Top 10 dingen te doen in Amsterdam

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1. Van Gogh Museum

This museum is the most visited in the Netherlands and includes Van Gogh’s biggest collection of paintings and drawings in the world and also other works from his contemporaries. Wide information is available in English to better appreciate Van Gogh’s life, technique and talent. Arriving early is recommended in order to beat the queues.

2. Canal cruising

Canals are one of the most famous features of Amsterdam, and they were created over the years to expand the city and stimulate trade and transport. Although, for new tourists, guided canal tours are surely one of the most attractive ways to discover the city as most of them are available in several languages, recurrent visitors will love the opportunity of hiring a boat and floating down Amsterdam’s canals as many boats do not require any special sailing license.

3. Anne Frank House

In this house, now converted into a museum, Anne Frank tried to escape the Nazi persecution of Jews along with her family and other people. Much has been preserved and visitors can therefore see and connect to what many people had to endure during WWII.

4. Concertgebouw

Concertgebouw is the main concert hall in Amsterdam, and it is considered among the finest ones in the world. Free concerts, of the duration of 30 minutes, are held every Wednesday, from September to June, which are generally rehearsals performed by world-famous orchestras.

5. Wandering in "the Jordaan"

Often considered “a village within a city”, the Jordaan used to be a working class neighborhood that transformed itself during the years. The Jordaan is now filled with boutiques, cafes and refined bars located in 17th century builidings mostly dwelled by students and artists.

6. Zandvoort

Zandvoort is a large beach resort located 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam main train station. The nearby area is protected by a national park equipped with hiking and cycling trails along sandy dunes.

7. Albert Cuyp Market

The Albert Cuyp Market is probably the largest market in Europe and surely the busiest one in the Netherland. The market has a long tradition spanning over two centuries and it is an important site for tourists for catching a glimpse of Dutch life. Make sure not to miss the famous “Stroopwafels” (typical Dutch waffles with caramel filling) commonly sold in the Market.

8. Vondelpark

Vondelpark was opened in 1865 and it has rapidly become Amsterdam’s most famous park with 10 million visitors per year. Tourists and residents often have pleasant strolls or picnics in the park and they can also admire a Picasso sculpture. During the summer months, an open air theater is open within the park and it holds several shows and concerts.

9. De Wallen

Taking a walk down De Wallen, also known as ‘Red Light District’ is an eye-opening experience for people from most part of the world. What makes this neighborhood so famous is that sex workers legally wait for customers in rooms behind glass windows situated in 14th century old buildings.

10. The Rijksmuseum

A visit to the National Museum is also to be strongly considered, as the building is being renovated. The museum includes paintings by world-famous artists including Rembrant.