Exploring the highlights of Amsterdam
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most compelling cities to visit. With its intricate rings of canals, pretty architecture and fun-loving attitude, it’s no surprise that millions of people visit the city each year. As such, its compact nature means that Amsterdam has run the risk of being overrun by day trippers, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here.
From world-class art galleries, to an impressive selection of chic shops and cafes, it’s easy to stay entertained in Amsterdam. Plus it’s remarkably simple to walk around the city centre, as long as you take care not to get run over by a cyclist in this bike-crazy city.
Whilst the hedonistic pleasures of Amsterdam’s Red Light District continue to attract large numbers of stag parties, this is mostly focused on one particular area. Similarly, the lax regulation over certain herbal substances means that parts of Amsterdam can feel a little like a never-ending party. But this shows us that Amsterdam’s natives are serious about having fun, and whether you are seeing an iconic work of art, or are just relaxing with a Dutch beer by the side of a canal, then there’s something for everyone in this city.
Navigating Amsterdam’s canals
The first thing that strikes many new visitors to Amsterdam, is just how many canals there are in this city. You can’t walk for more than few metres in Amsterdam without having to cross one of the 165 canals via a cute bridge, which means that not only is a largely car-free city, but it also provides plenty of great photo opportunities. In particular, the area around the ‘golden bend’ on the Herengracht canal shows off the beautiful architecture of Amsterdam’s Golden Age.
It’s easy to pass the hours watching the boats roll by from one of the city’s famous brown cafes, but you can’t visit Amsterdam without getting on the water itself. There are plenty of fun boat cruises that can take you around the waterways, and in less than an hour, you should be able to get better acquainted with the overall layout of the city.
Shopping highlights in Amsterdam
As Amsterdam is a capital city, then you certainly won’t be short of many excellent shopping opportunities. The main action takes place in the city centre around the central Dam Square with the famous De Bijenkorf department store taking pride of place, and streets like Leidsestraat and Kalverstraat have all of the main brand names that you would expect. If you want to pick up the perfect Dutch tulip, then just head to the Bloemenmarkt for a great introduction as to why the Netherlands has such an excellent reputation for growing flowers.
However, it’s some of the smaller independent shops that showcase what Amsterdam does best. From the likes of the Het Hanze Huis that showcases plenty of beautiful artisan food and drink products to fiercely independent record shows such as Concerto, there’s plenty to discover. In particular, the Jordaan area of the city is home to all manner of chic vintage clothes stores, jewellery shops, and is a great place to enjoy wandering around the cute cobbled streets.
Amsterdam’s art galleries
Seeing as the Netherlands produced some of the world’s most famous painters, then it is no surprise to find that Amsterdam is packed with many great art galleries. Whether you are exploring the Golden Age of Dutch art at the Rembrandt House Museum or are seeing the latest cutting edge developments at the Cobra Museum, then there’s something for everyone. But if you are looking for a good overview of what Amsterdam has to offer, then head to the famous Rijksmuseum to see an impressive variety of Rembrandts, Vermeers and even some paintings by Van Gogh.
If you want the ultimate Van Gogh experience, then the excellent Van Gogh Museum is just a short walk away from the Rijksmuseum. This packed with the tortured artist’s works including his iconic Sunflowers picture and much more. Just bear in mind that there can be some massive queues, so get there early.
Experience Amsterdam’s many museums
It’s not just art that Amsterdam excels at, as the city also hosts some truly spectacular and thought-provoking museums. The huge queues that line up outside the Anne Frank Museum attest to just how much influence this sobering museum still holds, and the city’s tumultuous history is also explored at places like the Verzetsmuseum, the Jewish Historical Museum and the typically gruesome Amsterdam Dungeon. Don’t forget to check out the National Maritime Museum for an interesting insight into how the Netherlands once ruled the waves.
Amsterdam also has plenty of weird and wonderful museums that cater to some pretty niche tastes. Ever wanted to see a museum that’s dedicated specifically to portraits of cats? Then head to the Katten Kabinet. Places like the Houseboat Museum, the Diamond Museum, and even the Pipe Museum Amsterdam do all the things that you’d expect. And with great fun to be had in cutting-edge places like the NEMO Science Museum and the Eye Film Museum, it shows that there’s plenty of entertainment for even the rainiest of days in Amsterdam.
Exploring alternative Amsterdam
Of course, it’s not just the big attractions that make Amsterdam such a hit. There’s lots of fun to be had in just relaxing in the city’s huge Vondelpark amongst the locals on a nice sunny day. This beautiful area is a great place for people-watching whilst enjoying some of the city’s culinary delights.
Further afield, there’s much to be enjoyed by taking a quick boat trip across the water to Amsterdam-Noord which is one of the city’s hippest areas. This balances cutting-edge restaurants with edgy graffiti-laden buildings that host some of the Amsterdam’s best club nights. And with cute towns and cities like Haarlem and Utrecht less than one hour’s train ride away, it’s easy to see why so many people come flocking back to Amsterdam.
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