A day trip to the windmills and tulips

Some of the Netherlands' most iconic sights are a short train ride from the city. The windmills of Zaanse Schans, the cheese town of Edam, and, in spring, the breathtaking tulip fields of Keukenhof are all easy day trips. You can do them independently by cheap, frequent trains, or take an organised tour with transport and a guide if you'd rather not plan the logistics. The tulips are seasonal, roughly late March to mid-May, so time your visit if that's the draw. We'll help you weigh the DIY train trips against a guided day tour.