Amsterdam
Amsterdam with its waterways and ancient canals, can be considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The city offers everything from cultural experiences till the nightlife which can be as laid-back or vibrant as you want it to be.
Amsterdam is an international city with many people, 178 counted nationalities in 2010, from all over the world living, visiting, and working in the city.
This will make your visit even more interesting as you will always come across new customs and ideas when visiting this wonderful city.
Find out about the Dutch impressive architecture, lovely canals that criss cross the city, great shopping, and friendly people. Just as the Northern countries of Europe nearly all the Dutch people speak English very well. You will be able to make your way through the city and surroundings without any language difficulties.
Amsterdam has something to offer for every traveller’s taste, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.
Many people also come to the Netherlands because of its liberal reputation. Of course I am referring to the tolerated use of soft-drugs and the fact that prostitution is legalized.
If that is the main reason to visit Amsterdam I would advice you to expand your horizon just a little.
Go for the cultural and historical aspects the city offers too. You will not be let down.
5 main attractions in Amsterdam
Anne Frank Huis
The Anne Frank Huis at Prinsengracht 263 is where the young Jewish family lived in hiding during world war II. Anne Frank was a girl and young member of this family who kept a dairy during the war. The hideout place of the family is now a sobering reminder of the persecution of the Jews as well as discrimination in general.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands with an extensive cultural history collection, which includes paintings, ship models, sculptures, archaeological artefacts, clothing, weapons, historical prints, photographs, etc. When you enjoy art you can not skip a visit to this museum.
Artis
Artis is the Amsterdam Zoo located in the city centre. It was the first Zoo in the Netherlands founded in 1838. Visit the zoo and find more than 300 species of trees and more than 750 species of animals. Admire the gardens with their flowering bulbs in spring and study their rich vegetation during the summer and autumn.
Canal Ring
The canal ring forms a horseshoe around the old centre of the city. Since 2010 the canal ring has become a Unesco World Heritage Site. The canal ring was build during the Dutch golden age and it is a great experience to take boat tour through these canals.
Royal Palace on Dam square
The palace on Dam square dates back to 1648. Recently after three and a half year of extensive renovations the palace is open to public again. The result is a historical treasure that features the best of the 17th and 19th century.
Tips when visiting Amsterdam
Arrival: Most probably you arrive at Amsterdam at Schiphol. The easiest way to go into the city is to take the train which stops under the main hall of the airport. Going to Amsterdam central station will only take you 17 minutes and from there you have the option of going by bus, taxi, train, underground, or tram which will take you wherever you need to go.
A big plus of the Netherlands is that the public transport is well taken care off all throughout the county.
Queen’s day: “Koninginnedag” or Queen’s day in English is a national Holiday in the Netherlands that is celebrated on 30 of April. (the 29th if the 30th falls on a Sunday)
Queen’s day is officially on queen Beatrix birthday which is on the 31st of January. However the holiday is observed on 30 April as it was the birthday of her predecessor, queen Juliana. When visiting Amsterdam during this day it is advisable to bring orange clothing with you as every part of the city will be orange. All the squares will be having DJ’s, live music and so much more.
Shopping: For shopping there are some historic markets. Among the best are the historic Waterlooplein Flea Market, the huge Albert Cuyp Market, and the organic Boerenmarkt farmers' market.
When aiming for the more fashionable shopping streets like Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat, Rokin, Spiegelkwartier, Kalverstraat, and more funky boutiques in Jordaan will keep your days occupied.
Most shops are open 7 days a week from 9.30am till 6.00p.m
Bike rental: Amsterdam has 783.364 inhabitants and the estimated amount of bikes in the capital is 550.000.
When going through the city it will look like all 550.000 bikes are parked in the centre.
This is a real trait of the city, which you cannot avoid and therefore you should be part of it.
Go to one of the bike rental places in the centre and discover the city by bike. Be aware of the traffic though as this can get crazy at times.
Sports: The main sport in the Netherlands is soccer or as the Dutch say “voetbal”. The club that became champion in the 2010-2011 season was Ajax which is Amsterdam’s club.
Go to the Amsterdam Arena and get a tour through the stadium to discover it’s history.
The Olympic Stadium of Amsterdam was build in 1924 for the games in 1928. Visit the stadium and learn about its history and what it is used for these days. Get a tour through the building and find out.
Windmills: The Dutch history is known for the use of windmills and of course Amsterdam had and still has a few operating ones. Be sure not to miss out on this part of this cultural aspect.
I Amsterdam City Card
Obtain a “I Amsterdam city card” which is your key to the city. This card will be your public transport pass, your ticket to top attractions, and your voucher for great discounts.
Nemo: Nemo is the science museum of Amsterdam where you will experience a fun day out.
The target age for this museum is 6-16 years.
On the roof of this museum the highest terrace of Amsterdam is located. With a refreshing you can enjoy a nice view of Amsterdam.
3 Districts of Amsterdam
Leidseplein/Rembrandtplein
When visiting the city you should definitely check the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein as these squares have wonderful terraces during the summer months for having a refreshing beverage.
During colder times of the year the terraced area is covered by an outdoor skate rink, while hot food stalls appear throughout the square.
Much of Amsterdam’s nightlife is centred around Leidseplein as well. When you enjoy clubbing this is the area you should go to. Famous music venues such as Melkweg and Paradiso can be found there. Another great square for going out is Rembrandtplein which has Escape and several other dance bars around the square where you will surely enjoy your night.
Do you fancy a more classy night out you may visit a theatre like the Stadsschouwburg which is located just opposite the tram stop on Leidseplein.
De Plantage
De Plantage is located in the east end of Amsterdam. This part of the city is surprisingly spacious and green. Nevertheless you can find here most places of interest per square meter.
Ranging from Artis, the 19th century zoo, to the former residence of Rembrandt.
De Plantage also has stylish terraces, leading restaurants and ample shopping opportunities for fans of all things vintage.
In this part of town you will also be able to visit the Waterloopleinmarkt which is the city’s flea market. In the old days hunters and fashionistas traded here.
Anyone who is looking for vintage items indoors we advice to visit Episode. This shop has a sizeable collection from the seventies and eighties which are considered retro.
A little further into the Plantage is the romantic Park Frankendael. This park used to be a 17th century country estate where you can take wonderful strolls nowadays.
You can visit either an art exhibition in the grand country house or consume anything in the stylish restaurants Merkelbach and De Kas.
Around Amsterdam’s Nieuwmarkt District
Nieuwmarkt district is one’s of Amsterdam’s oldest parts. Visitors coming to this part of town will have a good understanding of the city’s history but also it’s diversity.
The “Nieuwmarkt” itself is actually a square in Amsterdam’s Chinatown, next to the red light district. Created when the canals in the city were filled in 1614, it was used as a marketplace in that time and that is exactly where the square got his name from.
Nieuwmarkt is dominated by a building that drag your attention. This building is better known as the Waag, that was build in 1488. The building used to function as a gate in the medieval city walls.
Later the building was converted into a weighing house in the 17th century.
Since then, the building functioned as a museum, Jewish museum, and these days it houses Restaurant-Cafe in de Waag with its interior lit by more than 300 candles.
Fun facts about Amsterdam
Around 10.000 bicycles are parked around the central station.
Amsterdam locals cycle 2 million kilometres on a daily basis.
Amsterdam is 5 meters below sea-level.
The city owns 70 glass topped canal boats.
Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. It is located in the city centre.
Out of the top 500 companies in the world, as many as seven, including Philips and ING, are based in Amsterdam.
Though the city is the capital of the Netherlands, it does not have a parliament, as it is situated in Hague.
Amsterdam is home to more than 300 coffee shops, which are legally allowed to sell up to 5 gm of soft drugs per person.
The city houses more than 1 million bikes.
If the sea level rises even slightly, Amsterdam would be one of the first cities in the world to drown.
Oude Kerk (Old Church) forms the oldest building in Amsterdam. Situated in the heart of the Wallen area, it was consecrated in 1306.
Amsterdam is known to house the maximum number of museums in the world, per square meter.
And here you can choose from numberous Hotels in Amsterdam.