Can you expect to see an entire country in a day? Its people, culture, inventions, history, landmarks and everything that makes it a land to be proud of as a resident. A country that we too have fallen in love with after having visited it four times. And that too twice in a row, yet there is so much more left for us to explore. But you on your very first visit or subsequent visits can see it all over a few hours. Come with us to Madurodam Miniature Park in The Hague to experience Netherlands in a day.

The First Feel

Outside the park you have this sculpture of Gulliver the traveler which signifies his giant presence among tiny Dutch residents. It embodies the park’s theme where visitors feel like Gulliver in Lilliput and experience the Dutch world from a giant’s perspective and interact with miniature Dutch life and heritage.

Come let’s enter

You can buy entry tickets after reaching there at the ticket counter. But we advise you to buy your Madurodam Tickets Online on their official website to avail of special discounts.

Flex tickets are priced at € 26.00, group tickets at € 19.99 and for children 0-2 years it’s free. Then you have the Day tickets which are priced a little lower but they again be purchased online. If you have any coupons available you can use them during booking to reduce your prices even lower.

George Maduro

George John Lionel Maduro was a Dutch law student who served as an officer in the 1940 Battle of the Netherlands. He displayed incredible bravery by leading his unit in an assault against the German troops attempting to capture The Hague. He died fighting in 1945 during the World War II at the age of twenty eight.

Experience Madurodam

Madurodam was founded by Bep Boon-Van der as a fundraising project for the Dutch Students Sanitorium. She partnered with the parents of George Maduro, who provided the initial funds, to dedicate the miniature park as a living memorial to their son.

George Maduro House

As soon as you step inside the park, you’ll see the house where George was born and grew up full of colors and warmth of the island Curacao. And once you walk in and take your seat in the theatre, you can watch George’s story come to life on the huge screen. And what you would witness is not only thrilling but truly moving.

Welcome to Madurodam

Madurodam is a miniature park located between the center of The Hague and Scheveningen Beach and is a short number 9 tram ride from Den Haag Central station. The park showcases beautifully crafted scale models (1:25) of famous Dutch landmarks and cities. From Amsterdam’s canal cruises to the Delta Works in Zeeland and Europe’s largest harbor in Rotterdam you have it all and much more.

It also offers numerous interactive experiences where you can operate windmills, load cargo ships, control water locks or extinguish fire at the press of a button. It’s a destination for a full day of fun not only for the kids but for every adult as well as you go around and marvel at the creations.

First let’s go for a spin

Netherlands can’t live without

Kaasmarkt in Alkmaar is the oldest and largest cheese market in the Netherlands. Cheese has been weighed, transported and traded for hundreds of years since 1593.

Some famous Miniature Landmarks

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the National Museum of Netherlands showcasing Dutch art & history from the middle ages to the 20th century.

Domtoren, Utrecht

Domtoren or Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands at 112.32 metes in height. The tower was part of the St. Martin’s Cathedral which is also called Dom Church.

Goudkantoor, Groningen

In the seventeenth century this historical building with distinctive Dutch Renaissance architecture was built as a tax receiver’s office. Then in the nineteenth century gold and silver objects were approved in the Goudkantoor and provided with a mark. Today it’s a popular restaurant and bar with students, tourists and for business lunches.

Gemeenlandshuis, Amsterdam

Gemeenlandshuis is a historical establishment that offers a unique glimpse into the early Dutch democracy. The house is surrounded with water and has a wall with beautiful stucco work, a monumental staircase and rooms with a view of the surroundings.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek, Maastricht

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek is probably the oldest Christian Church in the Netherlands and is named afrer a statue in the chapel: Sterre der Zee, another name for Mary.

Markiezhof Palace, Bergen op Zoom

At the end of the Middle Ages, Bergen op Zoom was an important and rich trading city. It included a palace to receive guests.

Stadhuis, Gouda

This city hall Stadhuis which is centuries old was given new bells in the 20th century because the city had been in existence for 700 years. You can hear the bells ringing when you are in Madurodam.

Winkel Van Sinkel, Utrecht

Winkel Van Sinkel was the first departmental stores in the Netherlands where you could do some window shopping from outside before going in. It’s now a restaurant.

Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

Concertgebouw concert hall has magnificent acoustics. It is one of the most famous concert halls in the world.

Kantongerecht, Apeldoorn

Kantongerecht is the former lowest level of Dutch Judiciary in Apeldoorn and was located in other cities as well. It’s now a hotel Het Oude Kantongerecht.

Sassenport, Zwolle

In the 15th century Zwolle was a rich city as can be seen from this city gate. The gate is wide, so all carts can go under the gate.

Vredespaleis, The Hague

The Netherlands is known for the International Court of Justice of the United Nations which is located in the Peace Palace.

Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Heineken Experience, Amsterdam

Cube Houses, Rotterdam

By now you would have got a feel of this fascinating destination and what to expect when you are here. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. In the next twenty minutes or so get a real feel of many more landmarks with me starting from the 14th century. Their history, their relevance to Dutch culture, pride and why they still stand tall even after so many centuries. Don’t miss this one because with Travelwisesr it’s like being there. Click ‘Watch on YouTube’ or ‘YouTube’ when watching on your mobile to get the best feel of Madurodam.

Two must-do Experiences

The Flying Dutchman

A flight in The Flying Dutchman goes beyond just flying. This life-size flying experience is an ode to 100 year old KLM, the only airline in the world that still flies under its own name. This Douglas DC-3 airplane built in 1945 was converted into an attraction and the restoration alone took around 18 months.

As soon as the engines start to roar, you’ll be swept from one wonder to the next. Soar above the canals of Amsterdam, experience the Dutch masterpieces, skim past the towering container ships in Rotterdam’s harbor and plunge yourself in the musical world of Dutch DJ’s. You would have never seen the Netherlands like this before. Experience it right here with us. Come let’s enter and settle down.

And now experience the fun!

Windijager Windmill

Netherlands and windmills are synonymous. This attraction is about experiencing the evolution of them starting from the 13th century to the present sleek ones that you see all around as you travel through this beautiful country.

While I personally missed the experience as I was roaming around elsewhere before the closing time, my family loved the tour which takes you around on a track while seated as you understand how the transformation through centuries took place. Therefore check out the timings for the day once you are there so that you too don’t miss out this fabulous adventure.

Shopping at the ‘Shop’

Some coffee, Some food

Madurodam. Experience Netherlands in a day. A destination like no other that will steal your heart away.

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