Things to Do in Amsterdam

One of Europe’s most popular destinations, Amsterdam, located in the western part of the Netherlands, is widely known for its party atmosphere, cannabis practice and red light district. But there is so much more to this city.

Amsterdam started out as a small fishing village in the late 12th century and became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age. During the 19th and 20th centuries, before World War I, the city began to expand with new neighbourhoods and suburbs built.

In World War II Amsterdam saw the deportation of approximately 60,000 Dutch Jews to Nazi concentration camps including one of its most well know residents Anne Frank and her family. Near the end of the War, communication with the rest of the Netherlands broke down, and basic supplies such as food and fuel were hard to come by. The entire city was in disrepair by the end of the War.

Soon after the end of the war, politicians and other influential figures began making plans to redesign the city. It didn’t take long before there were new parks and districts sprouting up all over the city.

Today Amsterdam is the economic capital of the country and considered one of the top financial centres in Europe. Among the abundance of things to do in Amsterdam, visitors will find world class museums, beautiful canals, historical buildings, famous attractions and lovely green spaces.

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The Canals

Amsterdam’s canals began being built in the 17th century for the purpose of transport, defence and water management. Of the over 100 km of canals, the three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht form concentric belts around the city and are crossed by around 1,500 bridges and lined by around 1,550 monumental buildings. There are a number of ways to explore the canals or use a combination of all three to maximise your canal viewing.

• Boat – Whether you climb aboard a canal tour or hire your own canal boat, cruising the canals is a great way to spend a few hours seeing the sights and hearing the sounds of the city from the water.
• Bicycle – One of the first things that comes to my mind when people think of Amsterdam is bicycles. They are everywhere throughout the city and probably the main mode of transport for locals these days. Hiring a bike and riding around the canals for a half day is a great way to see more in a short space of time.
• Walking – Amsterdam is a very flat city so it is ideal for walking. You could spend days walking around its canals exploring if you wanted.

Cost: One hour sightseeing cruises starts from €15.00 with longer cruises and private hires costing up to €90.00 depending on the company, number of people and time. | Bicycles can we hired for a little as a few euros from the varies hire points throughout the city as well as some hostels offering them for free with a nights accommodation.

Hours: The canals are at their best during daylight hours especially in the early morning and late afternoon light.

More Information: There are lots of different canal boat companies ranging from one hour sightseeing cruises to private small boat hires. Check with your hotel/hostel about what they recommend. | Check with your hotel/hostel for the nearest bicycle hire place.

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Museums

Amsterdam has a world class collection of museums and galleries for you to enjoy during your visit. Here are a few of the best.

• The Rijksmuseum – The largest and most prestigious museum for art and history in the Netherlands. Its large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age include works by Vermeer and Rembrandt.
• Van Gogh Museum – This museum houses some 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van Gogh in all his moods. Combining hundreds of letters by Van Gogh and select works by his contemporaries and friends, this is the biggest collection in the world.
• Rembrandt House Museum – This restored interior reproduces the atmosphere of the artist’s former residence.
• Stedelijk Museum – Comparable to some of the greatest museums in the world, the Stedelijk Museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design. Highlights include works from Malevich, Edward Kienholz, Willem de Kooning and Andy Warhol.
• NEMO Science Centre – Packed with fun and useful knowledge about science and technology. A great place for curious minds. It’s worth a look even just for the building itself.

More Information: Use the links above for more information on each museum such as address, cost and hours.

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Anne Frank House

While technically a museum which I could have included above, I felt so much emotion visiting Anne Frank House that I thought it deserved its own entry and should be included on every Amsterdam itinerary. Anne Frank House is where Anne Frank lived in hiding with her family for over two years during World War II.

The house has now been converted into a museum which contains a sobering exhibition showing what life was like during those two years, the persecution of the Jews during the war, as well as discrimination in general.

Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, Amsterdam

Cost: Adults €9.00, Under 17 €4.50, Under 9 Free | I recommend pre-purchasing timed tickets online using the link below to avoid the long queues.

Hours: November to March 09:00-19:00 and until 21:00 on Saturday | April to October 09:00-21:00, sometimes until 22:00 |

More Information: http://www.annefrank.org/

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Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is the oldest church and the oldest building in Amsterdam. Dating back to about 1250, it is surprisingly located in the red light district. The church has been renovated and expanded multiple times over its lifetime. Luckily some original and early features still remain such as its hand-painted wooden roof and some stained glass windows that date back to the 16th century.

Address: Oudekerksplein 23, Amsterdam

Cost: Adults €7.50, Child/Student €5.00, Under 13 Free

Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00 | Sunday 13:00-17:30

More Information: http://www.oudekerk.nl/

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Red Light District

Most of you have probably heard about Amsterdam’s Red Light District. And no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a curious walk through it. Leaving nothing to the imagination, most of the stereotypes about this area you have heard are true: there are plenty of sex shops, peep shows, brothels, a sex museum and prostitutes in red-lit windows. But things are changing. The Amsterdam municipal council’s 1012 project aims to discourage crime and corruption in the city centre by reducing the types of businesses that are conducive to crime and by permitting prostitution in just two areas. The area is always full of tourists but it is best to travel in pairs due some of the seedier characters the area attracts. And a word of warning, don’t try to take photos of the prostitutes in the windows or the burly looking bouncers on the street won’t be happy.

Address: The main Red Light District is an area called Walletjes which runs between Centraal Station and Nieuwamarkt.

Cost: Free to wander around. Entry fees apply to see a show of visit the Sex Museum.

Hours: After dark

More Information: I found this website to have more useful info and maps on the area.

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Read More: Renting an Amsterdam Houseboat on 5 Lost Together

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Vondelpark

The largest green space in Amsterdam, Vondelpark is the perfect place to go for a picnic, bike ride or just simply relax on a sunny day. During summer the park is full of locals and visitors enjoying the sunshine while listening to music and taking part various activities put on throughout the summer months.

Address: Southwest of the city centre

Cost: Free

Hours: Best enjoyed during daylight hours.

More Information: http://www.hetvondelpark.net/

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Heineken Experience

Heineken is one of the most well know brewers of beer in the world with its beers being drunk all over the world. For beer lovers, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without checking out the Heineken Experience housed in an old Heineken Brewery. While the brewery itself hasn’t produced beer in over 20 years, it is however a very interesting and entertaining interactive experience and great way to spend a few hours learning about the brewing process and tasting a few of the Heinekens brews to gain a greater appreciation for the amber liquid. Your entry ticket includes access to the full experience including guided beer tasting and a free beer in the bar at the end of your visit.

Address: Stadhouderskade 78, Amsterdam

Cost: Adults €18.00, Child €12.50, Under 11 Free | Save €2.00 on adult tickets when pre-purchased online

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00-19:30 | Friday to Sunday 10:30-21:00

More Information: http://www.heineken.com/

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Keukenhof Gardens

About a 45 minute drive from the city centre is the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens. During the spring months these gardens come alive with tulips and other spring favourites with masses and masses of colour. Each year over seven million bulbs are blooming in the 32 hectare gardens. If you happen to be in Amsterdam at the right time of year, this is an absolute must visit not only to see these beautiful flowers but for the carnival like atmosphere of events that happen throughout spring.

Address: Stationsweg 166a, 2161 AM Lisse

Cost: Adults €16.00, Child €8.00

Hours: In 2015 the Gardens will be open from 20th March until 17th May from 08:00-19:30 daily

More Information: http://www.keukenhof.nl/

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Singel Floating Flower Market

If you’re not visiting Amsterdam in the Spring or you have limited time, then the easiest way to see some of the famous tulips is at the  Singel Floating Flower Market near the centre of the of the city. You can wander through the rows of tiny shops on barges that line the lanes with not just tulips but with just about every flower you can think of.

Address: Singel canal between Koningsplein and the Muntplein

Cost: Free

Hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:30 | Sunday 11:00-17:30

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Over to you!

What do you most want to see and do in Amsterdam?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.