Visting Holland

Why take a Ferry to Holland?

Search and compare ferries to and from the UK to Holland. You can board ferries from the northern Port of Newcastle to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) or take the Hull to Rotterdam ferry. You can also travel from Harwich to the Hook of Holland via ferry. With daily sailings, all year round booking your crossing has never been easier.

You can book UK to Holland ferry travel online with Compare Ferries. Select how you wish to sail. This could be a Stena Line ferry or P&O ferries mini cruise. Then sit back, relax and enjoy your ferry crossings en suite cabin accommodation and onboard entertainment.

Use compareferries.com for the latest great deals and cheapest prices on ferry travel to Holland. Prices shown will be the best deals on Dutch Ferries that match your search.

Highlights of Holland

The Netherland is a land of colourful tulip fields and canals, sophisticated cities and some of Europe's most amazing coastlines. Culturally it is wonderful boasting many museums including the Rijks Museum, Mauritshuis, Frans Hals Museum, Rembrandt House Museum and many more.

The Netherlands developed a worldwide reputation in the 16th and 17th centuries for its artistic output. This included iconic artists such as Rembrandt, van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals. Followed then by the Netherlands most famous artists of the 1800's such as Vincent Van Gogh, Mondrian, amongst others.

Since 1588 the Dutch government, Supreme Court and Council of the state have been based in The Hague. Despite this, the constitution lists Amsterdam as its capital city. The Monarchy led by King Willem-Alexander uses two residences, The Noordeinde Palace and Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar. Other residences also include Huis ten Bosch palace in The Hague and the Royal Palace on the Dam square in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is the most well known and popular city of the Netherlands. You can access the city centre on a shuttle bus from the ferry port or via public transport. The city is renowned for the famous Ajax Football club, its step-gabled houses, red light district and famous coffee shops! The cities dams are bisected by a UNESCO-listed network of waterways spanned by architecturally beautiful bridges.

To the south lies Rotterdam, an industrial port and trading city that almost completely destroyed by German air attacks in 1940. Rotterdam city centre has been rebuilt and reimagined after the war. It is made up of shopping streets, residential districts, an eclectic mix of bars and quality restaurants. Establishing the city as one of the most modern and architecturally fascinating cities in Europe.

The Netherlands coastal towns are more quintessentially Dutch. With colourful fields of tulips interspersed with windmills and farms that produce a variety of cheeses including Edam, Gouda and Leerdammer. The countryside is a famed for its charming towns. Must visits include Haarlem, Leiden and the "Venice of the Netherlands" Giethoorn.

Stretching for an almost unbroken 650km, take some time to visit and relax on the North Sea beaches of Zeeland. With more sunshine than anywhere else in the country, Zeeland is a fantastic area for you to discover the real Netherlands.

The Culture, Food and Drinks

Dutch food tends to be wholesome and hearty, rather than classic and fancy. Most of the large towns have an eclectic mix of international restaurants. Many restaurants specialise in Indonesian cuisine a spicy legacy of Dutch colonisation in the East Indies.

There are a number of food specialities in the Netherlands and no trip is complete without sampling the local cuisine. Some local specialities you must try include Vlaamse Frites (French fries) best served with either mayonnaise or curry sauce. Be sure to try Erwtensoep, a thick pea soup flavoured with sausage which is also very filling. Served in many of the local pubs and is especially popular in winter.

For those with a sweet tooth, Poffertjes will be a hit. These small pancakes are laced with Grand Marnier and dusted with icing sugar. Pancakes are also served with a number of other fillings. Throughout the Netherlands, you will see Pancake Houses selling pancakes with both savoury and sweet fillings.

Herring fillets are also popular amongst locals and can be purchased from street stalls with accompanying pickles and onions. Gerookte paling (smoked eel) is another seafood specialty. You may also wish to try is Stamppot. This is a mash-up of potatoes and other earthy vegetables, accompanied by smoked sausage.

For a tasty snack and to be enjoyed with a cup of strong coffee you must try Stroopwafels. Readily available at any grocery store or coffee shop, these are caramel filled waffle cookies. We promise you when you have tried one you will definitely want more! Dutch food is hearty and wholesome and there is much to enjoy on your visit to the Netherlands.

There has never been a better time to take the ferry to The Netherlands. You can book your Newcastle to Amsterdam, Hull to Rotterdam or Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry crossings online.