Amsterdam: The Most Liberal of European Cities That Has Lots to Offer

When you hear about Amsterdam, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? The capital of the Netherlands, the centre of the diamond-cutting industry, the art museums, the canals, windmills, Heineken…? Yes, all of these are symbols of Amsterdam and must be included in your touristic experience if you are planning to visit this fun place. Let’s take a look at what is simply “a must to do” when you visit Amsterdam.

Bike Rides

One of the things that basically defines Amsterdam is the bikes. Did you know that there are over 800,000 bicycles which is almost as much as the actual number of people living in Amsterdam? Cycling in Amsterdam is a lifestyle and it makes moving around the city much easier because of the city’s network of cycle routes and flat landscapes. Amsterdam is actually on the top of the list of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities. This is also a great way to discover and explore the city’s beautiful sights as it is safe, enjoyable and makes you feel alive.

Art Museums

One of the greatest painters in the world of all time is certainly Vincent Van Gogh. In his honour, one of the greatest art museums has his name and many of his masterpieces are displayed there. In addition, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum are located in Amsterdam as well and they contribute to the whole artistic experience one can gain in this cultural city. Museumplein is said to be the cultural beating heart of Amsterdam so it is certainly one of the places to visit in Amsterdam.

Canal Cruising

Perhaps one of the most interesting things to see in Amsterdam is its UNESCO protected canal belt and what a better way to do this than taking a cruise on a guided boat tour. You will float along the canals and learn lots of fascinating facts about Amsterdam and its history during this experience. The sight is magical, especially at night when all the bridges are lit up. It is one of the Amsterdam attractions that can be seen on almost every postcard from there.

Anne Frank House

If you love history and understand and feel compassionate with some of the most heartbreaking stories from the past, then visiting the House of Anne Frank is strongly recommended. You can stop by and reflect once again about the terrible things that were done to the Jewish people during the World War II while you are standing in the House where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis two long and excruciating years after they were persecuted from Germany. You should keep in mind, though, that the queues are often long and the waiting times are lengthy so if you intend to visit this place you should visit it early in the morning or make an online reservation in advance.

Beer Tasting

What about beer tasting? How can you say ‘no’ to this? It gets even better – you get to taste samples of beers under a windmill. There are only eight remaining windmills in Amsterdam and under one of them is the award-winning artisan microbrewery with a huge outdoor drinking terrace that offers 30-minutes guided tasting tours. You will get to taste organic standard and seasonal ales and enjoy one of the best holidays in Amsterdam.