The capital city of The Netherlands is one of rich culture and a moving history whilst the modern lifestyle is one of freedom and exploration. Amsterdam is famous for a wide variety of things and is a truly eclectic city. The city is more than just its infamous dark side of red lights and ‘coffee shops’ on every corner, Amsterdam is also home to beautiful architecture, world-class museums and incredible art galleries. With pancakes, cheese and stroopwafel all national delicacies, Amsterdam is also a foodies paradise with an outstanding selection of cafes, restaurants and food trucks. A perfect city for backpackers to explore but also scattered with luxury experiences, Amsterdam is the city that has it all.
Cycle the City
The most popular way to get around the city is to cycle with thousands of locals and tourists riding through on a daily basis. With narrow streets and canals, cycling makes it an easy way to get around and Amsterdam has a strong bike culture. Riding a bike is an essential Amsterdam experience and a great way to explore the city whilst hiring one is easy with many hotels providing bike rental and there are also a large number of cycle tours in operation across the city.
Price: Hire prices vary but cycling is free
Hours: 24/7 (hire shop opening hours may vary)
Get Cultural at Museumplein
Amsterdam’s most famous museums are all centred around a public square known as Museumplein. Museumplein is the city’s most popular tourist spot with visitors flocking to explore the famous museums. The Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum, is the grandest and most popular museum, dedicated to the country’s art and history. Meanwhile, the square is also home to the Van Gogh Museum, a museum dedicated to the story and masterpieces of one of the world’s most famous artists.
Price: Rijksmuseum – 19€ with under 18’s free/ Van Gogh Museum – 19€ with under 18’s free (other museums may vary)
Hours: Rijksmuseum – Daily 9am to 5pm/ Van Gogh Museum – Daily 9am to 5pm (other museums may vary)
Enjoy a Canal Cruise
The canals of Amsterdam are one of the most photographed places in the city with more than 160 canals decorating the landscape. With floating markets, homes and hotels upon the water, the canals are a central part of the Amsterdam lifestyle. Taking a canal cruise is a great way to explore the city as you travel past fascinating points of interest on the scenic route. You can enjoy luxury sightseeing cruises or a simple hop on hop off experience, which is a great way to discover the city.
Price: Varies by cruise
Hours: Varies by cruise
Eat Pancakes
One of the most popular items on the menu in Amsterdam is pancakes. The city is dotted with hundreds of dedicated pancake restaurants and food trucks and you can’t leave Amsterdam without enjoying some. Whether you are into sweet or savoury, you will find something to satisfy your tastebuds in Amsterdam with a huge selection of options, including unique and unusual varieties. One of the most popular restaurants is Pancakes Amsterdam which has an incredible menu to choose from and locations close to popular attractions making them easy to find.
Price: Varies by establishment
Hours: Varies by establishment
See the World-Famous Tulip Fields
Along with clogs, tulips are one of the well-known symbols of The Netherlands but as cliched as they are, the fields are stunning. Sadly, tulip season is only in the Spring so you would need to time your trip right to see them but if you do, you won’t regret visiting. Miles of coloured stripes bloom just 20 miles away from Amsterdam city centre and there are great opportunities to explore, smell and purchase the magnificent flowers. The fields also make a gorgeous backdrop and are great for a spot of photography.
Price: Most fields are free to visit but others may charge
Hours: Daily in the Spring only
Explore the Red Light District
The Red Light District is one of the most famous areas of Amsterdam. This urban area of the city is predominantly sex-oriented with shops, strip clubs and adult theaters making up the majority of the local premises. It is a popular location for people to visit, some wanting to enjoy a bachelor party, others just wandering through out of intrigue. This section of the city is well-known for having dancing girls in the window inviting passers-by in for some entertainment. You can also find a number of dedicated museums, including The Sex Museum where you can explore the history of sex through old pornography and toys.
Price: Red Light District is free to explore but entry into establishments will be an additional charge. The Sex Museum entry is 4€
Hours: 24/7 (individual establishment opening hours may vary) The Sex Museum is open daily 11am – 7pm
Visit the Windmills
The Netherlands has a beautiful countryside scattered with windmills. The windmills of The Netherlands come in all shapes, sizes and designs making up an iconic part of the Dutch landscape. Windmills are such a part of the Dutch history and culture that a collection of windmills make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whilst the countryside is amazing to explore, there are also windmills close to the city centre, many of which offer admission and views over the city.
Price: Windmill spotting is free but entry may vary
Hours: Windmill spotting is 24/7 but admission hours may vary
Experience Some Cheese-Loving
The Netherlands has a rich history of cheese-making with edam and gouda being popular exports. The city is sprinkled with incredible cheese shops, fondue menu options and even a museum dedicated to cheese. The farm stores all provide samples allowing you to try before you buy and cheese-lovers will feel at home exploring the incredible menus of cheeses on offer.
Price: Varies by establishment
Hours: Varies by establishment
Get Lost in Jordaan
Jordaan is the most charming neighbourhood in all of Amsterdam with quaint streets and beautiful buildings making it one of the city’s most desirable quarters. The neighbourhood is a labyrinth of narrow lanes scattered with independent art galleries, quirky bars, antique shops and stunning gardens. Jordaan is a beautiful place to explore and a great place to explore local life through the small business community in this small corner of the city.
Price: Free to explore but admissions may vary
Hours: 24/7 to explore but individual establishment opening times may vary
Delve Into Anne Frank’s Diary
The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum within the preserved hiding place of wartime diarist Anne Frank. The museum is incredibly detailed and informative with excerpts from her writing to highlight and give impact. The secret annexe where Anne Frank spent many years of her life in hiding provides a raw account of her experience and is a very moving place to visit. The story has been preserved so well and Anne Frank House is a must-visit whilst exploring Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is an incredibly interesting city to explore with a unique mix of history, culture and a few seedy corners. World-class museums and fantastic eateries make up the core of the city’s centre whilst the landscape is beautifully scattered with windmills, canals, bridges and tulips. The European city has an endless list of things to do and places to explore making it a perfect destination for a wide variety of travellers.
