Amsterdam City
What makes Amsterdam so popular? Is it the canals and bridges, the city’s rich history, the cultural offerings, the congenial neighbourhoods with cafés and antique shops or the municipal parks that are enough to confound the senses? Or is it the liberal character of the city, where it doesn’t matter what your skin colour, religion or sexual orientation are. It’s the combination that makes Amsterdam so unique. Do as the Dutch all do: hop on a bike and experience Amsterdam!
Must sees
What do you have to see? Famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, , the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Hermitage Amsterdam, as well as the most distinctive districts like the cosy Jordaan, the working-class centre and the rich Oud-Zuid (‘Old South’). What do you have to do? Take a boat trip over the canals, explore the city by bike and enjoy a sunny terrace in-between. Seen it, done it, got the T-shirt already? Then there’s still plenty more, for information go to one of our tourist information offices.
Municipal parks
Start the day as the people of Amsterdam do. Buy fresh produce at the organic Noordermarkt (only on Saturdays) in the Jordaan, shop in the Negen Straatjes (‘Nine Streets’) and have a tasty sandwich there in one of the cosy lunch cafés. Time for a spot of relaxation? Lay your head in the warm grass in a municipal park and enjoy the surroundings. The most famous is the Vondelpark, the domain of joggers, sun-worshippers, terrace hoppers, footballers, skaters and performers. The park and area around the Westergasterrein – where a large gasworks once stood – is hip and happening. On a warm summer’s day the Oosterpark is a magnet for families with large picnic baskets. Their children swim in the public paddling pool until late in the evening.
Festivals
No matter when you visit Amsterdam, particularly in the summer, there is always a festival you can go to, such as: the travelling theatre festival, De Parade; the zany and orange-coloured Queen’s Day; the Canal Festival, with classical music in the open air; De Dam tot Damloop – the largest running event in the Netherlands; the dance event Sensation; Dutch design month and the annual parade of gay men and lesbians at Gay Pride.
Tourist Information
VVV Amsterdam
tel: (+31) (0)20-2018800
www.vvvamsterdam.nl
Leidseplein 26/ AUB Ticketshop *
Muziektheater, Amstel 3
Noord Zuid Hollands Koffiehuis, Stationsplein 10
Spuistraat 44, specialised in gay touristic information*
Stadhouderskade 550, opp no 78*
Het Muziektheater, Waterlooplein 22 *
Bruna, Buikslotermeerplein 236-240 *
* Agencies
From museum to people-watching, from shopping to lazing around in the park, from restaurant to nocturnal dance festival: see Amsterdam from every angle.
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