Netherlands Travel Guide

The Dutch weekend fades painlessly into the working week with many shops staying closed on Monday morning, even in major cities, although markets do open early. Otherwise, opening hours tend to be 9am to 5.30 or 6pm, though certain shops stay open later on Thursday or Friday evenings, and city-centre supermarkets tend to close around 10pm. Night shops ( avondwinkels ) can be found in major cities, usually opening from 4pm to 1 or 2am. In general, shops shut a little earlier on Saturday.

Opening times of museums are fairly uniform, generally Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm; admission to the more ordinary collections is €2, although the major museums can be around €7. If you're intending to visit more than a handful of museums, it's worth investing in a museumcard - available from VVVs or museums for €32 (under-24s €14) - which gives free or reduced access to all state and municipally run museums and galleries for a year. For under-26s, the CJP (€10), also available from VVVs, gives reductions for museum admission and theatre, film and concert tickets.

Shops and banks are closed, and museums adopt Sunday hours, on the public holidays : Jan 1; Good Fri; Easter Sun & Mon; Queen's Day; May 5; May 13; Whitsun & Monday; Dec 5; Dec 25 & Dec 26.