Amsterdam is a wonderfully unique destination. Despite the exodus of tourists, the life of the city remains authentic. Walk through the lovely canal streets or sit back and relax in one of the city’s many excellent cafés to have an introductory feel of the Dutch capital. There are many places in the capital that you should not miss. Here are some of the top attractions:
Canal ring
Amsterdam is also known as the Venice of the North. The famous canal ring gives you the feeling of serenity, freedom, and space. Stroll along these divine canal streets or better yet, board a tourist cruise and enjoy the view. Another way to explore the city’s fabulous canals is to take a bike ride. Either way, you will enjoy this place, one of the most attractive in the world.
Begijnhof
Begijnhof is a fascinating quiet garden in the heart of the city. Surrounded by old houses, a narrow, vaulted pathway leads to this famous attraction. Old ladies have replaced the pious celibate Béguine nuns. You will see here the No.34, Amsterdam’s oldest house.
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum houses around 200 paintings and more than 500 sketches showing the painter in all his moods. The museum holds the biggest collection of Van Gogh’s works and personal items in the world, featuring the artist’s hundreds of letters and some works by his contemporaries and friends.
Rijksmuseum
It is the largest museum in the country, with over 1 million visitors every year. The Masterpieces exhibition displays some of the most celebrated pieces of 17th Dutch art. Rembrandt, Hals, and Vermeer mirror in their masterpieces different dimensions of Dutch national character. You can also see the beautiful doll houses, the traditional Delftware, and the museum treasury.
Magere Brug
Magere Brug is a double-leaf Dutch drawbridge that connects sides of Amstel River. It opens about every 20 minutes. There have been no significant changes in the bridge since it was erected in 1670. Take a deep breath of refreshing air and enjoy the charm of this place.
Oude Kerk
Oude Kerk is a colossal old protestant church, which remains a calm paradise at the heart of the wild Red Light District. Sailors used the buildings, particularly the octagonal bell tower of the Gothic-Renaissance tradition, to get their bearings.
Anne Frank House
This place was Anne Frank’s hiding place where she wrote her diary when the Nazi persecuted the Jews during the Second World War. Two families hid from the Nazis in the small quarters for over two years. The rooms will give you a haunting impression. Anne Frank’s original diary is on permanent exhibition.
Amsterdam Brown Café
The best way to take a rest after a hectic day of sightseeing is to enjoy a nice meal or have a beer or coffee in one of the city’s old cafés known as brown. It can get too crowded some times and may seem too much from the past, but you will be treated with a unique atmosphere, welcoming people, and low prices. Most people who frequent them are locals. So relax and feel like one of the real Amsterdammers.
Related Pages on SimplyAmsterdam.org
