Things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s attractive waterways are a maze waiting for visitors to get lost in. You will be charmed by picturesque bridges and tall townhouses, while the city’s shopping and cultural offerings will give you an endless list of places to visit and things to do. And one of the best things about the city is that most of the attractions can be covered on foot, with the journey to and from the city’s icons being a sightseeing tour in itself.

Oude Kerk

The origins of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) date from the early 13th century, when a wooden church was built on a sandy burial ground. The present Gothic structure is from the 14th century and it has grown from a single-aisled church into a basilica. The Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam, is now a centre of cultural activities. The beautiful light through the high windows, the medieval church furnishing, gravestones and the magnificent painted wooden vaults create a unique atmosphere, matching the building’s unique history. Phone: +31 20 625 82 84; website: www.oudekerk.nl.

Beguinage (Begijnhof en Kapel)

The Beguinage lies hidden away from the noisy shopping street, Kalverstraat, next to the History Museum. The English Reformed Church and an earlier Italian Catholic chapel can be found here. Most of the houses in the area were built in the 17th century; the oldest house in Amsterdam, made of wood and dating from 1475, is also here. Wooden houses slowly disappeared because the city forbade construction in order to prevent fire in the densely populated inner city. The little courtyards were created by small, religious communities in an attempt to retreat from the world and live their own isolated and devoted lives. The Begijnen, a Catholic order, was only tolerated after the Reformation in the 16th century. Only single women are allowed in the Begijnhof to lead the life of a nun. Phone: +31 20 623 35 65.

Magere Brug

The famous skinny bridge across the River Amstel and opposite the Carré theatre is an Old Dutch design wooden bridge, known as a double-swipe bridge. Tradition relates that the bridge was named after the sisters Mager, who were supposed to have lived on opposite sides of the river. They are said to have had the wooden bridge built to make it easier to visit one another. However, it appears more likely that the original bridge acquired the name from being so narrow (mager meaning ‘skinny’ in Dutch) that it was hard for two pedestrians to pass one another when crossing the bridge at the same time.

As traffic along the River Amstel increased, a wider bridge replaced the narrow one, in 1871. ‘Skinny Bridge’ is not skinny anymore, but one of the most beautiful bridges of Amsterdam. At night, many lights illuminate the bridge and it becomes a very romantic place, popular with lovers and photographers.

Dam

The Dam is the very centre and heart of Amsterdam, although there are arguably prettier sights in the city. As a historical site however, it is fascinating and worth taking the time to appreciate. The Dam has seen many historical dramas unfold over the years, and was for example, the reception area for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 takeover of the city. The impressive history of the square is well documented in the Amsterdam Historical Museum. The Royal Palace, which dominates the square, was originally used as the Town Hall and its classical façade and fine sculptures were intended to glorify the city of Amsterdam and its government. In contrast to its turbulent history, the square is now a peaceful place and is home to hundreds of pigeons.  It is also a popular place for tourists resting their tired feet.

Holland Experience

If you are looking for some sensory stimulation, this fast-paced, informative experience will guide you through centuries of history and miles of space, all while bombarding you with facts and visuals about the Netherlands. Moving seats and 3-D glasses shake things up as you make a virtual journey on canals, learn about dykes, travel over the countryside and discover the influences and people who have transformed the Netherlands into the nation it is today. This is a great experience for kids, teens and street-weary travellers. Phone: +31 20 422 2233; website: www.holland-experience.nl.

Bloemenmarkt (Floating Flower Market)

If you have green fingers or just admire those who do, you will want to visit this extravagant market, most of which actually occupies houseboats moored on the water. Cut flowers, bulbs, potted plants and the like are all available to beautify house and office, and even if you're travelling, you may want to pick up a bouquet to brighten your room or at least snap a few photos. Souvenirs are also available from nearby vendors if you want to pick up a wooden shoe or two for folks back home. The market is located between Koningsplein and Muntplein.

Museums

Museums in Amsterdam are among the main tourist attractions. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum are the most popular choices, but there are many more. Amsterdam has over 50 museums which attract millions of visitors every year. Alongside the wealth of majestic Golden Age paintings, you will find exciting modern art, press, film, theatre and photography museums and some unique Dutch treats like the Heineken Experience, the Ajax Museum and the Houseboat Museum.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, with more than a million visitors each year. The Rijksmuseum is a familiar Amsterdam landmark and possesses an unrivalled collection of Dutch art, from early religious works to the masterpieces of the Golden Age. Phone: +31 20 6747047; website: www.rijksmuseum.nl.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House, in the centre of Amsterdam, is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during WWII. The original diary is on display as part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition. Phone: +31 20 5567105; website: www.annefrank.nl.

Museum Van Loon                  
A small but very interesting museum because of its local, intense sphere, Museum Van Loon is, in fact, an impressive patrician house, like many in the centre of Amsterdam. This is your unique chance of entering such a house, still privately owned by the aristocratic Van Loon family, who about 30 years ago decided to open it to the public. There are still parts of the house which remain closed to visitors and although its owners do not reside in the house, you may sometimes get a glimpse of their relatives or friends sneaking through the museum to their closed quarters. Phone: +31 206245255; website: www.museumvanloon.nl.