Sights and activities in Amsterdam
Canals – Amsterdam’s canals give the city much of its character, radiating out from the Central Station. Do it the Dutch way and rent a bike for a relaxed waterside ride or charter a boat for a more romantic ride. The Canal District, or Grachtengordel, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bloemenmarkt – pick up some bulbs at this impossibly colourful flower market on Singel canal or cycle your way through one of the numerous tulip gardens showing off hundreds of varieties of Holland’s most famous export.
Anne Frank House – pay a visit to understand first-hand the tragic wartime story of this young heroine.
Rijksmuseum – see some of the world’s most iconic works of art from the old Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and van Gogh. If you still crave more art, try out the Rembrandt House Museum, Van Gogh Museum or the Stedelijk museum.
National Maritime Museum – have a glimpse into Dutch maritime history. See the replica of the East Indiaman Amsterdam ship as well as the vast collection of maritime objects and art.
Heineken Experience – offers a refreshing break with one of world’s most popular beers. The entry price includes a fascinating tour of a Heineken brewery and, of course, a beer tasting.
Vondelpark – only a 15-minute walk away from the Heineken brewery. Kick back and relax with the locals – this park is by far Amsterdammers’ favourite city spot for sunshine and green grass.
Things to see and do near Amsterdam
There are many exciting things to see and do near Amsterdam. The Netherlands is small and quick to get around, making day trips easy.
Zaanse Schans windmills – this quaint Dutch town only 20 km from central Amsterdam is home to a pretty family of windmills spinning slowly in the breeze.
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens – nicknamed “the Garden of Europe”, this massive flower and plant garden is one of the largest on earth, with millions of bulbs being planted each year to bring an explosion of vibrant colour each spring. Definitely a thing to see near Amsterdam.
Rotterdam – almost completely leveled in World War II, this culturally vibrant city is also Europe’s largest port. Stop by for a change of pace from Amsterdam and enjoy seaside life.
Brussels – the seat of the European government and all things official. Don’t let the stuffy-sounding parts scare you off from a visit to the capital of Belgium. Just a few hours away by high-speed train, you can arrive in time for breakfast waffles.
Shopping in Amsterdam
Though the area most frequented by tourists is tight and compact, there is a lot of shopping in Amsterdam, large and small. Big brands and small boutiques offer their items to the keen shopper.
Kalverstraat – arguably Amsterdam’s main shopping street, it hosts two shopping centres and several department stores like V&D and Bonneterie as well as a variety of well-known chains.
P.C.Hooftstraat – come here for your luxury brand needs as you’ll find all of the fanciest names in one place.
Local markets – seemingly any type of product can be found at one of the many markets in Amsterdam - antiques at Antiekcentrum, fresh produce at Boerenmarkt and second-hand clothes and fashion at the Waterlooplein flea market. A very different style of shopping in Amsterdam!
Dutch food and drink in Amsterdam
There are many popular examples of Dutch cuisine that you may already know and many more that you might not. Sample something really traditional to get a true taste of Amsterdam.
Maatjesharing – pickled herring, best enjoyed like the Dutch do – with finely chopped onion and pickle, dangled into the mouth.
Cheese – Gouda and Edam are very well-known Dutch cheeses, but other varieties with a range of flavours, like Maasdam and Leyden, are waiting to be enjoyed.
Bitterballen – satisfying balls of savoury beef and herbs crumbed and deep-fried. A bar-stool favourite.
Stroopwafel – a layer of sticky sweet syrup sandwiched between two thin, chewy waffle layers. Very sweet!
Poffertjes – a popular snack food in Amsterdam, these small pancakes are fried until crisp and sprinkled with icing sugar.
Beer – the Dutch are known for their love of beer and many homegrown brands like Heineken and Amstel are known around the world. However, there is a whole world of Dutch beers waiting for you to try, from dark ales and porters to fresh new lagers.
Coffee – enjoyed widely and available across the city in its many cafes and eateries. The local version of café au lait, koffie verkeerd, can be enjoyed any time of day.
Wines & Spirits – International and local styles freely available. Try Jenever, a traditional Dutch juniper infusion reminiscent of gin.
Transport in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s streets are naturally restricted by the canals, which means narrow roads and a lot of congestion. Luckily, this also means that foot-friendly ways of getting around are very much accommodated. All public transport in Amsterdam runs on the GVB joint ticketing system, making getting around a breeze.
By foot – the city is compact with most tourist destinations within walking distance of each other. Pedestrians are well catered to with most streets having a footpath. Avoid walking in the bike lanes as this isn’t appreciated in bike-mad Amsterdam.
By bike – famous as a city of bikes, it should be no surprise how much of Amsterdam you can see like a local on two wheels. Bikes can be rented from many vendors and there is a bike-sharing system available.
By car – driving in Amsterdam is not advisable, especially in the densely-crowded city centre. Once out of the city, driving is fine and roads are of a very high standard.
By metro – mostly serving the suburbs, there is a small section covering the downtown area.
By tram – trams run through the city centre and have many routes, making them an attractive option for getting around quickly.
By boat – whether for fun or to get from place to place, small ferryboats carry passengers along the waterways on set routes.
