top sightseeing in amsterdam
Dam Square
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam in Amsterdam is one of three palaces in the Netherlands which are at the disposal of the monarch by Act of Parliament. It is situated on the west side of Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam, opposite the War Memorial and next to the Nieuwe Kerk. The Dam Square is the main artery of Amsterdam, and usually has a lot going on nearby - definitely worth checking out for first time visitors!
Canal Tour
Alongside tulips and windmills, the global image of Amsterdam is one of a city entwined with water. Since its development in the 17th century, Amsterdam’s Canal Ring has grown to be one of the world’s most unique urban landscapes. Amsterdam, also known as “Venice of the North”, has 165 canals. The total length of these canals is 50km which is about 31 miles. The most prominent canals are Herengracht, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht & Singel. There are 1281 bridges in Amsterdam. Our personal favourite (and not too touristy) guided tour is from Those Dam Boat Guys - it’s €25 per person for 90 minutes, and BYOB (yes, you can drink on the water / in public here). If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent your own boat (no license required) from Mokum Boat - it’s €95 to rent the whole boat for two hours, and the boat fits 8 people. Happy sailing!
red light
district
The majority of people have heard about Amsterdam’s Red Light District well before their visit. Leaving nothing to the imagination, some stereotypes about this area are true...
Prostitution has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance in Amsterdam. Safety is key here. In addition to preventing forced prostitution, the aim is an open and honest approach. Sex-workers here have their own union, plenty of police protection, an information centre (for visitors as well), frequent monitoring and testing and professional standards. Every night, the Red Light District is full of tourists (many British) - but it’s also a great bit of town filled with something for everyone. Just don’t take any pictures of the ladies in the window - they’ll throw pee on you (we’re not exaggerating).
The 9
Streets
Quaint, picturesque canal-district area featuring vintage & designer boutiques, plus cozy cafes. Discover where to shop, eat and relax in Amsterdam's most photogenic neighbourhood with Culture Trip’s Guide to the Nine Streets neighbourhood.
The Museum District
Museumplein certainly has no shortage of attractions, especially for art and history lovers. The area is home to the Van Gogh Museum, the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s artwork; the Rijksmuseum, famous for Rembrandt’s piece, “The Nightwatch;” and the Stedelijk, a modern art museum. Coster Diamonds and House of Bols are also popular places. After a long day of sightseeing, the Vondelpark is a peaceful area to wind down and relax. Note that the Anne Frank House is not in this district but if you wish to visit that museum, it’s best to book a few months in advance online.
Zaanse Schans
You came to Amsterdam looking for windmills? We hate to break it to you, but there’s only one windmill within Amsterdam city limits (and it’s a brewery, which is still cool to check out!) The nearby town of Zaanse Schans will have what you’re looking for and is easily accessible by train. Alternatively, you can book a half day tour of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken, and learn more about windmills, tulips, clogs, cheese and fishing (all the Dutch things!)
Just concerned about eating and drinking?
Never fear, Amanda’s very, very, very, very extensive Map of Amsterdam is here: