Top 10 Tourism - Amsterdam

The phrase ‘there is something for everyone’ could not be a more accurate representation of the magnificent city of Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. Often described as the ‘Venice of the North’, Amsterdam is located at the mouth of the Amstel river, comprising of 100km of canals, weaving through the full area of the city, creating a mesmorising portrait of Dutch architecture reflecting off the flowing water. There is no wonder the city has been one of the most productive cultural hubs in modern times, creating world famous art, music and architecture, all of which are still highly prevalent throughout the city. The cities long and varied journey from humble fishing village to global superpower to modern day cultural epicentre have resulted in a fantastic blend of cultural, historic and modern activities and significance, all of which contribute to making Amsterdam one of the most popular destinations in Europe.

With fantastic transport links to the rest of Europe, and a newly opened direct train to London, Amsterdam is perfect for a short city break, or as part of a longer trip, often seen as a great jumping off point for a European tour. While in the city, you will find no shortage of fantastic things to do - here are our Top Ten recommendations for your trip:

1) Explore the cities charming and unique neighborhoods

Through the years of city developments and war time destruction, Amsterdam has grown larger and larger, adding new, exciting and eclectic neighborhoods moving out from the city centre. Cycling to some of the more local-orientated suburbs, away from the tourist throng will be covered later, but for those wanting to stick around the central areas, there are a handful of wonderful neighborhoods to explore. Let’s start with probably the most (in)famous area of the city, De Wallen, more commonly known by tourists as the ‘Red-light district’. Depending on the purpose of your trip, this is either a must do, or not! Certainly, from a strictly cultural perspective, the legalisation of the elsewhere taboo prostitution and marijuana cultures poses some interesting debates on the merits of control vs prevention! Adjacent to the De Wallen area sits the home of Amsterdam’s Chinatown, Nieuwmarkt, which consists of many cute canal-side bars, restaurants and cafes. When it comes to ‘cafes’, there are 2 main types here – alongside the more traditional ‘coffeeshops’, this area has some of the most famous cannabis cafes, catering to locals and tourists in bulk or by individual spliff. The remainder of the ‘Centrum’ area of the city has great shopping and gastronomy options, alongside pretty canals. Perhaps the winner of the most charming neighborhood is Jordaan, a once working-class area, now gentrified with independent galleries, boutiques and quaint restaurants and bars. Ensure to visit the 9 streets micro-neighbourhood area while you are here, with fantastic vintage shops and canal-side cafes

2) Take a fantastic historical guided walking tour

While wondering the picturesque streets of Amsterdam, you may wonder about the historical significance and background of some of the beautiful architecture, areas, canals and parks. For those interested in scratching the historical surface of this fascinating city, take advantage of the wealth of fantastic and knowledgeable tour guides, with a huge range of free or paid walking tours throughout various areas of the city. Learn about Amsterdam’s humble beginning as a small 12th century fishing village, growing to be one of the world’s most significant cities by the 17th century. The cities meteoric rise was almost by accident, sparked by catastrophic flood in 1170 causing the city to turn its attentions to flood prevention to avoid similar future incidents. The ‘Dam’ing of the ‘Amstel’ river (have you worked it out yet?) was completed in 1275 and was celebrated by establishing a toll road, free for residents ‘apud Amestelledamme’ (at the dam of the Amstel) – and here, a city was born! With almost 800 years of history summarised through the walk, there is a huge amount of captivating content from the exploits of the royal family to the colonialisation by the Dutch East India Company to the impact of the world wars. The tour guides welcome questions throughout your journey, and this is a fantastic opportunity to get insight into the local’s perspective on the history and culture that make Amsterdam so unique and compelling (make sure you ask about the significance of the Gable Stones on the houses).

3) Cruise past beautiful houses on an excellent canal boat trip

With 25% of the cities surface consisting of navigable waterways, Amsterdam’s canals provide a perfect network of aqua-roads to explore, passing by many of the city’s most iconic and picturesque areas. Originally built for water management, defense and trade purposes, the canals are now mainly used for travel and tourist purposes, providing the opportunity to see this UNESCO world heritage site up close and personal! These alluring canals offer various types of watercraft to choose from, ranging from the more traditional canal barges to modern open plan boats with free-flowing food and drinks. Splaying outwards from the city centre, most tours move through the narrow canals before heading out to more open waters in the Oosterdok, and sometimes to the Ij river, before returning back to the heart of the city. Most companies run their boats all day, and many have evening options, which offers a wonderfully atmospheric candlelit trip through the city.

4) Cycle through the wider city like a local

With the majority of Amsterdam’s central areas built around the winding canal network, most of the roads and streets through the city are narrow, and often inaccessible for cars. This city is perfectly set up for bicycles, and the locals agree – the 850,000 residents own 847,000 bicycles between them, accounting for almost 2 bikes per household! Locals and visitors alike take full advantage of the almost 400km of bike paths that sprawl out across the city, the best way to explore the wider Amsterdam area and visit the outer suburbs. There are plenty of places to rent bikes dotted throughout the city or take a guided tour if you are a little less comfortable with the navigation. A trip to the north of the Ij river into Amsterdam Noord and further to Hembrugterrein offers markets in derelict shipyards, as well as a wide range of museums, hangout spots and riverside bars and restaurants. For more ideas on destinations, speak to your hotel or tour guide who have many great ideas and itineraries. One word of warning, make sure that your rented bikes are tightly secured as bike theft is rife, and some bikes may ‘accidentally’ end up at the bottom of canals if not secured!

5) Get in the mind of Van Gogh, Rembrandt and others at Museumplein

When listing world famous painters, it doesn’t take too long to select the names of Vincent Van Gogh and Rembrandt, two of Amsterdam’s most famous residents and inspirations. Today, their inspiration is seen throughout the world, with Van Gogh’s ear (or lack of) a world-renowned story of troubled friendship and both artists seemingly endless number of self-portraits, the pre-twentieth century version of a selfie! For those looking to learn a bit more about the lives of these great artists and see how their experiences translated onto canvas through some of their best-known works, the museums in the Museumplein area of the city are perfect for a visit. Set around a beautiful open square, which features a glistening pond/ice rink (depending on the time of your visit), the area is home to the Van Gogh Museum (all things Vincent, plus some guest appearances from his peers), Rijksmuseum (Dutch national museum with over 1 million artifacts dedicated to arts and history), Stedelijk Museum (focusing on more modern and contemporary art) and many other smaller facilities with seasonal exhibitions. The area is also home to the beautiful Concertgebouw concert hall, considered one of the finest worldwide and still holding fantastic events to this day, if you are lucky enough to get tickets!

6) Reflect on the cities troubled past at the Anne Frank House

After fleeing persecution during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, the Jewish Frank family moved to Amsterdam, part of a mass exodus responding to Germany’s anti-Semitic rhetoric. The youngest daughter of the family, Anne, has been immortalised in history through her descriptive and heartbreaking story, documented in her diary from receiving the book as a gift on her thirteenth birthday in 1942 and posthumously published as ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’. As the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in 1940 increased the anti-Jewish discriminatory regulations upon the city, Anne and her family were forced into hiding in 1942, moving to a house in Prinsengracht, which is now run as a museum, preserving the memory of the atrocities exacted on communities during the second world war. Make sure to book in advance due to the enduring popularity of reflection upon one of modern histories most significant atrocities. Stepping into the museum provokes a sense of the awfulness of life in hiding, where Anne and others remained in hiding for over two years, until their arrest in 1944 and deportation to the Auschwitz and subsequently Bergen-Belsen concentration camps, where Anne lost her life in early 1945, just 3 weeks before the camps liberation. Conversely, the museum also demonstrates the power of the human spirit, giving a sense of the courage and enduring positivity of Anne through such an awful situation, summarised perfectly in her words – ‘I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains’.

7) Visit one of many local breweries for a delicious sample

The city of Amsterdam is synonymous with beer and breweries – not just metaphorically, but literally! As described above, the cities name comes from the dam built on the river Amstel, which is also the inspiration for the world-renowned Amstel Brewery, which dates back to 1870. In 1968 Amstel Brewery was bought out by second largest beer company in the world, and one of the Netherlands most famous brands, Heineken. Although the company’s original brewery in the centre of Amsterdam is no longer in operation, it has now been converted into a museum, with exhibits showing the historical brewing process, the story behind the famous red star on their logo and even on the best way to drink your beer! For those looking for a more artisan experience, Amsterdam is also home to fantastic micro-breweries throughout the city, including Bierfabriek and Brouwerij Troost breweries, both of which offer varied beer tasting and good food. Perhaps the best micro-brewery experience is identifiable by their logo’s distinctive ostrich, Brouwerij ’t IJ. Located just to the east of the city, this modern brewery offers fantastic guided tours and beer tasting of their organic selection of blonde, dark and seasonal beers brewed on site. And a trip to this great brewery ticks multiple ‘must sees’ on your visit to the city, which leads us nicely on to the next activity…

8) Be a full-on tourist and visit Amsterdam’s charming windmills

Historically, windmills were seen in abundance throughout the Netherlands, used by locals for many functions, including manufacturing flour from grain, pressing oil from seeds, sawing wood and even managing water levels in the lowlands. With the need for such technology reduced over time, these magnificent and iconic structures now act as a quaint symbol of Dutch tradition, and there are many within visiting distance from the city. Perhaps the most convenient is De Gooyer Windmill, which sits by the Eastern Docklands right beside the Brouwerij ’t IJ brewery (see above!). Dating back to 1725 and stretching 26m high above the city skyline, De Gooyer is the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. And De Gooyer is not the only windmill found within Amsterdam, with 7 others dotted around the city, including Molen van Sloten, De Otter, De Bloem, Riekermolen and D’Admiraal. For those that have a bit of time to spare and are open to travelling a little bit outside the city for more picturesque Dutch sights, there are some fantastic windmill trails throughout the country. Some of the most sublime windmills, set amongst green fields, glistening canals and wooden houses, can be found in Zaanse Schans, a neighbourhood known for its pristine collection of the Netherlands most iconic buildings. Located only 20km north of Amsterdam city centre, this beautiful area is part of the wider Zaanstreek region, known colloquially as the ‘historical mecca of windmills’. Its close proximity to the city means that the region is also accessible by bicycle, opening out into a comprehensive cycle route through the region taking in various charming windmill areas, including Molen Het Pink, Molen de Schoolmeester and Twiskemolen. You can even take a train to Zaandam Station from Amsterdam Centraal Station and hire bikes upon arrival into the area – as one of the most popular sites in the Netherlands, booking bikes in advance is recommended!

9) Sample the exquisite range of culinary treats across the city

When thinking of Dutch culture, many minds are drawn to windmills, tulips and clogs, rather than the cuisine, which is often not well known internationally. In fact, the Netherlands, and more specifically Amsterdam, has many culinary treats that are must tries on your visit. Although not the healthiest of cuisines, Dutch food is characterized by its warmth and heartiness – no food characterises this better than the famous snacks ‘Bitterballen’, delicious deep-fried crispy balls of seasoned meat found throughout the city. For those who are adventurous, Amsterdam is also famous for its Herring, which is served raw and pickled in vinegar and spices – you will find these served in carts in the city, which also serve these delicious fresh fish in a sandwich. Amsterdam’s Dutch fries (frites) are also a great food option to go, with many specialist shops selling servings by the cone, smothered in a sauce of your choice. The cities dessert options are just as tasty, with stroopwafels, poffertjes pancakes and apple tart made fresh in many places. As a capital city, Amsterdam also has a large selection of fine dining options, blending Dutch cuisine with more modern European themes to create deliciously fresh flavours, paired with delicious local Dutch wines (who knew!). A great way to enjoy the cities cuisine and take in the full majesty of greater Amsterdam, is to get a bird’s eye view from one of the taller buildings dotted throughout the city, many of which have great rooftop terraces. A great option to grab a takeout beer/wine/coffee is on top of the NEMO science museum by the Eastern Docks of the city, where you can sit outside and take in the views – perfect for a summer’s day.

10) Enjoy one of the cities luscious green areas and gardens

With its (controversial) colonial past, Amsterdam was one of the first European settlements to get full access to plants and fauna from far flung tropical destinations, resulting in the establishment of one of the worlds first botanical gardens. Dating back to 1638, Amsterdam’s ‘Hortus Botanicus’ garden was originally set up to help grow antidotes to a plague epidemic, but today serves as a fantastic collection of over 6,000 diverse and often unique plants. Located in the heart of the city, the gardens are a perfect place to escape the city buzz with some natural relaxation amongst the greenery. The city is also full of open green spaces – parks perfect for relaxing or exploring on your trip. The biggest park in the city is Amsterdamse Bos, found on the southern edge of the city, an urban oasis perfect for bike rides, picnics, swimming or chilling - this park even has an open farm! Or, if you would prefer the chance to take a quick swim to cool off on a hot day, head out west to Sloterplas Lake, set in the middle of the stunning and secluded green area of Sloterpark, and close to the up and coming former industrial Westerpark area. For those willing to travel out of the city, and eager to see the beauty of the blooming tulip fields in Spring, the region of Duin- en Bollenstreek is a must visit. Located between Haarlem and Leiden, the beauty will take your breath away, with tulips of all colours extending out as far as the eye can see – tulips may be seen as a Dutch cliché, but they are world famous for a very good reason!