The Best places to visit in Amsterdam
To do list in Amsterdam: with so many fantastic options, how do you decide what is on it!? With its world-class museums, varied food, quirky neighborhoods and iconic coffeeshops, Amsterdam has something to suit every taste. Our hotels in the center of Amsterdam are a great base from which you can discover all the landmarks and attractions.
Here are our top 8 things to do in the city:
Canal Cruise
A to do list in Amsterdam must include a canal cruise! There are a myriad of boats floating through Amsterdam’s UNESCO-protected waterways offering a wide choice of canal excursions from sightseeing tours to evening dinner cruises. With over 100km of canals to discover, it is a unique and fascinating way to glimpse the city.
Discover Dutch Cuisine
Aside from the classic herring, cheese, beer and bitterballen (breadcrumbed balls filled with meat), the Dutch food scene is more cosmopolitan than might be expected. Colonial influences have brought excellent Surinamese restaurants as well as the ubiquitous Indonesian rijsttafel (‘rice table’) joints. For a sugar fix, head to one of city’s many candy shops for a hit of the salty/sweet Dutch liquorice.
Explore the Neighborhood
Each of Amsterdam’s districts offers a different vibe. Most visitors make at least one foray into the Red Light district (De Wallen), the oldest part of the city, but make sure to check out the narrow streets of the Jordaan, hang out with cool creatives in multicultural De Pijp and admire the elegant buildings in wealthy Oud-Zuid.
Visit a Museum
Amsterdam has hundreds of museums to suit any taste. Art-lovers will be more than satisfied with the triple dose of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museums and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art at the Museumplein complex, while the moving and thought-provoking Anne Frank House is a must.
Hop on a Bike
Do as the Dutch and get around Amsterdam on two wheels. There are bicycle rental places all over town and explore yourself or alternatively book one of the many guided bike tours to catch the major sights.
Hang out in a Coffeeshop
Even if you don’t intend to partake, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be the same without a real coffeeshop experience. The majority of these legal purveyors of cannabis are centred around the Red Light district, each with its own ambience and menu.
Picnic in the Vondelpark
As Amsterdam’s largest green space and most famous park, the Vondelpark’s lawns, lakes and pathways are where the locals come out to play on a sunny day. Pick up a picnic and join in the convivial buzz.
Go Shopping
Amsterdam has numerous outdoor markets selling anything your heart could desire. The most popular is the laid-back Albert Cuyp market. It is in De PIjp which has 300 stands selling everything from food to clothes to homeware.
About Maria Pasquale
Born to Italian parents, Maria always knew Rome was her destiny, although she was raised in Melbourne. With a formal background in political science and history, she is now a food and travel writer and contributes regularly to USA Today, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, CNN and Fodors. She has worked with major brands including Dubai One TV, Hilton, Rocco Forte Hotel Group, Baglioni Hotels, Pullman, Paris Tourism Board and many others.
