Introduction: Amsterdam Travel Guide
For most, it ain’t needed to introduction Amsterdam. This city is most probably one of the most known In Europe.
Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands with a population of 872,680 for 219km². Amsterdam is located in North Holland and is often referred as the “Venice of the North” due to the many canals running through the city
That you like wandering around old streets with beautiful architecture, visiting museums, partying the night, Amsterdam have it all in stock!
Table of Contents
Mapping the Amsterdam Travel Guide
When to Visit
As most cities in Europe, you can visit Amsterdam all year round, though the best time to visit Amsterdam is May/June and then September. When the weather will still be great but the summer crowd away.
Where to Stay
- (€): CityHub Amsterdam
- (€€): Jordaan
- (€€€): Pulitzer Amsterdam
- Out of town: Augusta Hotel
What to Eat
The must to try food in Amsterdam are:
- Stroopwafel: 2 thin waffles stuck together with a layer of syrup.
- Dutch pancakes: Crepe-like pancake with toppings
- Cheese: Gouda, Geitenkaas or Maasdammer
- Dutch Breakfast
I Amsterdam City Card
Most probably the best things to get to explore Amsterdam. The card opens you the door to over 70 museums and attractions, all public transportation, one boat cruise on the canal. Many options are available, and you can get the card for 1, 2, 3,4 or 5 days.
The Netherlands or Holland?
For long, we made the mistake thinking that The Netherlands and Holland were the same. In fact, Holland is a region of the Netherlands, where Amsterdam is located. It was one of the stronger economies in the past and that’s the reason why Holland got mixed with the country name itself.
Jordaan
One of Amsterdam nicest district. Narrow canals and streets flanked by indie boutiques, cozy pubs and hip eateries. Stalls at the Noordermarkt square market offer jewelry, clothes, antiques and organic food
Red Light District
Originally known as the “De Wallen”. It is the largest and most known district of Amsterdam due to its prostitution and coffee shop (for weed smooking). You can also find a great variety of sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, sex theaters…
Rent a Bike
Biking around the canal like a real Dutch people is one of the best ways to discover Amsterdam. Once you did it walking, explore again the city biking around.
Rijksmuseum
Get educated at the Rijksmuseum, a national museum dedicated to arts and history from medieval age to know.
Amsterdam Museum
Learn about the history of Amsterdam. Located in the old city orphanage. It is an interesting place to hang around.
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history. This art museum is dedicated to his works and contemporaries.
Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Much smaller museum but still nice to see. Less crowded, this place showcases the history of the tulip. The most important flower in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Cheese Museum
Located next to the Tulip museum, it’s another modest museum where you can learn about the history of the cheese and taste some.
Red Light Secrets - Museum of Prostitution
Quirky museum offering exhibits on the history of Amsterdam’s sex-work industry. Discover the life of the working girls behind the windows.
Body Worlds
Very unusual and controversial museum showcasing preserved human & animal remains on display in a range of poses. The museum is teaching about anatomy of our own body.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank was a German-Dutch diarist of Jewish origin. Famous for its publication of The Diary of a Young Girl, in which she documents her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944, during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.
This museum is the place where she hid during those years. You will have to book in advance for this museum, here.
Vondelpark
If you want to escape a bit the city, this 47-hectare park will be a great place to go. It is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and certainly the most famous park in the Netherlands.
Lovers Canal Cruises
Discover the city by cruising on its canal for 1h. A visit of Amsterdam without a canal cruise will not be complete.
Things to do around Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans
Located north of Amsterdam and reachable by train, Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood in the town of Zaandam. Historic windmills and distinctive green wooden houses were relocated here to recreate the look of an 18th/19th-century village. It a great place to visit a real windmill and shop cheese and chocolate.
Itinerary 4 days Amsterdam Travel Guide
Day 1
- Amsterdam Centraal
- Jordaan
- Red Light District
- Red Light Secrets – Museum of Prostitution
- Body Worlds
Day 2:
- Haarlem
- Rijksmuseum
- Amsterdam Museum
- Heineken Experience
Day 3:
- Zaanse Schans
- Amsterdam Tulip Museum
- Amsterdam Cheese Museum
- Anne Frank House
Day 4:
- Rent a Bike
- Vondelpark
- Lovers Canal Cruises
“We grow too soon old and too late smart”
