Travel to Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is famousfor beingEuropes naughtiest city, due to its no-nonsense liberal Dutch attitude to contentious issues such as prostitution and the use of soft drugs. This, however, should not scare visitors away from this charming, beautiful and historic city.

Transportation to Amsterdam

Amsterdams Schiphol International Airport is a key European hub, with flights departing and arriving from all around the globe. It is situated 10kms southwest of the city and is connected by trains departing every 15 minutes to the main Centraal Station, with selective stops at suburban stations on the way.

Amsterdam can be reached by the European expressways E19, E35, E231 and E22 from France and Belgium to the south and from Germany to the north and east. High-speed trains from Belgium, France, Denmark and Germany as well as from cities throughout the Netherlands all arrive at Amsterdams Centraal Station.

What to see

An enchanting ancient city, Amsterdam brims with canals and narrow alleyways, best explored by bicycle. The peaceful Jordaan (Jewish quarter) is a fascinating area. Amsterdam has some extraordinary museums, the best of which is the Van Gogh Museum. Also well worth a visit is the Rijksmuseum, which is made up of 260 rooms and features an awe-inspiring collection of works by Dutch masters, among them Rembrandts magnificent Night Watch.

The Anne Frank House is another key site in Amsterdam. Eight people from three separate families lived together here in almost total silence for more than two years during WWII. Another option is the Botanical Garden, established in 1682, where visitors can see and smell 250,000 flowers and 115,000 plants and trees.

Of course, there are also the attractions most visitors associate with Amsterdam, such as the ever-popular Sex Museum, Hemp and Marijuana Museum and the red light district, not to mention the infamous coffee shops.

Daytrips

Travellers do not have to travel very far from Amsterdam to visit the famous dykes and windmills in the countryside. A daytrip to The Hague, the seat of the royalty and government, is also apleasant outing. Rotterdam, the worlds busiest port andboasting some unusual architecture, is also well worth a visit.

Delft is a little town famous for its pottery, while the Keukenhof, south of Haarlem, is the worlds largest garden. Volendam and Marken are two pretty fishing villages along the coast of the IJsselmeer, previously called the Zuiderzee. Children are sure to enjoy Madurodam, the worlds largest miniature world. If you feel like a breath of fresh sea air, take a trip to the beach at Scheveningen, not even an hours drive from Amsterdam.

For peace and quiet, there are some beautiful parks in Amsterdam itself including Vondel Park and Den Amsterdam Bosch, which are ideal for a day of relaxation.

Activities and leisure

Amsterdam has much to offer in the way of relaxation. Take a leisurely walk along the never-ending canals and delightful alleyways, or explore the infamous red light district. The Dutch are famous for their gin, or jenever, and their beer. They also produce some excellent liquor, like Curaao and Triple Sec. Licensed and controlled coffee shops offer hashish and marijuana, and patrons can sit at one of the caf-style tables and smoke what they have just bought. Another option is candlelit wine-and-cheese cruises, which operate nightly year-round.

The red light district, near the Centraal Station, attracts both punters and onlookers, and there are some good pubs and restaurants in this area. For something more respectable, visit the entertainment venues clustered around Leidse Plein and Rembrandt Plein.

Safety issues

Visitors are advised to be careful when exploring Amsterdam and its surroundings. The city is home to many drug dealers, pickpockets and the occasional violent drug addict. Many curious tourists explore the red light district and this is a safe area if you do not wander off the busier streets. Watch out for pickpockets here, as this area is notorious for light-fingered miscreants, which are presentduring the day and not just at night. When visiting Amsterdam, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family.