The magical city of canals, with permission from Venice, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. In addition to the beauty of its streets and historic buildings, Amsterdam is one of those cities that stand out for having a special atmosphere, which is quickly contagious to the visitor.
That’s why those who visit Amsterdam always end up coming back. It is the perfect city to enjoy cycle tourism, one of the most fashionable trends in travel. There’s nothing like discovering new places while doing a bit of sport.
Its world-famous Red Light District, continues to captivate the curiosity of locals and foreigners, and its nightlife is one of the liveliest in the old continent.
But Amsterdam is also about art, history and culture. It is home to some of the world’s most important museums and its streets hold secrets as interesting as the Anne Frank House, a must-see.
Amsterdam is a city that radiates freedom and fun, while at the same time being one of the safest destinations on the planet.
Ready to pedal surrounded by tulips, canals and coffeeshops? We assure you that once Amsterdam enters your heart, it will stay with you forever.
Dam Square and the Royal Palace
Dam Square is the heart of the city and one of the best places to see in Amsterdam.
Its iconic obelisk, more than 20 metres high, is one of its main monuments. It was built in honour of the fallen in World War II and in its bases, you will find different allegorical figures full of meaning.
But undoubtedly, the most important element of Dam Square is the Royal Palace, one of the most important buildings in the whole city, both institutionally and historically. Built in 1808, it originally served as Amsterdam’s City Hall, then became the Royal Palace of the monarch Louis I Bonaparte and, later, of the Dutch Royal House.
As with the Royal Palace in Madrid, its current use is purely institutional, as the kings of Holland have their main residence in The Hague and use the palace for official receptions, state visits and different types of institutional celebrations.
In addition to its beautiful façade, built in a classicist style, it is possible to visit its interior, with an audio guide service in Spanish and a stop at the legendary balcony from which the King and Queen of the Netherlands come out to greet the citizens of the capital.
Inside the square you can admire other beautiful buildings such as the Nieuwe Kerk, one of the most important churches in Amsterdam, and the Madame Tussaud Museum, considered one of the best wax museums in the world.
Madame Tussauds Museum
Madame Tussauds Museum is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam.
Surely if you haven’t heard of it, you will have heard of the one in London, New York or other cities where it has the same name. The reason is that it is part of the most important chain of wax museums in the world.
Here you can take photos with a huge collection of different figures, including members of the Dutch Royal House, artists of all kinds, both national and international, athletes, historical figures and other personalities.
Its visit offers much more than the typical wax figures, since in recent years it has been equipped with different multimedia effects, animatronics and even the presence of actors performing in the museum, creating a very special experience for the visitor.
The tour of the museum can be done in less than an hour if you don’t want to spend a lot of time there, but if you do, you can also spend up to two or three hours to make the most of your visit.
The New Church or Nieuwe Kerk
The Nieuwe Kerk (translated into English as the New Church) is the most important and famous church in Amsterdam. Nowadays, however, it has abandoned its religious status to become the venue for major events of the Dutch Crown, as well as an exhibition hall of various kinds.
For example, it was the venue for the wedding of William Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta in 2002 or the coronation of King Willem-Alexander in 2013.
Since its construction, it has had to be renovated many times due to several fires, and was last renovated between the 1960s and 1980s.
Of our three recommendations located in Dam Square, unless you are particularly interested in the exhibition held there at the time. In any case, if you have enough time, it can always be an interesting visit.
Red Light District
The Red Light District is one of the most famous districts in Europe, which inevitably makes it one of the places to see in Amsterdam.
As much as you may have heard about this unique neighbourhood, we can assure you that strolling through its streets is a truly amazing experience.
But the Red Light District is not all shop windows, neon lights and Coffee Shops. It is one of Amsterdam’s oldest districts and is home to the city’s oldest church, the Oude Kerk, which we will explain more about below.
This district is what gives Amsterdam its popular status as the city of freedom, but it is also a very beautiful area, with cobbled streets, old houses, canals and lush greenery, as well as some of the best bars and restaurants in the city. That’s why our recommendation is to take a guided tour of its streets. It is undoubtedly a place that generates curiosity and in this way, you can take advantage of the opportunity to get to know all its secrets, from its rich history to its most emblematic and representative points.
The Old Church or Oude Kerk
Although the interior of the recently mentioned Nieuwe Kerk is not particularly spectacular, the interior of the Oude Kerk, the Old Church of Amsterdam, is very spectacular.
Built in 1302, it is the oldest building in the city, and although it was originally just a small wooden chapel, over the years it has been expanded and transformed into the huge Gothic basilica it is today.
The Old Church of Amsterdam is one of the main tourist attractions in the famous Red Light District and its beautiful appearance contrasts with the neon lights of its surroundings.
Inside, don’t miss its amazing vaulted ceilings with 15th century paintings, beautiful stained glass windows and its spectacular organ.
When we talked about the Nieuwe Kerk we referred to it as the most important church in Amsterdam, due to the importance of the events that have been held within its walls in recent years. But the Oude Kerk is undoubtedly the most beautiful and interesting in the city.
You can visit it every day of the year, except only on 25 December and 27 April.
The Canals of Amsterdam
We began our guide by referring to beautiful Amsterdam as the city of canals. Between its streets and buildings, Amsterdam boasts no less than 75 kilometres of navigable canals and up to 1,700 bridges crossing their waters, allowing passers-by to move around the city with ease.
If you don’t want to take a tourist cruise to explore them directly from their waters, you can choose to visit them on foot, with a photo included at the most emblematic bridges.
The most important and famous canals in the city are the Herengracht, the Prinsengracht, the Jordaan and the Keizersgracht, and the region they form within the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
Did you know that more than 10,000 bicycles are retrieved from its canals every year? Without a doubt, we are talking about one of Amsterdam’s main identifying features and the unique characteristic that makes it such a special city.
The Bijenkorf department store
Another of Amsterdam’s major historic buildings, it is particularly reminiscent of the legendary Harrods Department Store in London or the beautiful Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
Housed in an early 20th century building that is as beautiful inside as outside.
Throughout its five floors you will find textiles from the best fashion designers, as well as the most exclusive pieces of jewellery.
The Bijenkorf Department Store is the ideal place to enjoy shopping during your holiday in Amsterdam, while admiring the beauty of one of its oldest and most characteristic buildings.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is a must-see for history lovers and a visit that provokes a myriad of emotions and feelings.
You’ve probably heard of the famous diary of its protagonist, and if you haven’t, there’s no better opportunity to discover her story.
Today, the Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust through the story of the Jewish family that lived in its walls for years. What was once their secret hiding place from the Nazis, presents a spectacular level of conservation.
Listening to the emotional story of Anne Frank and her family while you visit each room of the house is an experience that gives you goosebumps.
The tour of the house can be completed in about an hour, but if you wish, you can spend more time discovering every detail. There is not a single object in the rooms that does not tell a story.
It is one of the most visited museums on the planet and undoubtedly represents the most moving stop on our entire list. A visit you will never forget.
Waag Gate
The Waag Gate is the former gateway to the city of Amsterdam and is the oldest non-religious building in the city.
It is known in Dutch as De Waag or Sint Antoniespoort (St. Anthony’s Gate) and is the most important surviving remnant of what was once the defensive wall that surrounded the city. In addition, two old defensive watchtowers remain: the Schreierstoren and the Munttoren.
To discover its origins, you have to travel back in time to medieval times. Built in 1488, it has undergone a multitude of refurbishments, which have given it a very different appearance to the one it had in its first years of existence.
Today, this building is the headquarters of the Waag Society, a foundation dedicated to promoting the use and expansion of new technologies, culture and art.
Best of all, a café-restaurant has been installed on the lower floor, allowing you to enjoy a snack inside one of the oldest buildings in the Netherlands.
The Waag Gate is located on the Nieuwmarkt (New Market Square).
The Flower Market
Did you know that the Netherlands is the main trading country of plants and flowers in Europe? The Amsterdam Flower Market is just a small sample of this, but it is certainly the most attractive.
We are talking about one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam and one of its most emblematic spots.
Located on the banks of the Singel canal, the Amsterdam Flower Market brings together up to fifteen different flower shops where the tulip is the undisputed king, present in countless different colours and sizes.
Its Dutch name is Bloemenmarkt and it has been open since 1862.
Its location, right next to the canal, allowed the continuous arrival and departure of plants and flowers for sale in its origins. But, the most curious thing of all, is that it is actually a floating market, built on huge floating platforms.
A nice option is to buy seeds from a lot of different flowers. This way, when you return home, you can watch a beautiful tulip grow every day and continue to reminisce about your fantastic trip to wonderful Amsterdam.
Van Gogh Museum
With more than 200 paintings and up to 500 different drawings, the Van Gogh Museum houses the most important collection of the most famous Dutch artist of all time.
Did you know that Vincent Van Gogh sold only one of his paintings during his lifetime, passing away in total anonymity? As is often the case with great geniuses, it took several years for his work, which was inherited by Johanna, widow of his brother Theo after his death, to begin to obtain some recognition.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was inaugurated in 1973 and its amazing collection includes such important works as The Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, The Yellow House, Wheat Field with Crows and The Bedroom in Arles.
As part of your visit to the museum, you can take a guided tour in Spanish to learn more about Van Gogh’s life and work. This will also allow you to avoid the queues at the ticket office, which will save you time and knowledge.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is possibly the most important museum in the Netherlands. It is particularly noted for its extensive collection of works from the famous Dutch Golden Age, as well as its famous collection of Delft ceramics.
Among his most important works are Rembrandt’s The Jewish Bride or The Night Watch, Vermeer’s Woman Reading a Letter or The Milkmaid, or Hals’ The Merry Drinker.
But the Rijksmuseum holds many other secrets besides its well-known Impressionist works. A good example of this is its displays of Asian and Egyptian art, or its exhibition of historical objects from periods such as the Middle Ages.
As we recommended in the case of the Van Gogh Museum, the best option if you want to visit it is to take a guided tour, which, in addition to getting to know it in depth and enjoying all its works while discovering its history and context, will allow you to avoid queues and save time to dedicate to other of our recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions Amsterdam
What are the must-see places in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is one of the most attractive and interesting cities in Europe. Its streets and canals are full of stops, monuments and landmarks that are well worth visiting. However, if we had to choose which are the must-see places in Amsterdam, we would choose the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Red Light District and Dam Square.
Where to eat in Amsterdam?
The entire city centre has a huge number and variety of restaurants of all kinds, and you will find many interesting options where to eat typical Dutch food in Amsterdam. Both the area around Dam Square and Spui Square are great places to eat, as are the streets around Leidseplein.
What to eat in Amsterdam?
The city of Amsterdam is a gastronomic paradise for cheese lovers, but its restaurants offer many other delicacies worth trying. Some of the most famous examples are bitterballen, broodjes haring, pannekoeken, stamp and, of course, the famous Stroopwafels.
How much time do you need to visit Amsterdam?
There are so many recommended stops and sights in the city that we recommend you spend at least five days in Amsterdam. And if you can spend a week wandering the streets and canals, so much the better.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
The best time to visit Amsterdam is definitely spring. Remember that you are in the city of tulips and if it is usually a city that stands out for being full of colour, in spring it is ten times more colourful.
Plans not to be missed in Amsterdam
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