Winding through the narrow canals, ducking under tiny bridges, and admiring the architecture, a cruise is a pretty unparalleled introduction to Amsterdam. Kicking things off with an excursion you can’t miss, a cruise around some of Amsterdam’s 165 canals is usually everyone’s first stop when they touch down in the Dutch capital. From indoor activities on those rainy days to foodie experiences you’ll dream about after you’ve arrived home, let’s jump into this Amsterdam bucket list. This curated dining experience lets you enjoy a variety of our chef’s finest creations, offering a journey through Latin America’s most beloved flavors—all in one meal. Road A8, leading north to Zaandam and the A10 Ringroad were opened between 1968 and 1974.249 Besides the A1, A2, A4 and A8, several freeways, such as the A7 and A6, carry traffic mainly bound for Amsterdam. Regional buses, and some suburban buses, are operated by Connexxion and EBS.

To ensure you can see the museum’s collection of original items, photos, and videos, you’ll need to secure your tickets weeks before your trip to Amsterdam, as tickets infamously sell out over a month in advance. In a city as pedestrian-friendly as Amsterdam, a walking tour allows you to explore the narrow streets and laneways you’d miss out on with buses and private transfers. Walking tours have become my go-to when I have landed in a new city for the first time, as it’s such a fantastic way to find your bearings while getting a sense of the local area. Vondelpark is the city’s largest urban park and is at the top of the best places to visit in Amsterdam to see another side of the capital.
Enjoy The Drunk Food Of Your Dreams!
Under a municipal ordinance, the new district committees were granted responsibilities through the delegation of regulatory and executive powers by the central municipal council. Amsterdam has more than 100 km (60 mi) of canals, most of which are navigable by boat. The city’s three main canals are the Prinsengracht, the Herengracht, and the Keizersgracht.

Soak Up The Spirit Of The City With A Visit To One Of Amsterdam’s Many Galleries And Museums
From the 15th century on the city established an independent trade route with the Baltic Sea in grain and timber, cutting out the Hanseatic League as middlemen. This was made possible due to innovations in the herring fishery, from which Amsterdam reaped great wealth.13 Herring had demand in markets all around Europe. Inventions of on-board gibbing and the haringbuis in 1415, made longer voyages feasible and hence enabled Dutch fishermen to follow the herring shoals far from the coasts, giving them a monopoly in the industry.

We’re passionate about bringing the rich and diverse flavors of Latin America straight to your table—whether it’s the refreshing zest of Peruvian ceviche, the comforting crunch of Colombian arepas, or the savory delight of Brazilian empanadas. There are over 200 primary schools in Amsterdam.266 Some of these primary schools base their teachings on particular pedagogic theories like the various Montessori schools. The biggest Montessori high school in Amsterdam is the Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam. This used to be primarily Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations, but with the influx of Muslim immigrants, there has been a rise in the number of Islamic schools.
- Anyone short on time can spend an afternoon checking the cube houses, the Market Hall, and the massive harbor off their lists before returning to Amsterdam in no time.
- You’ll spend your cruise snacking on these divine traditional desserts, which you can pair with your choice of fruits, jams, cheese, and ham.
- Or sail directly across to Noord, one of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods – home to top restaurants, nightlife and mesmerising new art spaces.
- In recent years, the city government has been closing and repurposing the famous red-light district windows to clean up the area and reduce the amount of party and sex tourism.
- Interchanges on the A10 allow cars to enter the city by transferring to one of the 18 city roads, numbered S101 through to S118.
- While Boom Chicago is one of the best stages for comedy, improv and spoken word, and has been tickling the ribs of audiences for over 25 years, all performed in English.
Countryside Bike Tour

In 2010, the borough system was restructured, in which many smaller boroughs merged into larger boroughs. In 2014, under a reform of the Dutch Municipalities Act, the Amsterdam boroughs lost much of their autonomous status, as their district councils were abolished. The Dutch National Opera and Ballet (formerly known as Het Muziektheater), dating from 1986, is the principal opera house and home to Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet. Royal Theatre Carré was built as a permanent circus theatre in 1887 and is currently mainly used for musicals, cabaret performances, and pop concerts. The modern-styled Nemo is dedicated to child-friendly science exhibitions.
Windmills & Countryside Tour
Only around 500 pieces are displayed at a time as the museum rotates the artworks they showcase. In just one visit, you can cast your eyes on late 19th-century paintings, Art Deco furniture, and modern drawings. If the Rijksmuseum left a lasting impression on you, the Van Gogh Museum should be next on your list. Anyone visiting on a bit of a time crunch will be glad to know that the two museums are just minutes apart.
X Cozy Cinemas In Amsterdam For The Perfect Movie Night
For those wanting to watch a bit of sport, Belushi’s has several screens showing the big games and, and just along the Warmoesstraat is Players bar – another popular sports bar, and the starting bar for the Red-Light District Pub Crawl. For those preferring to check out some more local haunts, Cooldown Café and Bubbles on the Lange Leidsedwarsstraat are always popular with young Amsterdammers – think cheap beers and Dutch sing-along pop music. These bars can be a little pickier on entry and understandably want to keep their unique vibe so they are not recommended for big groups of lads or rowdy tourists. Take a stroll along the legendary canal network, peek at the treasures inside the Royal Palace, visit the infamous De Wallen red-light district or shop for keepsakes in De 9 Straatjes.
Layover In Amsterdam: 7 Top Things To Do For A Quick, Memorable Visit
- Winding through the narrow canals, ducking under tiny bridges, and admiring the architecture, a cruise is a pretty unparalleled introduction to Amsterdam.
- When it comes to work and travel, Amsterdam is the best place to put the motto ‘work hard, play hard’ into practice.
- Made from two thin layers of sweet dough with a caramel filling cementing them together, stroopwafels are available in shops, cafes, and restaurants all over Amsterdam.
- In 2019, the new lock in IJmuiden opened; since then, the port has been able to grow to 125 million tonnes in capacity.
- People often refer to the Netherlands as Holland (and in many languages the two are interchangeable – from Hungarian to Catalan!).
You can book private dining experiences in Amsterdam for up to 200 guests (and sometimes more). Less than ten guests are also possible; the maximum in consultation depends on the group’s composition. In addition, each group has the exclusive use of the dining room for the duration of the event, so you can celebrate your party the way you like in complete privacy. Unless you’re joining a guided tour, I recommend taking a high-speed train from Amsterdam, which will bring you to the Belgian capital in under two hours.

Whole districts were built in this style, such as the Rivierenbuurt.183 A notable feature of the façades of buildings designed in Amsterdamse School is that they are highly decorated and ornate, with oddly shaped windows and doors. If you’re in town for more than a few days, then plan a day trip to the Amsterdam Area to explore the diverse attractions of the surrounding area. Just a short hop from Amsterdam lies a rich landscape of gorgeous countryside, beaches, windmills and historic forts – all easily reachable from the city centre. Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam Central by train, the picturesque city of Haarlem overflows with history and culture, plus a great selection of shops, cafes and restaurants. And if lying on a beach is more your thing, then the beautiful golden stretches at Amsterdam Beach will be happy to oblige with golden sands, dunes and plenty of watersports. Looking for picture-perfect views of windmills, rolling grassland and winding canals?
Many of the museums and sights included are covered by the I amsterdam City Card – a handy visitor pass which gets you free entry to Amsterdam’s most popular attractions, plus free public transport for the duration of your stay. Join the Amsterdam food tour and embark on a gastronomic adventure that will delight your senses and leave you with lasting memories of your time in this captivating city. Explore the vibrant food scene of this enchanting city with fellow foodies, families, solo travellers, or groups of friends, and discover hidden culinary gems while learning about Amsterdam’s rich history and culture. Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will lead you through a delectable adventure that will make your trip to Amsterdam truly unforgettable.
Private Dining Amsterdam
At any of our beautiful locations, you can fully enjoy dinner, lunch or afternoon tea in our restaurants. We present a dinner or lunch with fresh ingredients and local products if at all possible to pleasantly surprise every company every time. Delicious food served in an intimate and casual atmosphere with friends, family, or colleagues. If you’d rather join a guided tour, this day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam tour has you covered. You’ll spend some of your day visiting spots like the Grote Markt and the Belfry with your guide, as well as getting some free time.