Two remarkable castles and a star-shaped fortress town in one day. Explore medieval Muiderslot, the defences of Naarden and the grand halls and gardens of De Haar, with a private guide who brings every era to life.
Travel advisors are welcome to book this tour for their clients. Learn more
Muiderslot Castle and best-preserved castles in the Netherlands. Built in 1285, its strategic position at the mouth of the River Vecht made it an ideal location for controlling trade and collecting taxes from passing boats.
During the visit, you will explore the castle’s interiors and discover its hidden treasures, as well as its courtyards and defensive features. The tour also highlights the castle’s long-standing relationship with the city of Amsterdam and the central role water management has played throughout its history.
The tour continues to the fortified town of Naarden, famous for its distinctive star-shaped fortifications. With its double defensive walls, moats, and bastions still fully intact, Naarden is considered one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe.
Naarden was a key stronghold of the New Dutch Waterline and is a classic example of a Spanish-style star fort. As you walk through the town, you will encounter historic streets, defensive works, and important monuments, including the St. Vitus Church, a large Gothic basilica dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
De Haar Castle is the largest castle in the Netherlands and lies just outside Utrecht. With its towers, turrets, gates, moats, and drawbridges, it embodies everything one expects from a grand castle.
Although medieval in appearance, De Haar Castle was rebuilt between 1892 and 1912 by renowned architect Pierre Cuypers on the ruins of an earlier castle. Inside, the castle houses an impressive collection of art objects, while outside you will find beautifully designed parks, gardens, and a romantic chapel.
In the 1960s, the castle became a gathering place for international high society, hosting guests such as Brigitte Bardot, Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, and Roger Moore.
All three sites have gardens worth timing a visit around. Our bloom calendar shows what will be flowering during your visit, from the first daffodils to the late dahlias. Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour, minus any non-refundable tickets, in writing, under our terms and conditions.
Muiderslot is about 30 minutes from Amsterdam by car. This full-day private day trip from Amsterdam also takes in the fortified town of Naarden and De Haar Castle, travelling door to door throughout.
You will visit Muiderslot, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands, the star-shaped fortified town of Naarden, and De Haar, the country’s largest castle, with its grand interiors and ornate gardens.
Yes. The castles, moats and gardens are engaging for all ages, and as a private tour the pace can be adjusted to suit children.
Absolutely. As a private tour, we shape the day around what interests you most, from medieval history to royal architecture and gardens.
Yes. Every tour we run is private, so it can be built around limited mobility rather than squeezed into it. Tell us what you need when you book and we will plan the route, the pace and the stops around it: the car closer to each stop, shorter walking stretches, seated breaks, and step-free alternatives where they exist. Wheelchairs, walkers and prams are all fine. Where a particular site is genuinely not accessible we will say so before you book rather than let you find out on the day.
What Is Included in This Private Tour?
Easy full day
Travel time from Amsterdam: about 30 minutes each way.
Muiderslot and Naarden are close to Amsterdam and to each other, so very little of the day is spent on the road before continuing to De Haar Castle.
Practical info
Still deciding?
We’ll help you choose, or shape one around you.
