There are many reasons to visit Amsterdam, and you'll definitely find plenty without looking too hard. Beautiful canals, world-famous museums and attractions, traditional architecture, and modern neighborhoods.
Independent, liberal, unique, advanced, the capital of the Netherlands is undoubtedly a beautiful city that you should not miss under any circumstances. It has been called “the Venice of the North”, “the capital of bicycles”… Amsterdam is a welcoming multicultural city that invites you to explore it from end to end on a… bike! It is no coincidence that bicycles in most cities in Netherlands that's more than the residents!
So, so that you can go prepared, we have gathered in this article everything worth seeing and doing there, as well as a series of tips that will help you better organize your trip!
I Amsterdam card
Get the privilege card I Amsterdam. It's the best tip we can give you to see as much as possible and for less! It's a city card with free access to more than 70 museums, public transportation, canal cruises and bike rentals. At the same time, it can save you money as it offers discounts on restaurants, attractions and concerts.
Make sure to get it on time from website as well as in several museums in Amsterdam (you will find here which one) you need to book a time slot, that is, the exact time you will visit them. In such a tourist city, the demand for tickets is huge and in this way (time slots) queues and overcrowding are avoided.
There is a 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120-hour card and its validity begins from the moment you use it at the first museum or means of transportation.
How will you get around?
Amsterdam is truly a city that you enjoy walking in! It is very friendly to both pedestrians and cyclists, as the municipality has done everything possible to limit cars in the center. You will use the metro, trams, buses and the riverboats of the line, but you will not forget to do the classic half-hour cruise on the canals of Amsterdam, but also to bicycle rentals to see what it's like to move around the city like its residents!
What to see
The canals of Amsterdam
Walk through as many as you can! They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and were created in the 17th century as part of a major urban renewal. The Dutch call them grachten and they form concentric zones around the city.
Groenburgwal
A very beautiful canal in a relatively close distance to the Red Light District. Stand in the middle of the Staalmeestersbrug bridge with a view of the Zuiderkerk, a former church from 1600 that Monet had previously painted. The reflection in the water and the boats provide the perfect symmetry for many photo clicks. Once you are in the area, make a stop at Café de Jaren with its large glass window and view of the canal.
Bloemenmarkt floating flower market
The city's favorite flower market on floating barges dates back to 1862 and features everything from tulips to geraniums. Embark on a journey of floral scents, colorful images, and honey waffles on the Singel canal.
Beguinage
It is a series of historic buildings in a closed courtyard dating back to the early 14th century. It was founded by a female Catholic community, who sought peace and freedom. At number 34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam, built in 1528, while there is an English church from the 15th century and a hidden church from 1671. Nearby you will find Van Stapele Koekmakerij with the most beautiful cookies in the city. You will usually encounter a small queue but it is worth the wait. If you want a waffle or a sweet, the excellent Lanskroon Bakery awaits you next door.
Square Dam
It is one of the most famous spots in the city. However, it certainly does not look like a square. It seemed more like a transportation hub to us, but without any special elements. There you will see the Royal Palace, the Madame Tussauds museum, the Gothic Newe Kerk church, which functions as an exhibition space, and the monument to the victims of World War II. If you want a cool cocktail with a view of Amsterdam from above, then the rooftop bar of the W Amsterdam is located nearby and we highly recommend it.
Bloemgracht
In the Jordaan district there is a canal that many will tell you is the most Instagrammable in the city! Bloemgracht is small but it is very beautiful. If you have missed freddo cappuccino, frappes and bougatsa, at Kafenion Amsterdam, which is located almost on the canal, you will find them in abundance!
The Prince's Canal – Prinsengracht
This grachten in the Jordaan neighborhood is one of the three main canals in the city. Many argue that it is the most picturesque of all and you will definitely stop by here for many photos! Don't forget to drink your coffee at Café 't Smalle and reminisce about moments of history at the Anne Frank House.
Anne Frank House
The girl who became one of the most famous victims of the Holocaust lived and hid for two years in this house with her parents and four family friends. It is here that she wrote her famous diary, which became one of the most widely read books in the world. To visit the house-museum and due to the limited space, you will need to book a ticket online well in advance, choosing the exact time you will go, while photography inside is prohibited.
Jordaan
The once working-class neighborhood has now become the hippest corner of the city! Galleries, restaurants, concept stores and vintage boutiques create a unique vibe. Wander around and discover the historic coffee bars, the bustling Noordermarkt open-air market, the elm-lined streets, the “weird museums” and the West Church (Westerkerk) where Rembrandt was buried.
Brouwersgracht
You will sit down for a drink at Cafe Thijssen, a picturesque bistro decorated with green leaves and bushes. We recommend the traditional Dutch Bitterballen to get a taste of local flavors. The much-photographed bridge is also very close by Paper mill lock (Brug 57) with the most beautiful moment for photography being at night when the lights on its arches are turned on.
The famous narrow houses in Damrak
Perhaps the most photographed spot in Amsterdam! The reason for the strange narrow structure is explained by the fact that in the past, house taxes were calculated in proportion to the canal frontage. Of course, from the back side, the houses are normal size!
Amsterdam Central
The largest train station in the Netherlands. Every day over 200,000 people pass through this imposing building, which was built in 1889 in a Gothic-Renaissance style.
Nemo Science Center
In the center of Amsterdam you will find one of the most modern architectural landmarks of the capital. In the futuristic building of the Italian architect Renzo Piano is located NEMO, the largest science museum in the Netherlands. It has activities and interesting experiments in which young and old can participate and undoubtedly the little ones will love it! From the rooftop restaurant you can admire the view of Amsterdam.
Old Church
The “old church”, as it is called, is the oldest public building in the city. It was inaugurated in 1306 and now functions as an exhibition space. Approximately 10,000 citizens of the area are buried in the church.
Red Light District
The “sinful” area of Amsterdam is a place you should definitely visit at night. The “oldest profession in the world” is completely legal in the Netherlands and in the Red Light District you will see girls in shop windows inviting you, live shows, erotic boutiques and anything else you can think of. The area is safe for everyone (you need to be careful with pickpockets). However, taking photos and staying in front of the shop windows for a long time is prohibited.
Canal cruise
It is the most beautiful way to see the city center and you really shouldn't miss the opportunity. In about an hour you will tour the famous canals, learn details about life in Amsterdam and other interesting facts that you won't read in guidebooks. These tours are free with the I Amsterdam card and start from various points in the city such as: Centraal Station, Damrak waterfront, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Café Américain.
A'DAM Lookout
The best panoramic view of Amsterdam is here! You will go up to see from above the historic city center, the “living” harbor, the famous canals that belong to the UNESCO World Heritage list, but also to have your coffee or drink at the Sky Bar and Panorama Restaurant. For adrenaline lovers there is a swing at the highest point (110m from the ground) which for a minute and a half will offer you an unforgettable feeling of excitement and freedom above the city!
Museums Neighborhood
The most notable museums in Amsterdam are located in the so-called Museum Quarter, which is located relatively close to the city center. There you will find:
Van Gogh Museum
It is the most visited museum in the Netherlands. It contains the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world, as well as works by other important artists, such as Édouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, etc. If you are an art lover, you should definitely visit it after purchasing your tickets online and choosing your arrival time!
Rijksmuseum
This imposing Gothic building from 1879 houses the Rijksmuseum (National Museum of the Netherlands). With a million exhibits, you won't know what to expect! Its collection includes works by some of the most important painters of the 17th century, also known as the "Golden Age of the Netherlands" (Rembrandt, Vermeer, etc.), as well as the largest public art library in the Netherlands, which you will definitely want to take a picture of.
Moco museum
A very interesting contemporary art museum where you will see works by the famous street artist Bansky, Andy Warhol and other eccentric artists. The most Instagrammable part of the museum is the Matrix room and the sculpture garden.
Vondelpark
The city's favorite park! This is a purely urban park that was created in the 19th century. You can walk around it or rent a bike. The park also features a sculpture by Picasso, which the famous artist donated to the city of Amsterdam in 1965. At the edge of the park, have a coffee at Sticky Fingers with their delicious pastries or go for brunch at Dignita.
Zaanse Schans
If you want to get an accurate picture of life in the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries, then you should visit Zaanse Schans. Not far from Amsterdam you will see traditional houses, windmills, a tin factory, a cheese factory, etc. In the 17th century, more than 600 windmills were built in the area around Zaanse Schans, creating the first industrial zone. The windmills were used, among other things, for grinding spices, producing paint, logging and producing oil. Many of these windmills still exist today and can be visited as museums. The tour of the site is free, but if you want to see the museum and enter the windmills, there is a ticket. Access to them is free with the I Amsterdam card.
Closing
But the Netherlands is not only Amsterdam! This densely populated country has a beautiful nature that really deserves your attention! In our article this one You will read about the destinations worth seeing outside the capital, during the most beautiful period for the country... when the tulips bloom!
Check out this video we made from Amsterdam!
