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Information on Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a reputation as Europes naughtiest city, with its matter-of-fact and liberal Dutch approach to controversial liberties such as prostitution and recreational drug use. However, visitors should not shy away from this charming, attractive and historic city.

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Key attractions

A delightful ancient city, Amsterdam is full of canals and narrow pathways, best explored by bicycle. The serene Jordaan (Jewish quarter) is a captivating area. Amsterdam offers some fantastic museums, the best of which is the Van Gogh Museum. Also very worthwhile is the Rijksmuseum, consisting of 260 rooms and a breathatking collection of Dutch Masters, including Rembrandts magnificent Night Watch.

Another major sight in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, where eight people from three separate families lived together in near total silence for more than two years during WWII. Alternatively, the Botanical Garden, established in 1682, has some 250,000 flowers and 115,000 plants and trees.

Then there’s the offbeat attractions, such as the ever-popular sex museum, hemp and marijuana museum, red light district and not to mention all the exceptionally laidback ‘coffee shops’.

Out and about in Amsterdam

You won’t have to go very far from Amsterdam to see the famous dykes and windmills of the countryside. It’s worth making a daytrip to the Hague, seat of the Royalty and government. Also worth seeing, Rotterdam is the worlds busiest port and has some unusual architecture.

Delft is a tiny town famous for its pottery; while the Keukenhof, south of Haarlem, is the worlds largest garden. Volendam and Marken are two lovely fishing villages along the coast of the IJsselmeer, formerly called the Zuiderzee. Children will enjoy Madurodam, the worlds largest miniature world. For a breath of sea air, you can visit the beach at Scheveningen, less than an hour from Amsterdam.

Even within Amsterdam there are some pretty parks, such as Vondel Park and Den Amsterdam Bosch.

Leisure Options

Amsterdam has much to do in the way of relaxation. You can stroll along the endless canals and charming alleyways, or take a trip into the curious red light district. The Dutch are known for their gin, or jenever, and their beer. There are also very good Dutch liqueurs, such as Curaçao and Triple Sec. Licensed and controlled, coffee shops sell hashish and marijuana, and also provide a place where patrons can sit and smoke it. Alternatively, candlelit wine-and-cheese cruises operate nightly year round.

The red light district is found near the Centraal station and is popualr with punters and on-lookers alike, and still retains some good pubs and restaurants, however the cluster of entertainment venues around Leidse Plein (square) and Rembrandt Plein are far more respectable.

Safety

Be careful when exploring Amsterdam and the surrounding area. This city is full of street drug dealers, pickpockets and occasionally aggressive drug addicts. The red light district is visited by many curious tourists and it’s safe to wander if you stick to the busier streets and are wary of pickpockets. When visiting Amsterdam, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.

Weather in Amsterdam

Typical weather in Amsterdam ranges from around freezing in winter, though not much snow to sunny days with a temperature of up to 25C. Even though the summer is warm there can often be showers. ' '

About Amsterdam.info

' ' ' Amsterdam.info is a project run by a team of independent local editors living in Amsterdam. One of the main objectives of Amsterdam.info is to provide its visitors with useful information, while serving attractive content within an easy to use structure.
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