AMSTERDAM CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more Welcome to Amsterdam Visit the world-famous 17th century capital of Holland. Enjoy the historic buildings, beautiful museums and pleasant ambiance. Go for a boat tour on the canals, stroll through Vondelpark, and go shopping in the inner city. Amsterdam is a unique city! Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From Amsterdam canals to world-famous Amsterdam museums and historical Amsterdam sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Canal cruises are a popular way to see the city from the perspective of its canals. It is also a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: rich culture, lively Amsterdam nightlife, international restaurants, good transport - but is quiet, and largely thanks to its extensive canals, has a little road traffic. In this city your destination is never far away, but get a bike for an authentic local experience. Shopping The Nieuwedijk and Kalverstraat pedestrian streets are together about 1.5 km long and full of shops. It is a pleasant idea to walk through it, enjoy your shopping and stop at a quality ice cream salon on the way. The Nieuwedijk starts close to Central Station and leads to the Dam Square. It is occupied by shops dedicated to clothing, sportswear, music and gift shops with that special Amsterdam vibe. There is no car traffic but be prepared for a constant stream of tourists, students and locals. On the other side of the Dam square Amsterdam shopping continues. You are now entering the Kalverstraat. More shoes, clothing, bags, gift shops, cards and perfume. Amongst that there is an occasional coffee shop, fast food restaurant or ice cream salon. You will find that nearly all mainstream brand names have one or more stores on this road. At the end of the Kalverstraat on the Muntplein, you will find all sorts of bulbs and flowers on the Flowermarket. The bulbs are ready for export, so you can enjoy them at home too. Things to do in Amsterdam There's lots to do in Amsterdam. The main Amsterdam tourist attractions are museums. But of course there are other attractions too. Each season has its specific events and there are activities that can be done all year round. Like the world - known museums Amsterdam offers. However, here we are focusing on recommended things to do in Amsterdam during spring, summer and autumn. To make your visit easier a cheaper in whichever season, you can use an Amsterdam city card. There are more types on offer and they are a recommended buy. What to do in Amsterdam in Spring - When the flowers bloom Holland is well-known for its tulips and they all bloom once the winter is done. So, a great activity for Spring is to follow the tulip route and see the flowers fields. The most famous flower park Keukenhof opens its doors for only 6 weeks (from the end of March to the start of May) and it holds an impressive collection of flowers of all types. Especially tulips of all shapes, sizes and colours. Another way to enjoy the flowers is to follow its routes, which gives you the chance to explore the Amsterdam surroundings, such as Haarlem, Leiden and Dronten. Spring is also the season to get lost in the canals of grachtengordel (the golden bent) and the negen straatjes and discover the area protected by UNESCO as a cultural heritage. The four canals, Prisengracht, Keizergracht, Herengracht and Singel (the first one to be built), give a great background for pictures and the streets in between collect a variety of unique shops, from the Bril (Glasses) Museum to vintage little shops. Another thing to do in Amsterdam during spring is to explore Vondelpark, with all the flowers blooming and the trees in a vibrant green, the park truly comes to life. Make sure to find the hidden statues (There is a Picasso in the park) and stop by the cafes on the park. What to do in Amsterdam during Summer - When the terraces are in full swing The Amsterdam high season fills the city with millions of tourists. So it is time to explore the surroundings. Get a train – it’s a 30 minutes ride - and discover Zandvoort and Bloemendal. The two beaches very close to the city. They both feature bars by the shore, white sand and a calm ocean. Now if you don’t want to journey too far, exploring the outskirts of Amsterdam is a good call. Rent a bike and discover the beautiful Sloterplas lake in the new west, or go to the North east and discover Blijburg (check their agenda, as they have some pretty cool shows and festivals during summer) and Diemen Zuid, both great places to swim and enjoy the sun. Oeverlander in Amsterdam Zuid, Stenen Hooff at the IJ river and Gaasperplas in the South east are also fantastic options for swimming and an adventure. Finally, renting a boat and discovering Amsterdam from the canals is something you shouldn’t miss on. There are three main ways to do that, you can rent a small boat and be a captain for a couple of hours. You can also rent a private boat with a captain and a hostess and let them take care of everything. Lastly, you can choose a canal cruise, which is offered by many different companies. Activities for Autumn in Amsterdam - When the leaves fall After the high season buzz, the streets become calmer and the leaves start changing colours. The temperatures also start to drop, so be prepared for some cold days. When the sun is up, walking along the Amstel river towards the Oud Zuid is a great activity. The river that named the city is full of fancy house boats and greenery. Another way to appreciate Amsterdam in the Fall is to explore its less touristy parks and watch as the leaves descent from the trees. Amsterdam Bos, Amstel Park, Beatrix Park and Erasmus Park are fantastic options. If the sun doesn’t shine, apple pie and hot chocolate are what you need. There are many places that sell the combo, however, Winkel 43 is the most celebrated one and an experience you do not want to miss. Two good alternatives are De Koffieschenkerij, inside the Oude Kerk (Old Church), and Café Papeneiland, where, as rumour goes, there is an underground escape tunnel for Catholics, from way back when they were persecuted in Amsterdam. The science museum NEMO has a big, free, rooftop in the centre of the city where you can watch the sun go down. Top Amsterdam Attractions - to see whenever you visit Amsterdam has a lot of cultural highlights that are in high demand. To avoid waiting lines we suggest you buy your Amsterdam tickets in advance windmills A trip to Holland just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a windmill. Believe it or not, there are 8 stunning windmills in at the heart of the city just waiting to admired. Don't forget to take a camera for your sightseeng. canals The number of canals have led this city to become known as “The Venice of the North”. And thus, Amsterdam tourism trip is not complete without a boat cruise on these well known attractions in Amsterdam. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and bridges are illuminated.The number of canals have led this city to become known as “The Venice of the North”. And thus, Amsterdam tourism trip is not complete without a boat cruise on these well known attractions in Amsterdam. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and bridges are illuminated.. exhibits Several Dutch commercial brands like beer producers Heineken, liquor makers Bols, producers of traditional Dutch cheese Reypenaer and famous football club AFC Ajax have opened a special exhibit in Amsterdam combined with attractions. The idea is to promote their brands by educating visitors about the company tradition and at the same time to bring fun and interesting sights to your visit Oude Kerk This old church with little houses clinging to its sides, remains a calm heaven at the heart of the frantic Red Light District. Its buildings, especially the Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, was used by sailors to get their bearings. Dam square The Dam is the centre of the city, and also the centre of Amsterdam attractions. It has seen many historical dramas which are well documented in the Amsterdam Historical Museum. In contrast to its turbulent history, the square is now a peaceful place that is home to pigeons and tourists. Red Light District Beer and party atmosphere, sex for sale, and limitless people-watching. The stores are full of hardcore videos, magazines and sex toys. The Red Light District is somewhat of a sexual amusement park and often not taken too seriously by the hordes of tourist who frequent it as other Amsterdam attractions. The famous red window lights are striking against the quaint, old canal houses and even the fairy lights that line the bridges at night are coloured red. Although it is generally considered to be a very safe area, care should still be taken when walking through the quieter streets of the area. There is a strict “no photography” policy.