B&B Netherlands
For a relatively small country, the Netherlands does not lack one bit in its range of natural phenomena. Located in Northwestern Europe, the Netherlands, has hundreds of wooded trails, rural cycle paths and spacious beaches waiting to be discovered by you. But these are just some of the many appeals. Spread throughout the country, you can also come upon wonderful flower fields, picturesque villages, bustling cities rich with history, heaths, and spot countless animal species in their natural habitat. With its high natural diversity, varying from coastlines and dunes, to tranquil forests, staying in a nature house is the perfect way for you to uncover the Dutch landscapes as you have never before!
To stay in one of our B&Bs means the best of both worlds; namely, combining a stay in a wonderful house in nature combined with the hospitality of the hosts plus a freshly prepared breakfast in the morning. B&Bs are often small scaled which ensure a personal touch and cozy feeling to your stay in the Netherlands. Another advantage, is that the hosts are more than delighted to provide you with all the information you would like to have about the place you are staying in, such as the best restaurants, hiking or cycling trails or hidden gems. This way you won’t miss a thing while visiting the Netherlands.
The gems of the provinces
As the natural diversity is high in the Netherlands, there are tons of different landscapes which hoard all kind of animal species. The landscapes vary from the province you are visiting, but don’t worry we got you! The Netherlands has 21 national parks and each of them is worth a visit and differs from the other one. Furthermore, there are countless nature reserves as well. Together they paint a picture of the Dutch nature. All ecosystems, such as dunes, heath, forests and lakes are represented.
If you are into exploring the Dutch coast, Zeeland offers you immense dunes, dikes and polders. Almost the entire province is below sea level and most of its animal life is living in the North Sea. If you are hiking on the beach during ebb, you can spot countless of shells and seaweed washed ashore. Zeeland has several nature reserves through which you can hike or cycle. For example, Plan Tureluur in Shouwen-Duiveland, is perfect for bird lovers as it known as the boulevard of birds. Or visit Oosterschelde and try to spot seals!
If you travel more inland, the coastlines make way for beautiful forests, sand dunes and one of the few remaining freshwater tidal wetlands. In many of the Dutch forests you have the opportunity to see deers, wild pigs, badgers, foxes, rabbits and many more. In the Netherlands there are around 541 different species of birds, how awesome is that? You will never get bored when strolling in the Netherlands because there is always something to see, if you keep your eyes open.
The Veluwe in Gelderland is probably the most famous nature reserve in the Netherlands and even has two national parks. The region is the home of wild boars, several species of deers, badgers, foxes and even snakes. In 2019, wolfs have even been spotted in the area. The Wadden Sea, located north of the Netherlands, is the largest tidal area in Europe and is on the World Heritage list. In Flevoland, you can find the Oostvaardersplassen where you can discover this marshland with broad grass plains and extraordinary animals. But also, the hills of Limburg, the so-called desert of Brabant (the Loonse and Drunense Duinen), the Venice of the low countries (Weerribben-Wieden) and other nature reserves will take your breath away. The Netherlands offers you enough diversity for an exhilarating stay.
What can you do in the Netherlands?
Whether you are planning a long or short holiday, the Netherlands is perfectly suitable for both. Since the Netherlands is relatively small, most activities in nature are easily accessible from the major cities and you never have to drive a long time to reach another destination with new landscapes to unravel. When staying in a nature house, it is only a matter of steps before you will find yourself surrounded by nature. In all nature reserves or parks there are countless hiking or cycling routes. You can sometimes go with a guide or by yourself. Don’t forget to bring some food and a cloth for a top notch picknick location.
If you are more the adrenaline seeking type, no worries, the Netherlands got that covered too. You can prove your stamina on one of the many mountain biking trails, bunjeejump at the beach in Scheveningen, go mudflat hiking in Friesland, parachute jumping in Texel or take a hike in the top of the trees in one of the many tree climbing parks.
For the hiking lovers waking the Pieterpad is an absolute must. The Netherlands offers you a long-distance hiking trail, starting in the north of the country (Pieterburen), and ending in the south (Maastricht). This trail is 498 km long and takes you through a lot of the natural wonders the Netherlands has to offer. During your breaks you can extend your stay in nature by booking a nature house to never lose the feeling of being surrounded by the beautiful landscapes. An unforgettable experience is ensured.
Last but not least, close to all the natural reserves, there are of course vibrant cities containing a rich history of the Netherlands. If you love cheese, you should definitely check out one of the cheese markets, for example the one in Alkmaar, to taste the delicious Dutch cheeses. If you are in Drenthe, you can’t miss the famous Hunebeds, which are prehistoric tombstones build during the ice age. You can find over 50 Hunebeds in a radius of 30 kilometers.
Not to be missed sights in nature
De Biesbosch
De Biesbosch is one of the last remaining freshwater tidal wetlands and consists of a maze of rivers, with little islands and it is over 8000 hectares. The waterways are vegetated mostly by willow trees, wet grasslands and fields of reed which offer coverage for the waterfowl inhabiting the rivers. You can always spot tons of small boats or canoes floating with people admiring the surroundings or even rent some yourself and explore the labyrinth of rivers and creeks. De Biesbosch is also the home of the beaver. You can book a tour on a boat and try to spot these creatures. The plant growth also ensures a rich population of insects such as dragonflies, beetles, and butterflies. The osprey and white-tailed eagle have also breed in de Biesbosch, but you can discover several species of water and meadow birds as well.
Schoorlse duinen
Not afraid of a bit of climbing and descending? Then climb the Schoorlse Duinen, the highest dune area in the north of the Netherlands (53 meters!) A century ago, this was one big sandpit; now dozens of bird species breed here, the most beautiful mushrooms grow and the sunlight shines through thousands of tree leaves. The Schoorlse Duinen are beautiful in all seasons. In winter, when the frost is on the branches, it is charmingly quiet. In spring, the many birds can be heard, like the green woodpecker and the rare nightjar. In August, the heather turns a beautiful shade of purple. And in autumn, more than 800 species of mushrooms grow there. It also has a very challenging mountain bike trail. It is also very close to the beach.
The Hoge Veluwe
This is one of the most popular national parks of the Netherlands and is located in Gelderland. It is the largest national park of the country and has a wide variety of scenery, from dense forest to high sand dunes. It is the home of many animals, such as dears, boars and even the wolf since 2019. Furthermore, it is the habitat of many bird species, which makes it a popular site for bird watchers. You can discover the park by bike (there are free ones available) or hike on one of the many trails. In the reserve, you can also find the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is a sculpture park and art gallery.
If you visit the Veluwe for the wildlife, we recommend you to go in the early morning or late evening because these are the best times to spot the most animals. For our flora lovers, the park is also the home to more than 500 different kinds of plants, including some rare species such as certain mosses or fungi.
Duinen van Texel
The Duinen van Texel, are the home of spoonbill colonies and birdwatchers. Texel is the most well-known Wadden Island of the Netherlands. Many birdwatchers go to the island and marvel at the 300 migratory birds that arrive on the island each year and the other 80 species who chose Texel as their home. Even though the symbol of this island is a sheep, it also could have been the spoonbill as it is the home of the largest colony of the country. Besides spotting birds, you can also walk, cycle, mountain bike and even ride horses. While you are on Texel, you should not forget to plan a trip to Ecomare which is a seal sanctuary and takes care of seal that would not make it on their own. When they have recovered, they are released on the Texel beach. It is the opportunity to get a close look at the seals. The museum also offers exhibitions about marine animals and various habitats of sea animal species have been recreated, such as sharks and starfishes.
Places for your stay
Hoorn
Hoorn, also known as the pearl of the Ijselmeer lake, is an idyllic town on the Ijselmeer lake. It is known as an old trading town where you can transport back into time to the Golden Age in the 17th century. It is the perfect opportunity to experience part of the maritime history of the Dutch East India Company. Multiple monuments and churches still stand as a reminder of the rich history of the town. Since it is located at the Ijselmeer lake, the town offers several activities relating water. For example, you can take a tour to the historic ships, or enjoy water sports activities. The cheese market in Hoorn is the oldest one being hold in the Netherlands and dates back to the Golden Age.
The Wadden Islands
In the north of the Netherlands, lie five hidden treasures, namely the Wadden Islands; Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. These islands have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Texel is the most popular island, mainly because it is easily accessible from Amsterdam via Den Helder. The western coastline has been marked as a national park due to its biologically diverse environment. Vlieland is the island known for its tranquility and incredible nature, it is even completely car free! Terschelling has a 30 km long coastline bordered by a row of dunes and is the home of the oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands.
Ameland offers you enormous dunes, countless bird species and picturesque villages. Lastly, Schiermonnikoog which is one of the wildest, untouched places in the Netherlands. It was formed by sea currents, wind and drifting sand. And that continues to this day. Due to erosion and siltation, the island is continually shifting further to the east. In large parts of the island, nature has been allowed to take its course without human intervention. Every Wadden Island is absolutely worth a visit, and what better way to explore them than in a nature house?
Kinderdijk
In the wetlands around Dordrecht, you can spot a small village harboring the windmills of Kinderdijk. These nineteen windmills were built around 1740 and are part of a larger water management to prevent floods. The entire village is beneath sea level and without them, it would be completely flooded. The mills symbolize the Dutch water management and are even declared to be on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The mills form an iconic Dutch scenery and are surrounded by dikes, sluices, and waterways. Close to the mills are cities as Rotterdam or Dordrecht, or even the national park De Bieschbos.
Greenery all year round
Since the Netherlands is a relatively small country, there is little variation in climate throughout the country. The temperature in the Netherlands is influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters. In the summers the average temperature is between 20-25 degrees and in the winter between 2-6 degrees. The whole year rain can be expected in the Netherlands, so bringing an umbrella is definitely recommended! For all your activities outside in nature, we also recommend you bring a raincoat, some waterproof shoes and clothes to keep you warm. The strong winds are another characteristic of the Dutch climate, in autumn and winter a lot of storms can be expected.
Relax in the middle of nature
Traditionally a B&B is part of a family’s home, and there are only a few rooms available. It has a high personal touch and the emphasis lays on the level of service. Therefore, no B&B is the same and it will be a unique experience every time. There are many different types of B&Bs offered in several places. You could stay in the woods, by the water, near the sea or even in the middle of nowhere. We also offer luxurious B&Bs with a hot tub, swimming pool, fire place or a jacuzzi to fully unwind after your day. Some B&Bs are in a shed on someone’s estate but they also could be in farmhouses, tents, former schools, or even on boats.
When renting one of our B&Bs, you will combine all the advantages of renting a nature house combined with the convenience of a hotel. Every morning breakfast will be freshly prepared for you by the host and you can even ask them tips on the hidden gems of the area, they would love to help you! Staying in a B&B feels very personal compared to bigger hotels, and what is better than after a long day of spending in nature, to end in a nature house snuggled up on the couch. After receiving your breakfast the next day, you are good to go for another day of exploration. Feel free to discover all the different types of B&Bs we offer in Netherlands because there is guaranteed one to your liking!
