Amsterdam

One of the coolest cities in Europe, Amsterdam is beautiful, laid back, and is absolutely packed with things to do, see, eat and drink!

Amsterdam is a city full of history, with many attractions which will fill your days. There a re a number of high quality museums including the Rembrandt House Museum and Rijksmuseum (home to the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art) as well as many historical places to see like the Royal Palace as or Anne Frank’s House. You’ll also enjoy just walking around the quaint squares all around the city such as Dam Square, Leidseplein Square, Rembrandt Square and the Museum Square.

In summer one of the best places to go for a relaxing afternoon is the Vondelpark.  With a bit of luck you will catch an outdoor concert near the water.  There are also a few trendy places in the park where you can sit and have a beer, such as the Blauwe Theehuis.

Amsterdam’s red-light district is perhaps one of the cities most famous tourist attractions – Perhaps one of the most iconic images of Amsterdam, the designated areas for legalized prostitution consists of a network of roads and alleys containing several hundred small, one-room apartments rented by female sex workers who offer their services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights.

Canals and stores

Amsterdam has over 100km of canals and one of the best ways of seeing the city is on one of the many boat canal tours. If your feeling fit then why not get around like the locals do, take your bikes (or hire some) and cycle your way around the city – Amsterdam is an extremely cycle friendly city with nearly twice the number of cycles than actual residents.

Like most major European cities, when it comes to shopping you’ll find just about everything you desire – from multi-level department stores to local boutiques, antiques to contemporary Dutch design, Amsterdam inspires even the most refined shopper. De Bijenkorf founded in 1870 is one of Amsterdam’s and Holland’s oldest department stores with their flagship store on Dam Square. If visiting markets is more to your liking, Amsterdam features a large number of open-air markets including the Albert Cuypmarkt, Westermarkt, Ten Katemarkt, and Dappermarkt.

Travelling to Amsterdam by Ferry

With a direct ferry to IJmuiden, the main port in Amsterdam, taking the ferry to Amsterdam is great way of visiting this great city. The Rotterdam port and the Hook of Holland also offer train and bus links in to the heart of Amsterdam.