If you are thinking of traveling to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, you are in the right place. Amsterdam is an international city with a rich history, a diverse population from 180 different backgrounds, and a diverse arts and culture. The people who live here, the people who work here, the people who study here and those who visit the city are the most important elements that make Amsterdam vibrant and versatile. Ask a non-local why they moved to Amsterdam; you usually have one of two answers: work or love.
Then ask them to diversify their reasons even more. Their answer would be: Because it has one of the lowest living expenses… With its historic city centre, healthy work/life balance, competitive advantage and cultural diversity, this city has many reasons to brag.
Where is Amsterdam?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. This country borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the north and west. In other words, the Netherlands is located in North West Europe.
When to go to Amsterdam?
It is a well-known fact that northern Europe is wet, gray and a little cold eight months of the year. This region includes Amsterdam; but the winds keep the weather interesting and unpredictable. Our advice is to never separate a light raincoat from your bag.
The best month to visit the country is May; This month will probably be the driest month as well. It can also be preferred before or just after the high tourist season in summer (in April or between September and November). Autumn is especially one of the best seasons to visit Amsterdam and stroll along the canal.
Besides, Amsterdam is a city of festivals. As a matter of fact, it hosts more than 300 festivals a year. This means an event for almost every day of the year. You can make a travel plan for yourself by following these festivals.
Places To Visit in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe with approximately 7,000 registered historic buildings. We have compiled touristic places for you that you can easily reach by walking or cycling.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums in the world, attracting visitors from all over the world. The museum houses the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh, with more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings. Opened in Museumplein in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum has been expanded and modernized over the years. In this way, it provides a truly state-of-the-art exhibition and visitor area.
It is located in buildings designed by Gerrit Rietveld and Kisho Kurokawa. The museum collection is the world’s largest collection of paintings and drawings by Van Gogh.
In 2015, 1.9 million tourists visited the museum, making it the most visited museum in the Netherlands and the 31st most visited in the world.
For both domestic and foreign visitors, the Van Gogh Museum is a unique and inspiring experience. Along with the legacy of Vincent van Gogh’s landscapes, portraits, life and particularly instantly recognizable works such as ‘Sunflower’, the museum provides opportunities to trace the artist’s development and compare it with the work of other 19th-century artists.
In 1991, a total of twenty paintings were stolen, including The Potato Eaters, one of Van Gogh’s early works. Although the thieves got out of the building, 35 minutes later the stolen paintings were retrieved from an abandoned car. In 2002, two paintings were stolen from the museum. Two Dutchmen were sentenced to four and a half years in prison to stand trial, but the paintings were not immediately found.
The museum has placed a reward of 100,000 Euros for the information leading to the recovery of the paintings. In this sense, the Van Gogh Museum is a very sensational museum. Must stop by to follow the artist’s footsteps.
Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is one of Amsterdam’s most authentic and famous attractions. While this old factory, located in the center, produced the brand’s beer until 1988, the main production line was moved to a larger facility outside the city due to the excessive demand for the product. Heineken Museum, which is a must-visit for beer lovers in particular, offers many entertaining activities from the intricacies of brewing to beer tasting.
Since opening its doors in 2001, it now operates as a museum and tourist attraction, visited by millions of people from all over the world.
The Heineken Experience consists of an interactive guided tour of the factory, a Heineken tasting session, entertainment and general information about the company history.
There is something hidden in the recipe of the world’s best beers, and Heineken can be included in this group. Today Heineken is a multinational corporation, one of the three largest brewers in the world. Heineken’s rich and successful past is on display today in its former factory in Amsterdam.
The Heineken Brewery Tour delves into the company’s history in a fun and interactive way. As you walk through the impressive old building, you can see the giant copper tanks that produce the original Heineken beer, and you can even draft your own beer at the Heineken Museum bar. The Heineken Brewery Tour is available in multiple languages, including English, French, Dutch, Russian, German, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish.
In a nutshell, it can be called an exciting high-tech multimedia experience.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam and certainly the most famous park in the Netherlands. The park welcomes around 10 million visitors each year. Vondelpark is located south of Leidseplein and near the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum. It is loved by locals as well as tourists, and on sunny days it is a place where you can do many activities, from dog walks to jogging, skating, listening to music or lounging on the grass.
Free concerts are held in the open-air theater or in the park booth in the summer. Attractions inside the park are the statue of the poet Vondel, the cast-iron music dome, Groot Melkhuis with a playground for children, and the statue of the historic Pavilion with its restaurant Vertigo, which opens onto a popular terrace in summer.
In 1864, a number of prominent Amsterdam citizens formed a committee to establish a public park. They saved money to buy 8 hectares of land, and landscape architect Jan David Zocher was commissioned to design the park in the then fashionable English landscape style. Zocher worked with his son, Louis Paul Zocher, who was also a garden architect.
Having studied architecture in Paris and Rome, the Zochers used landscapes, pools and paths to create the illusion of natural space. Father and son also designed Keukenhof and other parks in the Netherlands.
The park was open to the public as a horseback riding and strolling park in 1865 as Nieuwe Park. The name Vondelpark was adopted in 1867 when a statue of a Dutch poet, Joost van den Vondel, was taken to the park. The committee raised money to enlarge the park, and by 1877 it had grown to 45 hectares. In 1873 L.P. Zocher has a small island in the park, iron flags where popular music concerts take place.
Dam Square
Just a five-minute walk down Damrak from Centraal Station, this square allows you to meet the locals. It was created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the Amstel River to prevent the city from sinking. During the 60s, Dam Square was famous for its hippies, and even today, it is possible to encounter some hippie groups in the square.
You can see many important structures of the city in the square. Amsterdam Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, Madame Tussauds Museum are the most important of them. At the same time, there is a monument erected in the square in 1956 to commemorate those who lost their lives during World War II.
Since Dam Square is so popular, you may have to wait for a table in cafes and bars. Whatever the weather, there is always activity going on here. There may be a carnival in the spring or you may come across the colorful Ferris wheel set up in the square at certain times of the year. The square, which is animated by street artists in summer, is one of the must-see places in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is one of three palaces under the auspices of the Dutch Parliament Act. The palace was built by Jacob van Camper in the 17th century as a town hall. Throughout its history, the building was first the Royal Palace of King Louis Bonaparte Napoleon and later the Royal Palace of the Netherlands.
It is located on Dam Square in the very center of Amsterdam. It was originally built as the town hall for magistrates in Amsterdam. Today, it is used for the reception of foreign heads of state, the king’s New Year’s reception and other official receptions during their visit to the Netherlands.
It is possible to see the effects of Roman period architecture in the architecture of the palace, which was started to be built in 1648. Architect Campen was inspired by Roman public buildings in the design of the palace. Although the building was originally used as a manu building as planned by the architect, it was converted into the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in 1808 by Louis Bonaparte.
Furniture, chandeliers and other objects in the palace were also from the period of Louis Bonaparte and were preserved as they are. The palace also hides special discoveries for those who want to witness history more closely.
The palace is open to the public most of the year. It can be visited all week except Mondays. Visitors are not allowed into the building on days when royal events will take place. Still, wandering around the palace and watching the guests enter the palace will offer another experience.
Amsterdam Canals
Amsterdam’s history, like its physical structure, comes from water. The 165 canals in the city have been used for centuries for transportation, trade and exploring the city. In the meantime, let’s mention that these canals, which form the heart of Amsterdam, were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage in 2010. Amsterdam canal cruise is one of the best ways to discover the city’s attractions, as well as get to know the fascinating and historical face of the city.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Amsterdam or a frequent traveler, you’ll see every single building in Amsterdam looks more magical than a boat. You will understand at first sight the reasons why the canals, whose construction dates back to the 18th century, are included in the UNESCO heritage; The canals, which do not disturb the texture of the city with their simple architectural structures and add a romantic look to Amsterdam, are still actively used for transportation.
Although Venice comes to mind first when it comes to bridges and canals, Amsterdam is well ahead of Venice with its 160 canals and 1300 bridges. As such, it goes without saying that the best way to visit this beautiful city is canal tours.
The magnificent boat tour on Amsterdam’s canals takes about an hour. Apart from these one-hour excursions, there are different types of tours, such as guided, practical hop-on-hop-off service or romantic candlelight tours. Some of the region’s top tour operators include Stromma, Blue Boat and Lovers.
Amsterdam Flower Market
Bloemenmarkt, the Amsterdam Flower Market, is one of the most fragrant and heartwarming spots in the city. It is known as the world’s first floating flower market, located on Singel, one of the old canals in Amsterdam. The market, which is perched on boats that we can call a houseboat, is no longer the only flower market in the world, but it remains the only flower market built on water.
It’s only a matter of time before you find yourself amongst the dazzling scents of the famous Dutch tulips while visiting the flower market and mutter “I bought you yellow tulips / from the flower market…”.
The market was established in 1862. Although it is the most touristic flower market in the world, it actually consists of 15-20 stalls, or rather boats. Of course, not only tulips are sold here, you can find many other plants. Besides plants, there are also shops where you can buy souvenirs.
In the past, sales were made directly to the public via boats in this market. But now a fixed floating structure is used and everything about flowers, including souvenirs, can be purchased from here. You wouldn’t have made a real Amsterdam trip until you’ve come all the way to Amsterdam and smelled the tulips. That’s why you should definitely visit the Bloemenmarkt Flower Market to breathe this atmosphere.
But now a fixed floating structure is used and everything about flowers, including souvenirs, can be purchased from here. You wouldn’t have made a real Amsterdam trip until you’ve come all the way to Amsterdam and smelled the tulips. Therefore, you should definitely visit the Bloemenmarkt Flower Market to breathe this atmosphere.
Amsterdam Cheese Museum
You can’t come to Amsterdam without eating cheese and going to cheese shops. Get ready to have an amazing cheese experience in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam Cheese Museum not only offers a free tasting experience, but also informs its visitors about the history of cheese making.
The museum is run by two young entrepreneurs, Henk and Edwin, who specialize in Dutch cheese. From the museum, which brings together the best known and unknown cheese flavors of the country, you can take any cheese you want to anywhere in the world in a vacuum. You should learn more about Dutch cheese, dress like a traditional Dutch farmer and enjoy slicing cheese.
Cheese making in Amsterdam is a tradition that has been going on for 600 years and has now become the symbol of the city. Dutch cheeses are among the best cheeses in the world. Therefore, you should visit this museum without thinking “cheese is the bottom…” You can taste traditional Dutch cheeses at the entrance of the museum.
The first floor is completely reserved for the country’s most famous cheese, Gouda. On this floor, you can access all information about Gouda cheese. If it is not enough to look at the videos and photos prepared in detail about the history of cheese, its production and different tricks, it is possible to participate in a more comprehensive museum tour.
In this fun, informative and delicious museum, Instagram lovers are not forgotten either, and at the end of the museum tour, those who wish can wear traditional clothes like a Dutch cheese maker and have their photos taken.
Address: Prinsengracht 112, 1015 EA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
IJ-Hallen Flea Market
Defined as Europe’s largest flea market, IJ-Hallen Flea Market operates in the densely populated area. Due to the size of the market, demand and supply are perfectly balanced. This makes it easy for visitors to find whatever they are looking for. Furniture or clothes are sold at a very cheap price at the IJ-Hallen Flea Market.
You won’t understand how time flies while walking around such a huge market, inside there are 750 colorful and interesting stalls. Clothes, kitchen utensils, accessories, toys, electronic appliances… Whatever you can think of, everything you are looking for or not looking for is available at the IJ-Hallen Flea Market. Although mostly second-hand items are sold due to its nature, it is sometimes possible to find new products.
The market serves in an old shipyard during the winter months. Therefore, it can be visited all year round. There are also places that sell food and drink between the counters. Thus, you can continue your shopping without having to leave the market in the middle of shopping.
“What should we do by visiting the flea market in Amsterdam?” don’t say. Because if your visit dates coincide with the establishment dates of the market, we are sure you will enjoy wandering in Europe’s largest flea market. As is the custom in every market, if you decide to buy something, be sure to bargain hard.
Address: T.T. Neveritaweg 15, 1033, WB Amsterdam-Noord
Transportation In Amsterdam
When you travel to Amsterdam, you should also know how to get there. If you are using public transport in Amsterdam, you can use the public transport chip card (OV-chipkaart) to travel on trams, buses and subways. The most convenient option for visitors is the disposable card (valid for 1 hour) or the day pass (valid for 1 to 7 days). A one-hour ticket can be purchased from the tram chief or bus drivers. Day cards cannot be obtained from the driver on the bus.
Tickets are valid on the entire transport network from the date of purchase, allowing you to travel as many times as you choose within the selected time frame.
Amsterdam Cuisine
Your trip to Amsterdam continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Amsterdam. Dutch cuisine is shaped by its location in the fertile North Sea river delta on the European Plain; For this reason, fishing and farming have an important place in the country’s cuisine.
Traditionally, Dutch cuisine consists of simple vegetables and small amounts of meat. These dishes are quite plain and simple. Foods such as cheese and bread are usually consumed at breakfast and lunch. For dinner, any meat is preferred alongside potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Under the influence of the food culture of its colonies (especially the Dutch East Indies), the country has become more cosmopolitan and international cuisines are represented in the country’s major cities, especially in Amsterdam.
From mini pancakes to a variety of croquettes, Amsterdam offers unique culinary experiences to the hungry traveller. Don’t go home without trying at least one of these traditional Dutch dishes. Crispy fried delicious meatballs called Bitterballen are served with mustard. Thick Dutch potatoes served in a paper cone. Just say ‘patat speciaal’ for extra peanut sauce, mayonnaise, onion and curry ketchup.
If you want to experience all these flavors, one of the best addresses will be Skek. Skek is a restaurant that combines traditional Dutch food with all the latest eating trends. It is located near Amsterdam’s Red Light District. They also host live music nights, which adds to Skek’s already stellar atmosphere. Run by students, Skek never disappoints; Meals also cost between 10-15 Euros on average. It also has a bar with a wide variety of beers.
If you want to go beyond the traditional cuisine and choose different cuisines, you can consider Taqueria Tacobar, which serves Mexican food. The restaurant is just a five minute walk from Leidseplein.
Shopping In Amsterdam
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Amsterdam trip with shopping? From department stores to exclusive boutiques; Amsterdam is one of the most diverse shopping destinations in the world, where you can find everything from antiques to contemporary Dutch designs. The city has many different shopping areas. Each has its own character. Enjoy the narrow streets between historic canals at Nine Streets, the luxury boutiques of Oud Zuid, and the vintage flavors around Waterlooplein.
Ajax souvenirs can be found in stores across the city and of course, Ajax World in Zuidoost. You can buy all kinds of products from themed calendars to glasses at the tourist shop just near Dam or Rokin. Also, do not forget that Dutch cheese is famous. For goat or sheep Gouda, be sure to go to Cheese & More in Leidsestraat. Old Amsterdam cheese, which is sold in all local cheese shops, is also among the cheeses you can buy.
Wooden shoes are also among the products you can choose to present to your loved ones. If the shoes are too big to carry, you can also choose symbolic key chains.
Amsterdam Nightlife
When the sun goes down, Amsterdam takes on a completely different atmosphere. The cobblestone streets are quiet and the bridges are subtly illuminated. The moon shines brightly on the water. But inside, the party has just begun. The city, which provides a variety of entertainment environments ranging from comedy clubs to stylish bars with energetic DJs, is best known for this feature. Indeed, Amsterdam offers a diverse nightlife with a little something for everyone.
One of the elements that attracts particular attention is the variety of live music the city offers. Visitors will surely find a place where they can listen to almost all genres of music, such as classical, jazz, blues, rock ‘n roll, indie and many more.
Two of the most vibrant nightlife areas are Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Note that the trams stop around 00:30, but night buses and taxis are always available.
The Red Light District is world famous and is a short walk from many Amsterdam hotels. This part of the city is one of the few places in the world with its night activity. The area is surrounded by nightclubs and bars. It is one of the places you must see, even just to observe and people watch.
Sugarfactory; As a night theater that brings together nightlife, performance and art, it is one of the most popular addresses in the city. You should definitely spare a night for the place where exhibitions are held regularly.
Teasers Bar is located in Damrak. In this sense, it is one of the most touristic addresses. This is one of the reasons why it is more expensive than similar places. However, it is still one of the most entertaining places in the city.
Bananabar is a world famous hangout. It is described as the weirdest bar in Amsterdam. Special shows are available at the bar; but note that no cameras are allowed.
Theaters that open later in the night in Amsterdam are quite assertive about erotic shows. Casa Rosso is one of the most famous places in this sense. The shows last approximately one hour and the entrance fee includes a drink inside. When you travel to Amsterdam, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Amsterdam Festivals
Hosting 300 festivals every year, Amsterdam has festivals of all tastes and genres. Festivals held throughout the year attract international visitors.
On King’s Day, the city turns into a giant orange mass. World-renowned DJs throw parties on huge open-air stages. Various shows are held in Vondelpark.
Normally you can only see the front of the canal houses, but during Opentuinendagen you have the opportunity to walk past the entrance and see the green world behind it! You can purchase a ticket that gives you entry to all participating gardens. Moreover, and there is a special canal boat to take you from one location to another.
The Vondelpark Openluchttheater festival presents many different shows every day. As part of the festival, many events are organized for people of all ages, from cabaret to theatre, concerts and dance.
Amsterdam Pride is Amsterdam’s world-famous gay festival, held on the first weekend of August. One of the biggest festivals in Amsterdam, the parties, performances, workshops and the Saturday afternoon boat parade on Prinsengracht are worth seeing.
Prinsengrachtconcert and Grachtenfestival are held every year on the third weekend of August. Free open-air classical music concerts are organized on a stage in the middle of the Prinsengracht as part of the festival.
Amsterdam Public Holidays
- Nieuwjaarsdag New Year’s Day, (1 January )
- Goede Vrijdag (14 April )
- Eerste & Tweede Paasdag ( 16/17 April )
- King’s Day of Koningsdag (April 27)
- Independence Day, ( 5 May )*
- Hemelvaartsdag Ascension Day ( 25 May )
- Eerste & Tweede Pinksterdag (4/5 June)
Pratical Information For Amsterdam
- Police: 112
- Fire Brigade: 112
- Ambulance: 112
