Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is amongst the most preferred tourist destinations in Europe. Famous for its museums, theatres, and historical houses Amsterdam is a city of culture. There are many old architectural structures and more than 160 canals with beautiful bridges in the city. It is best to explore on foot and some of the attractions to look out for include; the popular Magere Brug.
Learn about the most favorable tourist spots that may interest you in this lively city. Amsterdam is quite vibrant and has much more to it than what People associate it with, cannabis cafés and the red light district. Indeed, Amsterdam is an ideal holiday destination for all in one way or another. Stay tuned with us to find out the top 10 Amsterdam places to visit.
Table of Contents:
- 1 Van Gogh Museum
- 2 Canal Cruises
- 3 Rijksmuseum
- 4 Anne Frank House
- 5 Heineken Experience, Amsterdam
- 6 Vondelpark
- 7 Sightseeing at The Dam
- 8 Begijnhof
- 9 Rembrandt House Museum
- 10 Concertgebouw
1. Van Gogh Museum
You have to book your tickets for the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in advance because entry to the museum is restricted in terms of the number of people allowed inside in a single day.
How to Get to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam?
You can get trams 2, 5, and 12 to Van Baerlestraat or trams 3, 5, 12 or buses 347 or 357 to Museumplein.
Museum Timings:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
What's You Can See Inside of the Van Gogh Museum?
Explore the world of Vincent Van Gogh, with over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and letters that tell his story. See famous works like 'The Potato Eaters', 'Bedroom in Arles', and 'Sunflowers'. Enjoy your visit to the Van Gogh Museum and immerse yourself in the art and life of this renowned Dutch painter!
Tip for Your Visit
The museum is invariably overcrowded and it is advisable to go to the museum before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
Location: Paulus Potterstraat 7, 1071 CX Amsterdam
2. Canal Cruises
Amsterdam Canals is always enjoyable to explore Amsterdam by water because it provides an opportunity to view the historic buildings, attractive regions, and quiet channels of the city. One of the greatest attractions of the city is the system of canals that give a different angle to view the city’s appeal and legacy.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam, you should ride a boat through the canals. The way is the most effective to appreciate the charm of Amsterdam canal houses first-hand. also, you can book a private boat, this will be an unforgettable memory of your trip to Amsterdam.
You can decide to take Hop-On Hop-Off Cruises since it is a cruising tour where passengers can board and alight at certain parts of the canals depending on their desire. Evening and Dinner Cruises are also available, which means that guests will be able to see the beauty of the city at nighttime with the buildings and bridges illuminated.
When touring through the canals, you will be able to see famous landmarks such as old bridges, the Anne Frank House, and the characteristic high-gabled merchant houses in Amsterdam.
3. Rijksmuseum
Located in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is the greatest art gallery, with more than 5000 paintings from 800 years of Dutch history, however most popular from the seventeenth century known as the ‘Golconda Age’.
- This is specifically a combo ticket for the Van Gogh Museum and a canal boat tour of Amsterdam which comes with a fast-track entry.
- The Amsterdam Pass granted the visitor access to several sights such as the Van Gogh Museum and canal tour.
- The Rijksmuseum per se is very large; it may take several hours to look around and discover everything. To eliminate the possibility of wasting time in long lines, one can buy tickets online in advance.
How to Get to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam?
It is easily accessible by tram numbers 2 or 12 from the central station in Amsterdam alighting at the ‘Rijksmuseum’ stop.
Opening Hours
The daily operating schedule is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with the inclusion of weekends or public holidays. If you wish to avoid large congregations, it is best to go before 11 am or after 3 pm.
Highlights include
- Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch
- Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid'
- Plague of Jan Asselijn ‘The Threatened Swan’
- Cuypers Library
- Asian Art Collection
- Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait
Additional Attractions
Visit the famous Delft blue pottery create, discover the paintings Marten and Oopjen, and winter scenes. It also hosts model ships' original armor weapons and clothes that give a glimpse of Dutch history.
Address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4. Anne Frank House
The most famous Diarist was Anne Frank a Jewish girl who hid from Nazis in the Netherlands; she wrote a diary in ‘Het Achterhuis’ more commonly known as the Secret Annex. This museum also involves a visit to the disguised chamber behind a bookcase in which She and her family had to hide during World War II. Such a place is considered one of the most heart-touching sights of Amsterdam.
How To Go To Anne Frank House?
- Trams: Take tram 13, 14, or 17 to Westerkerk.
- Buses: Buses 170, 172, and 174 also stop at Westerkerk bus stop. From there, it's about a 15-minute walk to Anne Frank House.
Anne Frank House Opening Hours
- Daily: 9:00 to 22:00
5. Heineken Experience, Amsterdam
The Heineken Experience takes place in a historic Heineken brewery over 100 years old. Converted into an interactive tour in 1988, it explores the history, brewing process, and marketing of the famous Dutch beer brand. The experience lasts about 1.5 hours and includes two bottles of Heineken at the end.
With 900,000 visitors annually, it's one of Amsterdam's most popular attractions. Booking a time slot online not only avoids queues but also offers discounted tickets.
Getting to Heineken Experience with Public Transport
You can take Trams 7, 10, 16, and 24 which have stops near the Heineken.
Opening Hours
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm)
- Friday and Saturday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm (last entry at 7:00 pm)
Location: Stadhouderskade 78, Amsterdam
6. Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the largest and probably the most well-known park in Amsterdam.Things/activities people get to participate in include sunny days, dog walking, jogging, roller-skating, and viewing people.
During summer some concerts are arranged in the open-air theatre or on the park’s bandstand. Major landmarks include the Vondel sculpture, the cast iron music dome, Groot Melkhuis, a children’s play area, and the historical Pavilion which has the Vertigo restaurant with its greatly sought-after summer terrace.
Bicycle Tours at the Vondelpark
Vondelpark is best viewed through biking and there are guided biking tours that will give practical information that has to do with its history and the different parts of it.
Attractions Near Vondelpark
Vondelpark is situated directly south-west of Leidseplein and north-west of Museumplein and is close to prominent places like the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, and De Hollandsche Manege.
7. Sightseeing at The Dam
Amsterdam’s central square shaped like a dam is called the Dam, and there are several main attractions to discover here. There are so many sites of interest in this area such as the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), and the National Monument. It also serves as a shopping area where major business streets are connected to the square. However, other attractions of interest include ‘De Bijenkorf’, which is a sophisticated luxury department store situated at the Dam, and the famous attraction that is Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
How To Go To Sightseeing at The Dam?
So, to reach the Dam in Amsterdam most conveniently, one can use a tram or a bus. Different trams that can be useful in reaching the Dam include Tram 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 24 different buses that can get you to the Dam.
Sightseeing Attractions Near The Dam
There are also a wide number of sites and places of interest in the vicinity of the Dam, such as the Anne Frank House, the Amsterdam Museum, and the shopping street Kalverstraat. It is a short five minutes’ walk to the famous Red Light District which is more popular for its vibrant social life at night.
8. Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is a medieval Amsterdam courtyard Begijnhof. Originally it was occupied by unmarried women who had chosen a religious lifestyle and were named Beguines. A significant number of the houses possess frontages that date back to the 1600s and 1700s. This is a rather tranquil oasis in the middle of the urban district. However, free access is granted to a part of the courtyard area only, while other parts are restricted due to the residents’ rights and privacy concerns.
How To Go To Begijnhof
To get to the Begijnhof using public transportation, you can take a tram or If you want to travel to the Begijnhof by using public transport, you can take a tram or a bus to Spui and get off from there and walk to the Begijnhof. Trams 1, 2, and 5 are within walking distance from the hotel.
Attractions Near Begijnhof
Near the Begijnhof, you can visit several tourist spots, including the major landmarks that are close to the Begijnhof include the Amsterdam Museum, the Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), and the shopping paradise that is the Kalverstraat. Other attractions like the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum are also accessible on foot.
9. Rembrandt House Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam showcases life and is about Rembrandt van Rijn, a well-known Dutch painter. Over a hundred years later from the year he was born, the house where he resided between 1639 and 1658 is now a museum. It became a museum in 1911 after a major rehabilitation was carried out. It was remodeled once more in 1998 to represent the appearance of the house during Rembrandt’s time. Tourists can also be able to view Rembrandt’s bedroom, his work area, and the oddities that he collected. The museum has nearly his complete graphic works on display and also offers paintings of other artists of his period.
To Get to the Rembrandt House Museum by Public Transportation in Amsterdam
- Tram: Take tram lines 9 or 14 and get off at the Waterlooplein stop. The museum is a short walk from there.
- Bus: Several bus lines also stop at Waterlooplein, making it easily accessible by various means of public transport.
- Metro: Take metro lines 51, 53, or 54 to the Waterlooplein station. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk to the museum.
Attractions Near Rembrandt House Museum
- Waterlooplein Market: A popular flea market is known for its variety of goods, from vintage clothes to antiques.
- Hermitage Amsterdam: An art museum featuring exhibitions from the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
- Jewish Historical Museum: A museum dedicated to Jewish history, culture, and religion in the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Museum: Offers insights into the city's history and culture.
- Artis Zoo: The oldest zoo in the Netherlands, great for a family visit.
10. Concertgebouw
Concert Venue is Concertgebouw Musical situated in the Concertgebouwplein 10 in Amsterdam city which was established in 1888. It has the best acoustics and the best architectural designs of the 19th Century. It presents international concerts and has organized tours of around 75 minutes long, usually held on several weekdays and weekends. It is advisable to book in advance and Tiqets offers visitors timed tickets for this world-famous musical theater. Located near tram lines 2, 5, 16 or 24, the Concertgebau remains an important symbol for music lovers.
