5 Places to Visit in Amsterdam

Looking places to visit in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a fantastic city where you can find the modern art with the combination of a unique culture.

In Amsterdam, you’ll find historic canals right next to its modern culture and innovation.

It’s different from other European cities because of its incredible museums and beautiful buildings.

So, here’s your guide to five places that you absolutely need to visit. Plus some helpful tips to make your trip even better.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the biggest treasure of the Dutch culture.

It started back in 1800 in The Hague and has grown into Amsterdam’s most important art museum.

The building that you see today was created by Pierre Cuypers which was opened in 1885.

They spent ten years on  fixing it up and finished it in 2013 by making it look amazing while adding some modern features.

Inside of it, you’ll find more than 8,000 amazing artworks.

Moreover, the most highlighting event in this place is the show of Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch”.

On your way, make sure that you also check out Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” and Van Gogh’s self-portraits as well.

To be honest, the Dutch Masters section really shows you what made the Golden Age of Dutch painting so special.

Note: Get there when they open at 9 AM, especially in summer (June-August). It’s better to buy your tickets online before you go, by doing so, you don’t have to wait in the queue. 

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is on Prinsengracht 263, and it’s a wonderful place to visit.

This is where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the World War II while hiding from the Nazis.

They’ve had this Secret hidden exactly as it was, and they’ve added exhibits with photos, documents, and personal items to help you to understand the history much more better.

Just know that it’s going to be an emotional visit.

You’ll walk up narrow stairs and through small rooms where Anne’s family and four other people were in hiding for two years.

The way they’ve preserved everything makes Anne’s story to be much more real.

Note: Getting tickets to this place is not that easy. They release them exactly two months before the visit date, and they sell out really fast – usually within hours. So, if you didn’t plan ahead, try on getting the same-day tickets online at 9 AM. After your visit, take some time to walk around the Jordaan neighborhood where you’ll find great little shops, nice cafes, and beautiful courtyard gardens.

Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)

The Canal Ring has become a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, and it’s easy to see why.

These waterways were built in the 1600s, and those are the reasons what makes Amsterdam to look so special.

What can you experience over here? 

Well, Blue Boat Company and Lovers Canal Cruises do great tours with audio guides in different languages.

For something more personal, try to get in touch with Dam Boat Guys or Friendship Amsterdam. These are smaller boats with fewer people that guides who really know their stuff.

Furthermore, if you are planning on getting photos, you must head to Reguliersgracht to see seven bridges in a row – it looks incredible when they light up those at night.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is where Amsterdam people goes to relax.

It’s been around since 1865, and while it gets over 10 million visitors every year, you can still find quiet spots to get away from the city noise.

Every season here is different – spring brings tulips and cherry blossoms, summer has outdoor shows, fall has colorful leaves, and in winter, you might even get to ice skate on the frozen ponds.

From June to September, there’s a free entertainment event at the open-air theater.

That is with everything from classical music to dance shows and comedy.

Would you like to have a picnic? 

Then, try the grass near the Blauwe Theehuis café or head to the rose garden – it has 70 different types of roses in summer.

You can find some mouth-watering food right in the park at places like Vondelpark3, which used to be the Film Museum.

The neighborhood around the park (Oud-Zuid) has lots of options too, from casual spots like DE PIJP to fancy restaurants like RIJKS® at the Rijksmuseum.

Royal Palace Amsterdam

The Royal Palace Amsterdam wasn’t always a palace – it started as the city hall in 1648.

The royal family still uses it for events, but you can visit there most of the year.

The building looks like something from ancient times on the outside, and inside you’ll find beautiful furniture and decorations from the Empire period.

The Citizens’ Hall is really impressive – so if you ever visit there, check out the huge marble maps on the floor and the painted ceilings.

The King’s Office, which used to be where in the city mayors worked, has this amazing wooden fireplace from the 1600s.

In addition to that. take a guided tour if you want to learn more about the palace’s history and how the royal family uses it today will be an added advantage for you.

Dam Square, right outside, always has something going on – from festivals to ceremonies.

Next door, you’ll find the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) with its art shows, and the National Monument that remembers people who died in World War II.

Short-Time Travel Itinerary

Here’s a good way to spend three days if you are on a short trip:

Day 1: Start at the Rijksmuseum when it opens at 9 AM and spend 3-4 hours there. Have lunch in the museum area, then head to Vondelpark for the afternoon – maybe you can even catch a show at the open-air theater. End your day with a canal cruise to see all the lights.

Day 2: Get to the Anne Frank House early (book the first slot if you can). Then explore the Jordaan neighborhood’s shops and cafes. Spend your afternoon walking or biking around the Canal Ring and make sure to stop for photos and look for hidden gardens. Then end the day by having dinner at a restaurant in an old canal house.

Day 3: Visit the Royal Palace Amsterdam first and check out the Dam Square. keep the afternoon to see any museums that you have missed or go back to places that you really liked.

Overall, this plan gives you time to see the main attractions and also lets you to discover things on your own.

Note: Book the Anne Frank House and canal tours well ahead of time, and try to visit popular places when its less busy.

Conclusion

The best time to visit Amsterdam is between April and October when it’s warm and the days are longer.

Getting around is easy, which means that you just need to hop on a tram for the best views of the city.

Remember to get an Amsterdam City Card, this is because it covers public transport and gets you into lots of museums, including the Rijksmuseum.

So there you have it, only thing that is left right now is to visit this beautiful city in the world.

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