14 Amazing things to do in Amsterdam: The best guide to the city that locals cannot tell you about

Find out 14 awesome touristic things to do in Amsterdam Netherlands, other than the tourist traps. This comprehensive Amsterdam travel guide exposes all secrets and must-do experiences and insider tips revealing the best of Amsterdam.

The charming capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is a dream destination to millions of visitors every year with its mixture of old age and modern elegance. So, whether it is your first time in Amsterdam or you want to revisit the city to explore more of its fascinating things, this detailed travel guide of Amsterdam will help you unlock the secrets of the city as well as guide you through the popular points of interest.

Table of Contents

1. Travel to Amsterdam: Your access to Netherlands
2. Places to Stay in Amsterdam
3. Top 14 Things to Do in Amsterdam
4. Amsterdam’s Famous Red-Light District
5. Cannabis Culture: Is Weed Legal in Amsterdam?
6. Amsterdam’s Beer Culture and Heineken
7. Travelling Tips to Amsterdam
8. Amsterdam Transport System& Budget Plan
9. Frequently Asked Questions

Travel to Amsterdam: Your access to Netherlands

Delhi to Amsterdam Flight Options – The options available to those travelling from Delhi to Amsterdam are excellent as there are several airlines providing direct flights as well as connecting flights. There are direct flights of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines which fly to Amsterdam (7-8 hrs.).

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: Your First Impression Amsterdam Airport (AMS) is one of the best airports in the world and it is only 17 kilometers southwest to the city center. The airport also links smoothly with Amsterdam central through the Airport express train (which takes 15-20 mins), buses or taxis. Schiphol has very good amenities such as duty-free shopping, to restaurants and even a branch museum.

Places to stay in Amsterdam

Jordaan District – It is the cutest neighborhood with little hotels, local cafes, and pure Dutch spirit. The best hotel for people who want atmosphere rather than comfort.

Museum Quarter– Place of museums that are the best in the world, high quality Amsterdam hotels. It is an ideal destination to culture lovers and luxury travelers.

De Pijp – Hip area that has superb bars and restaurants. It is popular to younger visitors and economical travelers.

Canal Ring – Old city with typical canal sceneries. Best location with increasing price of accommodation along with unmatched atmosphere.

Top 14 Things to do in Amsterdam

1. Royal Palace of Amsterdam – the former city hall converted royal palace also provides guided tours reflecting a Dutch Golden Age luxury.

2. Rijksmuseum the national museum of the Netherlands houses works of the Netherlands Golden Age such as those of Rembrandt like the Night Watch.

3. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is the finest modern art museum in the world, with canvases of Picasso, Warhol and contemporary Dutch painters.

4. Canal Cruise Essential Amsterdam activity providing special views in the UNESCO World Heritage canals of the city.

5. Bicycle Tour Have an Amsterdam experience on two wheels. There are higher numbers of bikes than people in the city!

6.Floating Markets Visit the floating flower market in the whole world Bloemenmarkt which has been active since 1862.

7.Food Tours Try Dutch cuisines such as cheese, stroopwafels and beer.

8. Comedy Shows Boom Chicago gives a performance in English-language comedy which is attractive to foreign visitors.

9.The jazz scene in Amsterdam has been booming in small clubs such as Caf Central and Concertgebouw.

10. Zaanse Schans A typical Dutch village featuring operating windmills, and exhibitions of traditional crafts.

11.Giethoorn “Venice of the Netherlands” – no car city that can be reached by boat or bicycle only.

12. They have old Dutch pubs, centuries-old local beer culture called the Brown Cafes.

13.Dutch Cheese Sample: Taste Aged Gouda, Edam and handmade Cheese in specialist shops.

14.Michelin Starred Dining in Amsterdam There are so many Michelin star restaurants one can have gastronomic adventures in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s Famous Red-Light District

Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen) is probably the most known district in the world because of both its historic value and the liberal way of thinking in the present. Medieval architecture can be found in this UNESCO World Heritage site together with its red-lit windows that are renowned.

What to know:

• The region is completely safe in the day time and in the evening time to the tourists.
• The photograph of workers should be avoided through windows and is prohibited and disrespected.
• The district has great restaurants, bars, and sightseeing sources aside its renowned status.
• Casa Rosso and Red-Light Secrets Museum give educational information about the history of the area.
• The Amsterdam Red Light Area is not limited to the popular streets, but it also embraces museums, old churches, and Dutch coffee shops which give a rather complicated cultural setting.

Cannabis Culture: Is Weed Legal in Amsterdam?

Is Weed Legal in Amsterdam?

This is a question that is usually asked. In the Netherlands, the use of cannabis is technically illegal, but neither cannabis possession consumption, (up to five grams) nor cultivation, is criminalized; rather it is tolerated.

How to Buy Weed in Amsterdam: Only from retail stores of cannabis that are licensed coffee shops (they are not the same as the cafes). The most popular ones are:

• Bulldog coffee Shops (several locations)
• Coffeeshop Amsterdam (suitable to tourists)

The Amsterdam Marijuana Rules:

• Make sure that you buy in the authorized coffee shops
• It is only permitted to be consumed in coffee shops or at homes
• When it is used do not mix it up with alcohol
• Do not be rude to locals and their laws

Amsterdam’s Beer Culture and Heineken

The brand first appeared in Amsterdam in 1864 and Heineken Beer became part of the city. Heineken has Heineken Experience that provides interactive tours of the original brewery converted into a museum and visitor center.

Dutch Beer Culture:

• Classical style of beers: Pilsner, Wit bier (wheat beer), Dutch lagers
• Beer and food combinations with Dutch food
• Beer gardens and contemporary bars producing craft beer

Traveling Tips to Amsterdam

What is Amsterdam known of?

Amsterdam is known to be a city of artistic heritage, complex canal system, narrow houses with angled facades and liberal culture. A peculiar balance between historic preservation and development of progressive social policies exists in the city.

What makes Amsterdam well known?

Its worldwide fame is due to its past Golden Age wealth, artistic achievement (Rembrandt, Van Gogh), architectural beauty and present liberal tolerance in the field of individual freedoms.

Where is Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is found in Netherlands (Holland) in the western part of Europe. Located in the North Holland province, the city is about 2 meters below sea level.

In Which Country is Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has been the capital to the Netherlands that is usually referred to as Holland. It is a constitutional monarchy that is located in Northwestern Europe.

Amsterdam time: Amsterdam runs on Central European time

Amsterdam Transport System& Budget Plan

Getting Around:

• Bikes: The most real method to venture in Amsterdam
• Trams: Well developed network involving all the major attractions
• Buses: Join the regions, where trams are not available
• Metro: small, effective going long-distance
• Walking- city center is very walkable
• Ajax Amsterdam Connection: On this tour, football fans can visit Johan Cruyff Arena, which belongs to Ajax Amsterdam, one of the most successful football clubs in Europe.

Budget Planning

Amsterdam is costly, although some planning can save a lot:

• Place to stay:Eur 50 to Eur 300 or more per night, depending on the location, and time of year
• Food: street to fine dining up to Eur 15 – Euro 50 per meal
• Tourist places of interest: Combination tickets are many museums
• Transportation: Day passes to use in the transportation sectors

Conclusion

Amsterdam has a unique mixture of the past, present, and the future that will leave memories of visiting the city. Offering spectacular museums approaching the level of world-known ones, beautiful canals and charming nightlife, the city is a home to an attraction of any kind of visitor.

Are you an art, history enthusiast, or a lover of delicious cuisine or merely breathing in the air of one of the most liberal and open cities in Europe, Amsterdam does not disappoint. Visit during the shoulder seasons, make the most popular sites and activities reservations in advance, and don not forget to go off-the-beaten-path, which will provide you with the optimal combination of weather and crowds.

Frequent Asked Questions

Is Amsterdam 3 days’ worth it?

• Three days is what can give you an overview of the best attractions and introduce you to the city well, but 4-5 days will give you a more casual experience.

What are the things to avoid in Amsterdam?

• Do not rides your bike in the tram tracks and buy drugs off the street dealers, take photographs in the Red-Light district windows, and walk in bicycles lanes.

Is Amsterdam expensive?

• Amsterdam is one of those cities that are rather costly in comparison with the rest of European towns and cities, though there are also budget offers on the accommodation, food, and entertainment.

Do I have to know the Dutch language?

• Amsterdam is highly English speaking, and this makes it highly accessible by the English-speaking tourists.

How can I get to city center via the airport?

• The train is the quickest and most convenient one, and it takes 15-20 minutes to travel between the Amsterdam Airport and the Central Station.

Are you willing to visit Amsterdam? Book your Dutch experience now and find out why this is one of the most popular cities and loved by tourists in the world.

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