Which Dutch Hanseatic towns should we visit, and can we see two in a day from Amsterdam?
Yes, two fit comfortably. Locals on the forums rate Zutphen for its alleys and cafés, Deventer for its old center, Hattem as "lovely and quaint", Doesburg as "adorable", Elburg as underrated, and Kampen for its walls and gates, but not on a Sunday, when almost everything there is closed. Zutphen's Librije, a church library from the 16th century with books still chained to the desks, is one of the rarest sights in the country. Deventer is about 1 h 34 from Amsterdam by car and Zutphen 27 minutes beyond it; nine hours by car costs €585 in Business Class, with 360 km included.
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With a chauffeur by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, starting and ending in the same city. The chauffeur waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
Pick your pair
| Pair | Why | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Deventer and Zutphen | The classic: big and small, 27 minutes apart | Market days get busy |
| Kampen and Hattem | Gates by the river, a tiny walled town | Kampen is quiet on Sundays |
| Elburg and Harderwijk | Fishing-town history by the Veluwemeer | Elburg is small; an afternoon is enough |
| Zutphen and Doesburg | Alleys, a chained library, mustard soup | Doesburg is a short visit |
Practical
Most centers have paid parking managed by app; with a driver, you're dropped at the gate and the car waits outside.
Related questions
Is Giethoorn on the way?
It's further north; locals suggest Hasselt, Blokzijl or Vollenhove if you want water villages with fewer crowds.
Is the Librije open daily?
No; its opening days vary, so check with the St. Walburgis church in Zutphen before you go.
Can we stay a night?
Deventer or Zwolle make good bases.
Sources
- TripAdvisor: Hansa towns (July 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
- Atlas Obscura: the Librije chained library (checked October 31, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.