Quick guide to Amsterdam

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We continue our  publishing blogs from our young guest blogger Anastassia Kostin.

Amsterdam – one of the busiest cities you can visit. Why? Not only is it the capital of the Netherlands but also the home of the bicycles, with well over 600,000 bikes!

Imagine… balmy air and the roads are clear of traffic. You ride down the cobbled roads and feel the wind in your hair as you look around at the historic buildings and cafes. Well, in Amsterdam, you can do just that! Amsterdam is extremely bike-friendly and if you prefer to bike instead of walking long distances to see all those awesome attractions you’ve come to see, then consider renting a bike! You can rent it as long as you need, with the standard rate being about 9 to 15 euros for an entire day. Additionally, Amsterdam bike rental shops are stress-free and offer discounts for groups (so bring your family along with you!) and for additional rental days so you really end up getting your money’s worth. (P.S. MacBikes are what most tourists rent, they’re brightly colored so cars can easily see you!)

Of course, the other best way to discover the beauty of Amsterdam, which is sometimes even called the Venice of the north, is to hop on of the many boats that will take you out on the canals. The best part? No walking or asking for directions is involved! Simply sit back and enjoy Amsterdam’s sights. I mean yes, the canals are right there in front of you when you are in Amsterdam, whether you’re walking on the sidewalk beside them driving, but it’s best to see them up close and personal – it’s a cool experience! As soon as you get off the train at the beautiful Amsterdam Central Station (or see it when you arrive there – it’s kind of hard to miss), and cross the street, you will immediately see many places advertising canal tours by the tourist office. They are all about the same price – ranging from about 13-22 euros per person for a day pass, so choosing the company is really up to you, although private and candlelit tours are also available. Hungry? You may like to hear that there is also a Pizza cruise, where you get your favorite pizza baked just for you, and dessert, and a Cocktail cruise with cocktails and snacks. These special tours are flexible and depend on your situation and budget. By the way, although the boats are fairly open, you will be well protected if it rains because of the glass walls, which also provide a nice panoramic view no matter where you’re sitting so you can take pictures!  

On the tour itself, you will get to see the famous crooked houses, historical buildings, major museums, mansions, house boats, floating gardens, the many bridges (there are more than 1000!) and the overall unique 17th century architecture of the city. Some canal tours offer hop on and hop off tickets so you can get off at certain stops to explore and then get back on. There are even different “routes” depending on which places you would like to visit more. Even so, most of the major attractions in Amsterdam are within walking distance of one of the canal lines. Better yet, get a canal pass! You can use it for more than one line.

With that, let’s talk about which places are a must to visit if you are not going to be in Amsterdam for that long. Number one on the list is museums! If you’ve ever read Anne Frank’s diary, then you probably know about the Anne Frank house. Come and see the rooms and the bookcase door which Anne walked through or climb the steep steps and see the covered windows which try and show how the house really was back then. Along with excerpts of Anne's original diary, video clips of interviews with Anne’s father, and the people who selflessly helped Anne, visiting the museum is truly an inspiring and even overwhelming experience. The only drawback is the long lines, which can be an up to two hours long - be prepared for those and come earlier or buy tickets beforehand if you can. Next is the Van Gogh museum, and even if you aren’t a big fan of art, you’ll love the various famous pieces of Van Gogh as you get to see them in person and story of Van Gogh’s life.  Note that that the museum closes at 5pm, so get there early, and again, be prepared for a huge line! Oh and the museum is also interactive, with wall sized prints that you can take pictures by, microscopes to see paintings up close and the techniques used to paint them , and computers where you can show off your own drawing skills. Finally, the Rijksmuseum, which you can’t miss with its big “I Amsterdam” sign. Something else that’s big is the museum itself. With a huge collection of art and artifacts from Dutch painters and history, you may have to visit more than once. Even the outside is very beautiful and this museum is truly where art, culture, and history all come together. After all those museums, make sure to stop by the Artis Zoo and the Vondelpark for some outdoor activities.

Back in the Golden Age, Amsterdam was an important stop for coffee trade. That’s probably why the Dutch love cafes so much! By the end of the day, find a café such as the Winkel 43 or Café Brecht and enjoy your koffie verkeerd (“coffee wrong” - a local speciality that is similar to a latte), and/or Dutch pastries/snacks as you read a magazine and watch people milling about.

The nice thing about Amsterdam is that it’s a small, cultural city compared to Paris, for example. Once you visit, you’ll really get a feel of what the Netherlands are like, with the people and sights closely interwined. Visit Amsterdam and see all there is to see such as the canals, bikes, architecture and museums, without being too overwhelmed!