Things to do
Once in town, the amount of things to do can be overwhelming. Do your homework beforehand as there's loads to see and do. Make a shortlist of must-sees. Choose from internationally renowned museums and sights, explore the markets, quirky boutiques and department stores—and unwind with a visit to one of the many parks. At night, visit one of the bars or clubs.
Museums
Admire the masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer and other Dutch masters in some of Amsterdam’s world-famous museums; Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum (open from December 2010), Hermitage, Anne Frank House and Museum Het Rembrandthuis. There are also a surprising amount of smaller museums, each bringing very different types of art and collections to Amsterdam. Click here for a list of museums.
Attractions
In addition to visiting museums and making a canal cruise, you may wish to join a guided tour to a diamond factory. Alternatively, you could visit one of Amsterdam’s interactive attractions, like the completely remodelled Heineken Experience where visitors experience a journey through the brewing process and will have the opportunity to create and take home their own personalised bottle of Heineken. Click here for a list of attractions.
Theatres
Ballet, opera, theatre productions, classical and modern music concerts by highly acclaimed, international performers are an important part of the Amsterdam cultural calendar. The Amsterdam Concertgebouw is world-renowned for its spectacular acoustics and is one of the world’s liveliest concert halls. ‘Het Muziektheater’ is home to the Netherlands Opera and the Dutch National Ballet. Another extraordinary location for theatre, music, dance and ballet is the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, the first Dutch stage. The Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ is Amsterdam’s concert hall of the 21st century. You may order your tickets at Amsterdams Uitburo (AUB) located at the Leidseplein or at Lastminute Ticketshop. Search the agenda for performances and nights out.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Amsterdam is versatile, cosmopolitan and never sleeps. Start off the evening in a traditional brown café or a modern grand café, a wine or beer tasting bar. Choose from a variety of restaurants, dance until dawn in a trendy discotheque or while away the hours in one of the new ‘lounge bars’ where you can drink exotic cocktails. Sit among the locals in a jazz club or a café. Have fun in a comedy club or piano bar. Click here more nightlife.
Shopping
With everything from multi-level department stores to one-of-a-kind boutiques, antiques to contemporary Dutch design, Amsterdam inspires even the most cultivated shopper. Click here for shopping ideas.
Cycling
The Netherlands is cycling country. Bikes are also extremely popular in Amsterdam. There isn’t a city in the world where people cycle as much. About forty percent of all movements from one location to the next take place on a bicycle in Amsterdam! Click here for cycling ideas.
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