Exploring Amsterdam
The romantic charm of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is best seen by boat trip along its 17th-century canals lined with quaint homes and mansions dating from the city’s great days as a maritime nation. The canals and walkways are the heart of the Old City, now a UNESCO World Heritage site redolent of the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ of exploration and trade in far-off Asia. By the 17th century, the city was the world’s wealthiest, with silks, teas, ivory and spices ordered by its prosperous merchants arriving in tall ships owned or commissioned by the Dutch East India Company. Fortunes were made through trading, and the same fortunes were lost when ships fell foul of typhoons and tropical storms.
Nowadays, Amsterdam is a popular long weekend and longer stay destination for its picturesque cityscape, gabled homes and its vibrant nightlife and music scene. After the canals were built, the old city remained as it had been planned until the 19th century when the first expansion took place, It’s been growing ever since, but the Old City is a stand-alone attraction easily explored on foot and notable for its fine architecture in the Dutch Renaissance style as well as for its elegant Art Nouveau buildings dating from the end of the 19th century. Amsterdam’s fascinating Maritime Museum tells tales of times when the Dutch tall ships ruled the seas of the Orient and fought with English ships for its treasures.
Accommodations in Amsterdam
There is a range of options for all travelers. The most popular hotel in Amsterdam is the Breitner House, which has been booked 3 times from our Hotels.com verified guests. Our guests also highly recommended Royal Boutique Apartment Amsterdam in Amsterdam as it has been reserved 5 times.
Sightseeing in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s historic heart is set around its canals, with their banks lined by the gabled mansions wealthy merchants built during the city’s Golden Age of Asian trade and commerce.
- Anne Frank House
Set on the Prinsengracht Canal, Anne Frank’s house is now a museum dedicated to the Jewish girl who wrote her famous diary while hiding from the Nazi persecution with her family in secret rooms at the rear of the building. Anne and her entire family were anonomously reported to the Nazis, finally captured and, with the exception of Anne’s father, Otto, died in the camps.
- Van Gogh Museum
Located in Paulus Potterstraat, Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum holds the world’s largest collection of the artist’s work totalling 200 examples, all painted during his short ten-year career. His famous self-portraits, still life compositions and iconic landscapes are all here.
Transportation in Amsterdam
If you’re flying to Amsterdam, you’ll no doubt arrive at Schiphol International Airport, around 20 kilometres from Centraal Station. You can take a train from the airport right into the city centre, or hop in a cab if you prefer. Amsterdam has international train links with Brussels, Paris, and Berlin, among others. If you’re travelling by train, you’ll probably arrive at Centraal Station. From here you can take a tram around the city’s central districts, or taxis line up outside the station. You can purchase a discount re-usable tram ticket from the GVB Office opposite Centraal Station.
