WHEN YOU PICTURE – special rings of canals with more than 1 000 bridges in down town and thousands of bicycles anywhere…almost everybody knows that you are talking about the capital and largest city in Netherlands – Amsterdam. Here, you can do everything – take a canal cruise boat and view the 17th century houses from the water, or just take a walk.
Amsterdam is an exciting city where you can never get bored. Locals are helpful and friendly, almost everyone speaking English.
Public transport can take you everywhere but you can obviously rent a bicycle too! If you enjoy shopping jewelry, here is the perfect opportunity to buy some diamond jewelry – in the Gassan or Coster Diamonds center. Typical small souvenirs from the Netherlands are clogs or a selection of different cheese varieties. No wonder that this city has more than 10 million visitors a year!
HERE are my TOP places to visit in AMSTERDAM!
MUSEUMS
Among the most famous ones is the Van Gogh museum, celebrating 125 years since the painter’s death (1890)
- Van GOGH MUSEUM, has 1.6 million visitors yearly, coming to see the unique collection of paintings, drawings and letters. I love his fabulous Sunflowers, that is very colorful and impressive painting.
- RIJSKMUSEUM – is a Dutch national museum, you can admire the classical artwork by Rembrandt or Vermeer but if you like that part of art do not forget to also visit REMBRANDT HOUSE – MUSEUM in Amsterdam – a historic house where Rembrandt lived and worked!
OLD TOWN and CITY CENTER
You can take a walk in the legendary RED LIGHT district as the prostitution is legal in Netherlands – it is an interesting experience and the walk will lead you to “China Town”, ideal place to rest and try some ‘authentic’ food.
A few minutes from Central Station is Dam Square with the Palace, the National Monument and a shopping center.
JUST FOR FUN
HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE – is a historic brewery from 1864. It is divided in two parts : the museum part with authentic interiors, old photographs etc… and the entertainment part with 3D cinema- a really amazing tour.
VONDELPARK – is a large and the most popular (over 47 hectares) public urban park in Amsterdam with a rose garden, an open-air theatre, a skate rental shop and many restaurants or cafés. It is the right place to relax or bring your children to play.
Also very interesting places are Anne Frank House, JORDAAN, Science Center NEMO(for kids), STEDELIJK Museum, Madame TUSSAUDS…
THIRSTY or HUNGRY?
You have a choice of many multicultural restaurants or small local fast foods. I recommend walking a bit outside of the center as menus tend to be overpriced there with a more limited selection.
The best experience is to taste local beers such as Heineken or Amstel and relax in coffee shops, which are to be found at almost any corner of the city center.
MY EXTRA TIP – ONE DAY TRIP! I really enjoyed our trip to KINDERDIJK. The Netherlands is known as the land of water and windmills, and the MILLS of KINDERDIJK were built around 1740. Their purpose was not the milling of grain but rather for drainage. It is an original and unforgettable trip!
YellowCable
Nice guiding and the beautiful pictures of the place. It it my mind wanting to visit the place as I follow you along.
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Kamila Pala
Hi, thanks for nice words and pleased you liked that 🙂 There is much more activities what you can or see there, especially in the spring – tulips fields are amazing! Have a nice weekend. Bye. Kamila
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this abundant life
Thanks for posting this! It is so well timed as my husband and oldest son will be heading over there this November. I will pass this info on to them and I am sure your pictures will get them even more excited! Now I wish I were going too!
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Kamila Pala
Oh, that is great news! Happy if the my little “guide” will be helpful 🙂 Do not forget un big umbrella! Bye. Kamila
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Darlene
I definitely want to go there! Your pictures are inspiring.
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Kamila Pala
Thanks, Darlene! I recommend you spring for your visit – flower fields around are unique.. 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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Darlene
We went to Amsterdam in April of 2016 and loved it!! Thanks!
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Kamila Pala
Oh, Amsterdam has some kind of magic, of course! 🙂 Bye K
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vinnieh
Great photos, would love to visit Amsterdam in the future.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you and warmly recommend you spend weekend or more in this friendly city! Bye. K
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vinnieh
Appreciate the recommendation.
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365dniwobiektywielg
Super !!
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Kamila Pala
Thanks!
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Dalo 2013
This is a great intro to Amsterdam (have yet to visit the city properly outside of business), and the photo series makes your words shine even more. I am a Van Gogh fan, so his museum would be a must see…but other than that, I like your idea of just walking and riding to get a great feel for this city. Cheers to safe travels!
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for nice comment! I have to say that in Amsterdam you can feel balance between culture and fun! For me was the Van Gogh museum really unique place for good atmosphere with special collection of paintings and private letters!! But the evening’s walking around the canals is so original and impressive, too! 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread
Thank you for the tremendous memories. 🙂 We visited in May this year, and it was a wonderful trip. We loved it. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
My pleasure. So good to hear that :)! Bye. K
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lolaWi
very information and great photos, Kamila. thank you for a wonderful tour to this beautiful city! 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Lola! Happy if you enjoyed my small informative virtual tour 🙂 Have a nice Sunday. Bye. Kamila
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Lignum Draco
Thanks for the tour of Amsterdam. A very historic and beautiful place.
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that! I have to say that Amsterdam is really a little bit different capital city – of course interesting historical and culture city but you can used a lot of fun with family or friends :)! Bye. Kamila
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RMW
Great photos and I do so want to visit the Van Gogh Museum!
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Kamila Pala
I wish you nice trip to the Amsterdam a lovely time in the Van Gogh museum 🙂 Bye. K
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ledrakenoir
Yeah as a “just become a teenager” I visited Amsterdam for the first time – and the Vincent van Gogh museum too – since his have been my favorite painter – always the main course for me to visit Amsterdam, but of course the city have a lot more tempting places and events – excellent post added very inspiring photos… 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for nice comment and agree with you – Amsterdam is not only cultural city but tempting place with a lot of fun and events 🙂 ! bye. K
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Rolling Harbour
Nice to have a reminder to go back. Everyone probably has a different niche recommendation but I’d suggest the histotic and secret attic church ‘ons lieve heer op solder’, a most surprising relic from times of religious repression. Then go and have a huge meal by the canal! RH
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Kamila Pala
Thank you for really interesting TIP! Bye. K
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Sandhya
Very nice photographs Kamila. Loved touring the city thru your photos again!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you, Sandhya! Pleased you liked that! Bye. K
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Indah Susanti
Sounds you had a lovely time in Amsterdam 🙂 The canal city offers many things for travelers to enjoy..lovely images, Kamila!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you Indah, and maybe you know this cool city better than me :)?
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Bespoke Traveler
We’ve heard a lot about the newly renovated Rijksmuseum! Looking forward to seeing it when we visit Amsterdam.
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Kamila Pala
That is great idea! 🙂 Especially around is also many interesting places and parks! I wish you nice trip and sunny weather. Bye. Kamila
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Amy
So beautiful via your lens, Kamila! Love to see the city in the future. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Amy! Thank you and wish you – one day- amazing trip to the Netherlands 🙂 Bye. K
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dilipnaidu
Brilliant photography and very well described Kamila. Brought back all the memories of this beautiful city. And yes Amsterdam is ranked as the 2nd most bicycle friendly city of the world. Cheers 🙂 D
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for kind words! 🙂 And, please, which city is 1st one? K
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dilipnaidu
Keeps changing every year presently Copenhagen. Amsterdam was rated No 1 bike friendly a few years ago. Sending flowers for you 💐
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Kamila Pala
Thanks and very polite! 🙂 Bye. K
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Linda Arthur Tejera
Wonderful traveling in my mind with you as my tour guide! This is another place I would love to see some day! 😀
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Kamila Pala
Great to hear that from you, Linda! Wish you great trip. Bye. Kamila
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lisadorenfest
Well captured. Amsterdam is definitely one of the coolest cities. I found much welcomed respite there in 2011 the day after a 36 hour sail across the North Sea in gale force winds and rain. It is imprinted in my mind and wonderful to visit again through your lens.
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Kamila Pala
Thanks for interesting comment! 🙂
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Sue Slaght
I would love to go here Kamila! Such wonderful colors and look at all those bicycles, not to mention the windmills. Lovely!
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! And I think that is great destination for you – bicycles anywhere, interesting history, unique landscape with beautiful flower fields, culture and a lot of fun! 🙂 The end of spring is the best for everything. Have a nice weekend. K
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Aquileana
A marvelous post, dear Kamila… A place I´d love to visit for sure… Great galleries of photographs!… thanks for sharing and best wishes, Aquileana ⭐
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Kamila Pala
Hi, Aquileana! Thank you for kind words and pleased you enjoyed ma small virtual tour! Bye. Kamila
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Sreejith Vijayakumar
cool shots Kamila 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thank you!
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Jet Eliot
This is a wonderfully comprehensive overview of, yes, possibly the coolest city. Your photos are fantastic too Kamila.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you for kind words! Have a nice weekend 🙂 Bye. Kamila
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anotherday2paradise
Great photos, Kamila. I love Amsterdam and have been there a few times. The number of bicycles always amazes me. 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thank you! And agree with you – the number of bicycles is unbelievable 🙂 ! Bye. K
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equinoxio21
Thank you Kamila for this post. Amsterdam is indeed special. I lived there between two african postings. (Bloody weather!) (Amsterdam, of course) But then, I was 10, and for the first time in my life, I did not depend on someone “driving” me somewhere. The freedom of the bicycle! All of a sudden I was free to go wherever I liked. Whether with rain, sun, snow or sleet, but free! 🙂
(One additional memory: holland as belgium are flat countries. Nothing to stop the wind. Try to paddle against a headfront north wind.
🙂
Have a nice week-end.
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Kamila Pala
I really like your comment 🙂 thanks so much for nice words! And, yes, agree with you about the weather and bicycles…
It is really very cool, free, international city! Have a nice day. Kamila
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equinoxio21
You too Kamila, and since it is Sunday, let’s extend it to a nice week! 😉
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Sartenada
Your photos praise the beauty of Amsterdam. I love in Amsterdam also Anne Frank House.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you Sartenada! Have a nice weekend!
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cindy knoke
Wonderul post! I will be here in four days!
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Kamila Pala
Enjoy city and have a fun! I wish you good weather :)! Bye. Kamila
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elpedacitodecristina
Nice reading! Thank you for such a good post!!!
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Kamila Pala
Thanks :), Happy New Year and Happy Blogging in 2016! Bye. Kamila
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smilecalm
enjoyed this travel log & beautiful imagery!
brought me back to memories
of years of canal living 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Thank you and my pleasure if you enjoyed my small trip… 🙂 Bye. have a nice rest of Sunday. Kamila
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rommel
I say Amsterdam is most definitely one of the most interesting city for me. But I think you put it better, cool is a more fitting description.
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Kamila Pala
Thank you 🙂 pleased you enjoyed post and like this “cool” city! have a nice weekend, Kamila
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Curt Mekemson
One of my all time favorite cities… Thanks. Curt
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Kamila Pala
pleased you liked that! Bye 🙂 K
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kiwidutch
Kamila Pala ,
You have a wonderful blog, full of tips and great photographs. Of course for every tourist destination there are ten local off-the-beaten-track places to see as well but that can of course be said for EVERY large city in the world, and no one ever has enough time to do everything 🙂
You certainly get around a lot… I look forward to seeing more places and sights!
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Kamila Pala
Pleased you liked that 🙂 I wish you lovely week ahead. Bye. K
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The Stoked Traveler and Surfer's Blog
Cool Photos Kamila..!! tc
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Kamila Pala
Thank you – was easy did nice photos in “cool” city 🙂 Bye. K
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smilecalm
beautiful!
rekindles
my years
there 🙂
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Kamila Pala
Good to hear that 🙂 – have a nice day!
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