Voorhout City
Town in South Holland, near the coast
Halfway between Leiden and Noordwijk, Voorhout sits amid bulb fields and straight dikes. Travelers pedal country lanes, time their trips for spring flower displays, and cross over to nearby beaches-simple Dutch countryside, small-town cafés, and a lot of reliable cycling routes.
Voorhout at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate: $90-120/day - around $90-120 daily for hotels, dining, and easy transport to nearby cities.
Safety: Very safe - typical Dutch small-town safety with very low crime and safe cycling routes.
Best Time: Best time: April-May - april and May are peak for tulip season and flower fields.
Why Visit Voorhout?#
Nestled in the Bollenstreek, Voorhout is a springtime magnet for its nearby bulb fields and quick trips to Keukenhof’s famous displays. Routes for cycling and walking link small estates, greenhouses and cafés where locals sip coffee amid floral scenery. Its central location between Haarlem and Leiden makes it an easy base for exploring Holland’s garden country by bike or train.
Best Things to Do in Voorhout#
Voorhout Bucket List#
Slot Teylingen - Medieval castle ruins set in parkland with river views and walking paths.
Voorhout village centre - Pleasant village center with cafés, bakeries, and weekly market stalls.
Local cycling routes - Scenic cycling paths linking nearby bulb fields and coastal dune areas.
Small local nurseries - Plant nurseries selling bulbs and ornamentals, interesting to gardening enthusiasts.
Country lanes for cycling - Quiet backroads offering gentle rides through historic farmsteads and fields.
Community events at the castle - Seasonal fairs and historical reenactments hosted at Slot Teylingen grounds.
Best Time to Visit Voorhout#
Voorhout is nicest in late spring and summer for cycling, flower fields, and relaxed coastal day trips. Expect typical Dutch maritime weather: mild, changeable, and often breezy year-round.
December - February
2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
Winter is mild and damp-quiet streets but frequent drizzle and grey skies; indoor cultural spots stay open for cozy visits.
March - May
6°C to 18°C (43°F to 64°F)
Spring showcases bulb fields and mild cycling weather-occasional rain but comfortable days, perfect for day trips to coastal towns and terraces.
June - August
15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
Warm summers are pleasant for beaches, cafés, and long daylight-bring a windbreaker for cool evenings and occasional festivals.
Voorhout's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (814 mm/year).
January
January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 94 mm of rain, mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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How to Get to Voorhout#
Voorhout lies between Leiden and Haarlem in South Holland and is well connected by Dutch rail and local buses. Schiphol is the nearest major airport and NS train services stop at Voorhout station for fast connections to regional centres. Cycling and walking are also excellent for local travel.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS): Schiphol is the fastest international gateway for Voorhout. From Schiphol take an NS train to Leiden or Sassenheim and then a short bus or train connection to Voorhout; total travel time is about 25-45 minutes depending on connections. Train fares from Schiphol to Leiden are typically around €5-€7.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): RTM offers some European flights; from RTM you can travel by train via The Hague or Leiden to Voorhout, total journey 40-70 minutes depending on transfers.
Train: Voorhout is served by Voorhout station on the Haarlem-Leiden/Amsterdam-Rotterdam corridor with direct Sprinter services; journey times to Leiden or Haarlem are typically under 15-25 minutes. NS trains are frequent and a convenient way to reach the town from Schiphol or Amsterdam.
Bus: Local Connexxion buses provide shorter links to neighbouring villages and to nearby railway stations. Use an OV-chipkaart for smooth transfers across trains and buses.
How to Get Around Voorhout#
Voorhout is best served by regional trains (Voorhout station) with short local bus and bike links for the final mile. Schiphol is the nearest major airport; OV-chipkaart simplifies travel across trains and buses.
- NS Train (Voorhout station) (€1.80-€6 (short trips)) - Voorhout has its own station with regular Sprinter services to Leiden, Haarlem and other regional hubs. Trains are frequent and reliable-ideal for commuting or day trips. Use OV-chipkaart for easy tap-in/out across services.
- Bus (Connexxion) (€1.50-€4) - Local buses link Voorhout with neighbouring towns and stations; they are useful for short local journeys or if your accommodation is away from the station. Service frequency is good during daytime and reduced evenings/weekends.
- Bicycle (€6-€18/day (rental)) - Voorhout is very bike-friendly with flat terrain and safe cycling paths. Cycling is one of the fastest and most pleasant ways to cover short-to-medium distances in the region-rent a bike in nearby Leiden or Haarlem if needed.
- Car / Rental (€35-€70/day (rental)) - A rental car can be handy for exploring beyond the coastal and Randstad towns, but is unnecessary for most local travel given excellent public transport. Parking in town is available but check local rules and costs.
- Taxi / Ride-hail (€10-€30) - Taxis are convenient for early-morning or late-night transfers and when carrying luggage. For short trips into Leiden or Sassenheim they are quick but more costly than public transport.
- Walking - Voorhout’s compact centre and residential streets are very walkable, perfect for visiting shops, cafés and local parks. Paths are flat and well kept.
Where to Stay in Voorhout#
Voorhout / Sassenheim - €50-100/night
Voorhout is small and mainly residential; budget travellers typically use nearby Sassenheim, Leiden or Noordwijk for wider accommodation choices.
Local B&Bs & small hotels (Voorhout) - Affordable guest rooms.
Budget deals at nearby Sassenheim - Good value near Voorhout.
Sassenheim / Leiden area - €90-150/night
Mid-range hotels around Voorhout offer comfortable rooms and easy access to Leiden, the coast, and local transport links.
Van der Valk Hotel Sassenheim-Leiden - Modern, family-friendly facilities.
Fletcher Hotel Leiden - Comfortable and well-located.
Noordwijk / Amsterdam - €180+/night
Voorhout has no five-star hotels; for luxury stays, head to the seaside resorts (Noordwijk) or Amsterdam, a short drive or train ride away.
Van der Valk Hotel Noordwijk - Upscale coastal hotel and spa.
Luxury Amsterdam hotels - High-end options a short train ride away.
Where to Eat in Voorhout#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Voorhout’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Voorhout#
The town has everyday shops and small retailers for daily needs; for bigger shopping trips head to Leiden, Haarlem or nearby shopping centres. Weekly markets in neighbouring towns add variety on market days.
Nightlife in Voorhout#
Voorhout’s evening scene is small, with local bars and cafés rather than a dedicated nightlife district. For clubs and late-night venues, larger nearby cities are the destination.