An image of a hostel in New York can be seen here – a large building with many levels, with a white-tinted facade.
One can visit the largest castle in the Netherlands, Castle De Haar, on a day trip from Amsterdam. It is situated in the vicinity of Utrecht, making it quite accessible.
This castle, referred to as Kasteel De Haar in Dutch, was not originally meant for military purposes, rather, it is and has been used as a high-end residence.
Visiting the interior of the castle requires an extra fee, but it is absolutely worth it. If you only have the opportunity to explore one castle in the Netherlands, make sure it is this one!
This guide will provide information about Castle De Haar, such as how to get there, the cost of tickets, and options for day tours. It will also provide all other necessary details for visitors to know before visiting.
Exploring Castle De Haar: An Overview
When you first arrive at De Haar Castle, you will be surrounded by 135 acres of pristine gardens. These gardens are full of interesting colors, ponds, deer, and picturesque scenery. Taking a long stroll or having a picnic in this area is the ideal way to take in its beauty.
From the outside, Castle De Haar is a picturesque site, complete with the traditional aspects of a medieval castle such as towers, turrets, moats, gates, and bridges.
It’s possible to get stunning shots of the castle from a variety of angles!
The gorgeous Kasteel De Haar 
The calm morning reflections in the canal can be seen from here
I had not thought of Holland as a place with castles before, but this one is remarkable; it looks like it could have come straight out of a fairytale.
The Netherlands’ most impressive castle is also its largest; many would go so far as to call it the prettiest. Those visiting can explore the gift shop, cafe, and visitor center, and purchase tickets there.
It is possible to observe the friendly deer meandering and munching on the vegetation in the deer park situated in the parking area.
At the entrance, a concrete statue of a gargoyle griffin griffin can be seen
At certain times of the year, De Haar hosts special occasions such as Elfia Fantasy Fair and the Christmas Market. Visiting the area during these periods would be a great experience.
Kasteel De Haar does not need any form of booking or reservation ahead of time, though if you want to get around the hassle of organizing your own transportation, you can take a group day tour from Amsterdam. I will explain more about this option later.
Visiting Kasteel De Haar is a great idea, especially for those from the US or other nations not typically known for having castles!
Two images of Castle De Haar in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Netherlands are presented. The first is a garden with flowers while the second features a chandelier.
The Interior of De Haar Castle
A visit to the interior of De Haar Castle is a must for any tourist. This grand building is renowned for its decorative rooms and hallways, as well as its rich historical significance. One can explore the many ornate chambers and grand staircases, admire the elaborate tapestries and paintings, and take in the majestic atmosphere of the place. There is also an impressive collection of antiques and artifacts to be found within the walls of the castle. All in all, De Haar Castle provides a unique and unforgettable experience for all who visit.
Visitors can explore the interior of De Haar Castle in their own time with the purchase of a combo ticket; the inside is every bit as awe-inspiring as the outside!
Exploring the insides of Castle De Haar is a feast for the eyes. It showcases intricate carvings, sculptures, paintings, and expensive furniture. Additionally, the stained glass windows and the sets of armor add to its beauty, making it feel like one is in an art museum.
The castle has an impressive number of 200 rooms! Though only a small fraction of them were open for the inside tour, it was definitely worth the visit.
It would be an advantageous choice to purchase the combo ticket! The additional cost is well worth it for the chance to go inside.
The interior of Castle De Haar is just as impressive as its exterior! 
Stunning sculptures are found within the walls of the castle.
Visitors to the castle can partake in an audio tour in either Dutch or English, and there are multilingual guides stationed in almost every room to tell the story of the building and those who resided there.
We grabbed the chance to take lots of pictures inside the castle with our cameras (without flash). It was an extraordinary experience, and we were tempted to spend more time exploring every room.
Visitors to De Haar Castle are not permitted to bring backpacks, tripods, drones, and other similar items inside; however, there are lockers available for storing belongings while exploring the inside of the castle.
The interior of a castle bedroom provides an inviting atmosphere.
Hours of Operation
- Park: Opening time of 9 in the morning and closing at 5 in the evening, every day
- Castle: Open from 11 in the morning until 5 PM each day
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Starting at 9 AM, you can stroll around the castle grounds, though the building itself won’t open until 11 AM. Therefore, the morning is an ideal time to experience the site.
The castle is accessible every day with the exception of holidays for which information can be found at this link.
Costs of Admittance
The following are the prices of tickets for admittance to the grounds of the castle, though entrance to the building itself is not included.
- Adults: Seven Euros
- Children aged between four and twelve: Five Euros
- Infants aged four and below Complimentary
- Parking: Six Euros
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In order to gain entry to the castle, there’s a combo ticket available that is more expensive and includes the park. You can purchase this at the castle when you arrive or book it before you go here.
No cash payments are allowed at the castle; only credit or debit cards can be used.
A scenic view from the grounds of the castle
The Route To Castle De Haar
Learning the way to Castle De Haar is not too difficult. All one has to do is follow several simple steps and they will soon be at this grand location. Firstly, they need to find the town of Haarzuilens. This is the nearest town to the castle. From here, it is possible to take a direct train to the castle. Alternatively, one can take a car and follow the signs that will lead them to it. Once they arrive, they will be able to enjoy the magnificence of Castle De Haar.
Haarzuilens, a town not far from the Dutch city of Utrecht, is the home of Castle De Haar.
It’s easy to get to the castle from Amsterdam or Utrecht; you can ride a bike, rent a car, take a taxi, or use public transport. Additionally, you can book a day tour package that includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Amsterdam. The drive by car to the castle is only about 30 minutes from either city.
If you are traveling from Amsterdam Centraal to the castle, bear in mind that it will take longer than expected. Firstly, you need to take the train to Utrecht Centraal, then you can get the train from Utrecht to Den Haag Centraal, which runs 4 times every hour, at last arriving at Vleuten train station.
When you get to Vleuten, the quickest way to Kasteel de Haar is to take Bus 111 and complete the journey with a two-minute stroll (only available during summer weekends). Alternatively, Bus 127 from Vleuten to Breukelen (stop at Brink in Haarzuilens) is an option, with a fifteen-minute walk remaining to the castle.
The map below will assist you in planning a route to the castle. It is located approximately 20 km from the center of Utrecht or 33 km from Amsterdam.
A Look At The History Of Kasteel De Haar
De Haar Castle appears to be a relic from the Middle Ages; however, it was actually constructed in the 1800s, occupying the site of a castle that had been present since 1391.
Until 1440, the De Haar family had ownership of the property. Afterward, the Van Zuylen family acquired the property through marriage. From 1892 to 1912, the Van Zuylens employed Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers to remodel the castle, transforming it into the magnificent structure we can see today.
Back in the 1960s, the Van Zuylen family welcomed many distinguished visitors to their castle, among them Brigitte Bardot, Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, and Michael Caine.
In 2000, the Van Zuylen family relinquished control of the castle and grounds to the Kasteel de Haar foundation, yet they kept the privilege to reside in the castle for a month annually, something they still practice to this day. How fortunate!
A majestic view of the De Haar Castle can be seen from a canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Optimal Occasion To Tour
It is oftentimes asked when the best time is to visit a certain place. Depending on the location, the answer varies. However, for the majority of places, the ideal time to visit is when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are at a minimum. This can often mean visiting during the offseason when prices are lower and attractions are less crowded.
No matter when you go to De Haar Castle, it is bound to be a pleasant experience. However, summer is particularly lovely since the Rose Garden is in full bloom, boasting over 1,200 roses and 79 different species.
Much to my wife’s disappointment, we did not have the chance to appreciate the renowned tulips in the Netherlands on this trip, yet the flowers in August at De Haar Castle were still breathtaking.
If you want to have the grounds to yourself, then the ideal time to visit is when the park first opens (at 9 AM). We went on a summer morning once, and it felt like we were the only ones there for a couple of hours!
It is suggested to spend two to three hours wandering the castle and the grounds of the park, depending on your speed and whether or not the gardens are in full bloom at the time of your visit. On average, it normally takes people around two hours to finish seeing everything.
In the Summertime, a Vibrant Array of Flowers Sprouts
Sensational Sightseeing in Amsterdam
It is suggested that GetYourGuide be utilized for day trips in Amsterdam and the neighboring areas of the Netherlands!
Visitors to Amsterdam can experience Castle De Haar with the option of small group day tours with pickup and drop-off from Amsterdam. Other attractions and activities such as canal cruises, the Van Gogh Museum, and visits to Keukenhof are also available.
This company has been utilized for a plethora of day trips and adventures all around the globe, and they have been nothing but exceptional. We strongly suggest them!
Additional Tourist Resources
I trust you found this article on taking a day trip to Castle / Kasteel De Haar from Amsterdam, Netherlands informative and entertaining. Thank you for reading it!
Be sure to take a peek at the remainder of my travel blog for additional guidance, data, and travel pictures!
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