Travel tips Amsterdam
Amsterdam for night owls, cultural tourists and shopping fans
Amsterdam is cosmopolitan, colourful, lively and one of the most popular hotspots of the world. The international metropolis is ideal for an inspiring weekend, an exciting sightseeing trip or a creative shopping tour. The city on the water, interspersed by numerous canals, is brimming over with interesting squares, diverse cultural options and lots of museums and attractions. Important sights in Amsterdam, such as Oude Kerk (old church) or the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) bear witness to eventful past. Hotel tip Amsterdam: right in the center of lively Amsterdam you will find the Park Hotel Amsterdam - best conditions for an inspiring shopping trip in Amsterdam!
Sight seeing highlights in one of the most exciting cities in Europe
Amsterdam has the largest historical city centre in Europe with its middle-class houses from the 16th to the 20th century. A picturesque trip down the canals lets you experience the flair of the capital at especially close hand. The best place to see the famous flowery splendour of the Dutch is at the Bloemenmarkt - the floating flower market is simply beautiful all year round. Rare antiques, funky shoes, unique accessories – shopping freaks feel right at home in Amsterdam: in shopping centres, creative small boutiques and of course one of the many flea markets.
Shopping tips in Amsterdam: designer shops and luxury goods
The most elegant department store to shop in Amsterdam is definitely Bijenkorf am Dam with six floors full of luxury goods, clothes and shoes, restaurants, cafés and art exhibitions. It hardly even warrants mentioning that a day in Amsterdam does not end when the sun goes down: A dense network of cafés, bars and clubs permeates the picturesque alleys along the canals.
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Cultural tips in Amsterdam: Amsterdam for art connoisseurs, van Gogh lovers and cultural tourists
Retrace the footsteps of the Dutch masters, marvel at the charming middle-class houses of the rich merchants and immerse yourself in Amsterdam's unique flair – the Dutch metropolis is ideal for a weekend trip and a longer sightseeing holiday! Far more than 50 cultural institutions on the most diverse topics enchant a wealth of visitors from all over the world every day. For example, Amsterdam houses the largest museum in the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum. It features an impressive monumental collection of Dutch art from the "Golden Age", including Rembrandt's Night Watch.
Museums and cultural events in Amsterdam
Another highlight is the Van Gogh Museum with over 750 of the artist's masterpieces. The Anne-Frank-Haus in Amsterdam city centre, named after the famous girl to whom is served as a hideaway in the 2nd World War, is also worth a visit. In the interactive Historical Museum of Amsterdam you are led through the city's eventful past: from the first settlements to the Golden Age to Holland's conquest of the seas you can marvel at Amsterdam's journey to cosmopolitan city. If you have always wanted to know what life is like on a houseboat, the Houseboat Museum is the place for you.
Sightseeing tips in Amsterdam: Amsterdam for cyclists, zoo visitors and concert fans
A hint of Venice – that is the first impression when you see the many canals that run through the city. The best way to see Amsterdam is by bike or totally relaxed from the water on a boat trip along the canals. But Amsterdam is also easy to discover on foot, as the main tourist highlights of the Dutch capital are close together. You could start your sightseeing tour from the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) with its splendid forecourt. The next stop is Madame Tussaud's Waxworks and Artis Zoo including a geological museum and aquarium with a replica of a savanna.
Amsterdam for families: Zoo, Tropical museum and great events
In the Tropenmuseum (Tropical Museum) you dive into a colourful world full of stories: Folk art and modern art from all over the world can be found in one of the most beautiful historical buildings of Amsterdam. The Tropenmuseum Junior provides interesting information from all over the world presented interactively and attractively for children. One of Amsterdam's architectural highlights is the Amsterdam Arena, one of the most modern football stadiums in the world and home to the football club Ajax Amsterdam. But the Amsterdam Arena is not just about sport, world-famous stars such as U2 and the Rolling Stones have used the stadium for their shows.
Restaurant tips in Amsterdam: Amsterdam for gourmets and French fry fanatics
Is there a typical Dutch cuisine? That is a point of contention. One thing is certain; the gastronomy scene in Amsterdam is as diverse as its inhabitants. Whether you feel like an Indonesian rice table, pizza calzone or French Coq au vin – you can find something for every palate in Amsterdam's restaurants. Traditional dishes are the variety of fine pancakes from the "Pancake Houses", the delicious Dutch cheese and, of course, the obligatory French fries. You can try a hundred different kinds of schnaps in the tasting rooms, e.g. in De drie Fleschjes, where they serve glasses of Genever full to the brim.
The choice of over 1,000 restaurants does not make it easy to decide. In Seasons Restaurant you can enjoy fine international cuisine, Gartine serves fresh vegetables from its own garden and in the restaurant De Kas you dine on light and creative dishes from the greenhouse you are sitting in. MOMO Restaurant brings a new and exciting concept to Amsterdam: Meals and spices from the Far East are combined with the sophistication of the West.
Shopping tips in Amsterdam: Amsterdam for shopaholics and fashionista
Everything your heart desires - and much more besides - can be found in the many shopping streets such as Klaverstraat, in stores and boutiques or in the street markets on Waterlooplain. In Zeedijk you feel like you are in Asia, in Leidsestraat there is one shoe shop after another and what 5th Avenue is to New York, P.C. Hoofdstraat is to Amsterdam. Along Damstraat you can find the craziest shoe shops, including the extravagant Dr. Adams, book shops and antiques stores. If you follow Damstraat you end up in the middle of Chinatown.
Lively and exciting markets in Amsterdam
The Albert Cuyp Markt in Albert Cuypstraat is loud and colourful. So many countries, nationalities and exotic specialities are represented here that it almost makes you dizzy. It is not just one of the most popular markets in Amsterdam and a wonderful place to shop but it is also an ideal place to find out something new about other countries. Those with a sweet tooth can find a real sugary paradise in Papabubbles: Lollies and sweets in every imaginable colour and shape grace this shop – and you can follow the unusual production process of the sweet works of art directly in store.
Creative gifts and new lifestyle trends are on show in LifeStyle. And trendy Aba-i is the place to go for beautiful materials, rugs, cushions and blankets from distant countries and fair trade sources. Wherever you are in Amsterdam – numerous bistros, restaurants and cafés invite you to take a break and provide the opportunity to watch the lively hustle and bustle.
Going out in Amsterdam: Amsterdam for night owls, party people and clubbers
The day has 24 hours and these are, of course, used to the full in Amsterdam. Bars, pubs, clubs and the famous red light district create the best conditions for a night in Amsterdam. Most of Amsterdam's cafés and restaurants are located around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Clubs and discos can be found everywhere in Amsterdam and you can't help but hear them on the street. The most well-known clubs are concentrated in the city centre.
Cosy bars and stylish clubs in Amsterdam
The best nights out in Amsterdam are Thursday and Saturday, many locations host live music and jazz concerts on those days. Popular locations are In de Wildeman, situated in a former distillery and Old Sailor, a former seaman's bar, where sailors from all over the world sank the odd beer or two. The elite meets in Club 11 for dinner before big-name DJs such as Sven Väth or Michael Mayer spin the tables in the evening. Paradiso is a former church which has been converted to a concert hall and where Robbie Williams has rocked the stage. There is also regular live music in Alto Jazz Club, in Casablanca and in Melkweg.