Tulips, cheese and bikes. Cheap Amsterdam: what to see inexpensively or for free. Where to go in Amsterdam: must-see attractions Best places to visit for tourists in Amsterdam
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There are a lot of interesting places in Amsterdam. It’s simply impossible to get around in a day. I would highlight at least 100 places that are really worth a look.
But first of all, a person who comes to Amster should visit Dam Square, or Dam Square, located a 10-minute walk from the train station. 
This is the heart of the city, where all the streets “flock”, where all the roads lead. The area itself is small, surrounded by dozens of shops, cafes, and restaurants. On the square there is a National Monument in memory of the victims of the war. 
This is a kind of meeting place in Amsterdam, so near the monument you can see hundreds of tourists relaxing on the approach to the monument. Street performers, musicians, and magicians constantly perform on the square; flash mobs and celebrations are also held there. 
Also on the Dam are the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century. 
The palace can be visited throughout the week, except Mondays; the only thing is that the palace is closed on certain holidays. Opening hours are from 12 noon to 5 pm; in July and August, the palace invites tourists from 11 am. A ticket for adults costs €7.5, for children from 5 to 16 years old, as well as students and people over 65 years old - €6.5, children under 5 years old have free admission. From the inside, the palace with its 17 halls amazes with its luxury and grandeur. 
In the palace, tourists have the opportunity to book an individual tour for €60. Or you can take a free audio guide, although it is not provided in Russian, but for those who understand English, German, Italian, French or Spanish, this will be a solution.
Nearby is the Nieuwekerk Church, also an interesting place. 
The church can be visited daily from 10:00 to 18:00, the ticket costs €10.00. 
Well, the last thing you can see on the square is Madame Tussauds. 
The museum contains about 40 wax figures: world stars, politicians, and many others. 
Fun place! The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost €22 and €18. You can buy tickets online and save €2. By the way, when buying tickets online, you don’t have to specify the date of your visit: the tickets will be valid until the end of the year. After 15:00, tickets become cheaper: adults - € 18, children - € 13. By the way, you can buy a combined ticket and at the same time go to the Amsterdam Dungeon attraction with Madame Tussauds. 
A sort of chamber of horrors that shows heartbreaking moments from the life of old Amsterdam. 
For example, both visits will cost an adult €30 (not €43.00). You can order tickets to the museums here: http://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/
By the way, if you intend to visit more than one museum, then it would be advisable to purchase a single entrance ticket IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass (and the second, in my opinion, is better). 
Purchasing a card allows you to significantly save on visiting museums and galleries in Amsterdam (as well as other cities in the country), plus you can use this card to move around the city by public transport. You can buy the card here: http://www.hollandpass.com/
Next, a place that everyone has heard of. Red Light District, Red Light District or de Wallen. 
It is located behind Dame Square, if you go to the canal. This famous one is located between the Niesel street to the north, the Nieuwmarkt seawall to the east, the Sint Janstraat to the south and the Warmoostraat to the west. During the day the area is unremarkable, but it comes to life with the onset of darkness. Everything sparkles with red lights, more than 300 windows open their curtains, workers of a famous business are waiting for clients (if anyone is interested in the cost, 20 minutes of sex costs 40-50 euros). 
There are streets with Asian, black prostitutes, and even transvestites. 
In addition, this quarter has many sex shops, peep show booths, video rentals with cinemas, coffee shops, and the famous Erotic Museum. 
The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 1 am, on Friday and Saturday until 2 am. Entrance costs €5.
You can experience beauty at the Van Gogh Museum. 
All the paintings of the great artist are collected on 4 floors of the museum. You can take an audio guide at the museum, but in general, all the paintings have captions and a little background history of their creation. All inscriptions are in English and Dutch. This museum is located at Gabriel Metsustraat, 13, and can be reached by tram number 2 or 5. The ticket costs 15 euros (entrance with the IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass is free), persons under 17 years old have free admission. Be prepared for the fact that there are always long queues at the museum (for example, we stood for at least half an hour), but those who purchased electronic tickets are allowed in without queuing (you can buy tickets here: http://tourister.amsterdam.ticketbar.eu /en/museums/van-gogh-museum-001/). The museum is open from May to September from 10:00 to 18:00 (and on Friday until 22:00), and from September from 10:00 to 17:00 (on Friday until 22:00).
Next, the oldest church in Amsterdam is the Old Church (Oude Kerk). 
The church is located in the Red Light District. The church itself is a beautiful, unusual building, which emanates the Middle Ages. The floor of the Oude Kerk consists entirely of tombstones (creepy, yes). They also organize concerts in the church, as the acoustics inside are excellent. 
The church is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 to 17, on Sundays from 13 to 17, and is closed during events or holidays. Entrance to the church costs €5 for adults, students, pensioners and groups of more than 10 people will cost €4, children under 13 years old are free.
In general, there are plenty of museums in Amsterdam: visit the National Museum Rijksmuseum (a museum dedicated to fine arts, crafts and history at Stadhouderskade, 42), NEMO Museum (a science center with laboratories and various interesting exhibits, Oosterdok, 2), Rembrandt House Museum (there the great artist lived and worked. Address: Jodenbreestraat, 4), Anne Frank House Museum (Prinsengracht, 267), Amsterdam Diamond Museum (Paulus Potterstraat, 8), Stedelijk City Museum (Museum of Modern Art, Paulus Potterstraat, 13), Bag Museum (Herengracht, 573), Museum of the Tropics (anthropological museum, Linnaeusstraat, 2), Historical Museum of Amsterdam (Kalverstraat, 92), Netherland Maritime Museum (Kattenburgerplein, 1), Cinema Museum (Vondelpk, 3) and many others. You won't be bored! 
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There are no uninteresting places in Amsterdam! By the way, the name of the city literally means a dam near the Amstel River and the first mention of it was in 1275. Since then, Amsterdam has been inextricably linked with the sea, dams and, of course, canals. 
If you don’t visit the Van Gogh Museum while in the capital of the Netherlands, you will regret it for the rest of your life. The museum is open every single day from 10 to 18 and the only day off is January 1.
If you have free time, then just wander around this amazing city; there is plenty of amazing stuff here, and first of all, this is the inexplicable passion of Amsterdam residents to get around everywhere on bicycles! 
And mind you, not super sophisticated - modern ones, but quite ordinary, I would even say ancient bicycles, which are at least 50 years old. 
Be sure to go on an excursion to the exemplary village of Marken, located literally next to the city. It is here that you can see mills that are 300 years old and still working like new. 
Be sure to check out the workshop that makes wooden shoes, 
where you can buy shoes made before your eyes, both as a souvenir and just everyday shoes. Well, of course, don’t miss the opportunity to buy world-famous Dutch cheese.
Let's return to the magical Amsterdam - the capital of flowers, the vast majority of which are tulips, by the way, 11 thousand hectares of land, so hard won from the sea, are occupied by the production of tulips and therefore it would be the height of indecency not to visit the flower market located on the Singel canal. 
And of course, you shouldn’t think that this beautiful city is famous only for its past. 
and many channels (about 600). Amsterdam is also a city with ultra-modern architecture. 
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Amsterdam is the capital of Holland and a very interesting city for tourists.
My article will talk about where you can go in Amsterdam, but there will be a slight difference from similar articles. Since a lot has been written about the sights of Amsterdam, in my article I will talk about what I saw in this city - a brief description of this place, my impressions and advice. First of all, I would like to note that my choice of museums in Amsterdam was quite traditional - before the trip, I studied websites telling about the sights of the city and identified a number of museums that seemed the most interesting to me. So, let's begin.
State Museum (Rijksmuseum)
What is this?
This is one of the most significant museums in Amsterdam, which was founded back in the 19th century. It is quite large, and its exhibits include paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, drawings, engravings, photographs and much more.
The museum is especially proud of its collection of paintings by famous Dutch masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, de Hooch, van der Helst and many others.
Information for visitors
Address: Museumstraat 1
Opening hours: The museum is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticket price: 17.50 euros for adults, free for children under 18, discounts for those who have purchased an I Amsterdam card
My impressions:
In general, I liked the museum, because there are many pieces of art on display. There were quite a lot of people, but there was no crowd. Signatures under the exhibits are in English, if you know it, there will be no problems. A big plus of the museum (I don’t remember if I’ve seen this in others) is that the most significant paintings (for example, the Night Watch) have large sheets that anyone can take - the painting is depicted on them, and the key points are enlarged and explanations are signed - simply put, who is it, why is it drawn this way, what is unique about it, and so on. Thus, you can stand right in front of the picture, take a sheet with explanations, look and compare. I really liked this idea, it’s much more interesting (after all, not all of us are experts in painting) and more memorable.
From the museum's collection I remember paintings by Dutch masters, a collection of jewelry, Delft porcelain and various locks with keys.
I bought a ticket with a discount using the I Amsterdam card, which was quite profitable. I spent about three hours in the state museum, although it could have been more, I was just limited in time.
Maritime Museum
What is this?
A museum that tells the visitor about the history of navigation in Amsterdam. As you understand, navigation is closely connected with the history of the country and its economy.
Among the museum's exhibits are paintings depicting naval battles, ship models, maps, and next to the museum there is a ship (similar ships were used by the Dutch fleet) - you can go inside and examine it.
Information for visitors
Address: Kattenburgerplein 1
Opening hours: the museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except April 27, December 25, and January 1
Ticket price:
· children under four years old - free
· children from 5 to 17 years old - 7.50 euros
· adults (from 18) - 15 euros
· students - 7.50 euros
· I Amsterdam card holders - free
My impressions:
The museum overall made a good impression on me, I especially liked some of the interactive moments that are designed to entertain visitors. I should immediately note that all this is in English or Dutch - there is no Russian.
The first moment I liked is that on the exhibition screens you seem to be accompanied by a group of people - they show those whose lives were inextricably linked with the sea - I remember among them the captain of the ship, his wife, a sailor and a servant girl taken from the West Indies. At each exhibition they tell how their lives changed, and at the end they will tell you how it all ended (by the way, I note that there were also tragic moments).
And the second point - in that part of the exhibition, which is a port, visitors can, as it were, follow the path of a container - loading, transportation, unloading - all with the help of huge screens.
Children especially like such things. And, of course, I also liked the exhibition itself - among the most interesting things I would like to mention figures taken from the bows of ships, paintings and maps.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
What is this?
It seems to me that explanations are unnecessary here - the museum displays wax figures of famous personalities - from politicians to actors and musicians.
Information for visitors
Address:Dam Square,20
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:30
Ticket price:
- adults - 22 euros
- children - 17 euros
- children under 4 years old - free
My impressions:
I didn’t really like the exhibition, mainly because I’m not very interested in actors, singers and other media personalities, so I don’t know many of them. The museum will appeal to those who are knowledgeable in this area, and also to those who like to take photographs - the figures stand/sit in different poses, so you can take a lot of funny photos.
Diamond Museum
What is this?
A museum that tells about the mining, classification of diamonds, and also demonstrates products made from them.
Information for visitors
Address: Paulus Potterstraat, 8 (next to the State Museum)
Opening hours: from 9 to 17
Ticket price:
- adults - 8.5 euros
- children - 6 euros
- pensioners and children under 12 years old - free
My impressions:
The museum is quite interesting, although small - an hour and a half is enough for you to see. Explanations, as in previous museums, are exclusively in Dutch and English. You can take photographs, although the stones don’t look very good in photos. I was interested in the classification of diamonds, the story about artificial diamonds, and, of course, the exhibits themselves - among them were jewelry, inlaid paintings and a couple of pieces of modern art (extremely unusual) - a monkey skull studded with diamonds and so on. According to my observations, most of all there are girls in the museum - they really like looking at the jewelry. I would recommend anyone who is interested in diamonds or would like to know more about them to visit this museum, especially since it is located in the very center of the city, within walking distance of the State Museum.
Despite its small size, Amsterdam can easily compete with the largest cities in Europe in terms of the number of interesting places. The magnificent architecture, picturesque canals and extraordinary atmosphere of Amsterdam make it a unique city, which hides many intriguing surprises and simply interesting sights.
You can get to know them on your own, or you can choose one of the guided city tours or our audio guide. Don't forget to download our offline app (Apple and Android) with maps and tips before your trip to avoid getting lost in Amsterdam.
In honor of one of the most prominent natives of Holland, a huge four-story museum was built, which today is incredibly popular among tourists. The Van Gogh Museum houses the world's largest collection of the artist's paintings, as well as his letters. The first two floors are arranged in chronological order, so that visitors can observe the evolution of the artist's style. The third floor is entirely dedicated to the master's life story. On the fourth floor, works by artists who worked at the same time as Van Gogh are exhibited.
Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7, 1071 CX
Stop: Van Baerlestraat or Museumplein
Working hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00, Friday from 9:00 to 22:00
Ticket price: 15 euros, admission for children under 17 years old is free, you can buy
Walk along the canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is often called the “Venice of the North” due to the large number of canals that surround the city. The famous ones appeared in Amsterdam in the 17th century, initially they were built for a purely practical purpose - to control the flow of the Amstel River. Today they are one of the most charming attractions in Amsterdam, and a short cruise along them is an opportunity to admire the classic architecture of Dutch mansions built on the banks of the canals.
Address: most boats depart from a pier near
Working hours: daily
Ticket price: from 15 euros, there are several cruise options
National Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum tells the story of the centuries-old history of Dutch shipbuilding and navigation. Exhibits and artifacts on a maritime theme occupy 18 spacious halls. Here you will learn about how Amsterdam became one of the richest cities in the world, how the Dutch were able to conquer the sea, and what helped sailors while away their days during long voyages.
Address: Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK
Stop: Kadijksplein
Working hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00
Ticket price: 15 euros, for children from 5 to 17 years old – 7.5 euros, admission for children under 5 years old is free
Anne Frank House
The house, where Jewish families hid from the Nazis during World War II, is a Holocaust memorial and has been Amsterdam's most visited attraction since 1960, when it began operating as a museum. Here visitors can see Anne Frank's original diary and other manuscripts, as well as objects chronicling her short life and interactive installations on human rights.
Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV
Stop: Westermarkt
Working hours: from November to March - daily from 9:00 to 19:00, on Saturday until 21:00, from April to June, September, October - daily from 9:00 to 21:00, on Saturday until 22:00, July - August – daily from 9:00 to 22:00
Ticket price: 9 euros, for children from 10 to 17 years old - 4.5 euros, admission for children under 10 years old is free, you can buy a combined ticket to the museum and a canal walk
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one of the three residences of the Dutch royal family. It was built on the site of the city administration in the 17th century for King Louis I, Napoleon's brother, and at that time was even considered the eighth wonder of the world. The palace is still used by the royal family for major events, but is open to the public most of the year.
Address: Dam, 1012 JS
Stop: Dam or Dam Square
Working hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00
Ticket price: 10 euros, free entry for children under 18 years old
Coffee shops
If beautiful museums, palaces and parks can be found in virtually all cities of the world, then this is a truly Dutch feature that brings the country more than 100 million euros a year. Previously, this pleasure was available to all tourists, but now the Dutch authorities are gradually tightening access for non-residents. In many Dutch cities, coffee shops are already closed to tourists, but in Amsterdam this opportunity still exists.
Vondelpark
The largest and most beautiful park in Amsterdam was named after the Dutch playwright Joost van den Vondel. The park is loved not only by tourists, but also by local residents, who often gather here on sunny days for picnics. In the summer, the Vondelpark also hosts an open-air theater where you can watch wonderful performances, completely free of charge.
Stop: Hobbemastraat
If you like parks, be sure to also visit the legendary Keikenkof.
Amsterdam is famous for its original attractions, and one of them is this, which is a series of red-illuminated windows in which representatives in seductive lingerie invite clients. The area also has adult theaters and many sex shops. Despite the peculiar character of the Quarter, it is quite safe to visit, as tourists constantly crowd here under the watchful eye of the police.
Stop: Dam
This small kingdom of flora in the very center of Amsterdam is the only one floating in the world. Throughout the week, along the banks of the Singel Canal, you can see vendors on barges loaded with all kinds of flowers, seeds and bulbs. Local residents also visit the Flower Market, but first and foremost it is entertainment for tourists. Many of the market's products are sold ready for export, so visitors to the city can easily take home tulips, daffodils and other flowers as souvenirs of Amsterdam.
Address: Singel, 1071 AZ
Working hours: Monday-Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30, Sunday from 11:00 to 17:30
Stop: Muntplein or Koningsplein
Have a nice trip!
What do you know about the city of Amsterdam? Most likely, it is a city of tulips, bridges, and the “red light district.” But that's not all. Today we will tell you what to see in Amsterdam, and we’ll also give some tips on what to watch out for here.
Brief information about the city of Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands is the city of Amsterdam, located at the mouth of two rivers IJ and Amstel. The most interesting thing is that sixty percent of the inhabitants of this country are immigrants who came here in search of a fun and carefree life. The capital of the country is a major cultural, financial and business center; the headquarters of the world's largest corporations, the head office of the Greenpeace organization, and the world's oldest stock exchange are located here. Amsterdam is home to many large banks, light industrial factories, and its food production specializes in potato processing, coffee and brewing. The local large port brings huge income to the treasury. The country's leading industries - mechanical engineering, oil refining, aircraft manufacturing, and cutting of jewelry stones - also bring considerable income to the budget of the Netherlands.
History of the city of Amsterdam. The guides tell a very interesting legend about the founding of the capital of the Netherlands. A long time ago, two fishermen were caught in a severe storm, they desperately fought the storm for their lives and prayed to God for help. In answer to their prayers, the boat was thrown onto a deserted place where the Amstel River flows into the Zuider Zee Bay. To keep themselves busy, the two friends built a hut and a new boat. They began to gradually settle down, they liked their new place of residence so much that they moved their families and friends here. Thus a new village appeared. To protect it from being flooded by the waters of a fast river during high water, they built a dam, and called the settlement “Amsteledame”, literally translated “Dam on the Amstel”. The first mentions of this place are found in written sources from 1275. The city of Amsterdam became the capital of the Netherlands much later, in 1814, when it was already a very large settlement. Amsterdam is a wonderful city that has spent centuries trying to drain excess water. According to legend, in 1275 two fishermen, who by the will of God survived a storm, founded a fishing settlement on the banks of the Amstel River. The annual flood of the river required the construction of a dam, and this began the arduous construction of a city on the water. It must be said that the history of the development of the city is continuously connected with the constant struggle of the local population associated with the reconquest of drained areas from the water. The area around the future city consisted of numerous swamps, lakes, straits and small islands. It cost people enormous efforts to drain the lands: they brought bags of sand and earth, stones and other rubbish, pouring it all into the water, built their houses on high stilts, erected the now legendary Dutch mills, which, by the way, became the hallmark of Amsterdam. Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the rapid growth of urban prosperity was spurred by Amsterdam's status as a "tax-incentive" city. It became a real magnet for traders. Thanks to this, Amsterdam became a successful “business center” of the time and the largest seaport in the world. Luxurious buildings, bridges, and cathedrals began to be erected in the city. So, what to see in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam city canals. In the capital of the Netherlands there are three main canals: Herengracht, Keizergracht, Prinsengracht, forming three unique rings around the city, and together called the Grachtengordel Canal Belt. The Herengracht Canal - “Canal of Lords and Gentlemen”, received its name in honor of the former rulers of Amsterdam. Today it is the main water artery of the city. And its embankment is the most fashionable area of Amsterdam, with the poetic name “Golden Bend”. It is famous for its magnificent medieval mansions with remarkable architecture. The Kaisergracht canal is the “Royal Canal”. In winter, it becomes covered with ice, the very first one, so winter sports lovers are happy to use it for winter joys: ice skating. The Prinsengracht Canal - the “Prince of Orange Canal” - serves as an invisible border separating the craft and commercial part of the city from the representative area with rich mansions. This canal is the busiest place and the longest of the three canals, with a huge number of ships passing through it every day. The city has almost a hundred small and medium-sized canals, over which more than a thousand bridges are thrown; in the dark they are illuminated by millions of lanterns, which makes Amsterdam at night a fabulous place.
The fact that the city’s territory is located on swampy swamps, as a result of which it is impossible to build skyscrapers and high-speed multi-lane highways here, does not in the least affect the tourist attractiveness of Amsterdam. Its narrow stone-paved streets, decorated with numerous flowerpots and flower beds with tulips, ancient buildings standing on strong, high beams, numerous parks and a unique atmosphere of comfort, indescribable friendliness - all this attracts numerous tourists from all over the world to the city. The capital of the Netherlands is a unique mixture of ultra-modernity and medieval antiquity. Here, like nowhere else, ancient balustrades and mirrored facades of new buildings harmoniously combine, museums stand next to fashionable boutiques representing popular world brands, and in modest, democratic cafes you will be served surprisingly strong beer prepared according to ancient monastic recipes. This city is considered the most tolerant in Europe. In its numerous “coffee shops,” you can legally smoke marijuana, and in the glass windows of the streets of the “Red Light District” you can look at the priestesses of love luring tourists. By the way, a visit to this quarter is the tourist highlight of Amsterdam. But besides this amazing quarter, there is a lot to see in Amsterdam: numerous museums, interesting art galleries, cathedrals, squares and ancient monuments. Another tourist attraction is the Amsterdam Diamond Factory, where those interested can visit the exhibition hall and watch the interesting process of cutting precious stones.
Travelers begin their acquaintance with the sights of Amsterdam by visiting its old part - Oudzijds - the historical center. The main attraction of the area is Oudekerk Church for eight centuries it has delighted and delighted the eyes of local residents and numerous tourists with its unsurpassed pride and grandeur. She is the true embodiment of the spirit of the Middle Ages. Fishermen began building the Oudekerk Church in the thirteenth century, dedicating this temple to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who had long been the patron saint of sailors, merchants, and children. This church was wooden and was erected on the site of an old cemetery, in the middle of a swampy area. Construction took place over three centuries, during which time it experienced several fires and attacks by iconoclasts who destroyed the luxurious wall paintings. Later the temple was built of stone. Today you can hear its bell, which is the oldest in Amsterdam, cast in 1450 by master François Hemony. Since then, he has been calling believers to Saturday services for seven centuries. The church is famous for its stunning sixteenth-century stained glass windows created by Dirk Crabet and Lambert Van Noort. The stained glass windows depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, and the paintings on the ceiling, dating back to the period of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, represent biblical scenes. Since the church was built in honor of St. Nicholas by fishermen, images of ships can be seen everywhere here. This church is also proud of three organs, the oldest of which is 358 years old; the organ, assembled in 1724, is considered the best organ in Europe. Oudekerk has excellent acoustics, so organ concerts are regularly held here.
"Red light district"- occupies most of the historical center. This is not a quarter, but a whole area, which locals call “De Valletjes” - “Walls”, since in ancient times the walls of the city fortifications passed here. This place was chosen by prostitutes in the fourteenth century, as it was next to the port and next to the church, taverns and brothels, that is, everything that sailors who arrived from a long voyage needed. Life here is in full swing at any time of the day, but the most interesting things begin with the onset of darkness: the illumination comes on, loud music begins to play, the streets are filled with a heated crowd of people, glass display cases are occupied by “priestesses of love” of all stripes, skin colors, sizes and ages. It must be said that the bulk of the people are onlookers, not consumers. This area is home to the Amsterdam Erotic Museum, which displays erotic art from different cultures and times. There are sculptures, paintings, statues, photographs, ancient engravings, various auxiliary devices and so on.
Nieuwekerk Church- a temple dedicated to St. Catherine, it began to be built in 1380. We can say that this is the most eclectic building in the city. Its grandiose facades, surrounded by a variety of buildings dating back to different time periods, do not immediately make it clear how old this structure is. Construction took place over seventy years. Over its five centuries, the church survived a terrible fire, as a result of which only two of its original Gothic facades have reached us. The history of this church is inextricably linked with the history of the Netherlands: Since 1814, weddings and coronations of the royal dynasty of Orange-Nassau began to be held here. By the way, the tradition has been preserved to this day, in 1980, the coronation of Queen Beatrix took place here. Also, concerts, exhibitions, antique fairs and lectures are held here.
Royal Palace of the City of Amsterdam– one of those places that you definitely need to visit. The building was conceived as the location of the city hall: the administrative and judicial authorities of the Netherlands. The project was designed in 1648 by the architect Jacob Van Campen. The palace was planned to be built in a classical style, as a reminder of the architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome. To implement the grandiose project, a lot of work had to be done: almost fourteen thousand twelve-meter strong piles were driven into the muddy soil, a platform was built on them, and only then the construction of the walls began. The building was decorated with style: allegorical figures, a marble map of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, laid out on the floor of the central hall. This building houses great paintings by the Dutch masters. Tourists can see them by purchasing a ticket in advance. The Town Hall became a royal palace in 1808, after Napoleon came to power. He chose this luxurious building as his residence. Today, despite the fact that the royal court resides permanently in The Hague, this building is at the disposal of the Royal House of the Netherlands and is used for important ceremonial events.
What else to see in Amsterdam? Well, of course, museums! In the central square of the city - Dam Square, named after the dam built in the Middle Ages on the Amstel River, there is a branch of the world famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. It was officially opened in 1971, and since 1991 it has moved to its current address. Museum visitors can see here the great Dutch painter Rembrandt, scientist Albert Einstein, the famous Van Gogh, the brilliant Pablo Picasso and the inimitable Salvador Dali. In addition, there are amazing doubles of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and many others. The museum is open every day from ten o'clock in the morning until half past seven in the evening.
Van Gogh Museum– located on Museum Square in the capital of the Netherlands. It must be said that it was a miracle that the artist’s priceless paintings reached us. The fact is that after the death of the artist, his paintings were inherited by his brother, but he also died soon, and the artistic legacy of Vincent van Gogh, along with his letters to his beloved brother, remained with the widow of his brother Theo. Her friends suggested getting rid of this bad taste, but she carefully kept these paintings and gave the letters for publication. The collection of paintings by the master was in the Van Gogh family until 1973. Until his cousin, Vincent Willem van Gogh, donated them to a museum specially built for this purpose. Today, we can see here more than two hundred original paintings, his sketches, numerous letters, as well as paintings by other impressionist masters, his friends.
Rembrandt House Museum– the exhibition of this is located in the building where the greatest artist and engraver of the seventeenth century lived and painted in the 17th century - Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn. In total, he created almost three hundred paintings, the same number of engravings and two thousand drawings. The museum was officially opened in 1911. Today, in the house-museum, the environment of the master’s life has been accurately recreated: kitchen, rooms, workshop. The collection includes works by Rembrandt and paintings by his students, as well as Peter Lastman, his teacher, one of the rooms is dedicated to the technique of engraving.
Heineken Brewery Museum is a place where you can learn about the interesting history of the family of world-famous brewers, get acquainted with ancient equipment for brewing beer, and also taste it. There is a souvenir shop at the museum.
Since Holland is always associated with tulips, you should definitely visit the Amsterdam Flower Market, where you can not only admire the variety of these beautiful flowers, take great photos as a souvenir, but also buy several tulip bulbs as souvenirs to grow them at home.
Now we will tell you about the precautions that should be observed in the city of Amsterdam. As in any major metropolis in the world, there is a fairly high probability of pickpocketing, often carried out in crowds near major attractions or public transport. Do not carry valuables, documents or money in your pocket. Since Amsterdam is a city of cyclists, and tourists also often rent bicycles for exploring the city, bicycle theft is a common type of theft. Therefore, you need to leave it in a special bicycle parking area. Since the Netherlands is a country with the legalized sale of soft drugs, you should not think that you can also freely bring them as a souvenir to your homeland; if they are found on you or in your luggage at the airport, long proceedings with the police are guaranteed. Also, on the streets of Amsterdam people are fined for drinking alcohol, and the fines are considerable. Be very careful when visiting the Red Light District: and try to refrain from openly taking photos and videos here. The ladies of this area do not like this and you may be punished by their guards. Smoking on the streets of Amsterdam is prohibited not only from narcotic cigarettes, but also from regular cigarettes. Also, if you decide to visit local coffee shops, don’t overeat, out of habit, pies with hashish and mushrooms. The package says: “No more than three pies per day,” believe them, otherwise you will be taken to the wrong place! And, as for the capricious local weather: Amsterdammers always carry a raincoat with them, regardless of the season, because the proximity of the sea can cause rain at any time.
Amsterdam is a very contradictory and unpredictable city, where beautiful ancient buildings, cathedrals and bridges over numerous canals coexist with the depraved Red Light District, and the Van Gogh and Rembrandt Museum with the Museum of Sex and the Cannabis Museum. But, the capital of the Netherlands is one of the most attractive tourist destinations, where there is never a “low season”, and in the city of Amsterdam, there is always something to see.
The Dutch capital is popular among tourists: beautiful, tasty, interesting. Plus a vibrant nightlife and a lot of eating establishments. However, it is difficult to call Amsterdam a budget destination.
However, even if you don’t count every euro, it’s still nice if entertainment on a trip comes for free or is very cheap. Today we find these in Amsterdam.
Let's discover Amsterdam for free
You can take a sightseeing tour of the city every day. The schedule is available on the website.
Let's go boating
You can also see the city from the water for free if you take a ferry ride on River IJ. You should catch it at the central station.
Let's go to the flower market
Bloemenmarkt is a flower market in Amsterdam, operating since 1862. Come rain or shine, it unfolds every day except Sunday. Wander among the colorful tulips, buy a bouquet (50 pieces for 10 euros!) or souvenirs, or maybe choose bulbs to plant in your dacha?
Let's take a walk in the park
If the weather is good, go to Vondelpark is the most popular in the city. Take a leisurely walk, have a picnic, sit in local cafes or watch a movie in an open-air cinema. There is also a garden with more than 70 types of roses.
Let's explore the Canal Belt
The area where houses built from the 17th century have been preserved is what a tourist needs. The system of canals, islands and charming bridges will not leave you indifferent. Walking along the banks on foot doesn’t cost anything, but you can fork out some money and take a boat ride.
Let's ride a bike
Do you want to pass as one of your own in Amsterdam? Rent a bike and ride around the city. A day's rental costs 7-8 euros.
Let's pet the cats
A floating shelter for abandoned cats and cats, Pozenboot, refutes the stereotype that these animals are afraid of water. Nothing like that, they live right on the canal and don’t give a damn! You can come, see and pet the cats for free, but if you leave them, no matter how much you mind, for their maintenance, they will only thank you.
Let's drink coffee at the cat cafe
If you haven't had enough communication with the mustachioed striped cats, go to the local cat cafe Kopjes Cat. You need to reserve a time, entry costs 3 euros per person. Stay warm and cozy with eight outdoor cats.
We will see 15 bridges at once
Well, there are more than 1.5 thousand of them in Amsterdam. It’s probably impossible to cover everything in one trip, although there were probably originals who tried to put everything into the traveler’s piggy bank. But we will start from a point where you can see 15 bridges at the same time. For this we need intersection R eguliersgracht and Herengracht. It's best to come in the evening when the bridges are illuminated.
Let's have a free snack at the Sunday market
If you're lucky enough to be in the Dutch capital on the first Sunday of the month, go to the area Westergasfabriek, where a huge market is located.
You can buy everything here - from farm products to designer clothes. All merchants offer food to try, so you can save on lunch too.
Let's go to the library
This idea will seem strange to many, but do not reject it outright. Simply, the top floor of the Amsterdam Public Library offers stunning views of the city, and admission is free.
Let's visit a diamond factory
The Gassan Diamonds diamond factory offers free guided tours every day (Russian-speaking ones are also available). They show cutters at work, tell the whole journey of a diamond to a diamond and a piece of jewelry. You can take photos and videos. Well, at the end of the tour, of course, there’s a store. The prices are worthy of the products, so no one will insist on buying, but they will let you try them on.
Let's count Nine streets
The area that is called here De Negen Straatjes are nine streets connecting the main canals. Lovely cityscapes, boutiques of vintage clothing and items, and just a very pleasant place to stroll.
Let's go ice skating
Every Friday there are roller skating tours in Amsterdam. It's absolutely free to join, but you have to evaluate your capabilities. The usual route is about twenty kilometers.
Let's go to the flea market
The oldest flea market in the Netherlands is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 18.00. You can wander there endlessly, moving from book stalls to jewelry stores, and from bicycles to shoe stores. In general, you can buy everything in this market. And also have an inexpensive snack in local cafes.
Let's drink beer
A tour of the Brouwerij "t IJ brewery for 5.50 euros includes a tasting of several types of foamy drink and takes place once a day in English and once a day in Dutch. It is better to book in advance on the website.
Let's listen to a free concert
At the Royal Concert Hall Concertgebouw on Wednesdays at 12.30 you can listen to classical music for free. There are plenty of people interested, so come early to get a good seat.
Well, are you already looking for cheap flights to the Dutch capital? Then here's some more practical information for you.
Amsterdam Airport
Schiphol is located 18 kilometers from Amsterdam. This is one of the largest air harbors in Europe, a popular hub (transfer hub) for long flights. In addition, Schiphol has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most comfortable airports in the world. It has everything: restaurants and bars, spa salons and a gym, a prayer room and a library, a casino and even marriage can be registered. In each terminal, at several points, you can buy a bouquet of tulips or bulbs, stock up on the famous Dutch cheese and choose a special knife to go with it. At the same time, the airport does not look overloaded at all.
On the territory of the airport and in its surroundings there are chain hotels Ibis, Novotel, Mercure, HolidayInn, etc., where a room costs much less than in the city center. Therefore, many tourists stay in them if they come to Amsterdam for several days, and not just relax between flights. Transport connections between Schiphol and Amsterdam are regular and 24 hours a day.
How to get from Amsterdam Airport to the city center
Bus
Opposite SchipholPlaza there are bus stops going to Amsterdam or other cities, as well as shuttles from hotels. The Amsterdam Airport Express - bus number 197 will take you to the city center in about 25 minutes and 5 euros.
Train
Trains depart from the platform below the arrivals hall both to Amsterdam Central Station and to other cities in Holland. Trains to the center of the capital will cost 5.10 euros.
Taxi
A trip from the city center costs approximately 50 euros.
The main attractions of Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
An art museum the size of a block. The collection contains hundreds of paintings by Dutch artists.
Amsterdam canals
It’s strange that the word “canals” is associated exclusively with Venice. Amsterdam is not much inferior to it. 75 kilometers of waterways, more than 1.5 thousand bridges - isn’t it beautiful?!
Muiderslot Castle
15 kilometers from Amsterdam there is a very well-preserved fortress XIII century. It was never used for military purposes, so it has survived to this day intact. Be careful! The ghost of one of its owners, Count Floris the Fifth, who was killed by his own vassals, haunts the halls.
Royal Palace
Usually it was the other way around, but in this case the building, built in XVII century for the city hall and court, eventually given to the royal family. Now it is the official residence of the royal dynasty of the Netherlands, and all official events are held only here.
Dam Square
Living in an area that is mostly below sea level is not easy. The Dutch constantly had to build dams, dig canals, and drive piles. So Dam Square is located on a dam (which in Dutch is “dam”) XIII century. This is the central square of the city.
Madame Tussauds museum
If you're a fan of wax replicas of celebrities, visit Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. Compare with other similar establishments, of which there are only 19 in the world.
Vincent Van Gogh Museum
This is not just a collection of paintings by the great artist (it is worth noting, not the most complete), but an exhibition telling about his life and work. In addition to works by Van Gogh, paintings by Monet, Gauguin, Picasso and other impressionists are exhibited.
Keukenhof ( Keukenhof)
For just over two months (from late March to early May), this is a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. A park in the vicinity of Amsterdam dazzles with the beauty of blooming tulips of various colors and varieties. Plus hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses and orchids (those are already in greenhouses).
Rembrandt House Museum
The artist lived in this house for several years. Now here you can see his engravings and paintings, as well as the works of his students and artists who created under the impression of the master’s paintings (I wonder if anyone was not impressed by Rembrandt’s works?).
Shipping Museum
Once the Admiralty was located in this building, now it is a museum telling about the glorious history of navigation and the achievements of Dutch sailors.
Amsterdam City Museum
If you are a lover of contemporary art, this is the place for you. The modern one it was at the end XIX - early XX century. Look at the works of the Impressionists, Expressionists, Cubists, Fauves, including 29 paintings by Kazimir Malevich.
Anne Frank House Museum
Anna is the daughter of Otto Frank, who fled with his family from Nazi Germany from the Jewish pogroms. The family hid in an old mansion, where a memorial is now set up. Anna kept a diary, and this is the main exhibit of the museum.
Red lanterns of Amsterdam
Along with cheese and coffee shops, the red light district is one of Amsterdam's most famous attractions. Although, there are similar areas in many cities around the world. By the way, in fact, this is not a street, but a block. Divided into, let's say, thematic streets - on some establishments they offer to have fun exclusively with white girls, on others - with black girls, on others - with transsexuals, etc.
By the way, ladies of easy virtue occupied this area back in the 14th century, and have lived here ever since. During the day, this is an ordinary area, nothing betrays a nest of debauchery in it. But, with the onset of darkness, he is transformed. It must be said that this has long been more of a tourist attraction, and city guests come here more often than men thirsting for corrupt love. However, there are plenty of them, otherwise why would prostitutes pay taxes to the city treasury? Yes, yes, they work absolutely legally, with a “white” salary, a trade union and health insurance.
Coffee shops in Amsterdam
Like the red light district, these establishments give Amsterdam worldwide fame - there are few places in the world where soft drugs can be bought and used legally. We don’t recommend this to anyone, but you will still see coffee shops in Amsterdam. Therefore, if you decide to go there, you need to know a few rules:
* You can only purchase and consume herbs in coffee shops. It’s not allowed on the streets, in hostels or hotels, or in other establishments. Despite the fact that some people do just that. It is even more impossible to export it outside the country.
* one person can buy no more than five grams per day.
*there is no alcohol in coffee shops. But there is coffee.
* weed will be sold only with a passport if you are over 18 years old.
* You are not allowed to take photographs or shoot videos in coffee shops.
Time in Amsterdam
The time difference between Amsterdam, as well as the entire Netherlands, and Moscow is -2 hours in winter and -1 hour in summer. That is, if, for example, it is 16 o’clock in Moscow, then it is 14 o’clock in Amsterdam.
How long does it take to fly to Amsterdam from Moscow?
A direct flight from Moscow to Amsterdam lasts 3 hours 5 minutes. Offered by Aeroflot and KLM airlines. Other carriers fly to the Dutch capital with transfers. How long it will take to get to Amsterdam will depend on the connection time.
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Amsterdam is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. The limited space of the city forced city planners to approach its planning with full responsibility. Amsterdam has a large number of canals, many of which were never completed, and in their place houses, streets and squares arose. Many tourists come here not only to enjoy architectural monuments, but also to visit numerous shops, cafes, coffee shops, casinos, bars and specific museums.
The old city is surrounded by four semi-rings of canals. All Amsterdam canals are included in the UNESCO list. The Singel Canal is famous for its beautiful houses built during the Golden Age. The Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals amaze tourists with beautiful mansions. Tours along the canals of Amsterdam take place daily, they all start from the city center, but you can choose different routes. The central Dam Square is the most famous place in Amsterdam. In the western part of the square is the Royal Palace. This is an unusually beautiful building with rich internal architectural ornaments. Next to the Royal Palace stands the Nieuwekerk Church, built in the 15th century. The famous Madame Tussauds museum is also located here, where huge queues of people line up every day to see the wax figures of celebrities. The Van Gogh Museum is one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam. About 200 paintings and drawings by the famous painter are presented here. The exhibition is a chronology of Van Gogh's life, where his entire life is told through drawings, paintings and engravings. The Stedelijk Museum houses paintings by Picasso, Kazemir Malevich, Cezanne, Matisse, as well as other areas of modern art. History buffs should visit the Anne Frank Memorial House, opened in 1957 and dedicated to the memory of a Jewish girl who died in a German camp. She kept a diary where she described life during the occupation of Amsterdam. Arriving in Amsterdam, many tourists strive to immediately get to the famous Red Light District, which does not look like a street at all, but rather an entire area. This convenient place, located near the port, was chosen by prostitutes back in the 14th century. During the day, when you first get to the Red Light District, you may not immediately notice the girls sitting in the shop windows; during the day they work little, and most of the windows are curtained. But the nightlife is in full swing: the lights come on, the music plays, girls of different nationalities, skin colors, different ages and proportions go to work. They sit enticingly and proudly on their high chairs and invite men and women into their rooms. However, during the day you can better see the architectural beauty of the quarter. The Erotic Museum is located in the Red Light District, one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam. It represents erotic art from different periods and cultures. Among the museum's exhibits are paintings, engravings, statues, and figures depicting various erotic scenes. There are many similarities to the Erotic Museum in Amsterdam. Each museum tries to attract customers with various tricks, for example, in some of them at the entrances and inside there are moving human-sized figures that shock, frighten and attract tourists. On the square Leidseplein is the center of Amsterdam's nightlife. This square attracts tourists with a variety of art cafes, clubs, cinemas and shops. Street actors and musicians perform in the open air until the early hours. Amsterdam's most famous coffee shop, Bulldog Palace, is located on Leidseplein. At the Uitburo street bureau you can get a complete picture of the cultural life of Amsterdam and buy tickets for concerts and theater performances.Tourists with children and simply nature lovers should visit the zoo Artis Royal Zoo, where 6 thousand animals are collected. On the territory of the zoo you can see a botanical garden, an aquarium, a geological museum and simply watch the life of animals.