Why is Amsterdam worth a visit?

The answer is simple: Amsterdam is absolutely unique. In Holland’s largest city there are so many extraordinary things to see, experience and discover that you can only find here. Where else can you find such a world-famous canal belt, so many masterpieces by Rembrandt and Van Gogh, museums about cannabis, handbags, microbes and sex, a legendary red-light district, a coffee shop on every corner and a bicycle path beside every street! You have to travel to Amsterdam for that.

Here are our top 10 reasons to travel to Amsterdam:

1. The unique Canal belt can only be found here.

2. Amsterdam is a museum metropolis. Hardly any other city has so many world-famous and extraordinary museums in such a small space. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Rembrandt House Museum are only the tip of the iceberg.

3. Amsterdam is simply beautiful. There are few cities in the world whose historical buildings are as well preserved as those in the canal city.

4. In Amsterdam you will find a number of sights that are truly exceptional. Where else can you learn about cannabis in a hash museum, learn about the history of eroticism in a sex museum and dive into the world of microorganisms in your own zoo!

5. Amsterdam is cosy. The city is very compact and the Dutch gezelligheid (insufficiently translated as “sociability”) is world famous anyway.

6. Amsterdam has always been and still is a very liberal city. From the early legalization of prostiution to the relatively liberal use of soft drugs, Amsterdam has been a trendsetter for social developments around the world in many areas.

7 Amsterdam is a very cosmopolitan city. For centuries, people from all over the world have found shelter and a new home here. This is also reflected in the cosmopolitan flair of the city and the attitude of the population.

8 Amsterdam’s markets are known far beyond the city’s borders. To name but two: The Bloemenmarkt (flower market) is world famous and the Albert Cuyp Market is the largest weekly market in Europe.

9. Amsterdam is a cultural metropolis. Whether theater, opera, music or festivals – the city’s calendar of events is always packed.

10. You can discover Amsterdam wonderfully by bike. During rush hours the bicycle paths are overcrowded, but cycling is a popular sport in Holland.

For whom is Amsterdam worth a visit?

Water lovers:

With the exception of Venice, no other city in Europe is built as close to/on the water as Amsterdam. The unique belt of canals can only be found here. No wonder that Amsterdam is also called “Venice of the North”.

Architecture buffs:

If you want to visit a beautiful city, Amsterdam is the place to be. Few major European cities have such well-preserved historical buildings as Amsterdam.

Museum visitors:

Although Amsterdam is not even one of the largest cities in Europe, the city is a true museum metropolis. It is home to some of the most famous art museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Rembrandt House Museum), history museums (Anne Frank House, Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum) and science museums (NEMO) in Europe. In addition, Amsterdam has a number of museums devoted to more unusual subjects such as cannabis (Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum), sex (Sex Museum Amsterdam), handbags (Museum of Bags and Purses) and microbes (Micropia).

Cyclists:

The Netherlands is generally a bicycle-friendly country. And Amsterdam takes it to the extreme again. There is hardly any other city in the world where you can get around as well on two wheels as here.

Fans of liberality:

Amsterdam has always been a cosmopolitan, liberal and permissive city, where many things were allowed earlier than elsewhere. You can still feel this today when walking through the red light district De Wallen or visiting one of the many coffee shops.

Market fans: 

Amsterdam’s markets are legendary. At every corner of the city there is a different market every day of the week. The “floating” Bloemenmarkt (Flower market) and the Albert Cuyp Market, Europe’s largest weekly market, are only the two most famous.

Lovers of coziness:

The Dutch word “gezelligheid” can only be translated incorrectly in English as “coziness”. If you want to know what is meant by this, it’s best to sit down in one of the many small cafés in town (ideally on the banks of a canal) and drink a delicious Pilsje.

Families and children:

And last but not least, Amsterdam is one of the best destinations for families with children of all ages. The child-friendliness of the Dutch is widely known. As a result, almost all museums and other attractions are very child-friendly.

Best time to travel

Amsterdam is a great destination in every season. The canals are of course at their most beautiful in the summer months, when the weather is usually relatively good and you can enjoy the many waters in sunshine. But also in fall and winter, when the Dutch weather can be a bit duller, Amsterdam with its many world-class museums and other attractions is a very attractive destination.

Getting there

By car:

It is not particularly advisable to travel to Amsterdam by car. Although the city can be reached relatively quickly by car, especially from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, the car is not an advantageous means of transport in Amsterdam itself. First of all, the streets are narrow, secondly, parking facilities are limited and thirdly, the city is teeming with cyclists and streetcars (which does not make the driver’s life any easier). In addition, public transport is excellent and along the canals it is much better to walk, cycle or take a boat.

By train:

Getting to Amsterdam by train is quick and easy, as the city is connected to the ICE network of the German railroads. In addition, the Central Station (Centraal Station) is located in the center of the city.

By plane:

With Schiphol, Amsterdam has one of the largest international airports in Europe. From Schiphol you can fly several times a day to all major cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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Food and drink

Amsterdam is also a diverse city in culinary terms. Due to the international population of Amsterdam, the city has restaurants from all over the world.

However, the most famous is Amsterdam’s distinct fast-food culture. On every street corner you will find a snack bar with fried food of all kinds, from burgers and sandwiches, kebabs and falafel to the typical Dutch fast food representatives frikandel and chips. The Dutch affection for fast food even goes so far that you can find vending machines in many places from which you can quickly get your food (warmed up, of course).

If you have an appetite for something sweet, you should of course have eaten poffertjes in Amsterdam. The small warm pancakes, which are usually served with powdered sugar, are available almost everywhere. There are even numerous restaurants and cafés that specialize exclusively in poffertjes.

If you want to get to know a typical Amsterdam gastronomic institution, you should visit one of the so-called bruin cafés (brown café or pub). The name comes from the usually dark interior and wood paneling of the cafés, which has darkened over the years from the smoke of the guests. Although many of the bruin cafés are now very touristy, you can still find the typical Amsterdam life behind the mostly heavy velvet curtains at the entrance.

Sights