Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is among Europe’s most beautiful and most visited cities. This unique city is famous as a tourist attraction destination rich in history, amazing museums, lovely culture, wonderful nightlife and eye-catching winding canals. Also, you can find delicious food in Amsterdam. This means that there is a limitless number of things you can do in Amsterdam. Below is a list of unmissable places in Amsterdam to answer the question of the best places to visit in Amsterdam.
See the Art Collections at the Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum (National Museum) is the first and most popular attraction site and an art repository. The main aim of creating this museum in 1798 was to store antiquities and rare art. This museum has an amazing collection of 8000+ famous paintings and more than a million cultural artifacts (from the 13th century to today) stored across 250 rooms of the building.
It is found in the borough of Amsterdam South at the Museum Square and very close to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw. The museum houses a well-stocked library containing 35000+ manuscripts and books. Also, the building houses a special collection of medieval sculptures, traditional handicrafts and modern art styles.
Visit Anne Frank House
Anne Frank Huis (Anne Frank House) stands on the Prinsengracht. This is, literary, the house that offered refuge to Anne’s family during WWII (the world’s best-known Holocaust victims). Anne wrote a diary in this famous house during the war and became one of the bestsellers internationally after the war. The Franks (Jewish refugees) came from Frankfurt, a city in Germany.
Over 50% of the house has been kept in the same condition, similar to Anne’s time. It serves as a poignant monument showing the world’s most tragic period in history.
Van Gogh Museum
Since its launch in 1972, historians and art fans have flooded this spectacular museum. This modern Gerrit Rietveld-designed building houses the world’s largest Van Gogh artifact and painting collections (his brother donated most of the work). The museum consists of 500 drawings and etchings, 200 paintings and 700 letters written by and to family and friends.
Van Gogh Museum is found in Amsterdam South, close to the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Concertgebouw. The highlight of visiting this amazing museum is the “Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience.” It is a digital presentation that shows the painter’s life back in the day.
Vondelpark
This park is among the largest and most famous parks in Amsterdam. The park sits on a 120-acre piece of land with great things to do. Visitors can enjoy an extensive green space with peaceful ponds and beautiful paths. Additionally, the park has a rose garden with 70+ different flower types. You won’t miss a variety of statues and sculptures, recreational facilities and playgrounds during your trip to the Netherlands.
It forms part of the Amsterdam-Zuid’s borough and is situated west of Museumplein and Leidseplein. If you haven’t carried anything to eat or drink during your trip to the park, don’t worry. There are many cafes to enjoy a well-prepared meal or snack and drinks.
Definitely, visiting Vondelpark is one of the best things you can do in Amsterdam.
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
This Royal Palace, formerly the City’s Town Hall, serves as a residence for the king when he visits the city. Its construction is extraordinary; it started in 1648, using more than 13659 piles for support. Its architectural design is based on ancient Rome, with a magnificent interior finish and classic exterior look. Apartments are decorated with ornaments, reliefs, friezes and marble sculptures and spectacular ceiling paintings by Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol.
It is located opposite the War Memorial on the west side of Dam Square, next to the Nieuwe Kerk. The Royal Palace has the finest furniture collection worldwide, with a marble fireplace in the City Treasurer’s room.
Jewish Historical Museum
Joods Historisch Museum is in four redundant synagogues, specifically the Grote Synagogue (1670). The fun in this museum starts when you see how large their collection of religious paintings, ceremonial canopies (the white marble Holy Shrine), hangings and artifacts (Torah robes, Torah headdresses and Torah containers) is. There is a large library with a kosher restaurant in the upper synagogue.
Since its opening in 1987, the museum has occupied four former synagogues located on Jonas Daniël Meijerplein square. Docker Monument is erected outside the Jewish museum to commemorate the 1941 strike on the workers who refused the deportation program for their fellow Jews. The Portuguese Synagogue houses one of the oldest libraries, Ets Haim Library.
If you liked this article about the best places to visit in Amsterdam, you will love our guide about what to do in Amsterdam for three days.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
There are a lot of accommodation options in the Dutch capital and are among the most exciting across Europe and the new routes like the Eurostar route make hotels easily accessible. Amsterdam may be on the top five list of the most visited cities, but it still cares for low-budget visitors. Among the best hotels in Amsterdam, Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam is at the top of the list.
It is a four-star hotel located in the center of the city. The hotel is just 300 meters from Leidseplein and Vondelpark. Also, the hotel is very close to a square (Museumplein) that houses the famous three museums in Amsterdam: Stedelijk, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum.
The hotel is distinctive as it comprises 18h century buildings, seven to be exact, constructed in a Dutch style. It is the best place to stay, especially if you want to discover and explore the city’s cultural and business fare. Thanks to the delicious dining, excellent location and pleasant facilities, this hotel is suitable for any type of trip, be it a romantic break, business or family holiday.
It is no surprise that Amsterdam is the most famous and beautiful city destination across the globe. The Dutch city has something for everyone, from beautiful tourist attractions to museums and the royal palace to parks and botanical gardens. Some consider this cosmopolitan city small but perfectly formed with a fine neighborhood to explore. We hope the guide is helpful enough to find the best places to visit in Amsterdam!
