For several reasons, Amsterdam is famous as the world’s top travel destination. Amsterdam is a complete, full-blown fairytale, from its recognizable canals to its century-old townhomes, cobblestone pathways, and lovely flower-adorned bridges. The city has a lot of charm and is picture-perfect in every way.
Amsterdam is the most fabulous city in Europe because of its friendly residents, urban beaches, and unique wooden clogs. There are activities in Amsterdam every single day of the year, whether you’re on spring break or studying abroad. The King’s Birthday is in late April, the International Documentary Film Festival is in the middle of November, and Grachtenfestival and Gay Pride are all in the summer, so keep those dates in mind. Be ready for big crowds and non-stop excitement if you visit Amsterdam during those hours. Take a brief vacation to a picturesque seaside town like Katwijk aan Zee or the Dutch countryside if you start to feel overwhelmed.
Activities in Amsterdam
Take a Canal Cruise
The city is divided into rings by more than 60 miles of canals, with the newest communities clustered near the center and the oldest at the edges. The “Venice of the North” is a nickname for Amsterdam. Take a tour, go on a moonlit sail, or rent your two-person boat. You can visit the floating flower stalls and admire the traditional Dutch buildings from the waterways. It can travel the canals in any direction. But, at some point throughout your voyage. You must stop at REM Eiland, a former water tower broadcast station that now offers delicious meals.
Ride a Bicycle and Blend In
Feel a little seasick? You can visit Amsterdam on a bicycle, as the locals do, so don’t worry! Rent a bike for about ten euros, then cruise the city on that speed demon! StudentUniverse A little extra money can go a long way about bike insurance, making your vacation to Amsterdam go as possible. Pack your bag with picnic necessities and a good book for a relaxing afternoon at the Vondelpark after choosing your ride. This public park, which is almost 100 years old, draws 10 million visitors with its wide bike trails, sculptures, and outdoor theatre.
Learn Culture
There are significant artistic and historic landmarks in Amsterdam that you must not miss, even if many people travel there for its seedier attractions (and we’ll get to that in a moment). Start at the Museumplein, which is home to three of the most well-known museums in the city. The national Rijksmuseum houses a sizable collection of works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. And The Stedelijk Museum showcases more contemporary pieces by Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol, and a museum devoted to the eminent Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Fun fact: the Vondelpark mentioned above is also scrollable from these museums! One cannot discuss Amsterdam attractions without mentioning the Anne Frank house, where the well-known diarist hid from the Nazis. To avoid a 2-3 hour line, join a tour group or come early to the ticket office.
Wander Around the Red Light Area
It’s the Red Light District, you see. Although not the only RLD in Europe, it is the most well-known. The Netherlands has legalized sex work worldwide, but one area, in particular, sees a lot of traffic. At night, a scarlet glow obscures the winding cobblestone streets of the neighborhood. And you’ll see women dancing in house windows and tourists laughing as they enter sex shops and museums. While you’re here, you might want to try some marijuana strains available at one of the many “coffee shops” in Amsterdam. This city is unique.
The most crucial thing to remember is that although sex work and soft drugs are present in Amsterdam, they are also regulated. It is risky and illegal to buy sex or drugs from a stranger on the street. Keep yourself secure by visiting trustworthy places.
Multatuli Museum’s A Peek Into A Writer’s Life Exhibit
The Multatuli Museum is a little, understated museum dedicated to one of the most renowned Dutch authors, Edward Douwes Dekker, and is on a narrow lane in Old Amsterdam. Edward wrote much about dishonest colonists in the Dutch East Indies under the pseudonym Multatuli. The museum home features all his creations and mementos from his time in Indonesia. Books that provide details on the museum are available for buy. You have two options for transportation: on foot or by tram. You can take lines 1, 2, 5, 13, or 17 from the central station.
Would you like to explore some extra must-see Amsterdam attractions? Use this list of the top things to do in Amsterdam as inspiration. With all the information you need at your fingertips, use our thorough Amsterdam Guide Book to explore the rest of Amsterdam. Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.
