If you’re heading to Amsterdam, make sure you don’t miss these ten must-do experiences.
Dam square
Dam square, or known more simply as the Dam, is a town square located near Centraal station at the intersection of some of the busiest streets of Amsterdam. This pretty little place is often the site of events and fairs on holidays such as Queen’s day and Christmas. A great place to start your visit, come here to feel the energy of the city and to admire the glorious Royal Palace.
You’ve heard the story of Anne Frank, now visit the house where it took place. The Anne Frank House is dedicated to the solemn memory of a young girl who lost her life during the Holocaust. View the original diary of Anne Frank along with other notebooks that are on display. The museum also features information on the wartime persecution of Jews, contemporary fascism, racism and anti-Semitism.
Visit a museum
To get your art fix, make sure you hit the ‘big three’ in Amsterdam. Check out the Van Gogh museum for a look at great masterpieces by the Dutch post-impressionist painter. Head to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam to view works by 17th century masters such as Vermeer and Rembrandt. This museum is also home to one of the most famous works by a Dutch master – Rembrandt’s Night Watch. And be sure to stop at the Hermitage Amsterdam to view Russian art, history and culture. The main exhibit at this museum features works from the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and changes every six months.
The canals of Amsterdam
There’s a reason why Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North”. Whether you rent a little water bike or take a tour in a glass top boat, exploring the beautiful canals and bridges of Amsterdam is a must for every visitor. Take the Golden Bend from Leidsestraat to Vijzelstraat to view the most beautiful stretch of canal houses. Then get out of the water and do some exploring on foot. Go to the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht for a unique view of fifteen bridges, and make sure to head down to the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) at night when it lights up to create the most romantic setting.
Narrowest house
In the seventeenth century when Amsterdam saw a flurry of development, houses began to pop up along the rings of the canals. Property taxes put in place by the government were based on the width of the buildings. So, the residents of the city opted to build narrow and tall houses to minimize tax payments. These skinny dwellings can be viewed along the canals of Amsterdam. The narrowest of them all is Singel 166, measuring a little more than 3 feet wide!
This is not just an ordinary brewery tour. The Heineken experience takes you on an interactive journey as you discover the history of their classic brew. The experience takes place in their former brewery where you’ll be able to see how beer is made, take a virtual ride where you experience what it’s like to be brewed as beer, and also visit the stable that is home to their handsome shire horses who deliver beer by wagon to some parts of the Netherlands even to this day. Of course a taste test is part of the experience, but at the end of the tour you’ll also walk away with a personalized bottle of Heineken.
The Red Light District
Visit Amsterdam’s Red Light District at night and you’ll find pretty much what you expected of the infamous seedy neighbourhood. But visit the same place during the day and you’ll have a completely different experience. What is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam is also one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Stunning 14th century architecture lines the long and narrow cobblestone streets while some of the older buildings lean at odd-angles bringing a quirky, yet charming appeal to the area.
Cafe culture
The good ol’ days when tourists could buy and smoke marijuana in Amsterdam’s infamous coffee shops are behind us. Even still, Amsterdam’s café culture is something worth checking out. Most of the cafes in the city serve drinks brewed from more than just the coffee bean and each spot definitely has a unique character. So take your time to browse some of the top coffee shops in the city. Here’s a great list of favourites to check out.
The flower market
Head to the canal Singel where you’ll find this market that is famous for selling flowers in floating barges. The tradition comes from the olden days when flowers and plants were brought to the market in barges. Today, that transportation method no longer remains as vans have replaced boats. But if you visit the market between 9 and 5 every day, you’ll still find the flowers being sold in barges floating on water against the street.
Catch a show
If you enjoy opera and ballet, head to the Muziektheater. If you prefer classical and jazz opt for The Concertgebouw. And if you like to save a few bucks, pick your favourite of the two and check out a free lunch time rehearsal concert. At 12:30p.m every Wednesday, you can enjoy a free 30-minute rehearsal concert at the Concertgebouw. On Tuesdays from October to June you’ll find a similar free treat at the Muziektheater.
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