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Amsterdam

Overview

The Netherlands' capital city boasts one of the most relaxed atmospheres of any European metropolis. If you're planning a trip to Amsterdam, know that it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Amsterdam Tourism offers everything, from vibrant nightlife to picnic areas and world-class museums. You'll have a hard time making a decision!

Amsterdam is famous for renting a bike, enjoying a picnic in Vondelpark, go shopping in Jordaan's shops, cruise around gorgeous canals, eat famous street delicacies like herring at herring carts, see Anne Frank's historic home, or do beer tasting at de Gooyer's Brouwerij 'Tij' (and the tonnes of microbreweries on offer throughout the city). Amsterdam has so many things to do that the list is limitless.

Early Settlement and Growth

The establishment of Amsterdam is younger than the creation of other Low Country cities due to its geographical location in what used to be a wet wetland. According to the history of Amsterdam, local farmers settled in and around the region that ultimately became Amsterdam as early as three millennia ago. They lived near the ancient IJ river and its branch, the Amstel, upstream. The ancient IJ ran through bogs behind beach ridges and was a shallow, quiet stream. This isolated region may develop into a significant local population center, especially in the late Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman Age.

Even back then, Amsterdam commercial ships went as far as the Baltic Sea, laying the groundwork for the future commerce hub by serving as a link between northern Europe and Flanders (now northern Belgium and northern France). The counts of Holland ruled the city, and one of them, Count Floris V, gave a toll right to the homines manentes apud Amestelledamme ("people living near the Amstel dam") 1275. Amsterdam's name appears for the first time in this document; however, a complete charter was not issued until 1306. In 1489, Emperor Maximilian I granted Amsterdam permission to use the imperial crown on its armorial bearings as a token of appreciation for the city's support of the Burgundian-Austrian kings. Amsterdam, Holland's most important commercial town and port, and the northern Netherlands' granary had become a center of wealth and power in Europe at that time.

Following the Spanish conquest of the Netherlands in the 16th century, a religious and political uprising against Spanish persecution erupted across the area. Although, as per the history of Amsterdam, people were hesitant to join the revolt headed by William I (the Silent), Prince of Orange, the city saw a bloodless revolution in 1578. The magistrates were exiled, along with the bulk of Roman Catholic priests; religious orders and communities were secularized; the Dutch Reformed church essentially supplanted the Roman Catholic church, and Amsterdam joined the Dutch revolt against Spain.

Early Settlement and Growth

In history, Amsterdam was still a tiny city with a population of around 30,000 people. Still, things changed fast, particularly in 1585, when Spanish soldiers seized Antwerp (modern-day Belgium), the Netherlands' major port and economic center. The Schelde River, Antwerp's only route to the sea, was blocked by Dutch soldiers. The fall of Antwerp resulted in a massive migration of predominantly Protestant refugees into the northern Dutch cities, particularly Amsterdam. Their presence enriched the intellectual, cultural, and commercial life of the town. Banking and shipbuilding prospered in particular.

Despite this, Amsterdam remained the leading city for many years. In the 18th century, the decline began when London and Hamburg superseded Amsterdam as commercial centers, and London became Europe's financial capital. The Prussians, who supported William V, Prince of Orange's agenda, invaded Amsterdam in 1787. The French, who were welcomed as liberators in 1795, provided independence, but trade and shipping virtually ceased within a few years due to Napoleon's trade embargo on Britain. Although Napoleon declared the Netherlands a kingdom in 1806 with Amsterdam as its capital, it was absorbed into the French Empire by 1810. In 1813, Russian Cossacks pushed away from the French and invaded the city, and William VI, Prince of Orange, was crowned King of the Netherlands in Amsterdam's New Church on March 30, 1814.

The Modern City

During the Napoleonic period, the foreign trade on which Amsterdam had prospered suffered significantly. With the restoration of Dutch power and commerce in the East Indies in the 1830s, the city began to recover its wealth. After 1850, the population grew steadily, and by 1900, it had doubled (to 500,000). The economy's backbone was East Indian commerce and allied manufacturing. Built in the 1870s, the North Sea Canal enhanced the port by giving direct access to the North Sea. During World War I, trade was disrupted in Amsterdam, but modest prosperity returned in the 1920s. The capital suffered particularly badly during the Great Depression and World War II. In 1940, the German army invaded the Netherlands, and Allied bombers repeatedly struck industrial sectors. However, the expulsion of the city's 70,000 Jewish residents was the city's most significant loss. The Dutch Resistance performed heroic feats in Amsterdam and numerous modest acts of bravery in defending people persecuted by the Nazi dictatorship, such as Anne Frank's family. The city's Jews and their historic district, on the other hand, were nearly completely eradicated.

There was a complex reconstruction of historical sites in Amsterdam after the war, but by the 1950s, the economy was thriving. In the 1950s, the Netherlands was not a radical notion, and Amsterdam's history was generally conservative and respectable. The 1960s, on the other hand, ushered in a period of social and cultural transformation across the Western world, none more so than in Amsterdam, which embraced the libertarian radicalism for which it has become known ever since. The causes for the drastic transition are still being disputed. However, they include the long economic boom, the severity of religious structures in mainstream Dutch society in the mid-twentieth century, and typical Dutch tolerance of variety. Because of its radicalism, the city has a very open tolerance for recreational drug use and prostitution. Several radical movements developed in the 1960s and 1970s, some of them very political and organized, but many of the fun and sarcastic, based on street theatre. Public demonstrations frequently devolved into clashes with the increasingly befuddled and besieged police. Protests, confrontations, and riots over a range of political topics occurred in downtown Amsterdam regularly during the 1980s, including at Princess (later Queen) Beatrix's wedding in 1966 and at her coronation march in 1980. Although the intensity of street protests decreased in the 1990s, there is still a radicalism in Amsterdam's public life that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Amsterdam Demographics

Amsterdam lies in the Western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland, whose capital is Haarlem rather than Amsterdam. The river Amstel flows through the city center and links to a network of canals to the IJ. The city of Amsterdam is approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) below sea level. Because the surrounding terrain is made up of huge polders, it is flat. The Amsterdamse Bos, an artificial woodland, is located in the southwest. The lengthy North Sea Canal connects Amsterdam with the North Sea.

Amsterdam had a population of approximately 1,000 people in 1300. During the 15th and 16th centuries, many cities in Holland saw population declines. In contrast, Amsterdam's population increased due to the lucrative Baltic maritime commerce growth following the Burgundian victory in the Dutch–Hanseatic War. Nonetheless, city’s population was small compared to the towns and cities of Flanders and Brabant, which made up the Low Countries' most densely populated region.

This changed when many inhabitants from the Southern Netherlands fled to the north during the Dutch Revolt, notably after Antwerp fell to Spanish soldiers in 1585. Jews from Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe and Germans and Scandinavians arrived in Amsterdam. Between 1585 and 1610, the population of Amsterdam more than doubled. It had a population of about 50,000 people by 1600. Population peaked at 200,000 in the 1660s. For most of the 18th century, the city's population remained stable at approximately 240,000.

After London (676,000), Paris (560,000), and Naples (560,000), Amsterdam was the fourth biggest city in Western Europe in 1750. (324,000). This was even the more surprising given that Amsterdam was not the capital nor the seat of the Dutch Republic, which was a considerably smaller state than England, France, or the Ottoman Empire. Unlike the other metropolises, Amsterdam was bordered by major towns like Leiden (population: 67,000), Rotterdam (45,000), Haarlem (38,000), and Utrecht (population: 38,000). (30,000).

In the early nineteenth century, the city's population decreased, falling below 200,000 in 1820. Industrialization sparked new growth in the second part of the nineteenth century. The people of Amsterdam peaked at 872,000 in 1959 before losing in subsequent decades due to government-sponsored suburbanization to so-called groeikernen (growth centers) such as Purmerend and Almere. Between 1970 and 1980, Amsterdam's population fell precipitously, with a net loss of 25,000 inhabitants in 1973. Only 675,570 people lived in the city in 1985. Deurbanization and gentrification quickly followed, resulting in increased population growth in the 2010s.

The city of Amsterdam, as well as the Amsterdam metropolitan region around it, is heavily populated. Amsterdam area is 219.4 km2 (84.7 sq mi) of land and has a population density of 4,457 people per km2 and 2,275 homes per km2. Amsterdam's parkland and natural reserves account for 12% of the Amsterdam demographics.

Amsterdam Religion

In 1900, Christians constituted the city's most prominent religious group, with the Dutch Reformed Church accounting for 45 percent of the city's population and the Catholic Church accounting for 25 percent. Immigration from former colonies has shifted the religious demography of Amsterdam in recent years. Hinduism was brought in through Suriname's Hindu diaspora, while numerous different branches of Islam were brought in from worldwide. In Amsterdam, Islam has overtaken Christianity as the most popular non-Christian religion. The significant population of Ghanaian immigrants in the Bijlmer neighborhood has constructed African churches, typically in parking garages.

Amsterdam Climate

The city of Amsterdam and the majority of North Holland is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. Snow in Amsterdam is more familiar with easterly or northeasterly winds from the European continent's interior. Even yet, because Amsterdam is surrounded on three sides by vast bodies of water and has a strong heat-island effect, nights seldom drop below 5 °C (23 °F), but Hilversum, 25 km (16 mi) southeast, may easily reach 12 °C (10 °F).

Summers are mildly warm, with several hot days every month. In August, the average temperature in Amsterdam is 22.1 °C (72 °F), while temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F) or higher are rarely recorded on 2.5 days on average, putting Amsterdam in AHS Heat Zone 2. On average, there are 133 days a year with more than 1 mm (0.04 in) of precipitation.

The average annual precipitation in Amsterdam is 838 mm (33 in). Light rain or short showers account for the majority of the precipitation. During the colder months of October to March, cloudy and wet days are prevalent.

The months of April and early June and mid-September, and mid-October are best time to visit Amsterdam. The weather in Amsterdam is expected to be good during these times, but museums and sites will be less crowded than during the high summer tourist season. Mid-April is the finest time to visit Amsterdam to view the tulip fields in full bloom.

Amsterdam Tourism

Tourism, in its various forms, is a significant and increasing economic activity. Many people travel to Amsterdam for business or attend conferences, especially at the RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre. Day excursions to Amsterdam are also quite popular because many sights can be seen on foot in a single day.

How to Reach Amsterdam

By Air: Schiphol International Airport, one of the world's busiest, is located 15 kilometers southwest of the city center, and regular flights link it to several locations around the globe. While KLM is the Dutch national carrier, other airlines that fly here include Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and US Airways. From the airport, you may simply take a public bus or rent a cab to your accommodation.

By Road: Despite the Netherlands' well-kept and state-of-the-art highway network, driving into Amsterdam may not be the best option due to the city's many one-way streets and inadequate parking spaces. Even if you go in, it's best to park your car somewhere and explore the sights by bike, foot, or public transportation.

By Water: Amsterdam is an important European marine port. Taking a cruise to Amsterdam is a unique and luxurious way to travel.

By Train: Amsterdam has good train connections to the majority of European cities. From London, Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, and Berlin, high-speed trains go to Amsterdam. A train ride to the Dutch capital has its advantages since it allows you to see the beautiful countryside. It is advised that you take the Eurostar from London (with a change in Brussels) to Amsterdam, taking less than 7 hours.

Places to See in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, a wonder of invention built on a reclaimed ground, still brims with the aspiration, religious tolerance, and entrepreneurship that fueled the Netherlands' 17th-century Golden Age, when the country led the globe in commerce, naval power, culture, and economic strength.

This is the city of Rembrandt, Anne Frank, the Red-Light District, Johan Cruyff, and the Dutch East and West India Companies; it's a world full of exciting history, mesmerizing art, and time-tested architecture. Below is the list of finest places one must see in Amsterdam.

Museumplein: More culture may be found in just one plaza in the Museumkwartier than most other cities.

The Museumplein is located in Amsterdam's affluent Oud-Zuid neighborhood, which is known for its opulent homes, upscale stores, and Vondelpark, the city's favorite park.

However, the grassy square and its cluster of world-class institutions must be your primary objective.

The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Concertgebouw, one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam to see a classical symphony, are all included here.

After the erection of the Rijksmuseum in the 1880s, the area took shape, and the square was re-landscaped in 1999. The site hosts outdoor activities and celebrations throughout the year, including a skating rink from November to February.

Van Gogh Museum: The Van Gogh Museum, which opened in 1973, houses the world's most incredible collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh and is one of the best tourist attractions in Amsterdam.

This collection comprises 200 paintings, 500+ sketches, and 750 letters by contemporaries and influences such as Monet, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Signac, Manet, and Gauguin, as well as works by contemporaries and influences such as Rodin, Monet, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec, Manet, and Gauguin.

Van Gogh's work is shown chronologically, with results from Nuenen/Antwerp (1880-86), Paris (1886-88), Arles (1888-1889), Saint-Rémy (1889-90), and Auvers-Sur-Oise (1889-90) on display (1890). Sunflowers, Almond Blossoms, Bedroom in Arles, and Wheatfield with Crows are among the must-try dishes.

The Van Gogh Museum is the most visited in the Netherlands, with over 2.1 million visitors each year.

Places to See in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum: The Rijksmuseum, a purpose-built neo-Gothic castle, is a fantastic display for Dutch art, applied art, and historical relics, beckoning you through 800 years of Dutch history.

Approximately 8,000 items are on display at any given time, with the collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings serving as the museum's apex for many.

Classics like Johannes Vermeer's The Milkmaid, Rembrandt's The Night Watch, and Frans Hals' Portrait of a Young Couple.

Delftware, textiles, glass, armor, clothing, sculpture, and magnificent 17th-century dollhouses will take you on a journey through Dutch culture and creativity and become a point of interest for tourists in Amsterdam.

Anne Frank House: The Anne Frank House, located on the Prinsengracht, maintains the hidden annex where the young diarist Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution from 1942 until 1944 when she was arrested with her family and four other residents. The apartments are located behind a 17th-century canal mansion that served as the Dutch headquarters of the spice and gelling firms Frank's father Otto worked.

After the Holocaust, Otto was the Frank family's lone survivor, and he published his daughter's journal in 1947. The original copy of this seminal work and pictures and mementos from the Frank family and the other four residents of the annexe are displayed.

Stedelijk Museum: The Stedelijk Museum, which has been open since 1895 and is dedicated to modern and contemporary art from Vincent van Gogh forward, is the third of that trinity of cultural giants Museumplein.

All of the significant Dutch art movements are represented, including Neo-Impressionism, De Stijl, Bauhaus, Cobra, and Pop art, becoming a part of a few of the major attractions of Amsterdam.

Painting, sculpture, installation art, video art prints, posters, graphic design, and artist publications are among the mediums available.

Karel Appel, Piet Mondrian, x Kandinsky, Cézanne, Piet Mondrian, Andy Warhol, Chagall, Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Gilbert & George, to mention a few, are among the artists represented.

Places to See in Amsterdam

Heineken Experience: The massive 19th-century brewery building in the De Pijp neighborhood reopened as a museum to one of the world's favorite pilsners when Heineken relocated to a new site on Amsterdam's outskirts in 1988.

This had grown into the Heineken Experience, which spans four floors and tells the Storey of the brand's beginnings in 1873 when a student of Louis Pasteur collaborated with Gerard Adriaan Heineken to produce a unique yeast is a must-see tourist attraction in Amsterdam.

There are still brewing artefacts on display, such as massive copper containers, as well as multimedia exhibitions, a strange 4D experience that shows what it's like to be brewed and bottled, and, of course, a tasting bar.

Leidseplein: If you're going out in Amsterdam, you'll almost certainly end yourself on Leidseplein.

Discos, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and a casino are all located in this prominent area.

The Bulldog, Amsterdam's most renowned coffee shop, is located on Leidseplein. At the same time, De Melkweg is a legendary music venue that has hosted the Beastie Boys, U2, and Prince, to mention a few.

In the summer, Leidseplein is dominated by restaurant and café terraces, where people gather to see jugglers, living statues, break-dancers, and buskers perform.

The neo-Renaissance Stadsschouwburg (1894), the former home of the National Ballet and Opera.

When AFC Ajax achieves a major victory, there is generally a large celebration on the steps of this monument.

In 1987, there is an iconic image of Johan Cruyff hoisting the Cup Winners' Cup aloft over the plaza.

Royal Palace: This massive structure on Dam Square wasn't always a palace; it served as Amsterdam's municipal hall in the middle of the 17th century.

This famous monument in Amsterdam, made of yellowy sandstone imported from Bentheim, Germany, depicted a confident metropolis and was once thought to be Europe's most incredible secular structure.

In 1806, Louis Napoleon transformed the structure into a palace, and there remain many relics from the building's previous life as a municipal hall.

The Atlas sculpture above the pediment represents Amsterdam's pivotal position in world events during the Golden Age.

The Burgerzaal is a magnificent marble hall with Blaeu's maps and figurative sculptures of the four elements on its arches for Amsterdam's all-powerful burgomasters.

Louis Napoleon's court's Empire-style sculpture, furnishings, chandeliers, and bronze pendulum clocks are still in place, infused with mythical symbolism and a must-see place of Amsterdam.

Places to See in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Museum: It's hard not to be curious about a city constructed on stilts and known for free thought, tolerance, Johan Cruyff, the Dutch East India Company, architectural innovation, a famed Red-Light District, and much more.

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo: Founded in 1838, this historic institution in the Plantage neighborhood is Amsterdam's and the Netherlands' oldest zoo.

Artis' appeal stems partly from its old structures, such as the library (1867) and aquarium (1882). Children will, of course, be enthralled by the animal collection, which includes over 900 species.

There are Asian elephants, chimps, giraffes, caiman, a wide variety of turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, and predators such as jaguars and lynxes, Alaskan wolves, and lions, to name a few.

Artis also has a botanical attraction, with over 200 tree varieties and oak in the chimp enclosure estimated to be at least 250 years old.

Amsterdam Central Station: The famed Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers constructed the Amsterdam Central Station, which was completed in 1889. Cuypers also created the Rijksmuseum, and there are parallels between the two ancient structures if you look closely. For many, the station's construction signalled that Amsterdam was finally ready to move on and leave the Golden Age behind. The Amsterdam Central Station is one of Europe's most sophisticated and busiest railway stations, and it provides a spectacular entrance into the city of Amsterdam for visitors. Particularly for first-timers.

Dam Square: This crowded area is only a five-minute walk down the Damrak from Centraal Station, bustling with inhabitants and visitors day and night. There is always something going on, regardless of the weather. It's fun to go about the city and take in the sights. However, if you have an entertaining and informative commentary, an efficient route, and knowledge of hidden jewels, your holiday time will be better spent.

Things to Do in Amsterdam

There are countless things to do in Amsterdam in any weather, and many of the most gratifying experiences are found outside of the city's well-trodden tourist pathways. We've narrowed down the options to this crucial guide to help you navigate the variety of delights.

Cycle to Hidden Gems: In Amsterdam, there are approximately 800,000 bicycles. There are more bicycles than humans! Cycling in Amsterdam makes your life simpler by the city's unrivalled network of cycling lanes and flat terrain. Amsterdam consistently ranks first on lists of the world's most cycle-friendly cities, and there's no better way to see the go sightseeing in Amsterdam than on two wheels. Get on your bike and ride to Sloterplas for a swim in the large lake, or pedal to Ouderkerk Aan de Amstel for a tour of a 12th-century village idyll full of historical sites. From the comfort of your saddle, you can explore many of Amsterdam's best-kept secrets.

Try herring from a herring cart: Raw herring may seem intimidating to the inexperienced, but it is something that every tourist to Amsterdam should try. Ask for a 'broodje haring,' which is the fish served in a tiny sandwich with pickles and onions, and you'll see haringhandels (herring carts) all around the city. When the herring is believed to be at its tastiest, May and July is the most significant time to try raw herring. Are you still hungry? During your stay in Amsterdam, see if you can eat your way through all of these classic Dutch delicacies.

See Windmills, Countryside and Beaches: If you're staying in town for more than a few days, take a day excursion to see the many sites in the region. A vast panorama of beautiful countryside, beaches, windmills, and ancient towns is within a short distance from Amsterdam, easily accessible from the city center. The lovely city of Haarlem, only 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central, is rich in history and culture, as well as a diverse range of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Suppose you prefer to relax on the beach. In that case, the magnificent golden lengths of Bloemendaal Aan Zee and Zandvoort Aan Zee will be pleased to accommodate you with golden sands dunes and various activities to do in Amsterdam.

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Immerse yourself in Culture at Westergas: This extensive collection of old industrial buildings in Westerpark was once the city's municipal gasworks. Westergas has been turned into a vibrant cultural center, with a wide range of appealing bars, restaurants, coffee roasters, a microbrewery, an art-house cinema, and a slew of other creative companies. Regular food markets, mini-festivals, and events, such as the lively Sunday market held on the first Sunday of every month, visiting this market are one of the fun things to do in Amsterdam.

Catch the free ferry to Amsterdam Noord's renovated shipyard: Many tourists to Amsterdam never make it north of Amsterdam Central Station, which is a pity given the thriving food, drink, and cultural scene that has sprung up on the other side of the canal and a lot of fun activities in Amsterdam. A short (free) boat ride will take you to several destinations, including cultural hub NDSM, where you can enjoy a variety of fashionable waterside hangouts as well as numerous festivals and events.

Go to a concert at a world-famous venue: Whether you want to listen to live music in a grand concert hall or a little dive bar, Amsterdam has you covered. Paradiso, housed in a converted church, has hosted legendary performers such as The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols and continues to present a stellar lineup of worldwide talent. Concertgebouw is a stately dame known for her outstanding acoustics and lineup of world-class orchestras and a wide range of famous performers. The intimate setting of the Roode Bioscoop—a 100-year-old former cinema—allows the audience to engage with the acoustic musicians.

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Experience culture, film and architecture across the IJ: Since its opening in Spring 2012, the stunning white EYE building has quickly become one of Amsterdam's most recognizable sights, dominating the vista from the southern banks of the IJ behind Central Station. The EYE Filmmuseum is a must-see in Amsterdam for film enthusiasts, with a permanent exhibition space that features retrospectives and contemporary shows and an extensive film library, theatre, and excellent café bar with a waterside patio. From behind Central Station, board the free 'Buiksloterweg' boat, which takes three minutes. The I Amsterdam City Card entitles you to free admission to the EYE film museum.

Wake up and smell the tulips: Tulips are a distinctive emblem of Dutch culture, and a vacation to the Netherlands would be incomplete without seeing these magnificent blossoms. If you're in Amsterdam in the spring, take a 20-minute journey out to the world-famous tulip fields (Bollenstreek), which sprawl across kilometers of lowland fields between Haarlem and Leiden in colorful stripes. The bulbs flow out of bouquets at the Bloemenmarkt, fill the windows of the Tulip Museum, and seem to spring forth from every conceivable planter during the Tulip Festival, which lasts the whole month of April.

Pink Beach Amsterdam: When this 800-meter pink beach bar in Amsterdam North opens, you can practically place your toes in the pink sand. Pink will be used for the umbrellas, pool, seats, palm trees, and beverages.

Mama Kelly, a completely pink restaurant that attracts influencers, demonstrates that pink is popular in the Dutch city. You may order meals and beverages in addition to resting on the beach chairs. There's something for everyone from the Palm Springs Burger to the Nacho Salad Bowl or the Pink Beach Special Salad. To top it off, you can get a Barbie's Pink G&T or Mermaid Tears (which we've always wanted to try!).

Canal Cruises in Amsterdam

The 165 canals that run through Amsterdam were built in the 17th century to improve the city's transit system and promote trade. This UNESCO World Heritage Site now characterizes the landscape of Amsterdam. One of the most delicate things to do in Amsterdam's urban canal ring and other waterways is to take a boat trip.

Champagne Cruise with Friendship: Amsterdam's boat excursions refused to cruise the city's notorious Red Light district's waterways for many years. However, with its Champagne Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, the new Friendship cruise line shattered the norm. You'll pass Hortus Botanicus, the Amstel, the Skinny Bridge, the Maritime Museum, and other famous landmarks in Amsterdam are in addition to the Red-Light District.

Candlelight Dinner Cruise: The Amsterdam Jewel Cruises dinner cruises are recommended for couples who want to spend. As you board the magnificent wooden boat, which dates back to 1898, you'll undoubtedly sense a sense of enchantment in the air. It's one of the most intimate trips you can take without arranging a private boat because each boat can only hold 20 people. While there will be no narrative like on typical boat trips, the skipper will point out famous landmarks in Amsterdam are along the route. The three-course meal is the main feature you'll enjoy during the unhurried tour, which lasts around two hours and 45 minutes.

Blue boat Company's Historical Tour: The Rijksmuseum Canal Cruise in Amsterdam, offered by Blue Boat Company, is a great boat trip for history and art enthusiasts. This unique trip was created in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum and takes in places that influenced the museum's art collection. You'll visit Rembrandt's house, as well as the location where he painted "The Nightwatch" and other works.

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Finding a traditional local restaurant in Amsterdam may be difficult because traditional Dutch dishes are more suited to home cooking than a night out. You'll likely see substantial meals anchored on beef, mashed potatoes, and greens through any home's notoriously uncontained windows.

Jansz: In this old apothecary's store with a canal outlook, classics with a contemporary twist are the order of the day. From the cuisine to the imported marble tabletops, everything here has an understated elegance, spread across various rooms with essential yet elegant décor. Chef Jeroen Robberegt's food is solid and flavorful, whether it's the Dover sole, hanger steak, or lobster risotto. While supper is the main event, they also serve a great lunch and cheerfully accommodate children, making it one of Amsterdam's best places to eat.

De Kas: A trip to De Kas is a necessity if you're looking for the best, freshest vegetables, tastefully prepared. They provide a fixed daily menu – you just pick how many dishes you want – cooked with vegetables and herbs produced in their nursery, which dates back to 1926. Their farm-to-table credentials are immaculate, and the meals highlight the finest qualities of each item.

Sotto Pizza: Quality pizza was a novelty in a city with so many Italian eateries. That is no longer the case. Delicate dough with a flawlessly charred crust, San Marzano tomato sauces, and melting pools of Buffalo mozzarella has given birth to two new locations and membership in the renowned Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana - one of only two in the country is the top restaurant in Amsterdam. It doesn't get much better than this when it comes to pizza.

Stork: Stork, a vast, south-facing area on the banks of the River IJ, is one of the best places in Amsterdam to eat fresh fish and shellfish. A free boat will take you over the water to Noord, where you may eat entire lobsters, oysters, 'catch of the day' specialities, and a delectable seafood platter. If the weather is nice, get a glass of ice-cold white wine and take a seat on the terrace to watch the river traffic go by.

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Moeders: At 'Mothers,' a quirky city-center eatery adorned with photos of customers' actual mothers, it's all about the stamppot. The combination of mashed potato, cabbage, bacon, and sausage, the closest thing the Dutch have to a national meal, is quite a plateful, especially when it comes with an additional meatball. There's lots more to pick from, but come hungry and skip the appetizers — the quantities are massive.

Wilde Zwijnen: The 'Wild Boar' has become a trendy (and more popular) hotspot in Oost thanks to its industrial, shabby-chic décor and ever-changing daily menu of modern Dutch cuisine this place has become one the top restaurants in Amsterdam. The concept is simple:

Select three or four dishes.

Drink a glass of wine.

Let the chef work its magic with fresh, seasonal ingredients (try the boar, though).

If you're looking for something a little lighter, walk next door to their Eatbar, where smaller, individual dishes start at just €7.

Cannibale Royale: This top restaurant in Amsterdam is nestled down in the basement of De Pijp is a paradise for all things chargrilled, so meat lovers rejoice. Perfect burgers – try the house specialty with pulled pork – jerk-style roast chicken and the most delicate ribs in town are just a few of the highlights. If you're a steak fan and you're hungry, here is the place to You're protected with their 1kg Absurd, which must be bought 24 hours in advance. Their craft beer programme is also fantastic, with a rotating selection of local breweries on tap.

Pesca: Have you ever been to a self-described "fish theatre"? No, we don't think so. But, exactly, what does that imply? Pesca greets you with a glass of champagne while you browse the day's catch — cod, mussels, octopus, and scallops – elegantly set out on the ice. You take a table and wait for a dish of near-perfectly cooked fish once you've made your pick, beverages, and sides have been added. The food is complemented with a buzzy, fast-paced environment, making it a perfect starting place for a night out.

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Eddy Spaghetti: Instead of going to the stuffier (and more expensive) Italian eateries in the city center and West, go to this cozy small cafe in Oost. Their pasta menu is small but sweet, with dishes like linguine alla cozze, all'arrabbiata, and a delicious lamb ravioli, and thin-crust pizzas. Leave room for the handmade tiramisù, and if you're feeling very indulgent, get a negroni from the bartender - it's one of the finest in town.

Restaurant Blauw: Head to this high-ceilinged room in the Oud-Zuid neighborhood, slightly southwest of Vondelpark, for a contemporary twist on Indonesian cuisine. This lively place may be named 'Blue,' but it is decorated in black, white, and red, with a mural-sized family photo adorning one wall. Traditional rijsttafels (including a vegan alternative) are available or try the 'Experience Menu' for a taste of Indonesian street cuisine.

Places to Stay in Amsterdam

Choose from elegantly converted ancient canal homes, sleek-and-chic boutique B&Bs, and sumptuous short-stay flats, as well as more unusual choices such as houseboats, a converted tram depot, and even a crane. Budget travelers are also catered for, with cheap beds plentiful in the city's hostels and campgrounds.

Flying Pig Downtown: This hostel is clean, spacious, and well-managed by former travelers who understand the demands of backpackers. With mixed dorms, some of which have queen-sized bunks sleeping two, it's understandably popular and a great place to stay in Amsterdam.

Hotel Prinsenhof: Since 1813, this modest one-star inn has been providing bed and breakfast. The 11 rooms are big and nicely designed, making it one of the best affordable alternate Places to stay in Amsterdam, although reservations are required.

De L’Europe Amsterdam: This beautiful old-timer offers a prime riverfront position and plenty of fin-de-siècle charm. These accommodations are the best place in Amsterdam to stay because they are spacious and luxurious, and there is a two-Michelin-star restaurant, Bordeaux, a spa and the lavish Freddy's Bar.

Waldorf Astoria: The hotel features 93 rooms and suites in beautiful, relaxing neutral hues, housed in a set of linked seventeenth-century canal houses in one of the city's most prominent neighborhoods. Except for the exorbitant price, it's difficult to find any flaws.

Hotel De Hallan:The spectacular transformation of this 1902 tram depot has generated a lot of attention. The 55 rooms appear suspended inside the structure, with original rails on the dining room floor and a vaulted glass ceiling.

Places to Stay in Amsterdam

Maison Rika: This boutique alternative is housed in a former art gallery and offers two nicely decorated queen-sized bedrooms on the second and third floors, as well as a shop across the street owned by fashion designer Ulrika Lundgren.

Llyod Hotel: This old jail and refugee workers' hostel in the Oosterdok (eastern docklands) neighborhood has been converted into a "cultural embassy," complete with an arts center and an art library. With rooms ranging from one-star affairs with communal bathrooms to five-star suites, the hotel caters to a wide range of travelers.

Hotel Adolesce: In an ancient canal house near Waterlooplein, a popular and pleasant four-story hotel (no lift). There are ten clean, though a bit dated, rooms available and public dining space.

Hotel Arena: This trendy four-star hotel, located a short distance east of the city center, features split-level rooms in soothing grey or cream. The bar and the small restaurant with garden patio, as well as a bustling late-night club housed within the ancient chapel, provide a beautiful, calm feel.

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Overview

Early Settlement and Growth

Early Settlement and Growth

The Modern City

Amsterdam Demographics

Amsterdam Religion

Amsterdam Climate

Amsterdam Tourism

How to Reach Amsterdam

Places to See in Amsterdam

Places to See in Amsterdam

Places to See in Amsterdam

Places to See in Amsterdam

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Things to Do in Amsterdam

Canal Cruises in Amsterdam

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Places to eat in Amsterdam

Places to Stay in Amsterdam

Places to Stay in Amsterdam

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