Exploring the Netherlands by Car: 5 Stunning Road Trips After Your Ferry to Holland

Imagine being between the high waves of rolling seas, holding a coffee in hand while dawn breaks above the North Sea, and driving off a ferry into Europe. That’s the specialty of taking a ferry to Holland and then making your way to its marvelous roads.

Do something more adventurous instead of flying from the UK to the Netherlands. Book a ferry to Holland, take your car, bring your pets along, relax onboard, and avoid luggage restrictions imposed by airlines. This provides the flexibility to enjoy magnificent road trips in the Netherlands.

The stunning country rolls out before you when you arrive with its pristine canals, castles, cobblestone villages, and countryside excursions, all within reach by car. Your road tour starts the moment the ferry docks.

About Exploring the Netherlands

Spic, span, and always charming, the Netherlands is the ideal destination for people who appreciate exciting road trips.

With more than 140,000 km of tarmac, organized signposting, and multilingual GPS-compliant signs, road touring in the Dutch countryside is a delight. From poignant windmills and fields of flowers to UNESCO-listed villages and artistic cities, every turn has a postcard image.

And the real bonus is that parking is available in most villages along with scenic spots, so surprise stops are part of the package.

Regarding Your Ferry to Holland

A ferry to Holland is a pretty, hassle-free, and relaxed means of beginning your journey in Europe. Overnight, most trips operate from UK ports such as Hull to Dutch ports such as Rotterdam or Hook of Holland. Here, you can sleep peacefully in an en-suite cabin and wake up refreshed and ready to drive, with your car and all your luggage in hand.

 

Here are some reasons why you must take a ferry to Holland:

  • One of the greatest perks? No weight restrictions. If you’ve got prams, bicycles, camping equipment, musical instruments, or even a caravan, bring whatever you need.
  • Ferries also look after pet owners with pet cabins or kennels on board, so your pet doesn’t miss out.
  • On board, there is enough to delight you, including live entertainment, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, and observation decks to take in the sea air. 
  • The kids are treated too, with family entertainment and kids’ facilities.
  • Ferries provide the perfect beginning for any traveler. 
  • You avoid airport queues, enjoy comfortable travel, and arrive in the Netherlands with your car.

5 Scenic Road Trips Behind Your Ferry to Holland

Here are 5 road trips to look forward to when in the Netherlands:

1. Rotterdam to Giethoorn: The Dutch Venice Drive

Only a 2.5-hour drive from Rotterdam, this lovely drive brings you to Giethoorn, the mythical water village with canals instead of roads and boats in place of taxis. Along the way, visit Utrecht, the medieval heart of café culture.

2. Amsterdam to Texel Island: Coast Meets Countryside

Travel north of Amsterdam and enjoy a short ferry ride to Texel, the largest island of the Wadden Islands. 

A road trip along a seashore-hugging route featuring picturesque fishing villages, nature reserves such as De Slufter, and a bird paradise for bird lovers.

3. Rotterdam to Valkenburg: The Limburg Loop

Drive south to Limburg, where the scenery consists of rolling hills, vineyards, and caves. Valkenburg is well-known for its underground Christmas markets and its ancient castles. 

4. The Flower Route: Haarlem to Leiden

The flower route is the best trip to take in the spring (mid-March through May). This brief but stunning trip transports you through tulip-filled flower fields, daffodils, and hyacinths. Stopover at Lisse’s world’s largest floral exhibition, Keukenhof Gardens.

5. The Afsluitdijk Adventure: From Friesland to North Holland

Next is a drive to Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometer causeway cutting across the IJsselmeer lake. To the north, water; to the south, sea. It’s a unique road for travelers who are interested in history, windmills, and endless seascapes.

Conclusion

Enjoying stunning road trips in the Netherlands is a lifestyle choice. You’re not just saving on airfare or skipping luggage restrictions; you’re gaining the freedom to indulge in authentic Dutch experiences.

Take these stunning road trips and transform your arrival into an unforgettable journey. So, hop off the ferry to Holland, start your engine, and let the Dutch roads do the rest!