Amazing Amsterdam Tour

Raijksmuseum

Founded in 1809, the Rijksmuseum houses a huge range of artwork and antiquities and is said to have something in the region of seven million art pieces that took hundreds of years to accumulate!

Come here if you want to see the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings anywhere across the world. There are over 200 paintings here as well as drawings and letters that belonged to this 19th-century artist that’s now one of the most prized artists.

The former home where Anne Frank and her family hid during much of the Second World War. This is a moving visit for those who choose to make the journey and one that has a lasting reminder of the barbaric and inhuman persecution of Jews and of minorities.

The official residence of the King of Holland, the Royal Palace was first built in 1648 as a sign of their power. Built to mirror the architecture of ancient Rome, the palace is opulent and ornate and one that is stunningly beautiful – just make sure to check out the staterooms.

Just remember, you can’t always take pics inside. The National Monument is actually an obelisk that stands 22 metres high. It is a memorial to the victims and veterans of the Second World War. It’s a moving reminder of the city’s turbulent history.

Is a science centre in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is located in the Oosterdokseiland neighbourhood in the Amsterdam-Centrum borough, situated between the Oosterdokseiland and the Kattenburg. The museum has its origins in 1923, and is housed in a building designed by Renzo Piano since 1997

The Rembrandt House Museum is located in the former home of Rembrandt and his wife and is the site where many of his most famous paintings were created. You can now tour the house and learn all about the history of Rembrandt and see many of his most famous works. It’s a dream destination for art enthusiasts.

The stone marvel that is Oude Kerk has been around since 1306, withstanding riots, wars and several Reformations; the roof, the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe, dates from 1390. The austere interior is a Calvinist hallmark and is renowned for its acoustics. Don’t miss a trip up the bell tower to glimpse the 17th-century, 47-bell carillon and gaze across the city.

This spectacular addition to the city’s skyline is also one of the most innovative. Formerly the HQ of Shell, this tower across from Centraal station (a free ferry runs across the IJ) now hosts a hotel, a ‘skybar’, a private members’ club and two restaurants, one of which slowly revolves 360 degrees. If you go to the top, make the most of the panoramic views and, if you dare, try out Europe’s highest swing (a mere 100 metres up).

Formerly the largest shipyard in Amsterdam, NDSM is now a cultural hub and ‘Art City’ that sits at the heart of the capital’s plans to regenerate the vast, industrial Noord area. Just 20 minutes from Centraal via a free ferry, it’s home to a host of restaurants, bars, art studios and performance spaces – not to mention the unmissable IJ-Hallen flea market. Pllek, an organic restaurant complete with a beach, is particularly good, and there’s even a hotel in an old shipping crane. Post-industrial architecture and a creative atmosphere make this a particularly vibrant – and oh-so-hip – hangout.

Their seafaring history has made the Dutch a nation of canny traders, and nowhere is this more evident than down the market. Albert Cuyp, occupying an entire street in grungy De Pijp, is the best in the city, offering meat, fish, veg, souvenirs, bric-à-brac and everything in between. Come down to see the locals do their bantering, bartering best and soak up the bustling atmosphere of one of Amsterdam’s best-loved institutions.

This old tram depot has been refashioned as one of Amsterdam’s hottest food destinations. Foodhallen is home to more than 30 stalls and bars, serving everything from Vietnamese street food to tacos. There’s ample seating inside, but they also have a terrace for the warmer months. Those with a sweet tooth are catered for too – don’t miss the delights of Petit Gateau – and drinks wise there are stalls dedicated to craft beer and ales, wine and even gin and tonic.

One of Europe’s oldest, Amsterdam’s Royal Zoo may be small, but it’s perfectly formed. Here you’ll find big cats, elephants, giraffes and gorillas, plus a brilliant penguin enclosure and a top-notch flamingo pond. But there’s also an impressive aquarium, a planetarium, and Micropia, the only microbe museum in the world. It’s obviously very family-friendly and, if you fancy it, you can even order a picnic or barbecue in advance.

De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets)

Smack bang in the middle of the canal belt in Jordaan, this micro-neighbourhood of quaint and quirky streets is big on personality and full of cosy cafés, independent boutiques, vintage stores and artisanal food shops.

One of Amsterdam’s must-do activities, though a cliché, is still the best way to explore the city. Sure, Amsterdam’s bikes are iconic, but a canal tour requires zero physical effort, so you can finally relax. There are many tour operators with boats, most of which depart from around Centraal.

The lungs of the city, Vondelpark was once the only public park in the world where one could legally barbecue, smoke joints, and have sex. The latter has since been outlawed (again), but there’s still a relaxed vibe to this green giant’s vast open spaces and wooded trails. Locals come here to run, cycle, play sports or chill, and there are plenty of activities for those looking to make a day of it.

The Red Light District is one of the most curious areas of the city. Prostitution is legal here. So, while the picture of scantily clad women beckoning customers from inside their storefronts may be unusual to visitors from other countries, it’s perfectly accepted and regulated here. A visit here is definitely one of the more atypical things to do in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is well-loved for its great food, scenic cycles and poppin’ nightlife, but often, its USP is its uber-cool, uber-chill and completely unique coffeeshops. And for those who aren’t yet familiar, we’re not talking about trendy croissants and latté art in the shape of little seahorses. Sure, they’ve got coffee in Amsterdam but when we talk about coffee shops, we mean licenced cannabis cafés, where you can choose from extensive marijuana menus. And they’re more than that, too – these joints are social hubs, creative spaces, and they often have great food menus for your munchies too. Whether you’re a seasoned frequenter or its your very first time, here are the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam right now.

Heineken has been a part of Amsterdam for nearly 160 years. Founded in 1864, it is one of the top three breweries worldwide. Its former 19^th century brewery facility welcomes beer lovers to learn about its history—and taste its famous pilsner—at the Heineken Experience.

Bike Tour

Like Copenhagen or Motreal Amsterdam is a city of bikes. They’re everywhere. It’s easy to pick one up at any of the many rental locations around the city. Just know that many locals use their bikes for everything, so bike lanes can be crowded, and the riders—while courteous—zip around quite quickly.

A clandestine church that was quite literally hidden in the top three floors of a canal house. Dating from the 1660s, this Catholic church was more-or-less secret for 200 years.

In this town/museum you can climb windmills, have a cheese tasting, and learn about the history of the clog, among other things.

One of the best day-trip destinations, aptly named Waterland, home to three particularly picturesque villages: Edam, Marken, and Volendam. In this bucolic region, a short trip northeast of Amsterdam, I found canals with reflections that would inspire Monet to set up his easel. Within a half-hour of leaving Amsterdam, you can be deep in the Dutch countryside — awash with tulips, red-brick houses, quaint waterways, and black-and-white cows.