Your contracts are sorted, so now the fun part starts. These are good ways to get to know the Netherlands in your first months, from museums to the coast.
Get a Museumkaart
The Museumkaart is a year card that gives you free entry to hundreds of Dutch museums. It is a good plan for rainy weekends. Check the participating museums and the current price on museumkaart.nl.
Celebrate King’s Day
On 27 April the Netherlands celebrates the king’s birthday. People wear orange, and towns fill with street markets, music and parties. In 2027, King’s Day falls on a Tuesday.
Explore by bike
Cycling is the easiest way to discover your new city and the countryside around it. Don’t have a bike yet? Read how a bike subscription works.
Visit other cities
Trains connect most Dutch cities, so a day trip is easy to plan. Need ideas? Read about our favourite cities in the Netherlands.
Try Dutch food
Visit a local market and try something new. Our top 10 of Dutch food tells you where to start.
Go to the coast
The North Sea beaches are close to cities like The Hague, where Scheveningen is the best-known beach. Bring a jacket: the wind can be strong, even in summer.
Learn some Dutch and the traditions
Many Dutch people speak English, but a few Dutch words help you feel at home. Read about the Dutch language and Dutch traditions.
Still arranging your utilities?
Go back to the checklist and make sure energy, water, internet and insurance are done.