Amsterdam what to see, places of interest in the Dutch capital

The territory on which it stands today Amsterdam it is a former quagmire, dried and forged to build the city: the center, in fact, is surrounded by four large channels, Called grachtengordel. Amsterdam canals. Amsterdam is mainly divided into two areas: west of Dam Square il Nieuwe Zijlde (new area), while to the east theOude Zijlde (old area).

See also Curiosities about Amsterdam that many don't know

1 Amsterdam travel guide

Water is a constant presence in the capital ofHolland. As well as the 165 canals that cross its center and the 1281 bridges that keep it together. On this "amphibian" skeleton, you can admire those magnificent tall and narrow houses, built on stilts, once used as warehouses or homes, and which still stand out today for the elegance and characteristic pediments of the facades.

The most beautiful ones overlook the canals herengracht e keizersgracht, where the aristocracy and rich merchants of the Golden Age invested their considerable earnings. The most romantic and naïve heart of a cultured and modern city beats on the canals, which offers citizens and tourists endless possibilities for leisure and entertainment.

60 theaters and concert halls; 42 museums and over 140 art galleries, including the prestigious ones Van Gogh Museum (collects approximately 200 paintings, 600 drawings and 700 letters by the artist); the Hermitage  Amsterdam and Stedelijk Museum, one of the most important modern and contemporary art galleries in the world. There is no shortage of art containers even in the surroundings of Amsterdam.

In Amsterdam, even the small rituals of everyday life are very pleasant, such as walking or cycling along the canals; stop in one of the characteristic bruine cafés, literally, brown cafés, because they had walls blackened by smoke and time; or sift through the food, clothing and flower stalls of the Albert Cuyp Markt, the city's most famous and popular market.

Very useful for visiting the city is the “I Amsterdam City Card“, also known simply as the “Amsterdam Card”, which allows free entry and discounts in some museums and clubs: more information on Amsterdam Card.

Amsterdam places of interest

2 What to see in Amsterdam: Dam Square

In this square, which is the heart of the medieval center of Amsterdam, the river dam stood Amstel which gave rise to the name of the city. The Royal (Royal Palace), built in the mid-1808th century, was originally the town hall before Louis Bonaparte evicted the mayor in XNUMX during the French occupation. In the center of Dam Square stands the war memorial, a gigantic obelisk at the foot of which groups of tourists and locals gather. Another characteristic of this square is the presence of numerous pigeons now accustomed to the presence of tourists.

What to see in Amsterdam

3 Amsterdam: red light district

Amsterdam Red Light District. The main feature of the de Wallen, i.e. the infamous red light district of the capital of the Netherlands, is the presence of shop windows where splendid prostitutes are on display and attract passers-by with live erotic shows. Amsterdam red light district. Among the streets of Red Light District it is possible to meet groups of young tourists looking for transgression, but also families wandering nonchalantly between one alley and another in the neighborhood. Amsterdam shop windows. The red light district is easily reached east of Dam Square.

4 Amsterdam: coffee shop

Between one shop window and another it is easy to come across one of the characteristic ones Coffee Shop, places where you can find menus with various types of cannabis and hashish. These are easily identified by the hemp leaf or Rastafarian flag placed on the window. Amsterdam is a city so liberal towards soft drugs that it attracts targeted tourism which disturbs part of the population and the political class.

Amsterdam museums

5 Places of interest in Amsterdam: Anne Frank House

One of the most evocative and moving places in Amsterdam is certainly the house where the family Frank he took refuge for two years during the Nazi occupation of Holland. This is where the young woman Anna wrote the famous one Diary, which today we find displayed in a glass case inside the museum. It was his father who facilitated the opening of the museum and the publication of the diary Otto, sole survivor of the Frank family atholocaust. Opening hours: from 9am to 21pm from mid-March to mid-September, and from 9am to 19pm in the remaining months.

Amsterdam what to visit

6 What not to miss in Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum

An essential stop during your stay in Amsterdam is undoubtedly the Van Gogh museum, where over 200 paintings by the famous Dutch painter are kept. The building contains its largest collection in the world and is divided into five periods, starting with the Dark Works of the Dutch period and continuing through Paris and Arles where the palette became extraordinarily lively. Among the most famous works on display are: The potato eaters, Bedroom in Arles e Wheat field with crows. The museum also houses some paintings by his dear friend and contemporary Paul Gaugin. Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 18pm, Friday from 10am to 20pm.

7 Must see: Rijksmuseum

Il Rijksmuseum , the most important and largest museum in Amsterdam, is located in an extraordinary building designed by Peter Cuypers. The complex is an impressive orgy of neo-Gothic towers, turrets and stained glass windows that dominate the entire Museum Quarter. Inside there is a rich collection of paintings byDutch Golden Age, as well as sculptures, decorative arts, prints and photographs. The centerpiece of the museum is the painting The night patrol di Rembrandt, which alone is worth the visit. Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 18pm, Friday from 9am to 22pm.

Things to do in Amsterdam

8 Jewish Historical Museum

In the midst of 4 splendid XNUMXth century synagogues lies the suggestive Jewish museum. The building houses a vast collection illustrating the history of the Jews in Holland, highlighting their enormous contribution to the growth of Amsterdam. The museum was inaugurated in 1930, but during the second World War it was looted and closed. It was restored and reopened only in the 80s. Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday from 11am to 17pm, Thursday from 11am to 21pm.

9 What to do in Amsterdam: canal cruise

A boat ride along the canals of Amsterdam is certainly one of the most evocative ways to admire the sights and attractions of the city. Most of the cruises on the canals they last about an hour, during which a guide illustrates the route enriching his story with interesting anecdotes about the city. Most tours depart near the Central Station, along the Damrak, where the ticket offices of the various companies are also present.

10 The surroundings of Amsterdam: Haarlem, Alkmaar, Naarden and Muiden

I surroundings of Amsterdam they allow you to discover that postcard Holland, which lives in the imagination of all of us. In particular, this itinerario proposes a visit to Haarlem, Alkmaar, Naarden e Muiden, four very interesting cities, near Amsterdam.

Surroundings of Amsterdam: Haarlem

About fifteen kilometers from Amsterdam, it nestles Haarlem, a treasure chest of art and culture, which served as the backdrop to the canvases of the great masters of the Golden Age, such as Frans Hals, a native of the area, to whom a rich museum is dedicated, with still lifes, landscapes dotted with mills wind similar to those still in operation, portraits and much more.

Surroundings of Amsterdam: Alkmaar

Dutch cheese lovers shouldn't miss a visit to Alkmaar, a town with character, moved by a beautiful network of canals and drawbridges, also famous for the market, which is held every Friday, between April and September, on the Waagplein, where the cheesemongers in costume give off a warm folkloric note.

Surroundings of Amsterdam: Naarden

But they are also unmissable Naarden e Muiden. The first is one of the most picturesque fortified cities in Holland, whose flagship is the church of Sint-Vitus, famous for its magnificent frescoed ceiling and the very high bell tower, from the top of which the eye captures the most beautiful panorama of the region.

Surroundings of Amsterdam: Muiden

The second, Muiden, was for centuries the port of Utrecht; It boasts a beautiful profile of a fortress city, with the historic center dominated by the Muiderslot, a fairytale castle, furnished with XNUMXth century pieces, and easily visitable.

Amsterdam airport

11 How to get to Amsterdam and how to get around

Amsterdam flights. THESchipol airport it is located 15 km south-east of the centre. Amsterdam airport. From here you can take a train to Central Station which leaves every 15 minutes, or even buses and taxis. Centraal Station is Amsterdam's main station and is located at the end of Damrak, a few hundred meters from Dam Square. Most of the city's points of interest can be easily reached on foot, but the organization of public transport is excellent. The most suitable choice is trams, but buses and a short subway line are also available. To store luggage there is the option Drop&Go.

12 When to go to Amsterdam

One of the most beautiful times to visit Amsterdam is certainly spring tulips bloom and the life of the canals begins to move. But the Christmas in Amsterdam it is truly magical, like in the rest of the cities of northern Europe. However, Amsterdam is a city of four seasons because the mountain does not detract from the beauty of the Dutch city and then, in summer, the unmissable festival that wind here and there.

Christmas in Amsterdam

Celebrate the Christmas and New Year's Eve in Amsterdam, the Venice of the north, is a unique and fun pleasure thanks to low-cost flights, good accommodation in hotels, B&Bs and many street parties. The Dutch capital remains a city of undoubted charm, so traditionally welcoming yet cosmopolitan and modern. Bright colours, relaxed atmosphere but always bursting with energy, Amsterdam it's a heart that beats strong every day, but even more so during Advent season and of the parties that, between Christmas and Epiphany, accompany citizens and visitors through the bright and decorated streets of the city.

Epicenter of Amsterdam becomes Dam Square which, with its majestic Christmas tree, renews the magic of the most beloved holiday.
The fairy tale begins on December 5th with the traditional one which, generous as ever, also offers the opening of the sales in Amsterdam: the opportunity is tempting for lovers of Shopping for Christmas gifts.

Between flower markets and Christmas markets, as Advent passes, Amsterdam is preparing to welcome the new year thanks to numerous city initiatives. Once again the center of the New Year's Eve party in Amsterdam is Dam Square which transforms into an open-air disco, enlivened by the musical performances of famous DJs lit up with joy by the fireworks at Nieuwmarkt Square or from those of Prinsengracht – Bloemgracht bridge. For those who fear the cold - averted however by wild singing and dancing until dawn - there are numerous parties organized in historic pubs and coffee shops in Amsterdam.

Fun, transgression, joy, music, parties, out of artifice blend perfectly with the intellectual air of the city, so rich in magnificent buildings, museums spectacular and structures designed to delve into multiple art forms.

Amsterdam Guide

13 What to eat in Amsterdam

La traditional Dutch cuisine it includes plates of fatty meat and potatoes, pies with all sorts of fillings and gigantic sandwiches with meat, cheese or fish. Obviously the influence of cuisines from other cultures is felt, especially French and Indonesian. However, the city's multi-ethnic population offers an abundance of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Italian restaurants, all with reasonably reasonable prices. To start the day on the right foot we recommend the delicious apple pie Shop or the delicious ones brunch of the De Bakkerswinkel. For lunch we recommend the Haesje Claes restaurant, a comfortable, old-fashioned Dutch place that serves it as its specialty printer, a potato and cabbage stew with sausages. For a super traditional dinner Vijff Vlieghen restaurant it's ideal, with a typical Dutch cuisine menu.

Amsterdam hotels

14 Where to sleep in Amsterdam

Being a very popular tourist destination, the numerous hotels in Amsterdam they are often very expensive and almost always sold out. It is advisable, if not essential, to book in advance. Amsterdam hotels center. For younger and less demanding tourists it is possible to stay in one of the numerous hostels present especially near the red light district. There is no shortage of other accommodation facilities such as B&Bs or guest houses.

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Amsterdam Map

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