We are a Dutch company, and our headquarters are located in Amsterdam. Several of us regularly travel there to greet our Dutch colleagues, and we thought it would be a great idea to use our blog space to share some tips on what not to miss when visiting Amsterdam. To make planning your trip to this beautiful city easier, we’ve also included some tricks to save time and money.
First, here are the most famous places worth visiting in Amsterdam. The city has many other interesting attractions, so you’ll surely find something that suits you!
1. Amsterdam Canals and Boat Tour: A walk around the canals and a boat tour are some of the best things you can do in Amsterdam. The city is interlaced with 165 canals, spanning a total length of 71 km. Take a romantic evening cruise and admire the beautifully lit bridges. Prices start at €16 for a 1-1.5 hour cruise.
2. Rijksmuseum: If you choose only one museum, it should be the Rijksmuseum. It houses the best collection of Dutch master artworks from Rembrandt to Vermeer. The tour is extensive, and you can easily spend several hours here.
3. Bloemenmarkt Flower Market: This market is a unique place where you can admire and buy various kinds of flowers, especially tulips. It is located on a boat on the Singel canal.
4. Red Light District: This district is known for its liberal policy and legal prostitution. It’s also a place with many cafes, bars, and nightlife. A walk through this district is an experience in itself.
5. Jordaan: This district offers narrow streets, art galleries, cafes, and boutiques. It’s a great place for a stroll and to soak in the local atmosphere.
6. Oude Kerk: The Old Church (Oude Kerk) is the oldest building in Amsterdam and worth a visit. You can walk around and admire its architecture and history.
7. Waterlooplein Flea Market: If you like flea markets, definitely head here. You will find various antiques, clothes, jewelry, and other interesting items.
1. Bocca Store: This cafe/roastery/shop is at the top of Amsterdam’s coffee scene. Their filtered coffee is truly exceptional.
2. Scandinavian Embassy: A pleasant cafe with a Nordic minimalist style, undoubtedly the best concept in the city. It’s definitely worth a visit!
3. Lot Sixty One: The aroma of freshly roasted coffee hits you right at the door, and you can tell they are passionate about coffee here, making it one of the best spots.
4. FUKU Amsterdam: This cafe offers great coffee and is popular among locals and visitors alike.
Amsterdam also boasts several interesting museums offering various artistic and cultural experiences. Here’s a list of the most well-known ones:
1. Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: o This museum specializes in modern and contemporary art and design. You can see works by artists like Piet Mondrian, Marc Chagall, Karel Appel, Yayoi Kusama, Marlene Dumas, Rineke Dijkstra, Picasso, Yves Klein, and many others.
2. Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House Museum): o This museum is the only place in the world entirely dedicated to Rembrandt. You can step back into the 17th century and be inspired by Rembrandt’s life, art, and era.
3. Erotic Museum:
o In this museum, you can dive into the world of erotica and its history. It features a unique collection of artworks, photographs, and artifacts that reveal the diversity and beauty of erotic art. This unique experience will entertain, surprise, and broaden your horizons, located right in the heart of the famous Red Light District.
How can you efficiently visit all these places? You can use public transportation, which offers many advantages.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket: The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is a special tourist card that allows unlimited travel by tram, bus, metro, and ferry operated by GVB. The card also includes train travel between Schiphol Airport and any station in Amsterdam.
• Transport: Unlimited travel around the city.
• Validity: Available for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days.
• Train Travel: Includes unlimited train travel between Schiphol Airport and main stations in Amsterdam.
• Purchase: Available online at Discoverholland.com or Connexxion.nl. When using public transport in the Netherlands, you must check in and out, or you risk a fine. Simply scan the card when entering and exiting the vehicle.
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: This card offers unlimited public transportation not only in Amsterdam but also in its surroundings. It allows access to more than 70 museums and attractions.
• Transport: Unlimited travel throughout the Amsterdam region.
• Validity: Available for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days.
• Prices: €21 for 1 day, €31.50 for 2 days, €40.50 for 3 days. The card is valid on all metro, tram, and bus lines operated by GVB, Connexxion, AllGo, and EBS, including night buses.
I amsterdam City Card: This card offers access to major attractions and more than 70 museums, public transport, canal cruises, and bike rentals. Prices range from €60 for 24 hours to €125 for 120 hours. You can purchase the card online or at the I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Centraal station.
We hope these tips help you make the most of your visit to Amsterdam!
