ADVERTISEMENT

The Netherlands is the most beautiful country in the world. And yes, I am from the Netherlands. It's not often that people call their homeland the most beautiful in the world. For me, that was no different. I used to see pretty pictures of other beautiful countries around the world and was only seeing what my own country was lacking―beautiful mountains and high skyscrapers.

There was nothing spectacular about the Netherlands. And I'm sure many local people will think the same as me back then. But once I got into photography many years ago, that started to change.

More info: albertdros.com | Instagram | Facebook | flickr.com

#1

Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

New green leaves and a carpet of flowers decorate this forest in spring!

Report

Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds weird but I truly love trees. They are beautiful especially in the winter. I call winter trees cemetery trees.

Mauve Mouse
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That doesn't sound weird at all. I literally hug them.

Load More Replies...
Robbert Morgan
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you like it so much then stop using these Kardashian like filters... (a fellow Dutchie)

Maria Alexandropoulou
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your photos are beautiful but also very heavily edited. The country looks nothing like that (and yes I live in the Netherlands)

Charlene
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Albert, you have an amazing love and passion for photography in the Netherlands! Your photos speak volumes into my heart and soul! May your passion and love for capturing these moments never end!

Toni
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this looks very much photoshopped..

Kerri
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like wild garlic (ramsoms), been trying to find patches in woodland where I am but always come up short! :(

Sharon Walker
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You capture the “Inspiring beauty of nature.” Thank you for sharing for all to appreciate! Hope

MellonCollie
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely gorgeous. Yes, I'm Dutch too.

View more comments

Even before getting into photography at a professional level, I began being a tourist in my own country. I started opening my eyes and seeing beauty. Because it's not about what you don't have, it's what you do have. And I discovered that my home country actually has a lot―Dutch nature is a lot more beautiful than I thought. 

RELATED:
    #2

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    I love the old classic Dutch architectural style. This is a cheese factory in a touristic area called Zaanse Schans.

    Report

    Maggie-beth Rees Rasor
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I cannot quite believe this is even REAL, and not photo-shopped! It's brilliant. It looks like a painting by Thomas Kinkade, but MUCH MUCH more beautiful. It's also as if the millers specially "set" the windmill blades, just so they would be in perfect position to be photographed! Dutch cheese factory, windmills, water, a bridge, and "that light". Perfection. Kudos and thanks for this.

    Talitha Jansen
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's photoshop for sure. We have a beautiful country with vibrant colors but not like this. So yeah, the colors were edited and the shading. .

    Load More Replies...
    JP dJ
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the longer answer: "Zaan" is a natural water stream meandering North-West of Amsterdam - you could call that stream a river. A settlement founded, long time ago, around a man-made dam across the Zaan river is called Zaandam. And the region around is called Zaanstreek where "streek" is the Dutch word for region. "Zaanse" is the adjective for thing Zaan region. "Schans" is a war-defense thing. It directly relates to English "to ensconce" (to entrench or to intrench). Where "trench" implies a dug out, "schans" implies something thrown or built up. The structure could have a ramp aspect, but that is not necessary for the word to apply. The "schans" of this case was an old defense system from the "80 year war" between the Dutch and the Spanish imperialist, Roman catholic, suppressors and extortionists. This war ran on and off 1566–1648. For reference, painter Rembrandt van Rijn lived 1606 (Leiden) - 1669 (Amsterdam). As the Netherlands has 1/3rd of its land area below sea level, and is t

    Norman Littlefair
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Albert. I love this photo and would like to paint it if that is Okay? Please text on 0400113439. Regards, NormL (West Australia).

    Marcellus the Third
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Zaan being a stream presumably so 'Zaan-dam' and 'Zaan-dike' make sense; a 'schans' is a feature sticking out of the landscape (e.g., a ski jump! but also can be a defensive hurdle or natural ridge)... Of course this is in the flattest part of those flatlands so any 'sticking out feature' is unnoticeable to outside eyes!

    Load More Replies...
    #3

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    My country is known for its beautiful windmills. During foggy mornings they come alive.

    Report

    Charlene
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Albert, you have an amazing love and passion for photography in the Netherlands! Your photos speak volumes into my heart and soul! May your passion and love for capturing these moments never end!

    ADVERTISEMENT

    And then there are the beautiful old cities. Not only Amsterdam, but we have dozens of medieval towns that are amazing to see and photograph. But we also have very modern architecture and futuristic cities like Rotterdam. We have beaches as far as the eye can see on the islands up north. 

    #4

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Autumn is my favorite season. All the trees get their different colors and it's just a feast for the eyes. In this photo, you see a swirling bike lane through the forest. You get this extreme perspective through photographing with a very long lens.

    Report

    Charlene
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Albert, you have an amazing love and passion for photography in the Netherlands! Your photos speak volumes into my heart and soul! May your passion and love for capturing these moments never end! This photo is like heaven on earth.

    peruchipac
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So pretty but how annoying to drive.

    #5

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    These days in winter are rare. This is the countryside completely frozen on a very cold winter day in 2018. All the trees turned white. These 'heather' areas in the Netherlands are beautiful throughout the seasons, but especially in August.

    Report

    World Today
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do concur with you. I call her heaven on earth. Aka garden of Eden.

    Charlene
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my absolute favorite photo that you took Albert!! Never lose your passion and love for this huge gift of capturing these moments so beautifully!! This photo looks like a painting, I love the detail. Even though it is supposed to make you feel cold when you look at the photo, it still warms my heart and stirs a passion in my soul! Your photos speak volumes!!

    DriveBy Commenter
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I lived there as an immigrant American for 20 years and I still miss it 10 years later.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Been almost 20 years since I left and I still miss it.

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    We have the most beautiful forests one can imagine. We have, of course, the most amazing flowers (mostly tulips) in the world. And with the right weather and conditions, our foggy mornings are really like being in a fairytale!

    #6

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    A famous windmill park Zaanse Schans. In this photo, the windmills are rising from the fog. The thick fog like this only happens rarely.

    Report

    A Lazy Spider
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know why, but I love fog

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too and now I live closer to the hills I get to experience it more often :)

    Load More Replies...
    #7

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    I managed to capture these 2 horses playing out in the fields during a spectacular sunrise this spring.

    Report

    anushka
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Manage all your business calls from anywhere, anytime, with a single virtual phone number.

    Troy Parr
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If these photos were used for a calendar, this one suggests Spring.

    Jill Rhodry
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, they are, if they were fighting their ears would be pinned, trying to bight the neck, and haunches turned to kick.

    Load More Replies...

    As a professional landscape photographer, I have seen a lot of the world. And the more I traveled, the more I started to appreciate my home. Now, I'm always happy to be back and photograph here. I aim to capture the most amazing conditions that many locals rarely see: getting up occasionally at 5, 4, or even 3 AM to capture the morning fog is part of the "work." It's not really working, it's my passion. And the pictures are the reward.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    We have many medieval towns. This is Amersfoort, which I find one of the most beautiful towns in the country. I am not at all biased because I was born there.

    Report

    Pudgecat
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Welp I know where I’m moving after corona

    Laurie Veldman
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thought this was kampen for a second

    The Crushinator
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amersfoort is gorgeous! I just spent 2 days there with my SO. We had the best time :)

    Deb Young
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just beautiful, thanks for sharing.

    #9

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Only one period per year the sun rises right next to the line of windmills at the famous heritage Kinderdijk.

    Report

    K- THULU
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow.... absolutely gorgeous..

    ADVERTISEMENT

    DISCLAIMER: Yes, the Netherlands has a lot of rain also and often has grey, "depressing" weather. All of these photos were taken in optimal weather conditions that don't happen too often. What I am trying to say with this series is that any country is beautiful, including YOUR homeland. You just need to look at it differently, and most importantly, find the right weather, light, and conditions to make the most of it.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    I also like to spend time at the coast photographing storms and waves. It's very dynamic.

    Report

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to have a fairy tale type house near this coast. Have a roaring fire with hot chocolate in the winter during a storm. Give me a scary book and some vodka and I would never leave. Seriously this is my dream.

    #11

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    In summer, Scottish highlanders sometimes roam the fields. They're calm, not dangerous, and beautiful to spectate.

    Report

    Jesse Schröder
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe for the dumbasses among us you should edit this to 'not dangerous when not provoked' lol

    Richard Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "spectate"??? Why not just say they're beautiful, or a beautiful sight, to see, or to look at? "spectate implies a sporting event. Beautiful photo, though.

    Susie Elle
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A-hem, they CAN be dangerous (don't pet them)

    #12

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Magic always happens n the Dutch countryside. A rainbow appeared here and I saw these cows standing in the field. I ran up to them from the other side of a little water stream and started waving at them to line them up under the rainbow. You can see them looking at me thinking, "What is this guy doing?"

    Report

    Weim Central
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lovely photo and lovely curious cows.

    kat lia
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Suddenly, i want to drink fresh milk.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Reitdiephaven, in the north of the country, has a little modern harbor with very interesting colorful architecture.

    Report

    MellonCollie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a split second I thought it was Willemstad, Curaçao!

    Maggie-beth Rees Rasor
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such pride in ownership is a wonderful thing. The people who live here obviously care about the view they present to the world. It's lovely.

    Abhishek Ghosh
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was searching this place for a long time. Rietdiephaven ! Bedankt !

    Marcellus the Third
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, it's a copy of a Swedish fishing village. Go, IKEA, Go! .... Especially those fake turrets at the end of each row make this a dystopian sight.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    The endless fields of tulips are a magical sight.

    Report

    Torza
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So beautiful!!! I would love to see this in real life!

    #15

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Our famous tulips! Our growers export them to the whole world. I love the colors, and I love tulips! Did you know you can't grow the same flower in the same field for years in a row? That's why the location of the fields always slightly differs. In this particular year (2019), this field was lined up right with this windmill.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #16

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Once every few years everything freezes. Here's the coastline, which is normally just sea, completely frozen with ice structures and textures. This particular morning, it was about -15°C. Very cold, but beautiful to be out. This photo was taken in a little town called Marken. They have their own lighthouse.

    Report

    Lotte
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These pictures make me see my own country in a different way! i love it.

    #17

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    The Canals of Amsterdam during sunset with spectacular clouds. We call these "Dutch Skies."

    Report

    MellonCollie
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you know what, when you're Dutch, you tend to take this beauty for granted, because it's what you've always known!

    Missy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very true! There is some very picturesque scenery here in the north of NL, but some of it is tainted by the ancient memories of slaving away on my bike trough wind and rainstorms for 10km, just to get to school... Aaahh nostalgia!

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    On the waterside of Amsterdam with the setting moon on a calm morning.

    Report

    Antonio Celso Ribeiro
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Morning??? Wow! It looks like night time! But beautiful.

    Aaricia Van 't Noordende
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In winter at around 10 it's only getting lighter. At 9 it's still completely dark! And if you hav to get up for work even earlier at 7 maybe 8 it feels like you just went to bed!

    Load More Replies...
    Sue User
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please tell me the restaraunt survived COVID. Best food.

    Weim Central
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ummmm - anyone know why that building looks Asian? (Never been there - can you tell?)

    Lotte
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its actually a massive floating asian style restaurant called Sea Palace. Its right next to the central station and the food is delicious!

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #19

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Some of these classically styled houses in the countryside areas have their own little bridge!

    Report

    #20

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Sometimes it all comes together. On this particular morning in 2016, the sky had incredible clouds and colors, with a thin layer of fog on the ground, and suddenly, out of nowhere, a shepherd with her sheep walked into my frame. I took this photo, had a chat with her, and later sent her the photo.

    Report

    #21

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    And even when the leaves are gone, during foggy days, you get this mystical atmosphere in the forest.

    Report

    Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think there is a fairy hiding behind that tree

    Mikhail Malakhanov
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like the magical forest from Frozen 2. Truly beautiful and pure magic.

    Gale Vester
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To me, this is a nightclub for Ents! They're dancing together, but a few of them have stopped to watch the green one to the right.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    Sometimes, when it's really dark, you can see the Milky Way. Granted, the Netherlands is one of the worst countries to see and photograph the Milky Way, but during dark nights with no moon and relatively low pollution, it's still possible. On this particular night, there was a meteor storm happening.

    Report

    Electra Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Me downloading as many of these pictures as my small computer can hold. Got to pack in the beauty!

    Asad Javid
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spectacular! Where was this taken? I heard Groningen is an ideal area for star gazing and possibly observe the milky way?

    Jesse Schröder
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Texel (and the other islands known as 'de waddeneilanden') are the best for stargazing and possibly even see aurora borealis

    Load More Replies...
    #23

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    There are our beautiful forests, that look amazing throughout all the seasons. I aim to photograph them in the morning with high humidity. You then get these beautiful rays peeking through the trees. It's like a fairytale.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    A very misty morning in the countryside when the moon was setting shows how the area looks in August. Everything looks completely purple. A real fairytale.

    Report

    Mini
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you remember where this was taken by any chance?:)

    #25

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    We have incredible beaches as far as the eye can see. Along with the coast you often find spectacular clouds and sunsets. We have islands up north that are incredible.

    Report

    The Crushinator
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I grew up on Vlieland (one of the islands) and it is indeed beautiful. Sitting in the dunes with a bottle of wine, watching the sunset is one of my favourite memories

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    In April, even the capital, Amsterdam, has tulips everywhere through the city! It's called the Tulip Festival.

    Report

    Sue User
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love when people make pictures with flowers. You can climd little staircases to see them.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    These trees look like they're in Africa.

    Report

    Sun Park
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These photos are stunning. (A fellow dutch resident who completely agrees how gorgeous this country is)

    Robbert Morgan
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you like it so much then stop using these Kardashian like filters and keep it real. (a fellow Dutchie)

    Andrew Goetsch
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are others who know cameras. Don't pretend those photos are unprocessed. It's art.

    Jesse Schröder
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    as if any photo you see in any magazine is unprocessed

    Load More Replies...
    Richard Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are so many places in Europe that are so beautiful. Makes me a jealous American. But, fortunately, America has its own beauty.

    Susanne Seguna
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would be pleased with these photos, editing or not.You certainly have an eye( which one?) for capturing lovely moments. Reminds me of my childhood in Germany's country side.

    Chaya Herrebrugh-Wachtmeester
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of these I was lucky enough to experience myself. Some of these skies I see on the daily during my commute to work. To all the Dutchies saying they never saw anything like this: get up before sunrise, go out to the countryside and experience it yourself.

    Daniele Di Crescenzo
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great pictures (although edited way beyond reality), but NL is in now way the most beautiful country in the world.

    matze karajanov
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omg Wat is dit voor een "kissing your own a*s" post? Het is koud, kut en leef alweer 31 jaar hier en heb dit grille landje nog nooit zo gezien als op jouw foto's, wat een b******t... Photoshop +1 Nederland -1

    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    dit is ook exact wat ik in mijn post omschrijf, je leest blijkbaar niet. Typische Nederlandse reactie. Nederland +1, azijnzeiker +1

    Load More Replies...
    View more comments
    #28

    Why The Netherlands Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World!

    We aso have spectacular modern architecture. This is part of the skyline is Rotterdam which has one of the biggest harbors in the world.

    Report

    Sue User
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The sad part is that Rotterdam has so much new architect because the older building were destroyed during WW2 bombings.