Bordering the North Sea, South Holland is a sprawling province in western region of the Netherlands that has been inhabited for the last 7,500 years. It encompasses the Dutch seat of government, the vibrant city of Rotterdam and a handful of beach resorts, as well as the busiest seaport in Europe.
Things to do in Zuid-Holland
Home to two of the biggest cities in the Netherlands and one of its most popular tourist sites, South Holland is not to be missed.
Sightsee in The Hague. Serving as the country’s seat of governance, The Hague centres around the Gothic-style Binnehof complex, which dates from the 13th century. Adjacent is the Dutch Classicist-style Mauritshuis Museum with its outstanding collection of Dutch art, including names such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Vermeer. You can experience Holland in miniature at the Madurodam Model City or see where the United Nations International Court of Justice is housed at the opulently decorated Peace Palace.
Explore Rotterdam. The second-largest city in the Netherlands overlooks the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt River Delta and has been a thriving port for hundreds of years. You can soak up the views across the city from the 185-metre-high Euromast Tower and marvel at the monumental Erasmus Bridge before exploring the beautifully decorated interior of the Church of Saint Laurence. The impressive Rotterdam Zoo is home to red pandas, black rhinos and Sumatran tigers.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Windmills at Kinderdijk. Scattered across the low-lying Alblasserwaard, these 19 stone-built windmills were constructed between 1738 and 1740 to drain water from the polder. Since 1997, they have been collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are one of the popular tourist sites in the Netherlands. Boat trips are available from Dordrecht to admire the mills, several of which are still in use.
Getting around Zuid-Holland
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the main aviation gateway to South Holland and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Trains connect major towns and cities throughout the province while buses serve smaller destinations. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around South Holland.