Flights from Palma (Majorque) to Netherlands

Travel to the Netherlands from Palma de Mallorca

No need to go via mainland Spain: Vueling flies direct from Palma de Mallorca to Amsterdam in around 2 hours and 30 minutes. From Schiphol, the train reaches the city centre in under 20 minutes, and the intercity services that cover the rest of the country leave from that same station.

Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Leiden are less than an hour away by train, so a long weekend can cover several cities from a single base. The biggest change from Mallorca is the weather, which can turn several times in a day, July included.

What documents you need to travel to the Netherlands

The Netherlands and Spain are both in the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Spanish and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card (the DNI, for Spaniards) or passport, with no visa or extra paperwork.

On Schengen flights the DNI has to be the physical card: the digital version is only valid on flights within Spain, so it is not accepted on flights to the Netherlands. Check the expiry date before you book, because you cannot board with an expired document. Children each need their own documents, and if they are not travelling with both parents, you should carry the relevant authorisation. The European Health Insurance Card gives you access to public healthcare while you are away. If you have a different nationality, the travel documents page sets out what applies to you.

What to know when you land in the Netherlands

From the airport to the city centre. The train leaves from inside the Schiphol terminal and takes 15 to 20 minutes to Amsterdam Central Station, with very frequent departures throughout the day. There are also direct trains to Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, so you do not have to go through the city centre first.

Rain and wind. This is the biggest change from Mallorca. The weather can turn several times in a single day at any time of year, July included, when temperatures sit between 18 and 24 degrees. A light waterproof layer will see you through the whole trip.

Trains and tickets. The Dutch rail network is dense and punctual, and none of the journeys between the 4 main cities takes as long as an hour. Throughout the country, a contactless bank card (OVpay) pays for trains, metros, trams and buses.

Cycling. For the people who live here, the bike is simply how they get around, with dedicated lanes and real right of way. If you hire one, expect everyone else on the road to assume you know the rules.

You pay in euros, plugs are type C and F, at 230V, and the standard of English is extremely high across the country.

What to do in the Netherlands

Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum deserve a couple of mornings. Book tickets in advance. The Anne Frank House, on the Prinsengracht, has to be booked weeks ahead. Jordaan and De Pijp are best explored without a plan, and the Vondelpark is a short walk from Museumplein.

Rotterdam

Around 40 minutes away by train. The city was rebuilt from scratch after the war, and contemporary architecture defines it, from Piet Blom’s Cube Houses to the Erasmus Bridge and the Markthal food market. The port is the largest in Europe, and you can tour it by boat.

The Hague, Delft and Utrecht

The Hague is home to the Mauritshuis, with Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the Peace Palace, while Scheveningen beach is 10 minutes from the centre. Delft has kept its 17th-century architecture and is where the famous blue and white pottery comes from. Utrecht has canals on 2 levels and a lively student scene.

Keukenhof and the tulip fields

From late March to early May, the fields south of Haarlem put on one of the most striking natural displays in Europe. The Keukenhof gardens are at the heart of it all and sit very close to the airport, so you can fit a visit into the day you arrive or the day you fly home. Outside those weeks, there is nothing to see there.

Luggage for your flight to the Netherlands

Your fare decides what luggage comes with you from Palma de Mallorca. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a weekend, a backpack or cabin bag is usually enough. If you are travelling in autumn or winter, a coat and waterproof shoes take up more room than you expect, especially when you are setting off from a Mediterranean island. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.