Netherlands
Photo: Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Southern Netherlands is a region quite unlike the rest of the country. Especially Limburg and North-Brabant are distinct for their historic background, Catholic culture and, in the very south, even the rolling landscape - quite unlike any Dutch stereotype. And then there's Zeeland, the province at the heart of the Dutch efforts to tame the sea. Historically one with the northern provinces, this sea side region has a culture of its own and is famously home to the impressive Delta Works.
Unlike the rest of the country, the south of Limburg is a hilly territory. Explore the beautiful city of Maastricht and experience the wonderful mix of cultures.
A former Catholic bastion of the Netherlands with cozy historic towns, also known for its industry and the historic cities of Breda and 's-Hertogenbosch or the well-preserved 'cities' (fortifications) of Heusden and Willemstad.
Sea and beach resorts, with the Delta Works as a monument of the Dutch struggle against the water. Also visit the old city of Middelburg.
By plane
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is an obvious option for many tourists to reach this region, but especially when you're heading to Limburg, airports across the Belgium and German border offer interesting…
By train
From elsewhere in the Netherlands the region is reached easily by multiple train lines to all major cities with frequent connections with up to 6 trains per hour.
All parts of the region are well connected by road, with many border crossings to Germany and Belgium and descent roads to even the smallest of hamlets.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Eindhoven · International · EIN
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Breda is a city of 190,000 people (2026) in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It has a long history as a military stronghold and army base.
Eindhoven is a major city in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. With a population of over 230,000 people (2019), it's the fifth-largest city of the Netherlands.
's-Hertogenbosch, commonly known as Den Bosch, is a city in the south of the Netherlands and the capital of the province of North Brabant. Once a stronghold, vital in the protection of the young Dutch nation, Den Bosch has a charming and well-preserved medieval centre.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the country, Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands. It's the capital of the province of Limburg and famous for what the Dutch call the "Burgundian" way of life.
Middelburg is the capital of Zeeland. In colonial times, this was one of the most important cities in the country, and still today Middelburg is packed with monuments reminding of those golden times.
Roermond is a city in the Dutch province of Limburg. Located at the point where the rivers Meuse and Rur meet, Roermond was a historically prominent town and a trade centre.
Tilburg is a large city in southern Netherlands. It started to grow during the Industrial Revolution, when wool factories were set up, thus making it the wool city of the Netherlands.
Venlo is a city in the Southern Netherlands, right on the German border. It's a centre for industries and trade but also the go-to place for shopping and services for people from the wide region, including the neighbouring German Ruhr area.
Vlissingen (historically known as Flushing) is a port town in the Dutch province of Zeeland, situated on the northern bank of Western Scheldt, just at its estuary on the North Sea. It is the third largest town of Zeeland with 45,381 inhabitants.
one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe
the enormous storm surge barriers that finally ended the country's struggle against the sea
theme park with fantasy elements like elves and dwarves
hilly green landscapes, picturesque villages, castles and orchards
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