1. What to see in Amsterdam - Top Ten Attractions
Amsterdam is a unique city. Despite the obvious presence of thousands of visitors, its life remained authentic. To observe it is enough to stroll along
the canal streets or to sit for a while in one of Amsterdam many cafés. Nevertheless, there are places in the city you should not miss during your visit.
Here is our list of the best of the best.
Amsterdam canal ring
The city old centre is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space, freedom and peace. Walk
through these canal streets or better – take a trip with a boat by boarding one of the tourist cruises or by
renting the boat yourself. Anther way to explore the Venice of the North is to take a ride on a bicycle. Any
way you decide for – enjoy this city, one of the most beautiful in the world.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest and the most attractive museum in the Netherlands, with more than one
million visitors each year. Opened in spring of 2013 after a decade of renovation, the museum has a
wonderful collection of the 17th C. Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. Famous “The Night Watch” by
Rembrandt as well as other celebrated paintings like Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” and “Woman reading a
letter”, “The Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede" by van Ruisdael, “The Burgomaster of Delft and his Daughter” by Jan Steen and many more. These
marvellous paintings reflect history and character of the Dutch. Unique sculptures and various antiquities as traditional furniture, Delftware, silver, ship
models and doll houses complete the show.
Het Scheepvaart Museum – The National Maritime Museum
After its renovation The Maritime Museum is a captivating place to visit, especially with children. With a 17th C. sail ship at its quay, packed with
modern multimedia attractions exhibit and rich collection of fine paintings, old maps and remarkable ship models, this colourful and enjoyable museum
will help you understand the history of the Netherlands – a small nation which was centuries ago one of the world’s greatest sea powers.
Van Gogh Museum
This modern museum houses some 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van Gogh in all his moods. This biggest in the world collection,
combined with hundreds of letters by Van Gogh, and selected works by his friends and contemporaries, form the core of the museum's collection.
Begijnhof
A narrow, vaulted passageway leads to this charming quiet garden surrounded by old houses, in the very centre of town. The devout celibate Béguine
nuns have been replaced by old ladies. The No.34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam. Entrance on Spui, just a step from the main commercial street
Kalverstraat, is indicated by a carved sign. Entry is free.
Oude Kerk
This huge old protestant church with little houses clinging to its sides remains a calm heaven at the heart of the frenetic Red Light District. Its
buildings, especially the Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, were used by sailors to get their bearings. For some adults, an evening walk in
the nightlife area around the church might be interesting.
Amsterdam Brown Café
After a busy day of walking enjoy a simple meal or just a coffee or beer in one of many Amsterdam old cafés called brown. At first it will seem too
much from the past and too crowded – but the atmosphere is unique, people are famously friendly, prices low. Relax and watch – most of people
around will be locals. Feel like one of them – the real Amsterdammers.
Magere Brug
Is a traditional double-leaf Dutch draw-bridge connecting sides of river Amstel. About every 20 minutes the bridge opens, as the bridge master lets
boats through. The original bridge was built in 1670, but it did not change much since. Enjoy the magic of this place, take a deep breath of fresh air
brought by the river.
Museum Amstelkring
On the edge of the Red Light District, museum houses in the restored 17th-century canal house with two smaller houses to the rear. The lower floors
of the building became a museum in 1888 and today contain refurbished rooms, as well as a collection of church silver, religious artifacts and
paintings.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House in the center of Amsterdam is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the World War II. Just a few empty
rooms in the hidden annex to the house will make an unforgettable impression if you realize, that two families lived in these small quarters for more
than 2 years hiding from the Nazis. The original of the diary is on display, as a part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition.
Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij)
As the saying goes – the best things in life are free – this naturally lit gallery filled with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age is freely open to the
public. The exhibited canvas may be not always the masterpieces of art (those you may see at the Rijksmuseum), but these group portraits of
Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an exquisite document of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.
Exhibits and Shows
A large number of tourists visiting Amsterdam (ca. 6,9 million in 2012; 11,3 millions for the whole of the Netherlands) is the reason why numerous
attractions were created for visitors, mainly to entertain, but sometimes also to educate. To already popular attractions as Heineken Experience,
Madame Tussauds and The Amsterdam Dungeon, new atractions like House of Bols Genever Experience, Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room, Xtra
Cold Ice Bar and Tun Fun indoor playground for kids were recently added.