Amsterdam
Visiting The Venice of the North? Read below to discover what all Amsterdam offers!
Which places to visit?
Vondelpark – This beautiful park in the city center is the perfect place for a picnic, a bike ride, or a leisurely stroll.
Anne Frank House – This historic house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II is a must-visit for history buffs. Tickets cost €11 for adults.
The Jordaan – This picturesque neighborhood is filled with quaint streets, charming cafes, and boutique shops.
Albert Cuypmarkt – This bustling street market in the De Pijp neighborhood offers a great selection of food, clothing, and souvenirs.
NDSM Werf – This former shipyard in the North of Amsterdam has been transformed into a creative hub with art installations, restaurants, and bars.
Westergasfabriek – This former gasworks in the West of Amsterdam has been transformed into a cultural complex with art galleries, restaurants, and a cinema.
Amsterdamse Bos – This vast park on the outskirts of the city offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.
Oosterdok – This waterfront area near Amsterdam Central Station is home to the National Maritime Museum, as well as a variety of restaurants and bars. Admission to the museum costs €16 for adults.
Royal Palace Amsterdam – This historic palace on Dam Square is open to the public and offers guided tours. Tickets cost €10 for adults.
Nieuwmarkt – This lively square in the city center is home to a variety of bars and restaurants, as well as a daily market.
The Best Museums
Rijksmuseum – This world-renowned museum is home to an extensive collection of Dutch art and history. Tickets cost €20 for adults.
Van Gogh Museum – This museum is dedicated to the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, with over 200 of his paintings on display. Tickets cost €19 for adults.
Stedelijk Museum – This modern art museum has a large collection of contemporary and modern art, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Koons. Tickets cost €18.50 for adults.
Anne Frank House – This historic house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II is a must-visit for history buffs. Tickets cost €11 for adults.
Hermitage Amsterdam – This satellite museum of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg features temporary exhibitions of art and artifacts. Tickets cost €25 for adults.
NEMO Science Museum – This interactive science museum is great for kids and adults alike, with hands-on exhibits and experiments. Tickets cost €18.50 for adults.
Amsterdam Museum – This museum tells the story of Amsterdam’s history and culture, with exhibits on art, architecture, and daily life. Tickets cost €16 for adults.
Moco Museum – This museum features contemporary and modern art, with works by Banksy, Warhol, and Haring on display. Tickets cost €16.50 for adults.
Rembrandt House Museum – This museum is located in the former home of the Dutch master painter, and features a collection of his etchings and paintings. Tickets cost €15 for adults.
Tropenmuseum – This museum is dedicated to the art, culture, and history of non-Western cultures, with exhibits on Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Tickets cost €16 for adults.
Where to eat?
De Kas – €€€€ – This upscale restaurant offers a seasonal menu featuring fresh vegetables and herbs from their own greenhouse.
Breda – €€€€ – Breda offers French-inspired cuisine with a modern twist, in a stylish and elegant setting.
Wilde Zwijnen – €€€ – This trendy restaurant serves contemporary Dutch cuisine, with an emphasis on seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
The Seafood Bar – €€€ – This seafood restaurant offers a wide variety of fresh and delicious seafood dishes, from oysters to lobster.
Pendergast – €€ – Pendergast serves up delicious and authentic BBQ dishes, from brisket to pulled pork, in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Moeders – €€ – This cozy restaurant serves up traditional Dutch home-cooking, with dishes like stamppot and gehaktballen.
Restaurant Johannes – €€€€ – This Michelin-starred restaurant offers innovative and creative cuisine, with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients.
Guts & Glory – €€€ – This restaurant offers a constantly changing menu inspired by different themes, from nose-to-tail eating to global cuisine.
Foodhallen – €€ – The Foodhallen is a food market featuring a variety of stalls serving up delicious street food from around the world.
Café De Klos – €€ – This casual pub serves up some of the best ribs in Amsterdam, along with other hearty pub fare.
Did you know that..?
…Amsterdam is built on a system of canals and bridges, which has led to it being nicknamed the “Venice of the North”. In fact, there are more than 100 kilometers of canals in the city.
…The Netherlands is famous for its windmills, but did you know that there is actually a working windmill in the heart of Amsterdam? The Molen van Sloten is a fully operational windmill that you can visit and even climb to the top.
…Amsterdam has a unique system of bicycle parking garages, known as fietsflats. These multi-story buildings are dedicated entirely to bicycle storage and can hold thousands of bikes.
…The famous “I amsterdam” sign, which used to be located in front of the Rijksmuseum, was removed in 2018 after becoming a symbol of overtourism. However, you can still find smaller versions of the sign around the city.
…Amsterdam is known for its relaxed attitude towards drugs and sex work, but did you know that the city also has a cat museum? The KattenKabinet is a museum dedicated entirely to cats, featuring artwork, sculptures, and even live cats roaming around.
Where to sleep?
The Dylan Amsterdam – This luxurious boutique hotel is located in the heart of Amsterdam’s charming Nine Streets neighborhood.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam – This 17th-century canal-side mansion has been converted into a 5-star hotel with opulent rooms and a fine-dining restaurant.
Pulitzer Amsterdam – This historic hotel is made up of a row of canal houses, each with their own unique character and charm.
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht – This stylish hotel is located in a former public library and features contemporary art and design throughout.
Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam – This elegant hotel is located on the banks of the Amstel River and features a Michelin-starred restaurant.
NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky – This grand hotel is located on Amsterdam’s central Dam Square and features a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views.
Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam – This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic city center and features chic, modern design.
The Hoxton Amsterdam – This trendy hotel is located in a historic canal house and features a popular restaurant and bar.
Hotel Okura Amsterdam – This luxurious hotel is located in Amsterdam’s trendy De Pijp neighborhood and features a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Sir Albert Hotel Amsterdam – This stylish boutique hotel is located in the fashionable De Pijp neighborhood and features a trendy bar and lounge area.
Public Transport
Public transport in Amsterdam is an efficient and affordable way to get around the city. The most common means of public transport are trams, buses, and metro, all of which are operated by the GVB company. Single-use tickets for trams, buses, and metro are available at vending machines or from the driver, but the most convenient way to travel is by using an OV-chipkaart, a rechargeable smart card that can be used on all forms of public transport, which you can buy at Amsterdam Centraal. A one-hour ticket costs €3.20, while a 24-hour ticket costs €8.00.
Another popular and affordable means of transportation in Amsterdam is by bike. There are many rental shops located throughout the city, making it easy to rent a bike for a day or longer. Prices typically range from €7 to €20 per day, depending on the type of bike and rental period. Some popular bike rental companies in Amsterdam include MacBike, Yellow Bike, and Black Bikes.
In addition to traditional bike rentals, there are also several bike-sharing services available, such as Donkey Republic. These services allow you to rent a bike through a smartphone app and are a great option if you only need a bike for a short period of time. It’s important to note that when biking in Amsterdam, you should always wear a helmet and be aware of traffic rules and other cyclists and pedestrians.
Hidden Gems
Begijnhof: A quiet oasis in the heart of Amsterdam, Begijnhof is a beautiful courtyard surrounded by historic buildings. It was originally built as a home for Beguines, a group of unmarried religious women who lived together in a quasi-monastic community.
NDSM Wharf: Located on the north shore of Amsterdam, the NDSM Wharf is a former shipyard that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hotspot. It’s home to artist studios, bars, restaurants, and an urban beach, and it hosts numerous events throughout the year.
Hortus Botanicus: Amsterdam’s botanical garden is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 1638. It’s home to over 6,000 species of plants, including a beautiful butterfly greenhouse and a collection of rare and exotic plants.
De Pijp: This colorful neighborhood is located south of the city center and is known for its lively street markets, trendy bars, and international cuisine. It’s a great place to explore on foot and soak up the local atmosphere.
Electric Ladyland: Tucked away in a basement in Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighborhood, Electric Ladyland is the world’s first and only museum of fluorescent art. It’s a truly unique and immersive experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
