Travel guide Amsterdam
Amsterdam, capital and tourist jewel of the Netherlands... It is impossible not to succumb to the charm of this capital city set on the waves, a tangle of large canals with changing waters, like so many veins flowing towards its heart. In the Venice of the North, the weather changes as quickly as the colors of the Amstel, the clear sky follows the fog, the storm arrives without a word. A capricious and contrasting city, both modern and classic, wise and wild, conservative and innovative, it will captivate any visitor who takes the trouble to really discover it, beyond clichés and clichés. Amsterdam currently seems to be at a crossroads, its historic center has never been so beautiful with the Rijksmuseum as a symbol of its revival. The city seems to enjoy a prosperity in contrast with the sometimes more difficult daily life of its inhabitants. If some fear that "their" Amsterdam is becoming a museum city, the A'dam Toren, a recent attraction of the city, seems to be another symbol of the city's limitless ambition. The Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum are other must-sees in the city. There is also an increase in the number of peripheral districts, the Jordan and the West, the North (with the NDSM district in particular) and the East will probably be the subject of a separate district section in the near future with the new district IJburg, a real city of the future.
What to see, what to do Amsterdam?
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When to go Amsterdam ?
Early spring (April and May) is undoubtedly the best time to visit Amsterdam: if the air can be fresh then it is usually the driest time of the year and Holland is adorned with flowers in a thousand colours. The high season is in summer, but Amsterdam is a city that can be visited all year round. So plan to book your hotel nights before you leave! On the other hand, you will then be very numerous to visit the city and the queues of museums and attractions will sometimes seem endless.
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How to go Amsterdam
How to go alone
It is very easy to travel alone in Amsterdam. Public transportation and hotels are plentiful, so you can make your choice. To avoid wasting too much time waiting in line in front of each monument, consider buying your tickets in advance on the Internet or on site the day before. You can also save time by buying tickets for a few extra euros.
How to go on a tour
There are many tour operators that offer stays. The most common ones are getaways (3 days and 2 nights or 4 days and 3 nights) and long weekends. Prices vary depending on the means of transportation chosen and the time of booking; last-minute offers are the most interesting. In Amsterdam, because of the location, there are many cultural trips, but the prices are higher.
How to get around
It is completely unnecessary and expensive to take a car into Amsterdam. All tourist places, even the most remote ones, are accessible by bus or metro. There are offers for a few days or for a week. Outside of Amsterdam, the main attractions in the area are accessible by public transport.
Featured articles Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the city-capital, has succeeded in renewing itself over the last few decades. It has emerged from its historical torpor to jump on the high-speed bandwagon of modernity and heritage enhancement. When you take an interest in the capital of the Netherlands, you can literally become dizzy with the power of its historical, cultural, commercial and global wealth, even though the people of Amsterdam were not, on paper, very spoiled by nature... Amsterdam enjoys, somewhat exaggeratedly, an ecological and trendy reputation, certainly due to its intensive use of bicycles and coffee-shops, which attract tourists in particular. Amsterdam celebrates two of its most famous artists, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. A city of incredible photogenic beauty, it's sure to amaze you at the bend of a cobbled alleyway, on a boat trip, in a designer restaurant or after an exhibition-event.
The 12 keywords Amsterdam
1. #Anne Frank
A young German woman who came to live in Amsterdam in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution, she became a symbol of anti-Semitic horror after the publication of her diary. Deported with her family, Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen camp. The house where she hid with her family is Amsterdam's most visited museum.
2. #Ajax
Amsterdam have fully identified with the legendary club where Johan Cruijff, who died in 2016, shone. Four times Champions League winner, once UEFA Cup winner, once C2 winner, Ajax is a brilliant club. Their 2019 season is still in everyone's mind! You can even visit the club's stadium, the Johan Cruijff Arena.
3. #Coffeeshop
The word generates a lot of misunderstanding among locals and tourists alike. A symbol of coolness for many (foggy?) visitors or of the Netherlands' pragmatic approach to soft drugs for others, it is sometimes the embodiment of the "narco-state" as Jacques Chirac so subtly put it. To be consumed in moderation and without embarrassment...
4. #Flowers
Flowers are inseparable from the Netherlands; in Amsterdam, they are very present, especially during the chromatic symphony of spring. The capital has gardens and parks that lavishly display flowers and plants. Don't miss Hortus, the botanical garden with more than 6,000 species of plants. The flower market is very optional.
5. #Gay
Homosexuality was legally recognized here in the early 19th century. The first same-sex marriage was celebrated in Amsterdam on April1, 2001. Over the past few years, the city's gay scene has been flagging, and dating apps haven't helped. Don't miss Pride in the heart of summer.
6. #Gezellig
Pronounce "rezélir". Without an exact equivalent in French, gezellig refers to the warmth of a successful evening, a place, even an idea. We'd also say that a friendly party that gets moving is gezellig. It's a fundamental word in Dutch, especially in Amsterdam, and if you hear it, it's a good sign that your stay will go well!
7. #Heineken
Founded in 1873 in Amsterdam, it is a symbol of success linked to the capital where the original brewery is located. Now an interactive museum, the Heineken Experience welcomes hordes of tourists from around the world every year. A brand that integrated marketing strategies early on, you'll see it everywhere during your stay.
8. #Hofje
It's a city within a city, set in a green enclosure accessible via a vaulted ceiling. They were once built by the wealthy for the elderly and destitute. There are 47 hofjes scattered around Amsterdam, the beguinage on the Spui being the best known. These hofjes are oases of peace. Our favorite is the Karthuizerhof in the Jordaan.
9. #Museums
Amsterdam boasts a number of magnificent museums brimming with treasures. These include the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk, not to mention the Anne Frank House. The museums are well laid out, pleasant and all feature temporary exhibitions not to be missed. Many include fine restaurants and well-appointed boutiques.
10. #Red light district
Yet another place of confusion for locals and tourists alike. This historic and picturesque district is now a Disneyland of sex and drugs, which was cleaned up a few years ago. Now, many are calling for the closure of the incongruous storefronts in the #metoo era, and plans to relocate are taking shape.
11. #Vondelpark
This is Amsterdam's Central Park. A large green space where you can play sports, walk your dog, walk your children, picnic, play soccer, climb (for the little ones) and also in summer attend concerts and various shows and take tango or rollerblading lessons. A classic for tourists and locals alike.
12. #Welkom
Amsterdam is home to 180 different nationalities, making it a truly cosmopolitan city. The breakthrough of the Greens in the 2018 municipal elections and the appointment of new mayor Femke Halsema are strong signals of appeasement and tolerance. Here, you'll see different cultures coexisting.
You are from here, if...
You can ride a bike whatever the weather and are equipped with rain gear.
You know how to ride a bike with one child on the handlebar seat, another behind and groceries in bags.
You know that a short, efficient (and alcohol-free) lunch is the guarantee of a productive afternoon and an evening that starts early and is all the more festive for it.
You love bread and sandwiches, fresh herring and Indonesian cuisine.
You like to try out the latest trendy places, love to dance the night away, but often end up in a historic brown café.
You respect and trust politicians, royalty and institutions.
You're often dressed coolly even for special occasions, the most important thing being to feel good.
As soon as it's a bit freezing, you have only one word on your lips: "elfstedentocht", a historic skating race.