Soccer, the great popular sport
Soccer is the most popular sport in the country with a national team, the Oranje, which regularly shines on the international scene (winner of the Euro in 1988 and finalist in the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 2010). And they even made history in the 1970s with their "total soccer" and their genius Johan Cruyff, one of the best players of all time. Although he failed twice in a row to reach the World Cup final (against West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978), his successor Marco van Basten, well helped by Ruud Gullit, John Bosman or Frank Rijkaard, won the country's only major title at the Euro 1988. Dutch soccer also shines thanks to its clubs, especially Ajax Amsterdam, 4 times winner of the Champions League and 36 times Dutch champion.
Ice skating, the other national sport
The other national sport is ice skating and the national team shines on the world stage. The Netherlands has about 20 ice rinks for long distance skating races where official competitions are held. The Thialf Ice Arena in Heerenveen is the largest indoor ice rink in the Netherlands. The races often take place in a crazy atmosphere, with 12,500 fans dressed in orange. If you're lucky enough to get there during a harsh winter, make the most of it, as winters are getting milder and frosts are becoming rare..
The country of the bicycle
Cycling, of course! Holland is the "Mecca for cyclists". The country has more than 20,000 km of bicycle paths and more than 3,000 specialized stores. According to legend, there are even more bicycles than inhabitants in the Netherlands. It must be said that the terrain lends itself remarkably well to cycling and that the country is equipped with a very good network of bicycle paths. But beware, the flat country can hold many surprises for cyclists, as a wind from the southwest can slow down the road warriors and it is necessary to deploy more power to move the fietsen (traditional Dutch bikes). The bikes used are the famous Dutch bikes, very beautiful and noble with their generally black frame and high handlebars. On these machines, braking is often done by back-pedaling (you get used to it quickly). As these bikes are quite heavy, you can easily let go of the handlebars and hold a bag or... an umbrella. In Amsterdam, there is almost one and a half bikes (1.2 to be exact) per inhabitant! This very impressive figure already says a lot about the city. Amsterdam competes every year (often with Copenhagen) for the title of world bicycle capital. As you can see, cycling is the best way to visit the city. Other Dutch cities claim the title of cycling capital, such as Groningen and Eindhoven. The provincial VVV tourist offices will always be able to provide you with information on organized tours and rides in the area.
Trails to be walked or ridden
Hiking. Beautiful marked trails allow the walker to discover protected areas with preserved landscapes. Often these places are only accessible on foot. Ask for the "Wandelkaartje" at the tourist office, it serves as a pass for all walks.
Rollerblading. The bicycle is no longer the only environmentally friendly way to get around. In Amsterdam, rollerblades have taken over the streets, and it's not uncommon to see a city dweller riding to work on wheels.
Horseback riding. A horseback ride in the beautiful Dutch countryside is worth the effort. If you want to enjoy a horseback riding holiday, you should visit the North Sea islands or the large stud farms in the east of the country.
Beaches and water sports
The coast is ideal for swimming, sailing, windsurfing or surfing.
Sea bathing. You can easily swim in Holland, at least if you are not too cold! In the summer, there are more than 50 supervised and safe beaches along the North Sea coast. From The Hague to Den Helder, there are nearly 100 km of fine sandy beaches that stretch almost continuously. There are many seaside resorts to choose from along this long coastline with high dunes along most of its length: Zandvoort, Bergen aan Zee, Egmond aan Zee, Bloemendaal, Schoorl..., all of which promise a tan on fine sand. As far as we are concerned, we preferred the beaches of the beautiful Texel, the Wadden island located in the extreme north of Holland (but the water is even colder there!). That said, in addition to a bathing suit, a little wool is never too much when you go to the beach. These beaches are totally exposed to the prevailing westerly winds and you lose several degrees very quickly. It is also advisable to be careful with the currents and it is better not to let the children swim alone
Sailing. Sailing in the Netherlands is a matter of course: water and wind reign supreme. Catamaran, windsurfing, dinghy, sailboat, the choice is wide. Windsurfers and surfers should be aware that the sea and the winds on the coast require experienced sportsmen (on the Ijsselmeer, it is calmer and the waves are lower). There are more than 300 marinas in the country where you can moor your boat. Otherwise, you can rent any type of boat at sailing schools or at pleasure boat rental companies.
Canoeing. The numerous rivers and canals are ideal for this sport. Maps of the region with adapted itineraries can be requested at the tourist offices. For those who do not own a canoe or kayak or have given up carrying one with them, there is no lack of rental equipment.
A good fishing spot
Sport fishing enthusiasts can indulge their passion freely in the North Sea. No fishing license is required. On the other hand, you need the famous VISpas to be allowed to fish in certain waters along the coast. Please note that you should never organize a fishing trip along canals, ponds or polders: only members of a Dutch fishing club are allowed to do so... Please note that "special fishing" boat trips are organized in most of the country's ports. Do not hesitate to ask for information!
