Amsterdam – Location Guide
History
Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered
Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in Amsterdam. All visits are selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for sightseeing, culture and leisure in the area.
The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in Amsterdam who have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your learning objectives.
Making Life Easier for You
This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary with opening times and location in mind so that you can really maximise your time on tour.
Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips like when is the best time to go, dress code and extra local knowledge.
Peace of Mind
So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be pre-paid we will advise you of the entrance fees so that you know how much money to take along.
You also have the added reassurance that, WST is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all covered as part of our externally verified Safety Management System.
ANNE FRANK MUSEUM Visitors are given the opportunity to see exactly how the Frank family lived. The rooms of the Secret Annex have been maintained in their authentic state thanks to conscientious preservation activities and the place where the helpers worked and Otto Frank's former office has been returned to the style and atmosphere of the hiding period.
Top Tip: This is one of the most popular museums in Europe and is always busy. Pre-booking for groups is a must as you can avoid the queues as there is a special group booking entrance. We can pre-book your visit but you must still pay the museum on arrival.
Did you know?: During the Summer months the museum is open until 9.00 pm, which means you can fit more visits into your day.
Educational Resources: The museum offers a range of educational sessions and workshops which can offer an introduction to the story of Anne Frank and also give them opportunities for discussion around key themes. The workshops can be designed to your needs. These are an additional cost and times are limited so enquire early.
If you want to download the free Anne Frank’s Amsterdam mobile app, follow this link: www.annefrank.org/en/News/News/2012/May/App-Anne-Franks-Amsterdam/
Website: www.annefrank.org
GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF THE JEWISH DISTRICT A visit around the Jewish District gives a fascinating insight into the Jewish community past and present. The tour lasts for 2 hours and covers:
Rembrandtplein The Portuguese Synagogue (outside) Jewish Historical Museum (outside) Auschwitz Memorial Hollandsche Schouwburg deportation site
Top Tip: The best time to do this guided tour is at the start of your visit as it gives a great overview of the History of Amsterdam and the Jews.
JEWISH HISTORICAL MUSEUM The Jewish Historical Museum is the only museum in the Netherlands to focus on Jewish history, religion and culture. The museum is located in a group of four historical Ashkenazi Synagogues at the heart of the former Jewish quarter in the centre of Amsterdam. Visitors can view works of art, ceremonial items and historical objects which bring to life the Jewish faith. Guided tours are available for school groups Monday to Friday only.
Top Tip: The Museum has a free downloadable app which takes you around the old Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam highlighting points of interest, case studies and people’s stories and pictures. The material in this is ideal for your students to use as preparation before their visit
Website: www.jhm.nl
PORTUGUESE SYNAGOGUE The beautiful Portuguese Synagogue, also called the Esnoga, is one of the most important legacies of the vibrant Jewish community in Amsterdam. In 1665, the Jewish community decided to build a new synagogue which was to be the biggest in the world. The architecture shows the self-confidence and wealth of the Jewish community in Amsterdam. It was the largest synagogue of its time and one of the biggest buildings of Amsterdam. This Synagogue is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Top Tip: This visit is usually done in combination with the Jewish Historical Museum, they are only a few minutes’ walk from each other and joint tickets can be arranged.
Website: www.portugesesynagoge.nl
THE DUTCH RESISTANCE MUSEUM The Dutch Resistance Museum, chosen as the best historical museum of the Netherlands, tells the story of the Dutch people in World War II. How did Dutch people respond to the Nazi occupation? Who resisted? Why, and how? You’ll see, hear and read fascinating stories about the exceptional, as well as about everyday life.
Top Tip: Included in your entrance fee is a mobile multi media guide (PDA). It’s a small hand held computer with headphone which uses text, audio and images to give you more information as you walk round the museum. Let us know if you want to reserve these when we are booking the visit.
Website: http://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/en/museum
KAMP VUGHT Kamp Vught was the only official SS Concentration Camp in occupied North West Europe. It was re-opened as a National Memorial in 2002 after extensive renovations. Although the museum is only a fraction of the former concentration camp, it still is an impressive place to visit. A prisoner's barrack, three watch towers and the original fencing, as well as the cell 115 - where the bunker tragedy took place - have been reconstructed. It is located approx. 1 hours’ drive from Amsterdam.
Top Tip: To fully understand the role of Kamp Vught in the Holocaust and what everyday life was like there, we recommend you take a guided tour.
Website: www.nmkampvught.nl/index.php
CORRIE TEN BOOM MUSEUM The Ten Boom family were devout Christians who opened their home to those hunted by the Nazis. The exhibition will take you back in time and delivers a poignant story of hope and resistance. Visitors can see first-hand the ‘hiding place’ behind a false wall, where 4 Jews and 2 Dutch resistance fighters hid from the Gestapo. Located in Haarlem approx. 30 minutes’ drive from Amsterdam. A maximum of 25 people can take a guided tour. Larger groups will be split into 2 groups.
Did you know? The Ten Boom family were arrested and sent to prison for helping Jews. Corrie survived the concentration camps when members of her family didn’t when she was released from Ravensbrück due to a clerical error. She said this was ‘God’s miracle’.
Website: www.corrietenboom.com
CULTURE
Amsterdam is well known for its art galleries ranging from the famous Dutch Masters to contemporary galleries. The best thing about Amsterdam is that all the main galleries are located close to each other on the Museumplein. Here are our favourite galleries:
Rembrandthuis Museum This is the house where Rembrandt lived for 19 years and is a reconstruction of how he lived and painted. A fascinating exhibition of his etchings can be seen there.
Rijksmuseum The highlight of the Rijksmuseum is the Masterpiece exhibition focusing on ‘The Golden Age’ of the 17th Century. Works from Frans Hals, Rembrandt and Vermeer can be viewed.
Van Gogh Museum The largest collection of Van Gogh in the world.
Stedelijk Museum View a huge collection of modern and contemporary art.
LEISURE
Canal Cruise Take a canal cruise around Amsterdam’s extensive waterways that pass all the major sites of the city, including Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum.
Embarkation: Central Station
Ajax Football Stadium Home to PSV Eindhoven, visitors can take a guided tour behind the scenes including the players’ tunnel, changing rooms, the pitch and the museum. Tours will not take place on event days. Location: South Amsterdam, approx. 30 minute drive from the city centre Website: www.amsterdamarena.nl
Amsterdam Dungeons The Amsterdam Dungeon brings to life 500 years of dark history in 11 shows with 7 actors in 1 terrifying experience. Can you survive the horrific Plague during the 80 minute tour, or will you be discovering the dark secrets of the famous painter Rembrandt? Make sure you don’t get tortured by the executioner Peter Titelmann from the Spanish Inquisition or get lost in the mirror labyrinth.
Location: Just off Dam Square Website: www.the-dungeons.nl
Knijn Bowling Ideal if you want to keep your students entertained in the evening, this bowling centre also has a restaurant.
Location: South Amsterdam, approx. 15 minute drive from city centre. Access by public transport or coach
Mirandabad Waterpark Large indoor pool, with slides, wave pools and also a snack bar. It’s open on weekdays until 9.00 pm.
Location: South Amsterdam, approx. 15 minute drive from city centre. Access by public transport or coach
Dam Square At the centre of the city, the place where all the best shops, cafés and restaurants can be found.
Shopping: In general shops are open 9.00 – 18.00 and on Saturdays close earlier at 17.00
Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat These are the two main shopping streets in Amsterdam. Kalverstraat tends to be home to more high street brands you would expect to find in a European city, such as Zara, H&M, Mexx, Espirit.
Magna Plaza This shopping centre located just behind Dam Square has designer and high street brands, along with a choice of cafes.
De Bijenkorf Department Store The biggest department store in Amsterdam and located on Dam Square.
RESTAURANTS Why not make a night of it and book your evening meal in a restaurant? Our most popular choices are Hard Rock Café, located near the Rijkmuseum or traditional Dutch pancake restaurants. Alternatively, you can always pick up traditional ‘frites and mayo’ when you are out and about.