The bike is, without a doubt, the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way of getting around the city. It’s also great fun, good exercise and a perfect way of seeing the city through the eyes of locals. On 1 February 1917, Engelbertus Hendricus de Waal established a wholesale business selling men’s clothing in Amsterdam under the name ‘E.
De Wallen (red-light District)

Or, for those looking for something a little more low-key, there are plenty of bars and pubs to relax in. No matter what your preference, there is sure to be a place in Amsterdam‘s city centre that is perfect for you. De Wallen, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, is a designated area for legalised prostitution and is Amsterdam’s largest and best-known red-light district.
A Comprehensive Guide To The Best Museums In Amsterdam

As a partner or sponsor, you’re not just supporting visibility – you’re becoming visible in a meaningful way. And although many are decent, honest people, it is not unusual for tourists in the city to be taken on a roundabout journey through the whole city before being taken to their destination at an extortionate cost. If you take a taxi, make sure they put on the meter, and ask beforehand if they accept card – many drivers will claim that their machine is broken and drive you an extra kilometre to find an ATM to withdraw cash, further increasing the fare.
Zandvoort Beach Town: A Perfect Day Trip From Amsterdam
- Vondelpark is the city’s largest urban park and is at the top of the best places to visit in Amsterdam to see another side of the capital.
- Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will lead you through a delectable adventure that will make your trip to Amsterdam truly unforgettable.
- Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam Central by train, the picturesque city of Haarlem overflows with history and culture, plus a great selection of shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Regional buses, and some suburban buses, are operated by Connexxion and EBS.
- Just 15 kilometres southeast of the city, you’ll find Muiderslot—a 13th-century castle that looks like it could have been plucked from a Disney movie with its five towers, moat and drawbridge.
After just minutes on the free ferry from Central Station, you’ll find Amsterdam’s true north. This up-and-coming neighbourhood is alive and kicking, bursting with cultural hotspots. At the centre of the neighbourhood’s social life there was always the Saint Rita church. Locals and travellers alike come to catch some rays on our terrace, sticking around for an affordable dinner and some free cultural nourishment.
Embark On An Unforgettable Food Tour Amsterdam
The Netherlands’s second most-populated city, Rotterdam, is Amsterdam’s modern and eclectic little sister, where you’ll be in awe of the bold architecture, high-rise buildings, and big-city vibe. This tour also offers some add-ons for an extra special day out, such as a boat trip, windmill entry, and a clog-making demonstration. These famously lopsided houses have become some of the most photographed canal houses in the city, and finding them is also super straightforward.
Leeuwarden City: A Perfect Weekend Getaway From Amsterdam
If you’re like me and love all things pretty and colorful, stroll over to the northwest of the park, where you’ll see the rose garden filled with more than 70 beautiful varieties. I highly recommend this Guided Bike Tour of Central Amsterdam, where you’ll zip through the city in groups of 15 people or less over the space of three hours. You’ll come across dozens of bike rental stores around the city, or you can join a cycling tour where you’ll be in safe hands traveling as a group. Though there’s plenty of excellent cycling infrastructure, bikers in Amsterdam are known for being super-speedy and ruthless at times, so make sure you’re confident in your bike handling skills before taking to the bike lanes. To ensure you get the most out of your Amsterdam trip, I have created this fool-proof guide to the Dutch capital’s incredible range of things to do. Our definition of a cantina is a place where you can come for a drink, bite, full meal or party.

Looking For Day-by-day Itineraries In Amsterdam?

The non-Western immigrants settled mostly in the social housing projects in Amsterdam-West and the Bijlmer. The required large-scale demolitions began in Amsterdam’s former Jewish neighborhood. Smaller streets, such as the Jodenbreestraat and Weesperstraat, were widened and almost all houses and buildings were demolished. At the peak of the demolition, the Nieuwmarktrellen (Nieuwmarkt riots) broke out;68 the rioters expressed their fury about the demolition caused by the restructuring of the city. Seeing as the country is called The Netherlands, and the people are called ‘Nederlands’ in their own language it might seem a little odd that in the English-language speaking world, we refer to people from this little European country as ‘Dutch’. So hopefully by now you understand how the Dutch like to name name themselves and their country, to make it even more confusing check out some world famous funny Dutch expressions.
Catch the free ’Buiksloterweg’ ferry from behind Central Station, which takes three minutes. Amsterdamse Bos, on the southern edge of the city, is almost three times the size of New York’s Central Park. This lush urban oasis provides ample opportunities for bike rides, picnics, swimming, strolling over hills and flower-blanketed valleys, or just barbecuing with friends. In the forest, you’ll find Goat Farm Ridammerhoeve, where you can meet goats, lambs, chickens, pigs, cows and horses and then fuel up at its charming restaurant that serves delicious goat cheese. And for anyone hoping to get closer to nature, you’ll find plenty more urban farms and sustainable initiatives dotted around the city. Raw herring may sound a little scary to the uninitiated, but every visitor to Amsterdam should give it a go.
City Government
Brussels has so much to see and do, and this day trip will take you to all the must-see spots while also taking care of your transport. When you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, you’ll have some extra time to munch on Belgian fries and waffles or sample one of their legendary beers. With direct links to the center of Amsterdam, you can reach Volendam in less than 25 minutes on bus 316 and enjoy the town’s delightful seafood alongside the fishing boats and multi-colored homes. You might find your camera roll overflowing after your trip to Amsterdam, as the city really is as picture-perfect as you’d imagine.

Please note that our small group policy means there ‘s a limit to our availability as well so we recommend reservations. Amsterdam is situated on the River Amstel, from which is gains its name, and the river ends in the city’s centre where it splits into Amsterdam’s famous canals before eventually flowing into the River Ij. Based on the composition of your party, and together with you, we will find the right venue for your exclusive private dining Amsterdam experience. A high-quality private dinner Amsterdam is made using only fresh and seasonal ingredients. Please let us know during the initial consultation if you or any of your guests have special culinary needs, such as gluten-free or vegan. Our private dining Amsterdam experiences are tailor-made, guaranteeing an enjoyable and memorable occasion.
- Around 60,000 Jewish inhabitants, including Jewish prewar refugees from Austria and Germany, were living in Amsterdam at the time of the Nazi occupation.
- There is one rugby club in Amsterdam, which also hosts sports training classes such as RTC (Rugby Talenten Centrum or Rugby Talent Centre) and the National Rugby Stadium.
- Or for those who want to see a little more of the city whilst they’re here, a private boat cruise on our brand-new luxury boat is a fantastic way to see the city’s beautiful and historic centre with a drink in hand.
- Take a look through the dinner cruises below to start planning your night on the canal.
- Dominating the view from the southern banks of the IJ behind Central Station, the striking white EYE building has rapidly become one of Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks since it opened in Spring 2012.
The last style that was popular in Amsterdam before the modern era was Art Deco. Amsterdam had its own version of the style, which was called the Amsterdamse School. Whole districts were built in this style, such as the Rivierenbuurt.183 A notable feature of the façades of buildings designed in Amsterdamse School is that they are highly decorated and ornate, with oddly shaped windows and doors.
Other squares include Rembrandtplein, Muntplein, Nieuwmarkt, Leidseplein, Spui and Waterlooplein. The first mass immigration in the 20th century was by people from Indonesia, who came to Amsterdam after the independence of the Dutch East Indies in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1960s guest workers from Turkey, Morocco, Italy, and Spain immigrated to Amsterdam. After the independence of Suriname in 1975, a large wave of Surinamese settled in Amsterdam, mostly in the Bijlmer area. Other immigrants, including refugees asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, came from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Moco Museum
If you have time for just one destination, grab the I amsterdam City Card and head to the iconic windmill-filled village of Zaanse Schans. If the trip is successful and objectives are reached then it’s only right to celebrate – and you’re certainly in the right place in Amsterdam. When it comes to work and travel, Amsterdam is the best place to put the motto ‘work hard, play hard’ into practice.
Throughout the 18th century, Amsterdam was heavily influenced by French culture. Around 1815, architects broke with the baroque style and started building in different neo-styles.182 Most Gothic style buildings date from that era and are therefore said to be built in a neo-gothic style. At the end of the 19th century, the Jugendstil or Art Nouveau style became popular and many new buildings were constructed in this architectural style. Since Amsterdam expanded rapidly during this period, new buildings adjacent to the city centre were also built in this style. The houses in the vicinity of the Museum Square in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid are an example of Jugendstil.
Go explore iconic windmills in a beautiful Dutch area, taste a local cheese and visit traditional clog makers. If you love bargain-hunting, quirky curiosities and sprawling industrial warehouses, make time for a visit to IJ-Hallen, one of the best markets on the continent. Take the ferry from the harbour behind Central Station to the NDSM-yard, and from there, it’s just a five-minute walk to the market. Step into the cavernous space or browse the many stands that spill out onto the wharf to rifle through a wild collection of records, vintage clothing, home furnishings and antiques. If you can’t find something special here, you aren’t looking hard enough.