Amsterdam among canals, bikes and museums
Photo by Adrien Olichon · unsplash.com
Amsterdam is the city of canals, bicycles and tolerance. The centre is a UNESCO site with 165 canals and 1,281 bridges. The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House are unmissable.
🌤️ Best time to visit
April-May for the tulips in bloom at Keukenhof. June-August for outdoor life. September-October for fewer crowds.
✈️ How to arrive
Schiphol airport (AMS) with direct trains to Centraal Station (15 min, 4.50 euro). Excellent international rail connections.
🚇 How to get around
On foot and by bike - the ideal city to explore by pedalling. Trams for the farther areas. Watch out for the cycle lanes - bikes have priority!
🏛️ Main attractions
Rijksmuseum
The main Dutch museum with the masterpieces of Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Book online. Open every day.
Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection in the world of Van Gogh's works.
Booking compulsory in advance.
Anne Frank House
The hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her diary during the Second World War.
Book at least 2 months in advance - tickets sell out quickly.
🍝 Typical cuisine
Stroopwafel, Haring (raw herring), Bitterballen (fried croquettes), Patatje Oorlog (chips with mayonnaise and onion).
🍽️ Recommended restaurants
Cafe de Jaren: a historic cafe on the canal. Restaurant Blauw: authentic Indonesian cuisine. Foodhallen: a covered market with street food.
🏘️ Where to stay
Jordaan: the most characteristic district. De Pijp: bohemian and gastronomic. Oud-West: quiet with great cafes.
🗺️ Nearby day trips
Keukenhof in April (flowers). Zaandam and the windmills. The Hague with the Mauritshuis and Escher museums.
💡 Practical tips
Respect the rules of urban cycling. The coffee shops are legal but with precise rules. Buy the GVB day pass for tram and metro.