By Deirdre de Leeuw den Bouter
As everyone settles back into school and our new semester begins, AUC students might find themselves itching to leave Science Park. While Amsterdam itself offers plenty of opportunities to go out and explore, here’s a list of the Herring’s top three Dutch towns to visit when you find yourself with a free Saturday.
Delft. Image from Google.
What Amsterdam may lack as a student city, Delft definitely has. The town is overrun with students of Technische Universiteit Delft, and the atmosphere definitely matches that – students can be seen sitting in the windowsills of their apartments, watching the tourists walk by, and the cafes are always packed on a nice day. Right out of the train station you can spot Molen de Roos, one of the stereotypical Dutch windmills, to your right; it also has a lovely cafe inside of it. The old town is one of the prettiest in the Netherlands, and right in the center you will find the Delftse Stadhuis (town hall) and de Nieuwe Kerk (the “new church”) – you can even go up the tower of de Nieuwe Kerk for only €5. The last train back to Amsterdam leaves around midnight, so you should definitely check out the plentiful bars and cafes that are guaranteed to be filled with other students on a Saturday night.
Haarlem. Image from Google.
Only a forty-five minute train ride away from us sits the gorgeous town of Haarlem, known for its stunning Grote Kerk (the “big church” – yes, the Dutch are so creative at naming their religious monuments) and the huge market square that accompanies it. The picturesque shot you get of the church from the train already almost makes the trip worth it. In the winter, the famous Christmas Market offers a great excuse to visit Haarlem (we’re already past Christmas, but put it on your calendars for next year!) and in the summer the main square is filled with adorable cafes where you can easily have a coffee (or something a little more alcoholic). The brewery in the Jopenkerk is especially enticing since it’s located in an old church building. Be sure to also check out the Stadhuis if you have a chance.
Groningen. Image from Google.
Groningen… where is that again? For those who might not have been to the Netherlands much before coming to AUC (or the Dutch people that never go more north then Zwolle), venturing up to Groningen is a fun adventure. Groningen lies about two hours north of Amsterdam, and sits quite isolated from other major cities. The train station is gorgeous, and just as in every other Dutch town, there’s a beautiful old tower you can climb (at your own risk because seriously, these things have been standing forever). If you love spending time outdoors, Groningen is a great option with an adorable garden about a five-minute walk from the town’s center. In the middle of the city, de Grote Markt is bustling at night and has plenty of stalls to buy from during the day. Overall, the town provides a great mix of history, outdoors experiences, and a fun night life.
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