Amsterdam is among the most lovely and vibrant cities in Europe. With its canals, museums, and pleasant folks, there’s something for everybody to take pleasure in. Situated within the Netherlands, Amsterdam can also be a handy place to begin for exploring the remainder of Europe.
The Netherlands is understood for its cheese, flowers, and windmills, so you’ll want to attempt a number of the native specialties whilst you’re on the town. Beneath, you’ll discover 15 well-liked issues to do in Amsterdam that can assist you together with your journey itinerary!
1. Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the nationwide museum of the Netherlands and is devoted to Dutch artwork and historical past. For those who solely have time for one museum throughout your go to, many locals suggest visiting the Rijksmuseum. In case you are an artwork lover, it’s best to think about an audio or guided tour. Give your self at the very least two hours to understand the museum completely.
As you stroll by way of this lovely museum, you will see artistic endeavors by well-known Dutch artists resembling Vincent Van Goh, Aelbert Cuyp, and Rembrandt. You’ll additionally discover sculptures, mannequin ships, lighthouses, royal eating units, previous movies, and lots of different artifacts throughout your go to.
2. De 9 Straatjes
The 9 Streets in Amsterdam is a good looking neighborhood that ought to be in your Amsterdam journey itinerary! The realm has bridges crossing the 4 fundamental canals and picturesque houses. You’ll additionally discover outlets, boutiques, espresso outlets, cafes, and artwork galleries. The neighborhood is nice for using a bicycle or grabbing lunch with buddies.
Throughout your go to, hold an eye fixed out for elaborately adorned bikes! The Flower Bike Man of Amsterdam decks out donated bicycles in attractive flowers of the Netherlands for guests to trip and luxuriate in.
3. Amsterdam Canal Cruise
An Amsterdam canal cruise is a good way to get to know this quirky metropolis. You’ll be able to take an uncovered or coated canal boat with a tour information and glide by way of Amsterdam’s canals whereas sipping a drink. The tour information will spotlight famous landmarks and provide you with intimate details about their metropolis. It should additionally help you ask a neighborhood any burning questions concerning the metropolis.
Enjoyable Truth: There are 1.6 million bicycles in Amsterdam. That’s virtually twice the inhabitants measurement. There’s a graveyard for unclaimed bicycles which might be ultimately recycled. As properly, most residents have two bicycles. They’ve a “crappy” bike for on a regular basis use and when leaving their bicycle in areas the place it might get stolen, and a “good” bike for dates and outings.
4. Anne Frank Home
The Anne Frank Home is a museum devoted to the Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her experiences. The constructing is the place Anne Frank and her household hid throughout the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The museum is devoted to preserving the reminiscence of Anne Frank and different victims of the Holocaust.
It comprises unique artifacts from the Frank household’s time in hiding, in addition to interactive reveals that present guests with an perception into the lives of Jewish folks throughout the Holocaust. The Anne Frank Home is a very fashionable museum. Make sure you get your tickets prematurely.
5. The Jordaan
The Jordaan is among the most picturesque neighborhoods in Amsterdam. With its quaint canals and cobbled streets, it’s no surprise that this space is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot. Nonetheless, the Jordaan is greater than only a fairly face. It has a vibrant group of artists, musicians, and different inventive varieties.
The Jordaan has lengthy been a haven for these in search of a substitute for the town’s extra mainstream tradition. In recent times, the realm has undergone a renaissance, with new bars, eating places, and outlets.
6. Electrical Ladyland
The Electric Ladyland Museum of Fluorescent Artwork is the primary of its sort. You’ll enter a tiny home that’s crammed wall to wall with eclectic fluorescent paintings. Nonetheless, the actual present is downstairs within the basement.
You’ll be requested to take off your jacket and footwear, and also you’ll be given a clear pair of socks– that is to guard the portray on the ground within the basement. You’ll then go down a set of previous slender steps right into a darkish room crammed with minerals, posters, artifacts, and paintings.
The artist, Nick Paladino, will take you on a tour and let you know all concerning the significance of his fascinating assortment of minerals and artifacts that illuminate below totally different frequencies of UV mild. They’ve a group of minerals from around the globe, however a hotspot for these fluorescent rocks is seemingly in New Jersey.
7. Crimson-Mild District
For those who’re feeling somewhat risque, stroll by way of the Crimson-Mild District. It’s a road that the town has allowed for the usage of prostitution. For those who stroll by way of the district within the daytime, you’ll not see any nudity within the home windows.
You’ll discover fascinating museums such because the Museum of Prostitution, the Intercourse Museum, and the Hash, Marijuana, and Hemp Museum. For those who’re searching for a little bit of lingerie or one thing to boost the bed room, you’ll discover boutiques and different outlets promoting erotica.
Within the night, nonetheless, the purple lights activate, and also you’ll see staff in round 370 home windows alongside the road. The realm will get very busy at night time, and the bars and cafes are packed. It’s a sight like no different.
8. Coffeeshops
Whereas marijuana is unlawful in Amsterdam, it has been decriminalized. You could find espresso outlets that promote hashish merchandise throughout the town.
The espresso outlets look very like common American espresso outlets, however in Amsterdam, you’ll be able to smoke a joint, have an edible, or another concoction that comprises marijuana. Bear in mind, it isn’t authorized, so smoking outdoors of a espresso store just isn’t clever.
Make sure you analysis essentially the most up-to-date legal guidelines earlier than visiting!
9. Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is one among Amsterdam’s hottest vacationer locations. It’s residence to the biggest assortment of works by the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh and lots of different spectacular work and sketches. The museum was based in 1973, and since then, it has attracted thousands and thousands of holiday makers from everywhere in the world.
10. Heineken Expertise
The Heineken Expertise is a singular interactive tour that takes you behind the scenes of the world-famous Heineken brewery. The tour begins with a brief movie introducing guests to Heineken’s historical past and the brewing course of.
From there, friends are taken on a self-guided tour by way of the brewery, studying concerning the steps concerned in making Heineken beer. On the finish of the tour, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a refreshing pint of Heineken within the on-site bar. Visiting the Heineken brewery is among the high issues to do in Amsterdam.
11. Albert Cuyp Market
The Alert Cuyp Market is called after Dutch artist Aert de Gelder, who painted a view of it in 1719. The market sells contemporary produce, flowers, and lots of different items. It’s an important place to discover a considerate memento for a pal or somewhat one thing for your self. The road is sort of lengthy, and the stalls lead into the outlets. Whilst you’re strolling, don’t overlook to attempt a Stroop waffle! It’s open Monday by way of Saturday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
12. Vondelpark
Vondelpark is among the hottest parks and issues to do in Amsterdam, and it’s straightforward to see why. The park has loads of area to chill out, play, or stroll. The gardens are lovely, and there’s even a lake the place you’ll be able to swim. Vondelpark can also be an important place to observe folks, because it’s all the time filled with locals and vacationers. In the summertime, the park comes alive with music and occasions, making it the proper place to spend a sunny day.
13. Bloemenmarkt
The Bloemenmarkt is the world’s solely floating flower market and has been a fixture on the canals of Amsterdam since 1862. Located alongside the Singel Canal, the market has varied floral stalls promoting the whole lot from tulips to sunflowers. The market can also be a well-liked vacationer spot, and guests can take boat excursions by way of the canals or stroll alongside the market’s riverside promenade. Whether or not you’re searching for a singular memento or take pleasure in looking by way of colourful flower arrangements, the Bloemenmarkt is price a go to.
14. The Nationwide Maritime Museum
The Nationwide Maritime Museum is among the world’s main maritime museums. Based in 1656, it homes a powerful assortment of ship fashions, work, and different maritime artifacts. The museum can also be residence to an intensive library, making it a well-liked analysis vacation spot for students from everywhere in the world.
15. Day Journey: Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hauge
Amsterdam is within the northern province of the Netherlands. Many choices exist for day journeys on luxurious buses or taking the prepare. A day journey out of the town is sort of an eye-opener to the remainder of the nation. If you wish to see a distinct metropolis, I extremely suggest a full-day Rotterdam, Delft, and Hague tour from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a metropolis within the Netherlands identified for its trendy structure and full of life nightlife. The town is residence to Erasmus College, which attracts college students from everywhere in the world. Rotterdam additionally has a big port, which is among the busiest in Europe.
Rotterdam was based within the thirteenth century and has been a serious heart of commerce and commerce ever since. World Warfare II significantly hit the town exhausting, nevertheless it has been rebuilt and now thrives as a vibrant metropolis. You’ll be able to take pleasure in its many museums and galleries and its full of life cafes and eating places. And you’ll want to add a guided river cruise to your itinerary!
Delft
Delft is a metropolis with a protracted historical past courting again to the Center Ages. It’s best identified for its blue and white ceramic merchandise, which have been produced within the metropolis because the seventeenth century. Delft can also be residence to vital historic websites, together with the New Church and the Previous City Corridor. In recent times, the town has develop into a well-liked vacationer vacation spot, and its vibrant mixture of previous and new structure is one among its most interesting options.
The Hauge
The Hague is the positioning of the Dutch parliament, the Supreme Courtroom, and the Council of State. Along with being the political heart of the Netherlands, The Hague can also be a well-liked vacationer vacation spot. You’ll be able to discover its museums and artwork galleries or take a stroll by way of its parks and gardens. The Hague can also be residence to various worldwide organizations, such because the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice and the Worldwide Felony Courtroom.
Closing Ideas
Amsterdam is a vibrant metropolis with very sort folks. There are a lot of distinctive and quirky issues to do in Amsterdam throughout your go to. The town is extremely bike-friendly and is straightforward to stroll round. Make sure you attempt the native delicacies and add a Stroop waffle and bitterbal to your menu! Take pleasure in your upcoming journey to Amsterdam!
Alexandrea Sumuel is a journey author and founding father of the Wander With Alex journey weblog, the place she supplies vacationers with journey concepts, journey guides, and information. She travels to expertise, eat, discover, and escape! Alex’s mission is that can assist you discover the proper trip vacation spot.
