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Rudolphous CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Voorhout Travel Guide

Town

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 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsKeukenhofNaturalis Biodiversity CenterRijksmuseum van OudhedenWereldmuseum LeidenMuseum BoerhaaveCorpusMatiloDuin- en BollenstreekTeylingen CastleVoorhout
In this guide

Voorhout essentials

Country: Netherlands
Driest months: Mar-May
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Dutch

Where to Go in Voorhout

Sight Rijksmuseum RijksmuseumDutch national museum for art and history Sight Van Gogh Museum Van Gogh MuseumMuseum dedicated to Vincent van Gogh's artworks Sight Anne Frank House Anne Frank HousePreserved Amsterdam house documenting Anne Frank's wartime diary Island IJsselmonde IJsselmondeDutch river island hosting Rotterdam suburbs and industrial zones History Royal Palace of Amsterdam Royal Palace of Amsterdam17th-century palace located on Dam Square History Alphen aan den Rijn Alphen aan den RijnDutch riverside town in South Holland province History Huis ten Bosch Huis ten BoschRoyal palace in The Hague, Dutch monarchy residence History Homomonument HomomonumentPublic memorial in Amsterdam commemorating LGBTQ+ oppression Nature Vondelpark VondelparkLarge urban park and Amsterdam recreational green space Nature Madurodam MadurodamMiniature park displaying scaled Dutch landmarks Nature Delftse Hout Delftse HoutRecreational park with lakes near Delft Nature Zuid-Kennemerland National Park Zuid-Kennemerland National ParkDutch coastal national park with dunes and birdlife
Neighbourhoods

Voorhout at a Glance

Local Time
10:50 PM
GMT+1
Population
4,670

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.

Voorhout lies in the Dutch Duin- en Bollenstreek, the heart of the bulb-growing region.

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

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

Keukenhof - Seasonal tulip gardens in nearby Lisse open each spring with colorful displays.

Leiden - Historic university city with canals, museums, and lively café culture.

When to Go

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.

Winter

December - February2°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.

Spring

March - May6°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.

Summer

June - August15°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.

Climate

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).

Air Quality: AQI 43 Good
Best Time to Visit
MayJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 1° - 6° -2° 68 mm overcast 91% 6.8 m/s 0.0 low 8.1h
February Poor 0° - 6° -2° 48 mm overcast 89% 6.1 m/s 0.1 low 9.7h
March Acceptable 2° - 9° 2° 62 mm overcast 86% 6.2 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Good 4° - 12° 5° 45 mm partly cloudy 82% 5.4 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.8h
May Very Good 8° - 16° 12° 46 mm partly cloudy 80% 5.3 m/s 1.2 high 15.5h
June Good 11° - 19° 15° 67 mm overcast 79% 5.0 m/s 1.4 high 16.5h
July Good 13° - 21° 17° 67 mm overcast 78% 5.0 m/s 1.4 high 16.0h
August Good 13° - 21° 17° 62 mm overcast 78% 4.7 m/s 1.1 high 14.5h
September Good 11° - 18° 14° 88 mm overcast 80% 5.1 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable 7° - 14° 11° 89 mm overcast 85% 5.6 m/s 0.3 low 10.4h
November Acceptable 4° - 10° 3° 94 mm overcast 89% 6.1 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
December Poor 2° - 7° 0° 78 mm overcast 91% 6.4 m/s 0.0 low 7.5h
Getting There & Around

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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

Budget

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.

Mid-Range

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.

Luxury

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.

Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in Voorhout

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Voorhout’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Regional
Italian
Chinese
Kebab
Sushi
Friture
French
Indonesian
International
Thai
Greek
Chicken
Pancake
Japanese
Sandwich
Asian
Steak House
Fish

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.

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.