Car Hire Netherlands

Organised and compact, it’s quite simple to cover the length and breadth of the Netherlands by car. Driving from one end of the country to the other – Groningen to Eindhoven, for example – would take you less than two-and-a-half hours.

A well-organised and logical road system, and more often than not some of the most courteous drivers you’ll ever meet, make it a pleasure to drive around the Netherlands. As in the rest of continental Europe, you’ll drive on the right, and overtake on the left.

Unless otherwise signposted, speed limits tend to be 50 km/h on roads in built-up urban areas, and 80 km/h on other single lane carriageways. On autowegens (expressways) speeds are capped at 100 km/h, and the limit on the autosnelwegens (motorways) is 130 km/h. It’s always worth refreshing your memory on the rules to driving in the Netherlands before you set off.

In urban areas, trams have the right of way at most intersections, roads tend to become narrower around the older parts of town, and you’ll need to get used to the large number of cyclists – who, like pedestrians, always have right of way.

If you’re planning on inner city driving, parking is rarely free and its often more cost effective to buy a permit for one of the Blue Zones. Permits can be purchased from most petrol stations, tobacco shops and police stations, and give you several hours of parking.

For those who enjoy a road with a view, try the colourful bloemen route, a kaleidoscopic 40km drive from Haarlem to Naaldwijk that's best taken during spring when all the flowers are in full bloom.

Wedged between Belgium and Germany, the Netherlands is a thoroughly modern country that’s also proud of its heritage and traditions. It’s a place that’s extremely relaxed, but by no means slow-paced. For inspiration on where to start, here are some of the highlights.

Alluring Amsterdam

Amsterdam is, quite simply, one of the world’s greatest cities and it’s no surprise that time and again visitors flock straight to the country’s chic, unusual and laid back capital. Say ‘Amsterdam’ to someone and it’ll conjure up 101 different images – flower markets, canals, the work of Vincent van Gogh, weird and wonderful museums, Anne Frank’s house, fries with mayonnaise, cheese, pancakes, and bicycles.

Unlike some other major European cities, Amsterdam is also a brilliant family destination with a plethora of child-friendly cafes, shops and attractions, such as the shiny NEMO science museum. It’s also a popular place for conventions, with major business events and trade fairs held throughout the year. Whether you’re in the city for entertainment and attractions, trendsetting fashion and interior boutiques, or to learn about the city’s great history and view its impressive architecture, you’ll love it.

If you’re just dropping into the city, the very best thing to do is just wander canal-side, across pretty bridges, with a cone of fries or a waffle in hand.

City lights

While Amsterdam is understandably the key city for those visiting the Netherlands, don’t overlook some of the other great urban centres. In South Holland, The Hague, known as the ‘royal city by the sea’, is the national powerhouse where you’ll find government departments, embassies and the royal family. Enjoy an ice-cream on the promenade in the bustling seaside neighbourhood of Scheveningen.

Just over half an hour north is the small city of Leiden, home to the country’s oldest university (where Einstein regularly guest lectured) and the birth place of classical painter Rembrandt. Plan your visit for the annual October 3 celebrations and you’ll find the streets transformed with live music and a party atmosphere.

For its futuristic architecture alone, the sprawling port city of Rotterdam stands in stark contrast. Expect an eclectic mix of architecture that’s filled the gap in an industrious rebuilding project that’s been ongoing since World War II.

Country life

A trip out into the countryside quickly shows you where ‘The Netherlands’ – which literally translates as the lowlands or lower countries – got its name. The flatlands may not have the dramatic and varied terrain of other countries, however they do come with some attractive advantages – views that stretch for miles.

You’ll enjoy easy drives alongside fields of tulips, reed-filled fens, green moorlands, vast lakes, windmill-flecked fields and lush green forests. All are in abundance and clear reminders of the scenery that inspired the country’s rich history of landscape painters like Rembrandt.

Car hire in the Netherlands allows you to discover this gem of a country in a way that suits you. It’d be a shame to miss out on everything this eye-opening little country has to offer.