Getting to know Amsterdam
As the capital city of the Netherlands and the largest city in the country, Amsterdam is also a cultural center and a very sought after travel destination. While many people think of parties, nightlife and a certain vibrance and high energy of the people when Amsterdam is mentioned, the city is much more than that: it is, first of all, a very charming old European city that has many things to offer in this regard, and also very beautiful visually, with impressive architecture, many canals crossing the city and more than 1500 bridges over said canals – Amsterdam is also known as “Venice of the North” and we’re going to explore its streets and paths in the following article!
What you can do for free in Amsterdam
- Visit the Rijksmuseum Garden
While the Rijksmuseum itself does require a fee to enter, you can find your way to the gardens without having to pay – it won’t be hard to do so. These gardens surround the museum and they are a great spot to explore, with statues and fragments of old Dutch buildings spread all over for the visitor’s pleasure. - Go for a ferry ride
Yes, you read that right, ferry rides are free in Amsterdam! Given that the city has many canals and crossing various bodies of water is sometimes essential for the inhabitants to reach certain spots within the city, the public transport system here provides many free ferry connections for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds across the river IJ. You can find a list of routes and the points they connect on the GVB website – GVB (Gemeente Vervoerbedrijf) Amsterdam is the municipal public transport operator for the city. - Explore the historic areas
Canal Belt and Chinatown are some of the most fascinating historic area that you can visit in Amsterdam; here you can walk around and admire the beautiful scenery with lovely architecture and if you’re going for the Canal Belt, you can easily reach some of the best attractions in Amsterdam as well, such as the Anne Frank House, the Flower market, museums, Westerkerk and more.
Top spots to visit
- The port of Amsterdam
The port of Amsterdam is a landmark of the city and it is the 4th busiest port in Europe by metric tonnes of cargo. The Port of Amsterdam is also the 4rd biggest cruise port in Europe. Overall, this is a fascinating spot to visit and learn more about. - Museums
There’s many museums in Amsterdam and they’re all top spots and well worth a visit – Rijksmuseum, The Van Gogh Museum, The Anne Frank Museum – these are some of the most important ones and they’re worth including in your list of places to see while on your Amsterdam vacation. - Westerkerk (West Church)
Westerkerk is a Reformed church and it is located in central Amsterdam; it was built between 1620 and 1631 in Renaissance style and it is definitely an impressive building. Its tower (Westertoren) is the highest church tower in the city (87 meters).
Hidden spots to visit
- Beurspassage
It’s easy to overlook this beautiful, unique passageway, especially being in such a busy location where everyone seems to be in a rush, but make sure you look up if you decide to visit. Find the colored mosaic tiles, stained glass and the mesmerizing chandeliers between the Damrak and Nieuwendijk shopping corridors. - Nieuwe Spiegelstraat
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat is the perfect spot to visit if you’re into antique things. This street is lined with antique shops and you’ll see obscure, fascinating collections of all sorts of different things more than anywhere else here. - Amsterdam Begijnhof
Certain communities, especially in the Middle Ages, could benefit from charitable housing, also known as an almshouse. Hofje is the Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it and Amsterdam Begijnhof is one of the oldest hofjes in the city. It now houses two churches and it offers stunning scenery to visitors.
Restaurants
Try out the local Dutch cuisine, as well as other options such as European, Italian and Asian. Find good food at de Silveren Spiegel, Graham’s Kitchen, Senses Restaurant, Utrechtsedwarstafel or maybe at Cuddle, Sir Hummus or Rob Wigboldus Vishandel for a smaller price. Wherever you decide to go, you can always take a look online for reviews before choosin, to verify if the experience has the potential to be the best one.
Recommended time for visiting
If you’re looking to find the most vibrant city and a lot of energy and buzz, April is a great month for visiting Amsterdam; several national holidays take place in April and there is the least amount of rainfall during this time too. If you prefer to avoid crowds, go for late summer like September. Hotel rates tend to lower when there aren’t usually as many visitors.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. temp. (°C) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 4 |
I’ve got a crush on the world // Veni, vidi, amavi
