Trip to Amsterdam should be on the travel list of every serious traveler. You probably heard all kind of stories about the capital of Netherlands but the thing that is 100% sure is that in Amsterdam you will have the time of your life. This city is destination worth of visiting all year around. Summer, winter, autumn or spring Amsterdam is a bingo!
Getting to Amsterdam – two words – Extremely Easy! Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the fifth busiest airport in Europe. It serves as a hub for EasyJet which means plenty of cheap flights from all over Europe. Round trip airfare starts at 565 USD if you fly from New York, 611 USD if you fly from Hong Kong and 111 USD if you fly from London.
Where to stay in Amsterdam:
The Toren (Keizersgracht 164)
The Posthoorn (Prinsengracht 7)
Ambassade Hotel (Herengracht 341)
Banks Mansion (Herengracht 519-522)
Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South (George Gershwinlaan 101)
Hotel V Nesplein (Nes 49)
Here are the top things to do while you are in this fantastic city!
Let’s be honest and say that the first stop of the most of the travelers that are coming to Amsterdam are coffee shops. These places are great for a little bit of chillin’, to have a coffee or a beer and it is also great place to start disclosing Amsterdam. Coffee shops are scattered all over the town. The most popular is Buldog, there are several in city center so find one and enjoy in the atmosphere. In Amsterdam you can find coffee shops where smoking marijuana is accepted so if you want to roll a joint you can do that there.
First thing that you will notice when you get here is that everybody is riding a bike. Bikes are on every corner so act like a local, rent a bike and take a ride through the beautiful streets, big squares and over the stone bridges. You must admit that this is one of the best way to discover everything that this city has to offer. Stop for a while in Vondelpark. If you are in the mood for something little less tiring you can always take a canal boat tour (prices start from 19 USD) which will give a bit different perspective of the town. So hop in and wait to see how beautiful Amsterdam is!
When you get hungry it is really easy to find nice and not so expensive restaurants. The thing that people from Amsterdam love to do is eat  street food. If you don’t know where to start you can always join street food group tasting tour. It starts from Magna Plaza shopping center which is situated just behind Royal Palace on Dam square. Price of this five-hour tour is 53 euros (60 USD). You should definitely try some cheese, haring and of course stroopwafel for desert. Great cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and bars you can find in De Pijp District. Best way to get there is by short tram ride from Central Station.
Is it necessary to write anything about the night life in Amsterdam? This is one of the liveliest cities in Europe so if you are in the mood of partying all night long you are in the right place. Here is very easy to find something for every taste. Are you for dub step, house, hip-hop or funk? There’s a place for you and not only during the weekends but every day in the week. Visit Cheeky Monday, Sneeky Sunday or Pardi Gras!
And what about the most famous Amsterdam Red Light District? Here is nothing left to imagination. In this area you can find lots of sex shops, strip clubs, theaters for adults and of course women of all nationalities that are staying in the red light-colored window parlors and calling you to come in. If the curtains are drawn it means that the lady is busy. As you probably already know prostitution is legal in Holland and most of it is concentrated in the Red Light District.
Tip: Don’t take photos of women in window parlours! They don’t like when people do that.
Top museums in Amsterdam:
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is probably one of the most famous museums in the world. Here you can see the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s works. Museum is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm and on Fridays until 10 pm. You can by your tickets online for the price of 17 euros (about 20 USD). Museum is located in Paulus Potterstraat 7.
Another museum that you can go to is the museum of Rembrandt’s life and work (Museum Het Rembrandthuis). It used to be a house where Rembrandt lived so come here and discover unknown things about life of this famous painter. This museum is situated just behind Red Light District. It is open every day from 10 am till 6 pm and admission fee is 12.50 euros (about 14.50 USD).
If you want to learn more about Netherlands visit Rijksmuseum. It is a Netherlands national museum and a place dedicated to arts and history. Museum is located on the Museum Square, near to the Van Gogh Museum. It is open every day from 9 am until 5 pm and the admission fee is 17.50 euros (about 20 USD).
Ana Frank Museum is a place where Anne Frank was hiding with her family during WW II and the place where she wrote her diary. In this museum you can see exhibition about her life. From April until October museum is open from 9 am until 9 pm and from November through March from 9 am until 7 pm. Price of the ticket that you can buy online is 9 euros (about 10.50 USD).
Day trip: Haarlem
While you are in Amsterdam think about day trip to Haarlem, one of the most charming towns in Netherlands. It is situated only 20 km from Amsterdam. You can go there by train from Amsterdam Central station (Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands), by bus or by bike if you are for a bit of adventure.
Walk around the Grote Markt, discover small gardens called hofjes, have a nice meal or enjoy in one of the annual festivals that are held there. It will definitely be one very interesting day and a great way to finish your trip to Amsterdam!
Have you been to Amsterdam or anywhere else in the Netherlands? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share? If so, you can leave your comments below.
