The Dutch capital, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is a true cultural mosaic, with the beauty of the old buildings and museums only matched by the great atmosphere of the cafés. Amsterdam’s small streets make it great for bicycling, but they also lend the city a cozy, familiar atmosphere that visitors will appreciate.
Amsterdam has everything you need to spend your days and nights in the best possible way, whether you prefer to spend them strolling through museums from morning to night, warming your wallet in small designer boutiques, biking for miles, or relaxing with a good cup of tea in a café with a warm atmosphere.
Amsterdam is known for its strong cultural and artistic heritage, canals, and beautiful gabled houses. Its name comes from the dike (Dam) on the Amstel (the river). It was a small fishing village in the 12th century and quickly became one of the main ports in the world. The city had its golden age in the 17th century. The De Wallen district is the oldest part of the city, where all the semi-circular canals form a spider’s web. It is the district of Grachtengordel, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the canals of Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, which is to be visited. A weekend is enough to enjoy the city, visit the city’s must-sees, and go out in the Red Light District.
Places to Visit in Amsterdam For Couples
A week in Amsterdam is not enough time to see everything the city offers. The city is considered one of the most important places in Europe. The city has tons of offerings. And many of them are for couples. You can arrange a romantic vacation in the city.
Cycle Around Canals
The canals of Amsterdam need no introduction. Over 75 km of canals cross the city, and there are approximately 1000 bridges that span them. The three best-known canals form a circle around the historic center: Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht. The latter is most charming, especially between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat streets. One of the most picturesque and romantic bridges is the Magere Brug. You can rent a tandem bicycle, travel around the canals, and enjoy the view.
Keukenhof
If your vacation in Amsterdam occurs between the end of March and mid-May, do not miss the incredible spectacle of the tulips blooming in Keukenhof, one of the most beautiful gardens in the Netherlands. Keukenhof is just 40 kilometers away from Amsterdam. You can have public transport or an express bus from Schiphol to Keukenhof. The garden is very popular during the blooming season and tulips flowering period. You should plan well to visit the garden.
Vondelpark
If you are looking for a green, lush, and romantic place, you should visit Vondelpark. Vondelpark is the most famous and prominent park in the city. It is not far from the Van Gogh Museum. On nearly 45 hectares, you will find bars, restaurants, and playgrounds for children, and you can walk on very well-maintained paths at the water’s edge. You can have a romantic dinner and drink wine over the beautiful green grasses. On the edge of the park, you can also look at the Vondel Church in neo-Gothic style. However, you cannot enter it because it houses offices. Music, dance, and theater shows are organized in the park open air for free in the summer.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Couples
While having a fun and romantic holiday in Amsterdam, you can take your holiday experience to the next level at luxury hotels. With the hotels in the city center, you can discover interesting places within a short walk.
Monet Garden Hotel: Monet Garden Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Amsterdam for couples looking for a romantic getaway in the city’s heart. After a long and tiring day in the city, you can relax by the fireplace and enjoy the different cocktails in the hotel bar.
The Hendrick’s Hotel: Hendrick’s Hotel is another romantic den in the city’s center. It is among the most preferred places for couples. In addition to the fact that the hotel is close to many tourist spots in the city, the other offerings are also remarkable. You can relax during your vacation and have a fun night at the hotel’s fireplace. Besides, famous Dutch waffles await you for breakfast. The Hendrick’s Hotel is the right place in Amsterdam where to stay for couples.
Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark: Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark is among the places to stay in Amsterdam.The hotel has spacious rooms with breathtaking views of Amsterdam. One of the most exciting points of the hotel is the terrace floor, called Floor17. You can spend a fun evening under the city lights on the terrace, which focuses on eating, drinking, and dancing. In Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark, you can have a romantic yet luxurious and funny experience.
See also: Where to stay in Utrecht?
Places to Visit in Amsterdam With Kids
Amsterdam is a great place to take the kids for a fun vacation, but there are so many options that it can take time to decide where to go.
Canal Cruises
Let’s say there’s only one thing to do in Amsterdam. Then a cruise along the city’s canals is the way to go! The canals are even listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Going on a boat trip to Amsterdam is one of the best ways to discover its architecture, its beautiful typical houses, and some of the historical monuments. And it is a funny activity with kids. Several types of cruises are offered depending on the duration, the size of the boat, or the place of departure. You can find the one that suits you and discover the city alternatively.
A’dam Amsterdam
Like all other major cities in the world, Amsterdam has its own panoramic observation deck: A’DAM Lookout. You can watch the unobstructed view of the whole of Amsterdam. And, if you have enough courage, you can try the swing in a void over a hundred meters high. It is the highest swing in Europe. You can also have a good meal in the rotating Moon restaurant. The restaurant also has a panoramic view.
Openbare Library
The Openbare Library in Amsterdam is the second-most-extensive library in Europe after Birmingham. The library opened in July 2007; since then, nearly 2.5 million people have visited annually. The building is over 28,000 m2 and is close to the city’s train station. The library has seven floors and offers more than a library. The building has an exhibition space, a radio station, a music department, and a theater. There is also a rooftop café in the library. You can still enjoy the cityscape while you eat at the café, even if you don’t have time to read a book.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam with Kids
Continue to question where to stay in Amsterdam with your family. There are numerous alternatives to staying in the city with children. You can stay just minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown or a little farther out of the way. Still, you can be sure that you can find a suitable place for you.
Inntel Hotel: Inntel Hotel is a fascinating place with its unique façade. The hotel’s façade, which looks like a pile of local-style houses, makes many people turn and look once again. This odd appearance is very popular among children. The hotel’s wellness center has also been specially prepared to relieve the day’s exhaustion and allow the enjoy leisure. The Inntel Hotel is one of the best places where to stay in Amsterdam with family.
A-Train Hotel: If you are looking for where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget with kids, A-Train Hotel is the right choice. Just across from the train station is where you’ll find the hotel. It’s not the only reason the hotel is called what it is, though. Everything from the rooms to the bathrooms to the lounge is styled after a train car. In the Pullman Lounge, you can enjoy a variety of train-themed dinner options.
Train Lodge: If staying in a train-like hotel is not suitable, maybe you can spend a night in a train hotel. The Train Lodge Hotel is a real train. The train wagons have been converted into rooms. You can stay in special family wagons as well. This hotel may not have a spa or fitness center like other hotels. Still, it is definitely a hotel that will provide different experiences for children. Train Lodge is one of the best places to stay in Amsterdam if you want a different adventure.
Places to Visit in Amsterdam For Adults
Amsterdam is not just a city of parks and museums. The town also offers many alternative sources of entertainment for adults. It is possible to have an unforgettable experience, especially during your Amsterdam holiday. If you are interested, you can have experiences you will not find in any European city other than Amsterdam. If you are wondering where should i go in Amsterdam, then you should definitely visit some of the places listed.
Red Light District
For some visitors, when you say Amsterdam, the first thing that comes to mind is the famous, glamorous, and dazzling Red Light District. It is one of the most touristy areas of the city. And yes, this is where you can find the famous shop windows behind which prostitutes dance and offer their services! In the Netherlands, exercising the oldest profession in the world is entirely legal, and these ladies must pay their taxes like any other worker. But you should keep in mind that you should not take pictures of the windows; it is strictly prohibited.
Coffee Shops
Usually, a coffee shop in a city does not attract much tourist attention if it is not a historical place or something. But in Amsterdam, the coffee shops have a different yet unusual offering—the marijuana. In Amsterdam, consumption of cannabis is authorized as long as it remains limited to coffee shops inside. You cannot smoke marijuana at the shop’s door. If you are not a fan of smoking, you can also consume cannabis in tea, water pipes, cakes, or lollipops. You can even have a magic mushroom as a pizza topping. You should pay attention to dosages because they’re more concentrated than in other countries. But before visiting these shops, you should know that smoking is prohibited and the coffee shops do not serve alcohol. Other hard drugs are illegal to use. Minors are not allowed in coffee shops.
Heineken Experience
It may or may not be the best beer in the world, but you can be sure it is one of the most famous. The Heineken Experience offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the first Heineken brewery built in 1867. It is an exciting exhibition to visit if you are a beer lover. You can learn immersive stories about the manufacture of beer—an activity to do with friends if you want to know about making beer and visiting the museum. The fun part is that you can drink your own beer at the end of the beer-making course.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Whether on vacation alone or with friends, Amsterdam has many hotels where you can relax and have fun. Since the city is one of the most visited cities in Europe, there is a wide range of hotels. The city center is the best area to stay in Amsterdam. When deciding between available hotels, you can also consider the location’s perks.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: A royal accommodation experience awaits you at the Waldorf Astoria. The hotel has everything you can think of and much more. The hotel consists of six palaces from the 17th century by the canal. With its design inspired by Dutch architecture, a restaurant with different features, two different bars, and a spa center, the Waldorf Astoria for where is the best place to stay in Amsterdam.
Conservatorium Amsterdam: Suppose you are looking for a place where to stay in Amsterdam close to everything. In that case, the Conservatorium Amsterdam is the right choice. The rooms of the Conservatorium Hotel have a modern design. One of the hotel’s most important features is that its rooms are equipped with high technology. However, after a tiring city tour, you can relieve the tiredness of the day in the sauna, hot tubs, indoor swimming pool, and massage rooms at Akasha Holistic Wellbeing within the hotel. With its location, Conservatorium Amsterdam is one of the best options for where to stay in Amsterdam city center.
De L’Europe Amsterdam: De L’Europe Amsterdam is one of the most luxurious places you can stay in Amsterdam. Located on the ruins of a castle from the last period of the Middle Ages, the hotel dazzles with its splendor. The hotel, which houses high-tech devices such as Apple TV and a Bose sound bar in its rooms, has balconies overlooking the Amstel river. And we haven’t even gotten to the good part. The hotel has a restaurant with two Michelin stars and one Michelin Green star. Also, for those who love French cuisine, a bakery named Marie and Freddy’s Bar, accompanied by live piano concerts, are some of the beauties of the hotel. If you’re thinking, where should i stay in Amsterdam, you should definitely consider staying at De L’Europe Amsterdam.
See also: Where to stay in Rotterdam?
Museums to Visit in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is widely recognized as one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural centers. Moreover, there is a reason for this. There are numerous fascinating museums in Amsterdam. The city’s cultural and historical wealth is fully displayed in its many museums. In addition to having a large number of museums, Amsterdam also has a large number of museum exhibits. Many museums welcome visitors to see the works of artists who have influenced culture, history, and the arts. If you enjoy visiting museums, galleries, and exhibitions, then Amsterdam is your dream destination.
Rijkmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one of the most breathtaking museums in the world. The most important works of many artists who have shaped the world of art are in this museum. Rembrandt’s worldwide-known paintings, such as The Night Watch, The Sampling Officials, Still Life with Peacocks, and many other pieces, are on display in the galleries of the Rijksmuseum. Another famous Dutch master, Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, Woman Reading a Letter, and many others are also in the Rijksmuseum. Last but not least, Vincent van Gogh’s famous self-portrait, Farming Village at Twilight, and many others are also in the museum.
Anne Frank House
Visiting Amsterdam is also about discovering a part of the city’s darker history. The house of Anne Frank, this little girl famous for her diary, which tells the life of the Frank family, is hidden in this house for 25 months to protect themselves from the persecutions inflicted on the Jews during World War II. The family was arrested in August 1944, except Anne Frank’s father, Otto Frank. The house has now been transformed into a museum, and you can explore the various rooms with extracts from Anne Frank’s diary, photos, and objects. The last room in the museum houses the original book.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum has the world’s most extensive collection of works by the Dutch painter. On three floors, you will find more than 200 paintings as well as hundreds of drawings and letters by the artist, who had a somewhat tormented life and sold only one work during his lifetime. The Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and a number of self-portraits are among the works on display. Like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum is also located on Museumplein, Amsterdam’s museum square.
The Cheese Museum
Along with tulips, coffee shops, and mills, cheese is one of the typical images of the Netherlands. A visit to the cheese museum is therefore essential. It is not far from the Anne Frank House but on the other side of the canal. The museum part is relatively small and is located in the basement. The ground floor is a shop mainly selling gouda of all kinds and colors you can taste for free.
Madam Tussauds Museum
The Madame Tussauds museum in Amsterdam offers a moment of relaxation with family or friends, both original and impressive. The visitor wanders from room to room, each displaying the famous wax statues, each as breathtaking as the other, and classified by theme: the history of the Netherlands and the Golden Age, personalities from around the world, international celebrities, famous politicians, legendary late artists, and even Marvel superheroes!
Places to Stay in Amsterdam to Visit Museums
Although there are some exciting hotels on the subject of where to stay near Amsterdam, the first few days in the city center are essential. Choosing a place to stay is particularly important because of the city’s abundance of tourist attractions. Hotels in the downtown area are the best bet, especially for first-time visitors.
Hotel TwentySeven: With its location right in the heart of the city, Hotel TwentySeven offers the opportunity to reach many parts of Amsterdam on foot or by bike. Moreover, it does this with its 5-star service. World-renowned chef Tim Golsteijn is in charge of the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Bougainville. Not only the hotel’s restaurant but also its wine and cocktail bar are awarded. You can have an unforgettable holiday experience in the luxurious rooms of Hotel TwentySeven. The hotel is one of the best hotels Amsterdam.
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: Sofitel Legend The Grand brings modern French design alive in the center of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Get ready for the whole experience with the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, wine bar, Mediterranean bistro, cafe, and spa center. Thanks to its advantageous location, the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is also an ideal choice when deciding where to stay in Amsterdam first time.
Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam: From the very entrance of the Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam, you feel like you have stepped into a marvelous and extravagant world. You can leave the city behind when you step into the hotel with its design, services, and health and fitness club, located right on the banks of the Amstel River. If you feel too far away, the breathtaking view from the window of your room is enough to remind you where you are. Intercontinental Amstel is one of the best choices in Amsterdam where to stay.
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