The most scenic driving routes in The Netherlands (2024)

Hitting the open road is all about freedom. In the right car, with the right people, at the right moment, the destination is trivial - it's all about the journey. At SHARE NOW, we're helping to create those magical memories. We've put together our best scenic driving routes in The Netherlands, accessible from each of our Home Area of Amsterdam, so you can embark on an unforgettable road trip in the region. Whether it's the historical Zaanse Schans, the lush forests of Lage Vuursche, or the sea and sand at the Strand van Bloemendaal that make your perfect backdrop, we've got you covered!

Historic Route|Forest Route|Beach Route

Time: 1.5 hours | Distance: 50 km
Start: Amsterdam | End: Zaanse Schans
Best for Home Area(s):Amsterdam

Our first scenic driving route in The Netherlands takes us to Zaanse Schans. The residential area represents a unique piece of Dutch history on the River Zaan. Dating back to the 18th century, the area is a unique part of the Netherlands, full of wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops.

Highlights of the Zaanse Schans include the cheese factory, pewter foundry and the various windmills - and yes, clogs are made here! Our recommended route takes you through Amsterdam Noord and out of the city into the Ilperveld nature reserve. From there, you'll loop around into Zaanse Schans before heading back into the city passing by the Noorder IJplas hiking area. There are so many opportunities for scenic pit stops here, so take your time and enjoy the road trip. • Image: Zaanse schans, Zaandam© Aswathy N/ Unsplash
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Time: 1 hour | Distance: 50 km
Start: Amsterdam | End: Lage Vuursche
Best for Home Area(s):Amsterdam

Historical suburbs are lovely, but for many nothing beats getting out of the city. For our second scenic road trip from Amsterdam, we're heading to Lage Vuursche. The area pulls in more than 2 million visitors a year thanks to its woodlands, cosy restaurants, shops and endless recreational opportunities.

There is a feeling of going back in time when you visit Lage Vuursche. The Dorpsstraat area, in particular, is packed with national monuments and eighteenth-century houses. It's the forests and the swampy grounds that provide the beauty for most, though. The route we've plotted for you here is just shy of 50 kilometres, heading southeast out of Amsterdam and into the heart of the countryside. If you've taken advantage of an hourly rate, you'll have plenty of time for a pleasant hike before heading back into town. • Image: Hooge Vuursche© Hendrik Alting/ Unsplash
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Time: 3 hours | Distance: 85 km
Start: Amsterdam | End: Bloemendaal aan Zee
Best for Home Area(s): Amsterdam

For our third and final scenic driving route in The Netherlands, we're off to one of the country's loveliest - and liveliest - coastal towns. Bloemendaal aan Zee is famous for its beach pavilions, bathing spots, and parties! There's a reason this coastline is locally dubbed the Dutch Ibiza!

You can get to the seaside from the centre of Amsterdam in just 45 minutes if you take the most direct highway, but as ever, we're taking the scenic route. We'll be taking in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen along the way, a nature reserve that serves the drinking water supply to the city of Amsterdam. After that, we're heading to the long beach of Bloemendaal aan Zee, where the party people hit the beach clubs. There's also tranquillity to be found here though, for those whose dancing days are behind them. • Image: Bloemendaal aan Zee, Nederland© Rudolf-Peter Bakker/ Unsplash
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