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.
Museums There are around seventy five museums in Amsterdam and they are one of major Amsterdam attractions. Alongside the majestic golden age paintings, you'll find exciting modern art, press, film, theatre, science, biology or photography museums. Also some interesting exhibits like the Heineken Experience, houseboat, erotic, cannabis or torture museums.
Discount cards for Amsterdam museums - These are great offers for people who wish to visit more Amsterdam museums. Some of these cards are valid not only in Amsterdam but in the whole Netherlands. And some offer also public transport or canal cruise. Compare the different offers.
Here are some of the ‘must see’ Museums to enjoy during your visit. The Rijksmuseum, which in English means – The State Museum, exists for more that two hundred years and today belongs to the most breathtaking museums in the world. During its existence, the museum went through many transformations and remains now, especially after its complete renovation, the attraction you should not miss during your trip to the Netherlands.
The unique position Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam gained in the world throughout the centuries, comes not only from the possession of many masterpiece paintings of Dutch and world art.
Along the masterworks like Rembrandt’s “Night watch”, several paintings by Vermeer, van Dyck and Jan Steen, the museum has truly exceptional collection of the antique objects of the material Dutch culture, vast collection of prints, drawings and the classic photography.
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum maintains the world’s largest collection of the works of the world’s most popular artist - Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), his paintings, drawings and letters, completed with the art of his contemporaries. Each year, 1.6 million visitors come to the Van Gogh Museum, making it one of the 25 most popular museums in the world.
The collection features the works of Vincent van Gogh – more than 200 painting, 500 drawings but also works of other artists, his contemporaries – Impressionists and Postimpressionists. Van Gogh's work is organised chronologically into five periods, each representing a different period of his life and work: The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise.
Anne Frank House: For more than two years Anne Frank and her family lived in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, also had his business. The Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer hid there with them.
The doorway to the annex was concealed behind a moveable bookcase constructed especially for this purpose. The office personnel knew of the hiding place and helped the eight people by supplying them with food and news of the outside world.
On August 4th, 1944, the hiding place was betrayed. The hidden people were deported to various concentration camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war. Eating out There are over 1000 restaurants in Amsterdam catering for the tastes, budgets and moods of every tourist.. Whether it is for a quick bite or an extensive dinner, it's available in Amsterdam.
'Amsterdammers' love to go out to dinner or have drinks at one of the many terraces in the city. Around five in the afternoon the many bars, restaurants and cafes begin to fill with young professionals, students and tourists. At the weekends families have lunch or brunch in the outer area's of the city.
The Dutch really like to have drinks and eat snacks before dinner, this is called 'borrelen'. Many bars, cafes and restaurants offer a large selection of fried snacks, such as 'bitterballen', 'kaasstengels' and 'vlammetjes'. Do as the Dutch and spend some relaxing hours before dinner drinking pints and trying out the different snacks.
Overall, the restaurants in Amsterdam have a relaxed vibe. Most restaurants do not demand fancy clothing or high heels. However, there are some restaurants and clubs where people do dress up. The restaurants mentioned below are more relaxed.
The Lobby Nesplein - International Cuisine, Nes 49 This restaurant is located right next to the Dam, in the heart of Amsterdam. The Lobby is the perfect hangout if you want to escape the crowds of the city.
The interior and the atmosphere of the restaurant are relaxed and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also they offer a large selection of cocktails. Perfect place if you want to have a lovely dinner, combined with great wines.
It is advised to make reservations.
Seafood Bar - Fish Dishes, Spui 15 The Seafood Bar is a modern fish restaurant that offers fresh fish and seafood. The interior is white, simple and light.
Make reservations or just walk in if you feel like oysters, crab, salmon, tuna and other seafood.
There are three Amsterdam restaurants of this chain The restaurant has three locations, of which the one on the Spui is the biggest.
Pasta e Basta - Italian - Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 8 The restaurant is well furnished with central rows of tables and separate round tables suitable for small or large parties.
For groups over 8, Pasta e Basta have a set menu and serve a collective meal in large dishes from which you help yourself.
The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced with live entertainment. Your waiters not only serve but perform around the tables as you enjoy your night. You may expect anything from Opera to classic musical tunes, or simply a piano playing softly in the background. Fast Food Restaurants. Like every city in the World Amsterdam has lots of fast food outlets, Here are some of the many, many choices that are available in the City centre….
Febo - Reguliersbreestraat 38 Quick hot food to include Dutch staples such as croquettes. Definitely a must try.
Febo is a fast food, no frills walk-in vending machine that is cash only. You go to the wall of food, put your money by the item you want, the buttons next to the drawers will light up, you push it, and the drawer opens for you to retrieve you food.
They have a counter where you can interact with a person to order fries or milkshakes.
McDonalds - Leidsestraat 97 This one is clean, efficient with fast and friendly service. The food is always hot and freshly cooked and they bring your burger to your table.
One downside is that it gets crowded owing to its location. There are a few counters, though, and you never had to wait more than 10 minutes to get served.
This is also one of the very special McDonald's restaurants that have a vegetarian burger.
The seating is ample, and you can easily find a booth, a table, or a bar no matter how crowded it gets. The tables are cleaned regularly.
You need to pay 50 cents to use the toilet here
Wok to Wok - Kolksteeg 8 Great spot for cheap stir fry noodles! If you want to save money while still having a decent meal, come here and take a break from Amsterdam food.
It's good value for decent stir fry that will be ready in 10 minutes or less. There is a long line for this very reason!
Lots of options to choose from, but can get pricey if you add-on too many toppings. 1 can be shared with 2 people.
They have vegan and no carb options for those with diet restrictions! Nightlife Nightlife in Amsterdam is not stuck in one place either, there are a lot of nightclubs and bars in every district of the city – and not only the Red Light District. The most known (and expensive) bars in Amsterdam are, of course, in the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein areas, but you can find other fantastic nightclubs in every corner.
Leidseplein is one of the majors centres of Amsterdam nightlife and, on any night, throngs of young people can be seen coming and going from the many bars, clubs and pubs around the square.
Opening hours in Amsterdam are usually until 3am on the weekend, but many Leidseplein clubs such as Paradiso and Melkweg stay open until 5am for late night revellers.
Leidseplein Bars For pre-club drinks or just a night of hanging out with friends over beers and cocktails, there are a large number of Leidseplein bars worth a visit. Those in the mood for a pint might check out the large and sprawling Hoopman Irish bar, which lays claim to much of Leidseplein's terraced area, or the late opening Dan Murphy's Irish pub on the corner close to Melkweg.
Sports fans can get their fix at either of the Irish bars or may wish to visit Café de Waard on the western side of the square to catch an Ajax match. Close by, on Raamstraat, is De Zotte, an authentic Belgian beer pub that offers a dazzling selection for any beer lover as well as good food in more relaxing surroundings than Amsterdam night life usually has to offer.
Leidseplein Nightclubs A number of well-known Amsterdam clubs can be found close to Leidseplein, including the internationally famous Melkweg and Paradiso music venues. Both of these venues host nightclubs after the music acts have finished, with DJs spinning well into the early hours of the morning. On top of the cover charge for the night in question, a few euro will need to be shelled out to purchase a temporary membership to the club, check the websites for entrance fees on any particular night.
For the truly glamorous side of Amsterdam nightlife, the exclusive Jimmy Woo club can be found just on the other side of the block: dress to impress in this stylish, celebrity frequented club. Rembrandtplein square Rembrandtplein is one of the busiest squares in the city of Amsterdam. At least when it comes to nightlife and clubbing.
Originally a butter and dairy market, Rembrandtplein has long left its farm friendly origins behind and these days you are far more likely to find yourself enjoying a latte on the terrace of a café than buying milk from a farmer.
The main attraction for Rembrandtplein now are the many clubs, cafés and bars. The square itself plays host to a number, while the surrounding streets are also packed with places to visit.
Around the borders of the square can be found the chic and classy Club Rain and Escape, both of which are great choices to dance the night away and show of your latest designer fashions.
More casual clubbers might find Studio 80 and its dedicated genre music nights of interest, while the cheap and cheerful Club Smokey across the square plays the hits.
Rembrandtplein is obviously the place to be for clubbers, but those looking for a slightly more low key night on the town may find it an interesting place to visit too. As well as the clubs dotted throughout the area, a large number of cafés, bars and pubs line the square.
Hip Hop fans almost certainly must visit De Duivel at Reguliersdwarsstraat 87, Amsterdam's most happening Hip Hop bar and venue where Dutch and international acts can be found, while fans of more traditional music and atmosphere might find the authentic Irish pub Mulligans at Amstel 100 of interest.
Backpackers congregate at Coco's Outback, an Australian themed bar on the square that offers large beers and steaks to go with them, and the Xtra cold Amsterdam Ice Bar at Amstel 194 is one of the city's more unique drinking establishments, where warm clothing is a must. Red Light District clubs and pubs The Amsterdam Red Light District is not only about prostitution and coffee shops. You can find a great variety of sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, sex theatres and typical Dutch brown cafes. Furthermore, you have a few cultural activities such as the Museum of Prostitution, the Museum of Erotism or the Museum of Cannabis. Whether you are window-shopping Amsterdam style, or actually wanting to buy something, there is likely to be a place that cater to your every whim. For those not easily offended, there are plenty of live sex shows and the most notorious of these go on at the theatres Casa Rosso and the infamous Moulin Rouge. For the merely curious, there are numerous peep shows that may come with video booths. But of course, for the more adventurous among us, there are more interactive shows, for example at Amsterdam Banana Bar. Getting There You have a choice of ways to get there, either a coach will pick up your group at your home base and stay with you for the duration of your tour. Ferry travel from Dover-Calais is included if you choose to travel by coach. We can take you by another ferry route if you wish, ask us for a costing.
OR you can fly. Amsterdam has its own airport. Here is a list of the airlines that fly there from the UK and Ireland.
Aer Lingus from Cork and Dublin. BA from London-City, London-Gatwick and London-Heathrow. EasyJet from Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London-Gatwick, London-Luton, London-Southend, London-Stansted and Manchester. Jet2 from Leeds/Bradford. KLM and KLM City from Aberdeen, Belfast-City, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds/Bradford, London-City, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Norwich and Teesside Ryanair from Dublin. Know before you go The voltage on outlets in Holland is 230 volts. Hotels may also have a 110-volt or 120-volt outlet for shavers. Travellers are advised to bring along a power converter and an adapter for round two-prong plugs with side grounding contacts.
In case of an emergency, you can call 112 (Fire, Rescue, Medical) or 110 (Police). In case you’re unsure of how to proceed and it is not a life-threatening emergency, you can call the 116 117 to get advice on what to do next or where to go.
British Consulate General - If you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call the British Consulate General Amsterdam on +31 (0)70 4270 427.
Honorary Consul General of Ireland in the Netherlands - 2 Debussystraat 2, 3161 WD RHOON, Postal Address: P.O. Box 1030, 3160 A.E. RHOON Tel: +31-10-890-30670
How can I make a phone call from Holland? There are not many public phones left. You’ll find some at key locations in the centre of the city but not many! They accept credit cards and/or phone cards. The latter can be bought at call stores, supermarkets and tobacconists.
You can use the Dutch network with your own mobile telephone. The costs for mobile telephone calls depend on your own service provider. You can also buy a prepaid phone card. These cards are available at various prices at supermarkets, post offices, gas stations, tobacconists and phone shops.
Other than cash how else can I pay? ATMs widely available. Credit cards accepted in most hotels but not all restaurants. Non-European credit cards are sometimes rejected. The currency in Holland is the euro.
Is tipping mandatory? The Dutch do tip, but modestly. Hotel porters €1 to €2 Restaurants round up, or 5% to 10% Taxis 5% to10%
How can I go online to check e-mail?
Please note there are many public places with Internet access so there will be sure to be somewhere close to wherever you are! How can I send a letter or postcard?
Put your own name and address in the back of the letter …Then it can always be returned if there is a problem. Put the address of the receiver in the front, always with the Post Code.
Light letters within The Netherlands need one Dutch postal stamp, heavy ones and international ones need more.
Normal post you put in orange postal boxes in the street. But on which side? If the postal code is regional and fits within the numbers on the left side: put it right. If the postal code is further away (not in the region), you put it in the left side ‘other postcodes’
Public holidays in 2021
01 Jan Fri New Year's Day 13 May Thur Ascension Day 23 May Sun Whit Sunday 02 Apr Fri Good Friday 24 May Mon Whit Monday 04 Apr Sun Easter Sunday 05 Apr Mon Easter Monday 25 Dec Sat Christmas Day 26 Dec Sun 2nd Day of Christmas