Rotterdam and The Hague need different city days, while Delft and Leiden reward a slower historic-centre pace. Frequent trains make one or two bases practical.
Kinderdijk and Keukenhof add final local connections and strong seasonal demand. Treat them as planned excursions rather than gaps between trains.
Choose a city base by interest
Rotterdam suits modern architecture, The Hague pairs institutions with the coast, and Leiden or Delft offer smaller historic centres.
Keep heritage excursions focused
Kinderdijk needs time for the water landscape, while Keukenhof depends on its limited spring opening.
Use rail for city changes
The main centres are close enough that changing hotels every night is unnecessary.
A practical itinerary
- Days 1 to 2: explore Rotterdam.
- Days 3 to 4: use The Hague for the centre and Scheveningen.
- Day 5: choose Delft or Leiden.
- Day 6: plan Kinderdijk, or Keukenhof during its opening season.
Spring pressure
Book Keukenhof transport and entry for the intended date and expect busy regional roads.
Water and coast
Wind affects cycling, harbour boats and Scheveningen more than inland city plans.
Places to add to your map
- Rotterdam: Southern rail and architecture hub.
- The Hague: Government city with a North Sea coast.
- Leiden: Museum and university city.
- Kinderdijk: Windmill and water-management landscape.
Open the route planner to place these stops in a wider Netherlands trip.
Continue planning
Questions about South Holland
Where should I stay in South Holland?
Rotterdam is best for architecture and southern links. The Hague suits coast and institutions, while Leiden and Delft offer smaller historic bases.
Can I visit the main South Holland cities by train?
Yes. Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft and Leiden have frequent rail links. Kinderdijk and Keukenhof require an additional local connection.
Sources and updates
This guide was last reviewed on 28 August 2026. Transport, access and opening arrangements can change, so check the official source before travel.
- Official Netherlands visitor information, Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions
- Official Rotterdam visitor information, Rotterdam Partners
- Official The Hague visitor information, The Hague and Partners
- Official Leiden visitor information, Leiden and Partners
- Official Kinderdijk visitor information, Kinderdijk World Heritage Foundation
- Official Keukenhof visitor information, Keukenhof