There is a common saying in the Netherlands that goes something like this “you work in Amsterdam, pay your taxes in The Hague, and party in Rotterdam”. It’s always stuck with me because despite the country’s small size, it’s extremely diverse and yet most travellers only visit Amsterdam without fully experiencing everything the country has to offer. The 3 cities couldn’t be more different and the architecture within them is even more unique.

Whenever people ask me what they should see in Holland, I always start here.

Amsterdam

A post shared by Alexandra Bayborodova (@sashetz) on Jan 20, 2017 at 4:43am PST

With its canal-lined streets and world-class museums, you can can get lost in the Amsterdam for days. What sometimes gets overlooked is the incredible contemporary architecture that has injected itself into the city along its periphery.

Check out our MUST-SEE: AMSTERDAM page here.

The Hague

A post shared by mgpyh (@devildjw) on Oct 5, 2017 at 8:22am PDT

Check out our MUST-SEE: THE HAGUE page here.

Rotterdam

A post shared by Courtney 🌊✌☮ (@iamcourtz) on Oct 4, 2017 at 1:30am PDT

Due to significant bombing in WWII, Rotterdam lost its traditional canal-lined streets that one usually associates with the Netherlands. But instead of rebuilding its old structures  like many other European cities at the time, the City embraced the opportunity for new thinking and ideas. Its greatest building are the ones that step the farthest out from the mundane and the city has been flourishing from it ever since.

Check out our MUST-SEE: ROTTERDAM page here.