Amsterdam never was on the top of my must visit cities list when I started traveling. Everything I heard about it just sounded “seedy”. Without any real information, I envisioned a city with sex workers everywhere and people sitting around smoking pot all day. In essence a city of sin. It’s easy to discount a place when you are relying on an uninformed view. Boy was I wrong.
There is so much to this city. Even the history of why there is a red light district the city’s approach to tolerance and liberalism is fascinating. If you have ever considered visiting Amsterdam, you are going to want read this guide to getting fully tuned in to the city.
Feeling like you don’t know enough about Amsterdam to add it to your list? Here’s the reason why you should definitely put it on your destination list.
Three Reasons to Visit Amsterdam
Amsterdam is such a dynamic city. While people immediately look at the nightlife, there is so much more to Amsterdam than some visitors get the opportunity to experience. To describe the city as simply artsy would be discounting its true appeal. It’s a very walkable city and has a pretty amazing public transportation system making it quite easy to navigate. Additionally, it has very bike-friendly streets. In fact, they rule. So don’t walk in the bike lanes. Trust me.
Here are the top reasons why visiting Amsterdam should be on your must visit list.
1. Museums, Museums, Museums
There are multiple museums scattered throughout Amsterdam including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Stedelijk and Anne Frank House just to name a few.
No matter what you love in the world of art, there is likely a place for you to experience some great works in Amsterdam. Places like Anne Frank House offer have particular relevance in the city and provide insight into power of human resilience during WWII.
If you are planning a visit to any of the museums listed here, you should definitely get your tickets in advance. Many of the museums only offer a limited number of visitor slots per day and in high season sell out days in advance. Plan ahead if you want to enjoy the museum life in Amsterdam.
2. Outdoor Experiences
In Amsterdam, you can spend the day floating on the canals, visiting flower markets or simply biking around the city. With moderate temperatures year round, being active during your visit to Amsterdam is easy.
Amsterdam is synonymous with cycling and renting a bike to join the thousands of other cyclist on the streets is par the course.
If cycling is too much for you to handle, then head over to the canals. Canal cruises are incredibly popular here and there are multiple vendors offering all types of canal experiences. I prefer the smaller cruise options as you have a better opportunity to engage with the guide and the captain as you cruise around. The larger ones feel a bit less personable.
If a more leisurely day is what you are up for, then head for Vondelpark and do a picnic in the park. Or if your visit coincides with spring, go check out the tulips in full bloom in Keukenhof.
3. Nightlife: Amsterdam After Dark
You don’t have to visit the Red Light district to have a great time in Amsterdam. There are multiple wonderful restaurants, award winning bars like Tales & Spirits to keep you entertained.
The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein neighborhoods are both known for their nightlife. Here you’ll find plenty of bars, nightclubs and a few live music venues. You certainly won’t be bored.
The Best Time to Visit Amsterdam
If you are into festivals and amazing outdoor events, then you’ll want to head to Amsterdam during the summer months (June to September). Just know that everyone else will be there too as this is peak tourist season. Of course that might mean higher prices and longer wait times for popular activities.
If you really want to visit the tulip garden that everyone talks about, visit in spring. You’ll have to travel a little outside of the city to Keukenhof, but it’s a very easy trip to see the tulips in bloom.
My Perspective
Amsterdam is one of those places that delivers an unexpected cultural experience. It’s easy to be caught off guard by such a dynamic city. But rather than running around like an out of touch tourist, take a moment to let the city take you over. You’ll soon discover why people return again and again.
Interested in learning more about Amsterdam? Check out my blog Dining in Amsterdam and subscribe to learn more about some of the world’s most fascinating cities.
FAQs About Visiting Amsterdam
To fully enjoy Amsterdam, you really only need 3 to 4 days. This allows enough time to explore major attractions, take a canal cruise and experience the nightlife. Three days is a solid visit, while four days will give you the opportunity to explore deeper into neighborhoods.
Before visiting Amsterdam you should know that most people speak English, it’s a very walkable city and the local currency is the Euro. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance for museums and popular tourist attractions to avoid the lines. Respect local customs including how you visit coffeeshops and the Red Light District. Finally, have a mix of credit cards. Some vendors don’t accept cash or specific credit cards like American Express so you may have to play credit card roulette.
The best way to get around Amsterdam is by bike. The city is very bike-friendly with dedicated bike lanes everywhere. The public transportation systems is also very convenient and efficient. Just make sure you have a route map and timetable. And my personal favorite way to get around is by simply walking especially in the city center.
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