated. Bentwoud has a total of 80 kilometres of walking and cycling trails. These include the three-kilometre Woudloperspad running trail.

Bentwoud’s character can also be discovered through its changing habitats: woodland, shrubs, flower-rich meadows, wetlands and open spaces lie side by side. The area is home to distinctive birds, butterflies and plants. In Hollands Duin, you can walk, cycle and mountain bike. Concrete bunkers and a wave-shaped anti-tank wall recall the Second World War. The trails combine outdoor activity with glimpses of the landscape and its history, although every route offers a different experience.

Art and History in the Cities

In The Hague, the Prince William V Gallery tells the story of a distinctive chapter in Dutch art history: it was the Netherlands’ first public art collection. The Mauritshuis displays 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, including Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp. The museum is also suitable for a visit with children; its famous paintings appeal to children and adults alike.

In Delft, you can learn about the traditional production process of Delft Blue at the Royal Delft Museum factory. The museum also offers tile-painting workshops; check dates and availability in advance. The Nieuwe Kerk houses the tombs of members of the Dutch royal family, including Willem van Oranje, and you can climb its church tower. Johannes Vermeer and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek are buried in the Oude Kerk. It is the oldest church in the city. Dating from 1400, the Oostpoort is the only surviving one of the city’s original eight gates.

Leiden, too, can be explored through its historic sites: De Burcht dates back to the 11th century and offers views over the city. Molenmuseum de Valk is a grain mill dating from 1743 and the last surviving original mill of the 19 that once stood on Leiden’s city walls. Leiden also has 35 hofjes, or almshouse courtyards. Most can be visited; please be considerate of the residents. The exhibition De Wezen Spreken offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the orphans who lived in the former orphanage, and the building is open to visitors. Check before your visit to see whether the exhibition is available.

Regional Traditions and Visitor Experiences

Cheese and craftsmanship are part of the market scene in Gouda: the cheese market has stalls selling regional products, cheese trading and cheese-making, as well as a craft market. This seasonal tradition takes place on specific dates and at set times, so check before your trip. Gouda cheese is still made using traditional methods in the surrounding polders, then brought to the market in the city centre and sold there.

Keukenhof showcases the Dutch horticultural industry, with a particular focus on flower bulbs. The garden’s layout is still based on the English landscape style created in 1857. On Tiengemeten, meanwhile, a tidal channel connected to the Haringvliet and open marshland meet the revitalised 19th-century farming landscape of the Oude Polder. A ferry takes you there in ten minutes; check the timetable before travelling. At Kinderdijk, visitors can learn how people have lived below sea level for centuries and discover Dutch water management, past and present.

Discover more destinations: Westland, Westvoorne, Graafstroom, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Hellevoetsluis, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Hillegom, Kaag En Braassem, Korendijk, Krimpen Aan Den Ijssel, Lansingerland, Leiden, Leiderdorp, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Liesveld, Maassluis, Nederlek, Nieuwkoop, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Noordwijk, Noordwijkerhout, Oegstgeest, Oostflakkee, Wassenaar, Zederik, Middelharnis, Leerdam, Lisse, Midden-Delfland, Alblasserdam, Albrandswaard, Alphen Aan Den Rijn, Barendrecht, Bergambacht, Bernisse, Binnenmaas, Bodegraven, Boskoop, Brielle, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel, Cromstrijen, Delft, The Hague, Dirksland, Dordrecht, Giessenlanden, Goedereede, Gorinchem, Gouda, Reeuwijk, Ridderkerk, Rijnwoude, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Rozenburg, Schiedam, Schoonhoven, Sliedrecht, Spijkenisse, Strijen, Teylingen, Vlaardingen, Vlist, Voorschoten, Waddinxveen, Zoeterwoude, Ouderkerk, Papendrecht, Oud-Beijerland, Zuidplas, Katwijk, Zoetermeer, Zwijndrecht, Goeree-Overflakkee, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Molenwaard, Pijnacker-Nootdorp.

For the overview of destinations: The Netherlands.