The open square between the buildings pulses with activity all day, with open-air exhibitions, markets and a large paddling pool to dip your toes into on warmer days. Often cited as Amsterdam’s most charming neighbourhood, wandering into the Jordaan feels like stepping back in time. Ditch the map and lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow lanes that sprawl eastwards from Prinsengracht, known as the 9 Streets, one of Amsterdam’s most rewarding shopping experiences. Amsterdam is full of cosy places to explore, thanks to its rich history and unique architecture. Many of the city’s buildings are constructed on wooden poles, giving them a traditional look and feel.
Immerse Yourself In Culture At Westergas
Whether you choose to cycle or walk, you’ll love getting some peace and quiet in the city’s backyard. Better yet, grab a coffee from any of the park’s cafes, bring some snacks, and have a lake-side picnic. From an often chaotic Amsterdam experience to something much more laid-back, the lush Vondelpark will be a place to catch your breath after a few hours of cycling or wandering the lively streets. The cast of Netflix’s Amsterdam Empire is led by award-winning actors Famke Janssen (X-Men, GoldenEye) and Jacob Derwig (Klem, Maxima) as Betty and Jack van Doorn, respectively.
Hangover Cruise
Leidseplein (Leidse Square) (2 km)Leidseplein is a bustling area filled with activity late into the night. Home to a number of shops, cinemas, a casino, bars, restaurants and even street performers, it’s a must-see for any visitor. We offer our tours in over five languages so wherever you are from you will feel right at home in our tours. The tour guides are always accommodating and will give you a pleasent, fun experience.
De Wallen, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, is a designated area for legalised prostitution and is Amsterdam’s largest and best-known red-light district. It consists of a network of canals, streets, and alleys containing several hundred small, one-room apartments rented by sex workers who offer their services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights. In recent years, the city government has been closing and repurposing the famous red-light district windows to clean up the area and reduce the amount of party and sex tourism.
The Complete Guide To Amsterdam Nightlife
Or for those who want to see a little more of the city whilst they’re here, a private boat cruise on our brand-new luxury boat is a fantastic way to see the city’s beautiful and historic centre with a drink in hand. Another fantastic waterside bar (offering delicious Surinamese-inspired food in addition to drinks) is Waterkant, located just outside of the city centre and a short walk from Leidseplein. On a sunny day, this bar often becomes the busiest in the city and is popular for good reason, with its laidback vibe and great canal-side view. Want to make your private dining experience in Amsterdam even more special?
Dominating the view from the southern banks of the IJ behind Central Station, the striking white EYE building has rapidly become one of Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks since it opened in Spring 2012. Catch the free ’Buiksloterweg’ ferry from behind Central Station, which takes three minutes. Amsterdamse Bos, on the southern edge of the city, is almost three times the size of New York’s Central Park. This lush urban oasis provides ample opportunities for bike rides, picnics, swimming, strolling over hills and flower-blanketed valleys, or just barbecuing with friends. In the forest, you’ll find Goat Farm Ridammerhoeve, where you can meet goats, lambs, chickens, pigs, cows and horses and then fuel up at its charming restaurant that serves delicious goat cheese. And for anyone hoping to get closer to nature, you’ll find plenty more urban farms and sustainable initiatives dotted around the city.
- If you take a taxi, make sure they put on the meter, and ask beforehand if they accept card – many drivers will claim that their machine is broken and drive you an extra kilometre to find an ATM to withdraw cash, further increasing the fare.
- After the independence of Suriname in 1975, a large wave of Surinamese settled in Amsterdam, mostly in the Bijlmer area.
- Cloudy and damp days are common during the cooler months of October through March.
- Choosing where to eat is always an arduous task here, as you’ll be torn between healthy Mexican eats, Asian street food, and fresh sushi.
- Jazz has a strong following in Amsterdam, with the Bimhuis being the premier venue.
- De Hallen houses a cinema, independent stores and a boutique hotel, as well as the impressive Food Hallen where visitors can munch their way through a selection of upmarket street fare from one of many vendors located around a central bar.
Bike Tour
The Royal Palace Amsterdam is King Willem-Alexander’s official reception palace where world leaders and heads of state are hosted and entertained, but it is also open to visitors much of the year. Just 15 kilometres southeast of the city, you’ll find Muiderslot—a 13th-century castle that looks like it could have been plucked from a Disney movie with its five towers, moat and drawbridge. Toast to Amsterdam’s impressive architecture and stunning skyline with cocktails at one of the city’s stylish rooftop bars. Soak in the sprawling vista while you take a dip in one of the alfresco jacuzzis at Canvas, Volkshotel’s terrace bar that’s known for its affordable drinks and priceless view of Amsterdam. Embark on a mouth-watering journey with We Are Amsterdam’s food tour, an experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Popular Road Trips From Amsterdam
The Dutch are well known for their impressive foreign-language skills and almost all of the people that you are likely to meet whilst visiting the city will be more than comfortable speaking English. Around 90% of the Dutch can speak English (around 70% can speak German and 30% can speak French!) and the language is used in many international businesses, organisations and universities. In addition to this, there are the also the various languages of numerous immigrant communities which are widely spoken in major cities (such as Turkish, Arabic and Indonesian).
Historical Population
This atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a delicious meal or simply exploring the city’s many historic landmarks. Amsterdam’s cosy buildings and historic atmosphere make it a truly unique place to visit. AFAS Live (formerly known as the Heineken Music Hall) is a concert hall located near the Johan Cruyff Arena (known as the Amsterdam Arena until 2018). Its main purpose is to serve as a podium for pop concerts for big audiences.
Although the dress code is generally more casual than many European capitals (particularly London and Paris), in the vast majority of Amsterdam clubs and bars, tracksuit bottoms are an absolute no-no. The key is to dress for the club you’re going to – there’s nothing worse than travelling all the way out to a club only to be denied entry for inappropriate dress. This is a particular problem for stag parties who want to go to bigger clubs but the stag is dressed as a giant penis.
Looking for picture-perfect views of windmills, rolling grassland and winding canals? Set your sights on Old Holland, a pastoral paradise that’s so photogenic it is basically why Instagram was invented. If you have time for just one destination, grab the I amsterdam City Card and head to the iconic windmill-filled village of Zaanse Schans.
The biggest Montessori high school in Amsterdam is the Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam. This used to be primarily Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations, but with the influx of Muslim immigrants, there has been a rise in the number of Islamic schools. There is one rugby club in Amsterdam, which also hosts sports training classes such as RTC (Rugby Talenten Centrum or Rugby Talent Centre) and the National Rugby Stadium. Incensed, a broad spectrum of passive resistance was organized by the Dutch Underground. Trade unions, among them socialist and Communist Party activists, led the protest.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the people of Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole speak pretty great English and you’re very unlikely to face a language barrier with the locals (assuming that you too speak English!). If you do want to learn a couple of words to use, the Dutch will definitely appreciate it! A simple Goedemorgen (Good morning), Dank je wel (thank you) or goodbye (dooie) will always go down well and if you’re brave enough to have a go will definitely enhance your experience. Although when it comes to the Netherlands you will most likely think of the north-western European nation, the Kingdom of the Netherlands does actually extend to sunnier climes. Like the UK or France, the Netherlands has a few overseas island territories in the Caribbean and these also have their own unique linguistic characteristics.
