This unique little city nestled in Western Europe can offer you experiences that are matchless, and also which takes you back in time to what you feel like must have been the renaissance…

Let’s take a journey down the canals and bridges of Amsterdam and explore the city and all that it offers.

A little city’s charm with a big city’s advantages
Amsterdam is no doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, but it doesn’t stop there; as the big city’s culture, nightlife, international restaurants and good transport has come here but done so without disturbing the quiet and charming effect which when combined makes Amsterdam, Amsterdam.

The day time in Amsterdam

Canal Boat Cruise
An excellent way to start your experiences is to take a canal boat cruise and get an overview of the city. This is the most popular tourist attraction in the country and for good reason: the city was built to be seen from this perspective! There is a fleet of over 200 vessels for you to choose from, and whilst waterborne you can also enjoy almost every type of service and entertainment that is offered on shore! Most of the bigger tour boat operators can be found around Central Station.

Walking tour along the historic canal ring
Soak up the atmosphere and architecture of Amsterdam’s golden age! And whilst you are walking you can try the famous local Dutch specialty: French fries with mayonnaise!

Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, with more than a million visitors each year. Currently only a small part of it is open due renovations, but even this small part is enough to make you get lost in wonder.

Its exhibition called ‘The Masterpieces’ shows the most famous pieces of Dutch art from the 17th c., usually called the Golden Age of the Netherlands.

Van Gogh Museum
No better place to be, if you are a Van Gogh fan! A modern museum, it showcases some 200 paintings and 550 sketches bringing to you Van Gogh in all his moods. There are also hundreds of letters written by the master of art himself showcased here.

Shopping
Amsterdam main shopping district runs from Leidsstraat to the Kalverstraat shopping arcade, and even if you are not a shopaholic, you are bound to find something of interest in here!

Waterlooplein
Amsterdam’s funkiest outdoor market!

Amsterdam Brown Café
Enjoy the simple meals or just a coffee or a beer at one of the many old café’s called Brown, and feel like a local! At first you make think that it is too crowded and too much from the past but the atmosphere inside can never be matched anywhere else. And prices are low too!

Beginhof
A narrow, vaulted passageway will lead you to this charming and quiet garden surrounded by old houses. The oldest house in Amsterdam and the oldest Chapel in Amsterdam can also be found here. Entrance is free.

Anne Frank House
Located in the center of Amsterdam, this is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the World War II. You will be left with an unforgettable impression when you see how two families lived here in hiding for more than two years. The original of the diary is on display, as a part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition.

Civic Guards Gallery
Free of charge but rich in value, this naturally lit gallery is filled with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. These group portraits of Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an exquisite documentation of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.

Coffee shops
Unique both in their looks and their servings, if you are over 18 you can get up to 5g of cannabis here, be it in your brownie or just about anything else!

Heineken Experience
The original brewery of the world famous Heineken beer is located right here in Amsterdam! With a cost of only 10 Euro’s with two beers included in the ticket, and plenty of things to see and do inside, it is well worth the money!

Vondel Park and Leidesplein Square
Two of the best places to be at the end of your day when you want to rewind! Relax at the park or have a leisurely drink and soak in the experiences of the day at Leidesplein Square.

Magere Brug
See this traditional double-leaf Dutch draw-bridge, connecting the sides of river Amstel open up about every 20 minutes to let the boats through. Built in 1670, there is a magic to this place when this happens.

Dinner in Amsterdam
Chinatown; The Thai and Indonesian restaurants that you find here, is a city specialty! Or you can head over to Amsterdam’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood known as De Pijp near Sarphatipark; or if you are looking for a more home grown Dutch atmosphere, stop in at one of the cafes around Westerstraat in the Jordaan.

Red Light District
If you are above 18 years of age, you can take a stroll through Red Light District even to just experience the atmosphere of Europe’s most notorious neighborhood!!!

Partying in Amsterdam
The places to go to party the night away are at Rembrandtplein and Odeon. Alternatively if you want to check out some of the liveliest gay bars in Europe, take yourself down to Regulierdwarsstraat!

Budgeting your trip
The cost of living here is average for a Northern European city even though it’s cheaper than London or Paris so don’t expect it to be cheap! Accommodation will likely be your major expense. Although budget lodging can be relatively inexpensive, you’ll pay dearly for anything of quality so try booking package deals or take advantage of the internet discounts or visit during the low seasons. If you book accommodation slightly away from the old city center, even though you are farther away from the action you may find that the better facilities make up for it.

Money
ATM’s can be found in every corner of the city. If you are changing money though, avoid the private exchange booths dotted around tourist areas. Even though they may seem convenient and is open till late, the rates and commissions are much better at the banks, the post offices and the GWK Travelex.

All the major credit cards are in general recognized in hotels, restaurants and shops but check with them in advance. Some establishments levy a 5% surcharge (or more) on credit cards to offset the commissions charged by card providers.

Service
Don’t take it personally if the service that you are given is impersonal, off-putting and very slow. It’s just how Amsterdam is! Modest tips though are expected, on top of a service charge!

Getting there and around
Because of its location, you can choose air, motorway or train lines to get to Amsterdam. Once you have arrived, you can easily walk the city or if you prefer you can use the public transport. Public transport is remarkably cheap, costing from €0.90 per regular journey in the city centre using a strippenkaart or OV-chipkaart , and bicycle rental will only set you back €7 to €10 per day. If you’re looking to save money, avoid taxis!

When to go
The winters are cold and the summers are mild. But the best time to go is between May and August where the weather is more reliable. However September and October is also sometimes delightful. December to February is the coldest period, with occasional slushy snow and temperatures around freezing so best avoid those months.