Book cheap flights to The Netherlands

Holland’s peak season falls between the balmy months of April and October. The hottest months are July and August when the beaches and sidewalk cafés bustle with locals and tourists. For a more relaxed atmosphere with cheaper hotel rates and restaurants, go in the off-season months of February, March and November. Spring is quite a spectacle (March-May) when the tulip fields are in full, colourful bloom. If you find yourself in the Netherlands during mid-April, over 400 museums around the country offer free or discounted entry fees in celebration of the country’s cultural heritage – be sure to enquire! Winter can be a little unpredictable so ensure you always carry a raincoat and umbrella for those unforeseen showers. The northern regions, like Friesland, experience severe cold with lakes and canals often freezing over. During December, the cities bristle with festive Christmas markets and can become a little crowded. The country buzzes with all sorts of weird and wonderful festivals, especially during summer. Some not-to-be-missed celebrations include King’s Day in April, The Hague Festival in May, Holland Festival in June and the Rotterdam Summer Carnival in July.

South African passport holders require a Schengen Visa to visit the Netherlands. As with all Schengen visas, the rule is that you must apply for the visa at the Embassy/Consulate of the Schengen/EU country you’re going to spend the most time in on your trip. If you are spending an equal amount of time in 2 EU countries, apply at the Embassy/Consulate of the country you enter first. Biometrics have been implemented for Schengen visas, therefore all applicants need to apply in person.

Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.

See this guide on how to apply for your Schengen visa.

Dutch Embassy locations in South Africa:

Durban Address: 9 Brendon Lane, Cnr Jan Hofmeyer Road, Westville, 3629. Telephone: 031 266 9291; Fax: 031 267 1568; Email: info@netherlandsconsul.co.za

Cape Town Address: 100 Strand Street | Cape Town 8001 P.O. Box 346 | Cape Town 8000 Telephone: 27(0)21 421-5660; Fax: 27(0)21 418-2690; Website: https://dutchembassy.co.za

Pretoria Address: 210 Queen Wilhelmina Avenue, New Muckleneuk, 0181, Pretoria. Telephone: 012 – 425 4500; Email: RSO-ZAF-CA@minbuza.nl

The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in Europe; however, common sense should always be practised in big cities. Be vigilant with personal belongings and leave additional money and valuables in your hotel. Hiring a bicycle is a great way to navigate the city streets, but be sure to double lock your bike as bicycle theft is common. When walking along the sidewalks, beware of cyclists and traffic.

Healthcare facilities are world-class and pharmacies (apotheek) sell over-the-counter-medication. A comprehensive travel-insurance policy to cover theft and medical expenses is always recommended.