The Netherlands is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. It’s also home to some tricky riddles that test your knowledge of this unique nation. See how many of these 38 Netherlands riddles you can get right!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
What is the highest point in the Netherlands?
Answer: Vaalserberg, at 321 meters (1,053 ft) above sea level.
Riddle 2
What is the longest river that runs entirely within the Netherlands?
Answer: The Rhine River, which stretches 865 km (537 mi) across the country.
Riddle 3
What inland sea is located along the Netherlands’ northern coast?
Answer: The Wadden Sea, a shallow body of water rich in biodiversity.
Riddle 4
What bay forms much of the Netherlands’ southern coastline?
Answer: Zeeland Bay in the province of Zeeland.
Riddle 5
What is the lowest point in the Netherlands?
Answer: Zuidplaspolder, at 6.76 meters (22.2 ft) below sea level.
History Riddles
Riddle 6
What was the first Dutch Republic historically called?
Answer: The United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Riddle 7
Who is known as the “Father of the Fatherland” for leading the Dutch Revolt against Spain?
Answer: William of Orange.
Riddle 8
What treaty formally recognized Dutch independence from Spain in 1648?
Answer: The Peace of Münster treaty.
Riddle 9
What was the name of the trading empire established by the Dutch East India Company?
Answer: The Dutch East Indies.
Riddle 10
What was the predominant religion in the Netherlands before 1579?
Answer: Roman Catholicism.
Culture Riddles
Riddle 11
What type of textile product is the Netherlands famous for producing?
Answer: Delft blue pottery.
Riddle 12
What is the name of the style of painting Rembrandt and Vermeer became known for?
Answer: Dutch Golden Age painting.
Riddle 13
What traditional Dutch dance features pairs of dancers wearing clogs?
Answer: Clog dancing.
Riddle 14
What pickled herring dish is a specialty in the Netherlands?
Answer: Hollandse nieuwe.
Riddle 15
What annual springtime event features blooming tulip fields?
Answer: Keukenhof Flower Festival.
Food Riddles
Riddle 16
What savory spread is made from pureed herbs?
Answer: Gouda cheese.
Riddle 17
What sweet topping is drizzled over pancakes and waffles?
Answer: Stroop, or Dutch syrup.
Riddle 18
What crunchy fried snack is typically served with mayonnaise?
Answer: Bitterballen.
Riddle 19
What liquor with juniper berry and malt flavor originated in the Netherlands?
Answer: Jenever (Dutch gin).
Riddle 20
What vegetable makes up traditional Dutch split pea soup?
Answer: Split peas.
Language Riddles
Riddle 21
What is the official language of the Netherlands?
Answer: Dutch.
Riddle 22
What is the most commonly spoken language in the Netherlands after Dutch?
Answer: English.
Riddle 23
What language do most residents speak in the northern province of Friesland?
Answer: West Frisian.
Riddle 24
What language descended from Frankish and Old Saxon is still spoken in the east?
Answer: Low German.
Riddle 25
What hybrid language developed from the Creole speech of African slaves in Suriname?
Answer: Sranan Tongo.
Art & Literature Riddles
Riddle 26
Who wrote the existentialist novel “The Assault” about life after World War II?
Answer: Harry Mulisch.
Riddle 27
What Dutch artist was known for his self portraits and Sunflower series?
Answer: Vincent van Gogh.
Riddle 28
Who was the Dutch graphic artist famous for his blue and red linocut prints?
Answer: M.C. Escher.
Riddle 29
What 19th century novel follows the story of Hans Brinker and his attempt to win a pair of silver skates?
Answer: Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge.
Riddle 30
What Dutch Golden Age artist painted “Girl with a Pearl Earring”?
Answer: Johannes Vermeer.
People & Places Riddles
Riddle 31
What famous Dutch Jew is remembered for her diary written while in hiding during WWII?
Answer: Anne Frank.
Riddle 32
What Dutch philosopher was known for his ideas on rationalism and famous quote “I think therefore I am”?
Answer: René Descartes.
Riddle 33
What port city is famous for its canals and served as inspiration for Venice, California?
Answer: Amsterdam.
Riddle 34
What southern city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Answer: Willemstad, Curaçao.
Riddle 35
What small fishing village was made famous by being the primary inspiration for the Broadway musical Brigadoon?
Answer: Volendam.
Sports & Games Riddles
Riddle 36
What traditional Dutch sport involves navigating narrow canals on flat-bottomed boats?
Answer: Canal Jumping.
Riddle 37
What fast-paced ball sport is played on an indoor court with rubber balls?
Answer: Korfball.
Riddle 38
What board game sharing its name with a Dutch city involves blocking opponents’ pieces?
Answer: The game of Goorlog, which translates to “war” in Dutch.
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the fascinating country of the Netherlands? Even if you didn’t know all the answers, hopefully you learned something new about Dutch geography, history, culture, language, art, famous people and places, sports, games and more! The Netherlands may be small in size, but it packs in plenty of intrigue if you know where to look.
