The Netherlands’ capital city of Amsterdam is one of the most visited places in Europe. Amsterdam is the nation’s preeminent cultural hub, home to several theatres, research institutes, universities, academies, and museums in addition to over 40 museums. The city is renowned for its numerous well preserved old homes as well. These carefully conserved historic structures, arranged in a fan-like configuration, are supported by piles driven through an upper layer of mud and onto a solid, sandy bottom up to eighteen metres below. Approximately 6,750 structures from the 16th to the 18th century are crammed onto 2,000 acres that are crisscrossed by 160 canals (grachten), which are home to a large number of houseboats. With so many charming bridges connecting the 90 islands that make up the city, it should come as no surprise that Amsterdam is a fantastic place to explore on foot. In actuality, eight of these are historic wooden bascule bridges, one of which is the city’s most often photographed, the Magere Brug (Mager Bridge).
Discover the 10 Best Places to Visit in this Dynamic city Amsterdam.
1. See the Art Collections at the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum (National Museum), one of Amsterdam’s most well-known attractions and unquestionably the city’s most significant art repository, was established in 1798 to store the vast collection of unique artwork and artefacts in the nation. A million cultural artefacts from the 13th century to the present day are part of the museum’s outstanding collection, which spans 250 rooms and contains over 8,000 significant paintings. The Rijksmuseum is known for its paintings, but it also has a well-stocked library with more than 35,000 books and manuscripts, as well as a number of enlightening exhibits that trace the evolution of Dutch art and culture. Its collections of modern art forms, mediaeval sculpture, and traditional handicrafts are especially noteworthy.
There are numerous themed guided English language tour options. Try the entertaining art history canal tour, which visits many of the locations featured in the Rijksmuseum’s collections, or reserve a seat at the Michelin-starred restaurant within the museum for a unique experience. There are guided tours offered in English. Since about 2.5 million people visit each year, lines are likely to form, so get tour tickets online in advance.
2. Visit Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis) is located on the Prinsengracht. This house, which is dedicated to the much-too-brief life of one of the most well-known Holocaust victims worldwide, is where Anne’s family spent the majority of WWII hiding. The Franks were Jewish exiles from Frankfurt, Germany, and it was in this city that Anne began the journal that, following the war, became a worldwide best-seller. It was released not too long after her fifteen-year-old death, precisely two months before the war’s conclusion.
The house is mostly preserved in its original state and is a moving memorial to a dark chapter in history. It’s important to note that tickets sometimes sell out up to two months in advance, so plan early and buy your tickets online.
3. Experience Great Art at the Van Gogh Museum
Since its opening in 1972, the magnificent Van Gogh Museum has been a major draw for tourists and art enthusiasts alike. The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and artefacts, mostly donated by his brother Theo and other family members, is housed in this contemporary Gerrit Rietveld-designed structure, which is dedicated to the extraordinary artistry and often turbulent life of one of the nation’s most renowned painters. The collection, which spans two significant eras in the artist’s life, is divided into two main categories: his realistic works (1880 to 1887), which include the well-known The Potato Eaters, and his Impressionist period (1887 to 1890), which produced perhaps his most well-known piece, Vase with Sunflowers. The collection also includes 700 letters written to and by friends and family.
The remarkable “Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience,” an engrossing multimedia display of the painter’s life and times via vibrant digital reproductions of his works, is a visit’s high point. The artwork of Van Gogh’s contemporaries, which includes well-known creators like Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, is also noteworthy. Make careful to see whether the instructional programmes offered by the museum in subjects like painting and photography are available, if you have the time. There is also a library, store, and café on the premises.
4. Explore the Jordaan Neighborhood
Amsterdam’s most well-liked neighbourhood, Jordaan, is renowned for its eclectic mix of garden-court-style residential districts, bustling markets, and luxury shops and restaurants. The neighbourhood offers a plethora of enjoyable activities as well, such as strolling down one of the numerous charming streets or spending time at one of the many highly recommended tourist destinations. The region is home to lesser-known gems like the Amsterdam Cheese Museum and the Woonboots Museum, a floating museum devoted to houseboats, despite being most recognised for being the site of Anne Frank House.
Lindengracht is transformed into an enormous outdoor market on Saturday mornings, where you may purchase fresh vegetables, handmade goods, flowers, and other items ideal for packing a picnic basket. Every Monday morning, Westerstraat is filled with 200 vendors setting up shop, this time offering a broad selection of products in a bazaar akin to a flea market. The hippest spots to people-watch and savour traditional Dutch folk music are now Jordaan’s eateries and cafés.
5. Family Fun and Flowers at Vondelpark
With 120 acres and a plethora of entertaining activities, Vondelpark is the biggest and most popular park in Amsterdam. Apart from vast stretches of lawn interspersed with serene ponds and crossed by several pathways, the park boasts a charming rose garden with over 70 varieties of the flower.
In addition, there are playgrounds, a variety of sculptures and statues, and other recreational amenities including rollerblade rentals and the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre, which hosts theatrical and musical performances from May to September. You can still have a nibble or a full meal at one of the many cafés in the park if you haven’t packed a picnic.
6. People Watch at Dam Square
With good reason, Dam Square is one of Amsterdam’s busiest tourist destinations. The main attraction of the area is the 17th-century Royal Palace, also known as Koninklijk Palace, which served as the Dutch royal family’s residence and is currently the site of royal events.
Top tourist destinations including Madame Tussauds wax museum, the National Memorial Statue honouring Dutch troops who died in World War II, and the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) are all located in Dam Square. Naturally, there are a lot of cafés, restaurants, and shops lining this wide public square, and it is frequently crowded with sellers offering food and trinkets. There is also a Ferris wheel allowing visitors to enjoy a different viewpoint, and there is no shortage of entertainment for visitors, from top-notch music festivals to street entertainers and buskers.
7. Tour the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
The King’s home when he visits the city is the Royal Palace of Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam), once the Town Hall. When work on it began in 1648, it was an enormous undertaking that needed 13,659 piles to be sunk in order to sustain the enormous building. The outside, which is based on the architecture of classical Rome, is purely classical, but the interior is exquisitely furnished, with its chambers adorned with numerous friezes, marble statues, and reliefs. Admire the amazing ceiling paintings created by Rembrandt’s students, Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck.
Some highlights are the City Treasurer’s room with its marble fireplace and ceiling paintings by Cornelis Holsteyn, and one of the best furniture collections in the world. Bol and Flinck’s paintings can also be seen in the Hall of the Aldermen. One of the most exquisite staterooms in Europe, the Council Hall is the largest and most significant room. It is exquisitely furnished. There are informative audioguides included with admission, and guided tours in English are available.
8. West Church (Westerkerk)
One of the most well-liked churches in the city is Amsterdam’s West Church (Westerkerk), which is situated right close to the Anne Frank Museum. Undoubtedly, it’s among the most picturesque. This lovely Renaissance church, completed in 1630, is unique because of its numerous Gothic exterior and interior details. The tallest tower in the city, nicknamed “Langer Jan” (tall John) for its 85 metres, is located there. In honour of Emperor Maximilian of Austria, a huge replica of the emperor’s crown is perched atop the summit of the spire. A carillon inside the tower announces the hours.
A noteworthy organ from 1622 and an intriguing marble column erected here in 1906 in honour of Rembrandt are two other features. The renowned artist was later placed inside the chapel after being buried outside at first. There is a gift shop on the premises.
9. Rembrandt House Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Het Rembrandthuis) is located in the house on the Jodenbreestraat where Rembrandt and his wife Saskia lived the happiest (and most prosperous) years of their lives. He discovered models for his Biblical themes here in the Jewish Quarter, and it was here where he painted the scenes from his numerous trips around the canals. During his 20 years of residence, Rembrandt adorned the home with a variety of etchings and personal items in the manner of the 17th century. There are guided tours offered in English.
Zuiderkerk (South Church), where three of Rembrandt’s children and one of his students are buried, is only a two-minute stroll away. Designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser, who is buried here as well, it was the first Protestant church built in Amsterdam following the Reformation, having been completed between 1603 and 1611. It has undergone significant rehabilitation and is currently the hub for regional cultural events and activities. Rembrandt Square, which has a statue of the well-known painter and a number of cafés and restaurants, is another Rembrandt-related location in the city.
10. Visit One of the World’s Oldest Botanical Gardens
In the centre of the city, Amsterdam provides a startling amount of natural surroundings. The city’s botanical garden, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, is among the oldest in the world and ought to be on your touring schedule. This popular destination was first established in 1638 as a modest herb garden for physicians and apothecaries. These days, it has exotic flowers, uncommon plants and trees, and a sizable hothouse that encompasses several tropical zones.
The 1870s Orangery and the charming ancient pavilion, a hexagonal building from the late 17th century, are worth seeing on a visit. Notable is the Palm House as well, especially considering its Amsterdam School-inspired architecture. A vast range of uncommon plant and tree species may be found in the gardens, so plant fans are also in for a treat. Examples of Persian Ironwood trees and many other tropical plants in the ancient hothouse are worth noticing. In case you wish to stay longer, there’s a café on the premises.
FAQ’S:Â
Q1: What is the Anne Frank House?
The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who went into hiding during World War II. The museum is located in the actual house where Anne and her family hid, and it provides a moving and educational experience about the Holocaust.
Q2: What is the Rijksmuseum known for?
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and is renowned for its extensive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
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