Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre.
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre.
Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here; whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.
Amsterdam has a great history. It is very unique for its large and untouched historic center. It has a rich architectural history, dominated by water. It is a meeting point for all different cultures around the world and has a welcoming attitude towards visitors. Well known for its museums, red light district, coffee shops but also the great variety of eating & drinking places and night life. It even claims to be the ‘Gay capital of Europe’. Therefore a lot of hotels and hostels can be found on different locations, value for money and ambience.
It is a beautiful and romantic city with its antique houses, lovely bridges, famous canals and of course the list of world class attractions.
10:00am-10:30am : Begijnhof
One of the city's oldest enclosed courtyards, Begijnhof is surrounded by several historical buildings. This inner courtyard dates back to the 14th century and is situated on the Singel canal. View the characteristically Dutch-Gothic wooden homes of this medieval square, including the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam, Het Houten Huis, which was built in the Middle Ages. See the old courtyard gate, built in 1574, as well as the 19th-century gatehouse. If you walk along the southern edge of the courtyard, you can more closely see the features of the 15th-century English Church with its original medieval tower.
11:00am-1:00pm : Albert Cuyp Market
Buy fruits, vegetables, sweets, and clothes at Albert Cuyp Market, the largest street market in the capital city. Following a tradition since 1904, vendors in 300 stalls sell a wide range of products bursting with colors and smells. You can get anything from fish and cameras to makeup and spices. In addition, the prices are usually lower than at regular shops. Look for typical products from Africa and the Middle East, and quench your thirst at some of the numerous ethnic cafes and bars that surround the market.
1:30pm-6:00pm : ARTIS
Experience wildlife at ARTIS, which supports an aquarium, planetarium, arboretum, and the country's oldest zoo. The zoo was founded in 1838 and holds 27 historic buildings that are wonderful examples of 19th-century architecture. The park's name is short for "natura artis magistra," (nature is the teacher of art and science). Learn about art and science through exhibits with more than 900 species of animals and 200 species of trees. Watch giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and more, along with marine life, at the on-site aquarium.
10:00am-12:30pm :The Jordaan
Explore one of the capital city's historical neighborhoods, The Jordaan, known for its small, winding streets and cultural sites. This was a working-class and emigrant district in the 17th century but is now a popular neighborhood for young entrepreneurs, artists, and students. Discover art galleries, boutiques, pubs, and cafes throughout the charming quarter, where many significant figures in Dutch history, such as writer Joost van Vondel and artist Rembrandt, once resided. Visit Rembrandt's grave at Westerkerk church, the Anne Frank House, and many other important sites. View art studios, courtyards, and stone tablets, for which the quarter is famous.
1:00pm-2:30pm : Room Escape Games
3:30pm-5:30pm : The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, The Hague
10:00am-11:30am : Anne Frank House
Discover the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her noteworthy diary during World War II at Anne Frank House. This home site and museum sits inside a 17th-century canal house in the center of Amsterdam. Since it opened to the public in 1960, this museum has inspired and educated visitors from around the world, many of whom were greatly affected by reading the published diary of Anne Frank. Step behind the bookcase that disguised the famous secret annex where Frank's family hid from the Nazis during the Holocaust. Get a sense of what young Anne's experience was like during those two years before she and her family were discovered and sent to concentration camps.
12:00pm-1:30pm : De 9 Straatjes
In the center of the capital, taking up nine streets, De 9 Straatjes features quaint shops selling arts and crafts, fashion items, and eccentricities. Spanning 400 years of tradition, the area still has a number of hidden cafes and artisan businesses that offer typical Dutch or quirky merchandise. If you're into reading, check out the bookshops. For those who like healthy eating, the site offers organic food stores. As quaint as the neighborhood is, it also offers a wide range of international fashion chain stores.
2:00pm-3:30pm : Vondelpark
Join the 10 million visitors who experience Vondelpark annually. Walk your dog, ride a bike, or simply relax at the largest and most popular city park in the capital city. This 47 ha (120 acres) park features a statue of poet and author Joost van den Vondel, for whom it is named, as well as other works, such as pieces by Pablo Picasso. Come to see a concert at the park's open-air theater; take your kids to the Groot Melkuis, surrounded by several play areas and a large playground; and stroll along the historical park pavilion. You can grab lunch at one of the bars or restaurants on site, including the famous Vertigo restaurant.
4:00pm-6:00pm : Heineken Experience
Participate in Heineken Experience, a tour of the historic brewery for the internationally known Heineken pilsner. More than just a tour, this experience is meant to engage and entertain its visitors. Walk through the industrial building where Heineken brewed beer for more than 100 years since it was established in 1867. Learn about the process of pilsner brewing, as well as the history of production and branding. View artifacts, interact with exhibits, and, of course, sample the brewery's famous beer. The site happens to be an anchor point along the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
10:00am-11:30am : Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
Celebrate the life and career of famous Dutch artist Rembrandt at Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House), a home where he spent more than two decades. Rembrandt lived and painted in this house from 1639 to 1658. Today you can visit the museum and home, which was remodeled to reflect how it would have looked when Rembrandt lived there. Walk through a replica of his bedroom, view his collection of artifacts from around the world, and see many of his prominent works on display. You can also take a guided tour, participate in a print-making workshop, or watch an etching and paint-preparation demonstration.
12:00pm-1:30pm : Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Witness the history of Dutch resistance to German occupation during World War II at Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. This site tells the story of the Netherlands and its people from May 1940 to May 1945, when Nazi forces occupied the country. Discover the museum's permanent exhibit, which recreates everyday life for Dutch people in the 1930s and 1940s. Experience the feeling of walking down German-occupied streets in the Netherlands, and learn about small acts of resistance and larger historical moments of opposition during this time. Every country has its own piece of World War II history to share, and this museum is a wonderful place to learn about the Dutch perspective.
2:00pm-5:00pm : NEMO Science Museum
With five stories of interactive science exhibits for families, NEMO Science Museum makes learning fun. The largest science center in the Netherlands, it features a different scientific theme on each floor. Begin your journey on the first floor, learning about DNA and chain reactions. As you move through different levels of the building, you will discover a performance hall, water cycle exhibit, science lab, and hands-on display about the human mind. Finish your tour with a great view atop the museum at its café with a nearby children's play area.
5:30pm-6:00pm : Bloemenmarkt
Thousands of colorful flowers at Bloemenmarkt adorn the waterfront of Singel channel. Installed on floating houseboats, the shops offer a large variety of tulips, narcissus, and seeds of numerous plants for creating a home garden. Get a colorful bouquet, or take a walk along the fragrant alley. If you're planning to take some plants out of the country, make sure you have a customs-cleared stamp for export.
10:00am-10:30am : Museumphoto
Get your own Dutch Masters-style portrait at Museumphoto, a museum and studio near Dam Square. Within ten minutes, you can have your own masterpiece with your image at its center. Be a Vermeer milkmaid or the girl with the pearl earring, Franz Hals' happy drinker or Rembrandt with his two circles. Get dressed and enter the set, which brings back the times of these celebrated painters. Those less traditionally oriented can opt to be Van Gogh in his bedroom.
11:00am-1:30pm : De Duif
Along De Duif, one of the city's main canals, you can view several monuments, historic architecture, and one of the city's popular quarters. This canal is the longest of the central canals that help to shape the city, which include Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Singel. Named after the Prince of Orange, this body of water is noted for the canal houses built alongside it during the Dutch Golden Age. Walk beside the water's edge and enjoy the cultural offerings of the Jordaan neighborhood. You can stop by several tourist sites along the way, such as the Northern Church, Northern Market, Anne Frank House, Western Church, and Homomonument.
2:00pm-3:00pm : Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
See collections of modern and contemporary art at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, including works by world-renowned artists such as van Gogh, Matisse, and Warhol. Founded in 1874, the venue has grown over the years, presenting Dutch and French works at first, and now holding 90,000 pieces from different continents. Within its walls, you’ll encounter moving images and sounds, industrial design pieces, and installations, among other art forms. Download the official website's tour app, which offers stories and interactive programs designed to fill you in on the collection's history and highlights.
3:30pm-6:00pm : Van Gogh Museum
Art enthusiasts and van Gogh fans will adore visiting the largest collection of the Dutch artist's work at Van Gogh Museum. This museum opened in 1973 and today is one of the most visited in the world, attracting 1.4 million visitors in 2013. Wander through the site's permanent exhibit, which contains a vast selection of van Gogh's works, with about 200 paintings and 600 drawings in total. Study his most significant pieces, including "The Potato Eaters" (1885), "Sunflowers" (1889), and nine of his self-portraits. You'll have the opportunity to view several works of van Gogh's Impressionist and post-Impressionist contemporaries as well, such as Monet and Manet, plus visiting exhibits.
10:00am-1:00pm : Rijksmuseum
Committed to preserving and displaying the art and history of the Netherlands, Rijksmuseum holds masterpieces from some of the country's most prominent artists. This museum was founded in 1800 and moved to its current location in 1808. Since this time, it has acquired more than 1 million objects and artifacts, 8,000 of which are currently on display. Take a moment to notice the restored architecture of the museum before entering. Walk through 800 years of Dutch history, including an impressive collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age featuring the works of Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer, and others. Walk down the Hall of Fame to the Night Watch room to view Rembrandt's masterpiece "The Night Watch." Enjoy the Asian collection and Asian Pavilion, built in 2013.
1:30pm-4:30pm : Leidseplein
Choose your spot among hundreds of bars and clubs at Leidseplein, one of the city's famous nightlife hubs. The square has trams, boutiques, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with street performers. Have a coffee in the open air while people-watching and breathing in the youthful vibe of the site, or grab a pint in a lively Irish bar. Neon lights and raw bass are guaranteed at the square. You can also have a sightseeing spree and view architectural marvels such as the Stadsschouwburg theater, a Neo-Renaissance structure that hosts the Dutch National Ballet.
5:00pm-6:00pm : PGC Hajenius
Home to one of the most well-known Dutch brands of cigars, PGC Hajenius is a good stop for any tobacco enthusiast. This specialty cigar shop, which has been around since 1826, uses only the highest quality of tobacco and takes pride in the cigars that they sell. Duck into the shop and admire its well-maintained 1920s design. The professional and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you choose your poison. You can even smoke the tobacco product you buy in the shop's smoking room.
10:00am-11:30am : Royal Palace Amsterdam
Royal Palace Amsterdam was once a city hall and royal palace; today it's used by the Dutch monarch for hosting official events. Built during the Dutch Golden Age in 1665, the site features prominent paintings and sculptures created by distinguished artists of the era, as well as lavish Empire furniture from the early 19th century. Take an audio tour and hear about the history of the palace. Walk through the extravagant rooms and offices, filled with golden elements and brightly colored, highly realistic paintings. You'll encounter works by Flinck, Lievens, and Jordaens.
12:00pm-1:30pm : Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
Catch a performance or simply view the modern architecture at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, a concert hall for classic and contemporary music that also features regular art shows. Opened in 2005, this Danish-designed building with movable chairs and acclaimed acoustics imposes itself upon the waters of the IJ, offering a visual treat to spectators. The upper floor houses a computer-aided sound garden for children and there is a seafood restaurant from which you can take in the view of the IJ. Intensely lit at night, the building makes quite a spectacle in the dark with its reflection in the water.
2:00pm-3:30pm : Red Light District
For a view into another world, explore the infamous Red Light District, named for its bright red brothel lights. Though these districts are known around the world for hosting (in this case, legal) prostitution, sex theaters, and sex shops, this particular area has become an incredibly popular tourist destination. Explore the city's De Wallen neighborhood, which is home to its oldest and largest red-light district. De Wallen has been a popular place for prostitution since the 13th century, when the Damrak became a harbor. Walk along the canal in the evening, take in the novel sights and signs, and notice the typical 14th-century Dutch architecture in this historical district. There can be sites in this area that are not appropriate for children.
4:00pm-6:00pm : Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Meet replicas of your favorite celebrities and historical figures at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. Based on the original museum in London, this museum features wax recreations of famous individuals from Elizabeth Taylor to Albert Einstein. If you are more interested in Dutch history, visit the Dutch Golden Age wax exhibit. Kids will love taking photos with their favorite stars, and teenagers will especially enjoy the multimedia zones, including a pop idols experience. View the world's largest animatronics' wax figurine, a replica of Claas Janszoon at 5 m (18 ft) tall, and take in city views from the top floor of the building.
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