One of the most famous places to visit in Europe is Amsterdam, which is the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is also the country’s most important culture hub, with more than 40 museums, many theatres, and other places to have fun. It is home to many universities, academies, and research institutes.
The city is also famous for its many ancient homes that have been kept in good shape. These historical buildings are still in good shape and are set out in a fan shape. They are built on piles that are driven through a layer of mud to reach the firm, sandy bottom up to 18 metres below.
There are about 6,750 houses from the 16th to the 18th centuries crammed into an area of 2,000 acres that is split up by 160 canals (grachten) that are home to many houseboats. So it’s no surprise that Amsterdam is a great place to walk around in, with lots of beautiful bridges connecting the 90 islands that make up the city. Eight of these are old wooden bascule bridges, such as the Magere Brug (Mager Bridge), which is one of the most photographed bridges in the city.
Our list of the best sites and fun things to do in Amsterdam will help you find the best places to visit in this busy city.
1. Jewish Historical Museum
The Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum) is housed in four old synagogues. The Grote Synagogue, which is part of the museum, was built in 1670. A lot of religious items, like silver Torah cases, Torah robes, and decorated Torah headdresses, are on display. There are also hangings and ritual canopies that are worth seeing, especially the white marble Holy Shrine.
It also has a big library, and there is a kosher restaurant in the Upper Synagogue, the Obbene Sjoel. Check out the museum’s website to learn more about its concert series. It features performances by well-known local and foreign artists by candlelight.
Outside of the museum, the Docker Monument stands out. It was built to remember a strike in 1941 in which workers refused to help remove their Jewish coworkers.
The Portuguese Synagogue is another interesting building. It is a temple from the late 1700s that holds the largest library of its kind, the Ets Haim Library. You can learn more about this interesting past by going on one of the English-language tours of the Jewish Historical Museum that includes the old Jewish Quarter.
- Address: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam
2. The Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is one of the few quiet places in the city that many tourists miss as they rush from one sight to the next. That’s too bad, because this beautiful old part of Amsterdam begs to be discovered.
Most of the old houses are occupied, but the narrow lanes and paths around them are open to everyone, so don’t be afraid to wander around. When you get there, you’ll see well-kept green fields, called courtyards, surrounded by some of Amsterdam’s oldest homes, including the city’s only wooden house from the 1400s.
The area’s small church is still used for services and was the final resting place of a group of religious Catholic women (begijnen). The women were buried there in 1971.
- Address: 1012 AB Amsterdam
3. Amsterdam Royal Zoo
The floral gardens are less than a five-minute walk from Artis, which is Amsterdam’s great “royal zoo.” This amazing place has been around since 1838, making it one of the oldest zoos in Europe.
It shows animals from all over the world in a park with lots of historical buildings and some shade. For example, the aquarium was built in 1882 and has displays like a coral reef system and an interesting look under an Amsterdam canal.
The nighttime animal house, zoological museum, insectarium, butterfly pavilion, and planetarium are some of the other great things to see. There is also a library with a large collection of old books, pictures, and other works of art.
A copy of the Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP), which shows the average water level of the North Sea, is also interesting and can be found close to these fun nature sites.
- Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam
4. World’s Oldest Botanical Gardens
Amsterdam has a shocking amount of nature right in the middle of the city. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, the city’s botanical garden, is one of the oldest in the world and should be on your list of places to see.
This popular draw has been around since 1638, when it was first built as a simple herb garden for doctors and apothecaries. It now has rare trees and plants, flowers from far away, and a big greenhouse with different tropical zones inside it.
The beautiful old gazebo, a hexagonal building from the late 17th century, and the Orangery from the 1870s are two of the best parts of a visit. The Palm House is also interesting, especially for the style of architecture it has (it was built in the Amsterdam School style).
People who like plants will also enjoy the gardens because they have many rare plant and tree types. Some examples of the Persian Ironwood tree and many tropical plants in the old hothouse are worth noting. There is a café on-site for people who want to stay longer.
- Address: Plantage Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD Amsterdam
5. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam), which used to be the Town Hall, is where the King lives when he’s in the city. When it was first built in 1648, it was a huge undertaking that needed 13,659 piles to be sunk into the ground to support the huge structure.
The outside is purely classical, based on the building of ancient Rome. The inside is luxuriously furnished, with many reliefs, ornaments, marble sculptures, and friezes decorating the apartments. Check out the beautiful ceiling drawings that Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck, who were Rembrandt’s students, made.
The City Treasurer’s room, with its marble fireplace and Cornelis Holsteyn paintings on the roof, is another great feature. It has one of the best collections of furniture in the world. You’ll also see the Hall of the Aldermen, which has works by Bol and Flinck as well.
The Council Hall is the biggest and most important room. It is also one of the most beautiful staterooms in Europe and is decorated with lots of fine details. You can go on trips with guides who speak English, and helpful audioguides are included with your admission.
- Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam
6. Dam Square
One of the busiest places in Amsterdam for tourists is Dam Square, and for good reason. The most famous building there is the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace), which was built in the 1600s and is now the site of royal events.
Most of the best places to visit in Dam Square are tourist spots, like the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), Madame Tussauds, and the National Memorial Statue, which honours Dutch heroes who died in World War II.
There are a lot of shops, restaurants, and cafés all around this big public square, and it’s always full of people selling food and gifts. There is also a Ferris wheel for tourists to ride to get a different view, as well as a lot of fun things to do, from street performers and buskers to great music events.
7. Van Gogh Museum
The amazing Van Gogh Museum has been one of Amsterdam’s best places to see since it opened in 1972. Those who love art and history should definitely go there. A modern building by Gerrit Rietveld holds the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and artefacts, most of which were donated by the artist’s brother Theo and other family members. It is a tribute to the artist’s often troubled life and exceptional talent.
The collection is made up of many important parts of the artist’s life: his realistic works (1880–1887), such as the famous “The Potato Eaters”; and his Impressionist works (1887–1891), during which he painted “Vase with Sunflowers,” which is probably his most famous work.
An amazing part of a visit is the “Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience,” which shows the painter’s life and times through vivid digital copies of his work.
Van Gogh’s peers, like Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, also made interesting art. You should see if the museum’s educational workshops in art, photography, and other subjects are available if you have time. On-site there is also a shop, a library, and a café.
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is the Anne Frank House a significant attraction in Amsterdam?
The Anne Frank House is where Anne Frank hid during WWII and wrote her famous diary. The museum has a Secret Annex that people can look around and learn about Anne Frank's life and the Holocaust.
Q2. What makes the Van Gogh Museum a must-visit for art enthusiasts?
The Van Gogh Museum has the most works of art by Vincent van Gogh than any other place. With works of art like "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night," visitors can learn about the famous Dutch painter's life and work.
Q3. Why is the Rijksmuseum a cultural highlight in Amsterdam?
The main museum of the Netherlands is the Rijksmuseum, which has a large collection of Dutch art and history. It is a culture treasure trove because people can see works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other great artists.
