Below are our picks for the Top 10 sightseeing landmarks in the province of Zuid Holland in the Netherlands. All of these attractions are striking in their beauty, whether it be the incredible workmanship evident in a building hundreds of years old, or a significant achievement in modern technology which was used to design a more recent structure.
There were numerous attractions which did not make this Top 10 list, but undoubtedly they will appear in the future as part of a different category list. If you haven’t visited some of these landmarks, we strongly suggest you add them to your list of places to see in South Holland.
1) Kinderdijk (Molenwaard): These 19 windmills all clustered together were built in the 1700′s to help drain the polder area where the Lek and Noord rivers meet. Since 1997, the Kinderdijk windmills have been protected by the UNESCO organization. Seeing so many historic windmills at once creates a breathtaking view no matter what the season; a warm sun-drenched day in the summer, a dark gloomy wet day in the Fall, or just after a pristine snowfall in winter. Each September, for one week, the windmills are illuminated with floodlights at night, creating a vastly different view from that seen in the daylight, and one which shouldn’t be missed.
2) Binnenhof (The Hague): Home to the Dutch Parliament, this castle-like building surrounds an inner courtyard where the grand Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall) sits. It is the oldest structure in the Binnenhof, built in the 13th century by Count Floris V. This is where the new session of Parliament is symbolically opened by the reigning monarch on the third Tuesday each September. The gate on the north side is especially ornate, as is the gilded fountain in the center of the courtyard.
3) Euromast (Rotterdam): A modern tower originally built for the 1960 Floriade in Rotterdam, the international flower festival which takes place once every ten years in a different Dutch city. The pod atop the concrete base, which is 30 stories high, hosuses a fine dining restaurant, Euromast Brasserie, 2 hotel suites and an observation deck. Ten years after it was built, an extension called the Space Tower was added on top, nearly doubling its height up to 56 stories, providing incredible views of Rotterdam and the surrounding area from within the rotating, panoramic lift . Although the Euromast may appear a bit dated on the outside, the reason it ranks so high on our list will be apparent once you step onto the observation deck. The Euromast Brasserie restaurant offers not only fine dining for dinner in the evening, but High Tea in the afternoon (reservations required). A trip to the observation deck at night provides a distince but equally thrilling view as that during the daytime.
4) Peace Palace (The Hague): Home to the International Court of Justice, this majestic building happens to be celebrating its 100th birthday this year, having been completed in 1913. The building nor the grounds are open to the public, although a new visitor center was completed in 2012 and is open during the times of the year when the court is not in session. The Peace Palace is celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013, with many events planned for the Fall, including the first running of the Peace Marathon.
5) Keukenhof (Lisse): If you happen to hit it during the right two week window when the tulip fields are in bloom, you are in for quite a colorful visit. Seven million tulip bulbs are planted in the Keukenhof fields each spring. The botanical gardens themselves offer quite an array of flowering plants, especially in the pavilions which hosts assorted flower exhibitions during the two month season (mid-March to mid-May). There is also a windmill in the park, as well as a Japanese garden. Flat bottom boat rides are offered within the park which will take you right through the flower fields.
6) Stadhuis (Gouda): A magnificent, Gothic-styled building, the town hall of Gouda was built in the years 1448 to 1459. The ornate exterior is a marvel and the way in which the market square surrounds it, puts all the attention on this wonderful building. Any time of the year is a good time to visit. If you want to take photos without a lot of people walking around, go on a Sunday morning as shops are closed and the restuarants don’t open until noon. Another good time is in early December when the Stadhuis (and all the businesses on the square) are only lit by candlelight. It’s quite something to witness.
7) New Church (Delft): Standing almost 109 meters tall (33 stories), the steeple of the New Church (first completed in 1496) makes it the tallest church in Zuid Holland and the second tallest in the entire country (behind only the Dom Cathedral in Utrecht). The church is open to the public and you can climb the tower (with its 376 stairs) to reach the viewing balcony located at 85 meters (25 stories), where you have a breathtaking view of Delft’s historic city center, as well as the Rotterdam and The Hague skylines in the distance.
8) Morspoort (Leiden): One of just two original city gates which still stand in Leiden. This one, built in 1611, includes a draw bridge over the Mors canal and is located just a stone’s throw from De Put, one of just two windmills located in the city center. Morstraat is the name of the street which begins at the gate. It leads straight into the centrum where it becomes Haarlemmerstraat, Leiden’s well known pedestrian shopping area.
9) Erasmus Bridge (Rotterdam): The centerpiece of Rotterdam harbour, this cable-stayed bridge crosses over the Maas River. It connects the city center with Wilhelmina Pier, where the international cruise terminal is located, along with many newly constructed buildings like the New Orleans, Montevideo and New Luxor Theater. The bridge’s assymetric tower is 139 meters tall and at night is well lit as the magnificient centerpiece of the city. There are bike lanes and a walking path on either side in addition to auto and tram lanes. The bridge was designed by Ben van Berkel and opened in the Fall of 1996. The bridge is a great structure sen from any angle, but some suggested vantage points would be Wilhelminapier, Boompjes, Euromast and Westerkade. It’s also recommended to see the bridge when it is lit up by the fireworks show during the World Port Days festival in early September.
10) Groothoofdspoort (Dordrecht): This original gate into Dordrecht, the oldest city in the entire Zuid Holland province, was built in the 1400′s. The dome at the top was added in the early 1600′s as was the masterful stonework relief depicting the Virgin of Dordrecht, along with the shields of cities which participated in the 80-year war rebellion. The stone lions are particularly threatening if you look up as you walk below the sculpture.
Additional sights and landmarks in the Zuid Holland province can be found here:
Days Out: Trips & Tours | Museum & Monuments | What’s On: Visits & Tours
Places of Interest in South Holland