One of the things I love most about living in Amsterdam is how quickly you can leave the busy city behind and find yourself surrounded by green fields, canals, windmills and traditional Dutch villages. I’ve been to the countryside around Amsterdam countless times over the years, and one of my favorite things to do is simply get on my bike and cycle out of the city to some of these villages.

If you’re spending time in the capital too, you can find all my local tips and guides in my Amsterdam Travel Guide. But if you want to see a quieter and more traditional side of the Netherlands, the countryside surrounding Amsterdam is incredibly easy to explore.

You can cycle through the beautiful Waterland countryside to Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam, see the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans, wander through the picturesque streets of Edam, explore the old fishing village of Volendam, or continue across the water to Marken, with its traditional wooden houses and distinctive maritime character.

If you’re unsure which places to choose or how to combine them, start with my guide to visiting the Dutch countryside from Amsterdam, where I bring together some of my favorite places for an easy trip beyond the city.

This page brings together all my guides to the countryside around Amsterdam, and I’ll continue adding more of the villages, landscapes and places I’ve discovered over the years.