Guide to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is both a beautiful and progresive, liberal city. As lovely to look at as Venice or Paris, with it’s canals, narrow streets and relaxed way of life. Equally, it’s famed bohemian side, being a centre for trade, arts and tolerance has led to it becoming one of the most forward thinking cities in Europe.

Top reasons to visit Amsterdam

Visit the Red Light District, the Heineken Museum, the Anne Frank House (Huis)

Be intrigued by the relaxed views on soft drugs, with cannabis being openly available at ‘coffee shops’

Explore Amsterdam’s artistic past in the many museums dedicated to painters such as Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum

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Main areas of Amsterdam

Old City Centre

• Sights - Hermitage Amsterdam, Oude Kerk, Rembrandt House
• Museums - Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Allard Pienson Museum, Hash
• Churches - Niuewe Kerk, Zuidekerk, Mozes en Aaronkerk

Museum District (Museumplein)

• Museums - House of Bols, Coster Diamonds, Diamond Museum
• Art galleries - Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum

Western Canal Ring

Anne Frank House, Huis Marseille, Westerkerk

Jordaan

Working class neighbourhood under the throes of gentrification, quickly becoming the desirable place to live in Amsterdam. Dam Square, Noordenkerk, Noordermarkt.

De Pijp

Home of the world famous brewery, the Heineken Experience.

Platnage and Oosterpark

Artis is home to a petting zoo, planetarium and aquarium - including a fish-eye view of Amsterdam.

Top Attractions in Amsterdam

• Red Light District
• Begijnhof
• Vondelpark
• Trinity College
• Magere Brug
• City Beaches - West, Oost (Blijburg)and Xuid
• Canal Cruises
• Dam Square

Shopping in Amsterdam

Main central shopping streets run from Central Station to Leidseplein: Heiligeweg, Leidsestraat, Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat.

• Books - area around Spui
• Designer - PC Hoofstraat, Cornelius Schuytstraat
• Flowers - Bloemenmarkt
• Markets - Albert Cuyp Market, Waterloopleinmarkt (flea market)
• Upmarket shopping - area around Museumplein in Zud

Eating in Amsterdam

Warning - coffeeshops in Amsterdam legally sell cannabis, ’space cakes’ and other similar items, so be careful what you order!

Recommended Restaurants - Gartine, Bagels and Beans, Pancakes! Amsterdam, Piqniq, The Seafood Bar, Van Kerkwijk, Yamazato, Nam Kee, La Rive, Casa di David, Pasta e Basta Amsterdam and Ristorante Saturnino.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Amsterdam

• Bars - Cafe Spargo, Dirty Dick’s, Cafe Heuvel, Gambrinus, De Groene Hekels, Lime, 18 Twintig, Cafe Gollem 2, Cafe Zwart, Icebar Amsterdam, Vibes, Bar Borsch, Vibes, Ruk en Pluk, Cooldown Cafe, Dan Murphy’s, East of Eden, Spijker Bar Amsterdam, Lust, Oost-West, Bar Barbou, Krom
• Breweries/Craft Beer - Heineken, De Zotte, Golems Proeflokaal, Proeflokaal de Praeel, Brouwerij’t IJ
• Coffee - Screaming Beans, Two for Joy Coffee Roasters, Latei
• Clubs - ABE Club, canvas, Club Roque, Trut, Manhattan Lounge, Volta, Party Crew Cafe
• Karaoke - Coco’s Outback Pub, Casablanca
• Live Music - Paradiso, Bourbon Street, Mollay Malones Irish Pub, Waterhole, Jazz Cafe Alto
• Wine - Bubbles and Wine, De Kas, Bussia
• Theatre - Leidseplein, Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Royal Theatre Cafe

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