Palace Soestdijk

While there are a bevy of things to do in the Netherlands, a fairly new attraction is Palace Soestdijk as far as tourist attractions go. The Palace, which is located in between two villages, Soest and Baarn at the Amsterdamsestraatweg 1, 3744AA Baarn address, has been open to the public only since 2011. That's largely because it served as home to members of the Dutch Royal Family until their passing in the mid-2000s. Being that Palace Soestdijk is no longer a residence of members of the Royal Family, the Government Buildings Agency has re-purposed the grounds as a tourist attraction for the public. The Palace and its grounds remain authentic and well-maintained to give visitors a true feel for what it was like to live there. 

Palace Soestdijk was built in the 17th Century, hosting several notable historical figures. These include King Willem II in the 1800s to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard until their passing in 2004. At certain periods in the Palace's history, it also served host to army officers. 

The Palace itself consists of a central block and two wings, in addition to its vast grounds. It is three stories high, has 170 rooms and 2 elevators.

Touring Palace Soestdijk

As we noted, Palace Soestdijk has been re-purposed as a tourist destination now that members of the Dutch Royal Family no longer occupy it. However, if this is on your list of "things to do in Holland," please be advised that the Palace is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. While visitors can take a guided tour (it's recommended to make a reservation for groups of 15 or more), visitors can also peruse the grounds and Palace at their own leisure during open hours. The Palace also offers location rentals and can serve as a host to weddings. 

Hours and Admission

The Palace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the last tours begin at 4 p.m. 

The cost to tour the Palace is 13.50 Euros per person and 10 Euros for children ages 4 to 12. Children under 4 are free. For visitors who only want to visit the park on the Palace grounds, tickets are 5 Euros per person. Tickets may be purchased at the Palace or in advance online.