Getting ‘gezellig’: 10 things to do this Autumn in the Netherlands

I’m sure at least one of these things has given anyone a specific feeling, a feeling for which there isn’t really a word in English.

The Dutch do though, and they call it gezellig. Gezellig is always good, the whole year round, but during Autumn it will make everything even more cosy. If you will be in the Netherlands during Autumn, and want to experience it in the most gezellige way possible, keep on reading. In addition, here's some popular activities in the Netherlands:

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1. Look for mushrooms in the forest

The first thing is something that you can’t miss during the Autumn in the Netherlands: going for a hike through the forest. Just the sound of walking through the leaves and the smell of them around this time of the year, reminds me of when I was a kid and would go on hikes through the forest with my mom, and look for chestnuts and acorns.

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You can spot different mushrooms everywhere, from the red white spotted ones to the ones that grow on trees, which are called ‘elfenbankjes’ (elf sofas). Make sure to just admire them with your eyes, because picking them is prohibited, as they can be poisonous.

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Forests that are perfect for these walks are Amsterdam Forest, The Cape Forests (Utrecht), Kroomdomein het Loo (Gelderland) and Imstenraderbos (Limburg).

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2. Eating pannekoeken

The Dutch love their pannekoeken (English: pancakes). Where most countries eat this delicacy for breakfast, the Dutch usually eat it for dinner. When eating pancakes in the Netherlands, there will always be a can of powdered sugar and a bottle of syrup on the table. Making them at home is fun, but there are many pancake restaurants, where you can try them with different toppings.

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The most popular ones, that are definitely worth a try, are the classic ones, with the powdered sugar and syrup, or the ones with cheese or bacon. If you just went for a hike through Amsterdam Forrest, a very gezellig pancake restaurant is Boerderij Meerzicht, which is a farm from 1857, where there is also a nice playground for the kids.

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3. Feed baby goats at the goat farm

In the Amsterdam Forest, there is a farm that locals call ‘de geitenboerderij’, which means ‘the goat farm’, but the official name is Goatfarm Ridammerhoeve. Apart from goats, the farm also has chickens, pigs, cows and horses. The fun part about this place is that you can get into some of the stalls of the goats, and pet them. There are a lot of babies, for whom you can even buy a baby bottle and feed them!

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After having fun with the animals, enjoy some food from their farm shop at the restaurant, where everything is organic and made by the farm itself. The products they sell, such as cheese and yogurt, are all made out of goat milk and are definitely worth a try. One of the main things I remember from going here as a child, is that I would always get an ice cream after playing. Only years later I found out the ice cream was made out of goat milk as well, and it was delicious!

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Apart from having the cutest animals walking around and serving good food, the goat farm also organizes events such as goat yoga, where you meditate among the goats, and cheese making courses. Check out their website for more information.

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4. Spot wild animals at National Park De Veluwe

In the East of the Netherlands, lies a national park that is something tourists usually overlook, but is definitely worth visiting. Where from August to September the fields colour beautifully purple, the trees turn into beautiful warm Autumn colours during this season. Here you can rent a bike like a real local, or you can explore the park by foot.

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On The Veluwe there are some residents that are a bit shy, but will sometimes show up at certain places. Different deers, boars and foxes will appear if you make sure that you are as invisible as possible. There are different viewing screens around the park, where you can stand behind and look at the animals from a distance, without them seeing you.

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Some of the animals have a very fine nose, so make sure you don’t put on any fragrance or aftershave before you go, and make sure you are as quiet as possible, so you can spot the animals in their natural habitat!

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5. Wander around De Haar Castle

In the province of Utrecht, between its beautiful gardens, ponds and trees lies De Haar Castle. With its towers, rich history and majestic interior, 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms, it feels like you enter the ground of a fairytale. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and between 1892 and 1912 it was restored by the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, who designed the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station.

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Listen to an audio tour while exploring the castle, and hear about all the history and stories this castle holds, or walk around through the gardens by the ponds. On a day where the weather allows it, you can even picnic on the picnic field, with a view on the castle. You can bring your own food, or get a picnic basket at the restaurant Het Koetshuis. If it rains or you would rather eat inside, you can do this at this restaurant too, or at the other one called Het Tuynhuis.

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6. Find books in the most gezellig bookstore of Amsterdam

In the busy city centre of Amsterdam, along one of the canals, you will find a peaceful bookstore called ‘The Book Exchange’. It consists of three floors of English secondhand books, paperbacks, old books, newer books, hardcovers and more, from every genre. Most books are in English, but there is a small selection of other languages as well.

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The smell of old books and the friendly shopkeeper who is always willing to help you find anything you’re looking for, make this bookstore the perfect place to look around and search for your favourite reads.

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7. Visit a symphony concert in one of the most beautiful buildings in Amsterdam

The Royal Concertgebouw (Dutch for concert building), is in my opinion one of the most beautiful buildings in Amsterdam. It was completed at the end of the 19th century and has neo renaissance characteristics.

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The acoustics in this building are extremely good: it is the finest (along with Boston’s Symphony Hall and the Musikverein in Vienna) in the world. The Concertgebouw is already worth visiting for its stunning architecture, but if you like classical music it is definitely worth checking out their online calendar.

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8. Party at Van Gogh Museum during Museumnacht

Museumnacht (Dutch for museum night), is held every year in November, where more than 50 museums in Amsterdam open their doors from 19:00 to 2:00. During this event, there will be cultural programming throughout the city. Not only can you visit the museums after dark, there will also be parties at different locations.

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Besides this, you will be able to enjoy food, live music and other surprising activities. Party at the Van Gogh Museum, try alchemic cocktails at the Embassy of the Free Mind, or travel through the galaxy at the ARTIS planetarium. Tickets are available from September, but they run out fast, so make sure to keep an eye on their website.

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9. Get into the Christmas spirit at an underground Christmas market

What is more gezellig than getting into the festive season spirit during Autumn? Hearing the first Christmas tunes of the year, drinking glühwein, being surrounded by trees and lights: Christmas markets are the perfect place for this. A very unique one is the Gemeentegrot in Valkenburg, which is located in a cave! Not only is it a super unique experience, it is also the biggest underground Christmas market in Europe.

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Valkenburg, located in the province of Limburg and close to the borders of Germany and Belgium, is a really nice place to explore. It is completely different from the popular cities, and a completely different side of the Netherlands, so definitely worth a visit. If you are going here, check out the activities: Valkenburg Municiple Cave and Adventure Cave Biking.

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10. Experience Autumn like in a fairytale

As a fantasy-themed park with attractions with elements of ancient myths, fairytales and legends, the Efteling has been an important part of the childhood of many since 1952. Here you can take walk through the fairytale forest, go for a ride on one of the roller coasters, fly through a dreamworld of fairies, forests and castles (the Dreamflight) or go on a boat and travel through the forbidden city of 1001 Arabian Nights (the Fata Morgana).

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Even though it might seem like it is a park for children, most adults secretly still love the Efteling. Since the park is full of trees, experiencing it during Autumn makes it even more magical, as the leaves change colours throughout the season.

You can visit the park for a day, but there is also an option to stay at the park. Rent a room in the themed hotel, or rent a cosy holiday house at the lake or in the forest. Whichever option you pick, this is a guaranteed gezellige experience for all ages!

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