Amsterdam – Location Guide
Art and Design
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.
Art and Design Visits
RIJKSMUSEUM With over 400 masterpieces on display, the Rijksmuseum is dedicated to arts, crafts and history. Pieces in the museum tell the story of economic, artistic and political wonders of Holland’s Golden Age. Some pieces of work on display at the Rijkcsmuseum include; the famous ‘The Kitchen Maid’ by vermeer, Steen’s interpretations of daily life and around eighteen pieces by Rembrandt.
Top Tip: This is a great museum to visit if you’re on a budget with no entrance fees for anyone ages 18 and under!
Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/?lang=en
REMBRANDTHUIS MUSEUM It is no wonder Rembrandt has a museum dedicated to his work, being one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history and the most important in Dutch history. This museum provides almost a complete outline of Rembrandt’s life and work with collections including four of his original etching plates.
Website: http://www.rembrandthuis.nl/index.php?lang=en
VAN GOGH MUSEUM The Van Gogh Museum is home to over 200 canvases by the artist, making this the largest collection of Van Gogh’s in the world. The pieces of art give a real insight into both Goghs life and his work. Other artists who influenced him or were influenced by his work also feature at the museum, including Monet, Gauguin and Seurat.
Top Tip: Take a day to visit the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum, all being closely located on Museumplein in Amsterdam.
Website: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=en
STEDELIJK MUSEUM The museum holds masterpieces from some of the biggest names in art and design such as; Mondriaan, Appel and Picasso. The Stedelijk has a great collection of modern and contemporary art and design.
Website: http://www.stedelijk.nl/en
HERMITAGE MUSEUM The Hermitage Amsterdam houses permanent and temporary exhibitions of artwork belonging the the Hermitage Museum in Russia, including pieces from the three giants of the Antwerp School – Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyk and Jacob Jordaens.
Website: http://www.hermitage.nl/en/
CULTURE AND LEISURE VISITS
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.
Website: www.annefrank.org
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.