What to see & do with your IDP in Netherlands?
The Netherlands is tailor-made for road trippers, thanks to its compact layout and well-maintained highways. With your international driving permit in hand, you’re free to design your own itinerary and enjoy a more flexible travel experience.
Begin in the storybook village of Giethoorn, where canals replace roads and silence is only broken by the gentle glide of boats. While Giethoorn itself is best explored on water, driving there opens up access to the neighboring De Weerribben-Wieden National Park—an untouched area of peat bogs and birdlife that’s perfect for a nature break.
Next, steer your way east to De Hoge Veluwe National Park, a rare mix of wild forest, sandy dunes, and artistic culture. Park your car near the Kröller-Müller Museum to admire its Van Gogh collection, then switch to one of the free white bicycles available at entry points. It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can combine museum visits with a ride through woodlands.
Head south to Zundert, a quaint town steeped in history and the birthplace of Vincent van Gogh. Driving through its vineyard-fringed roads offers a slower, rural perspective of the Netherlands. If you time your visit for late summer, you might catch the famous flower parade—a dazzling local tradition.
For a UNESCO-worthy experience, set your GPS to Kinderdijk. The iconic row of windmills offers a postcard-perfect glimpse of the Dutch fight against water. Arriving early by car lets you explore without the usual crowds and continue your journey through picturesque towns like Gouda, where cheese markets and medieval squares await.
Wrap up your adventure with a trip to Texel, one of the Wadden Islands. A short ferry ride from Den Helder lets you bring your rental car along, allowing for easy exploration of the island’s dune reserves, lighthouses, and seaside villages.
Driving in the Netherlands not only unlocks hidden corners of the country but also gives you the freedom to pause, detour, and discover places the train can’t reach—all with your international driving permit as your travel ally.
