amsterdam
"Venice of the North"
BEST TIME TO GO
Amsterdam is great to visit all year round, but April to May and September to November are the best time to visit Dutch capital, when temperatures are warmest. Crowds peak in July and August. If you hope to see the tulips at their colourful peaks is mid-April.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities with 60 miles of canals and nearly 7,000 buildings dating from the 18th century. It is a laid-back city with tree-lined streets next to beautiful canals with great coffee and rich cultural heritage from the world-class art in the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseumn to P.C. There’s nothing like cruising around the canals on a sunny day. Amsterdam has the arts, entertainment and startup scene of many larger cities but retains a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Within a single square mile the Amsterdam harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to Mondrian.
TRAVEL TIPS
Mind the cyclists and do not stand or walk in the bike line. Everywhere you look, you’ll find cyclists, going all directions. People in Amsterdam pedal through the city via bicycles at great speed so make sure before crossing the road, double or triple check the road. Make sure you don’t find yourself walking on the bike line. In many places, the bike lane has a red colour–and you will see bicyclists on it.
One of the best tips for visiting Amsterdam is that you embark on a cycling adventure of your own while in the city. Bikes can be easily rented at one of the many cycle hire shops dotted around the city. You can rent the bike for just a few hours or for a day or two.
There are museums that are free to visit, such as the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The British Museum. You can spend the day exploring the rich heritage of the city for free.
The weather in the Netherlands isn’t great so be prepared for all-weather. However, don’t let it stop you as the weather changes every hour. It’s useful to dress in layers and bring an umbrella or/and raincoat.
Make sure get your Anne Frank Tickets in advance, otherwise, you have to wait a while. The museum is open only in the morning for those with tickets and only opened to the public without tickets in the afternoon. Tickets go on sale a few months ahead, however, if you miss out its recommend going to the museum on a Saturday night as it’s open later on this evening - the line is shorter.
Learn and remember the difference between coffee shops and cafés! One is for your regular latté (cafés) and the other is where you can buy and smoke weed (and hash- the coffee shops).
KEY ATTRACTIONS AND
ACTIVITIES
HOW TO GET AROUND
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Canal Tour
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Albert Cuyp Mark
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Rijksmuseum
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De Oude Kerk
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Van Gogh Museum
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Anne Frank Huis
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Foodhallen
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The Royal Palace
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Vondelpark
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The Jordaan (neighborhood)
Getting around Amsterdam is easy, most things are within easy reach on foot or on a bike but sometimes you may want to give your feet a rest and use efficient, cheap and integrated trams, metros and buses.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AMSTERDAM
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Amsterdam has 165 canals that combine for a length of over 100 kilometres. The Canal Ring became part of the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010. Also, there are about 2500 houseboats that line Amsterdam canals and many have been afloat for more than a century.
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There are 165 Amsterdam canals that combine for a length of over 100 kilometres (about 60 miles). The Canal Ring became part of the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010.
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The tilted houses are called Dancing Houses. In Amsterdam, there are 7 famous leaning houses in a row called the Dancing Houses. The soil was so swampy that they had to build on stilts and that caused them to wobble and sink into the river.
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Everyone is a giant - Dutch people are the tallest people in the world.
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Anne Frank’s diary is the most translated Dutch book. It is published in over 60 countries and is translated into 70 different languages.
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Amsterdam lies below sea level. Without the various technologies that have been implemented over the last five hundred years, Amsterdam would be submerged under about six feet of water
LUXURY HOTELS TO STAY
get $50* off when booking hotel with
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Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht
A five star luxury lifestyle hotel in the heart of Amsterdam overlooking the city’s iconic canals, a short stroll from the quaint Nine Streets and bustling Museumplein. Enjoy the quirky Dutch-inspired art and design by world-renowned designer Marcel Wanders, picturesque views, picture-perfect dishes and innovative cocktails from Bluespoon Restaurant & Bar and unique local experiences.
Hotel Okura
Amsterdam
Rooted in the art of Japanese service, we offer peaceful luxury in Amsterdam, just 15 minutes from Schiphol International Airport. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World in the cosmopolitan De Pijp neighbourhood, our spacious rooms and suites gaze over the Amsterdam skyline for unparalleled city views.
W Amsterdam
Split across two unique buildings, a former telephone exchange building and a bank, W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary style. At W Amsterdam, the nights never end and the pulse is set high with a full calendar of exclusive W Happenings. Step inside W Amsterdam Exchange and go straight to the top and check in at our rooftop W Lounge.
HOTTEST RESTAURANTS RIGHT NOW
De Kas
$$$$
Fine dining restaurant
From plant to plate. We’ve been doing it since 2001; it’s in our DNA. You can’t put a price on the inspiration and freshness of ingredients handpicked from the garden. Working the soil, planting, watering and harvesting.
There’s nothing quite like the sweet smell of a greenhouse brimming with strawberries and flowering verbenas.
Daalder
$$$$
Fine dining restaurant
Throughout his working life, Chef Dennis Huwaë was mostly at the helm of 2 Michelin** star kitchens. He very much enjoyed working at this high level, but he decided he would enjoy it even more without the solemn atmosphere and rigid service often found at these restaurants. He was looking for a place where anyone would feel welcome and at ease. He wanted to create an accessible restaurant, low key, but with an extremely high level of quality.
Jansz
$$$$
Fine dining restaurant
17th century craftsman Volkert Jansz was a man with discerning tastes, a keen eye for style and a passion for conversation and debate. He embraced the finer things in life but also believed that decadence and luxury was most enjoyable when shared. ansz. serves beautifully crafted modern classics with an easy going Dutch attitude. A new old world of simple elegance, is closer than you think.
day tours to book before to leave
Amsterdam Private Bike Tour with a Local
Explore Amsterdam the way it was meant to be seen—by bike! On this private tour, hop aboard a quality rental bike and follow a local guide on a personalized tour of the city's most interesting neighbourhoods, scenic paths and iconic attractions. It’s a great way to soak up the sights and atmosphere in one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities.
From:
$194
Explore Amsterdam the way it was meant to be seen—by bike! On this private tour, hop aboard a quality rental bike and follow a local guide on a personalized tour of the city's most interesting neighbourhoods, scenic paths and iconic attractions. It’s a great way to soak up the sights and atmosphere in one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities.
Small Group Zaanse Schans Windmills, Volendam and Old Villages Tour
From:
$108
Small partly covered boat - 60 Minutes - Live guide
The best way to explore the UNESCO-listed Amsterdam Canal Ring is indisputably by boat. Get a different perspective of the Dutch capital while avoiding the crowds on land during this relaxing canal cruise that, unlike other similar tours, includes unlimited Heineken beer, wine, and soft drinks for a budget-friendly price. Plus, more than 10 departure times throughout the day mean you can slot the cruise into almost any schedule.
From:
$34
