Top Ten Attractions in Amsterdam

Home to a myriad of flowers, canals, galleries and coffee shops, Amsterdam is a vibrant modern capital with a rich history to explore. Explore the wealth of its museums and concert halls, take in some upmarket shopping, travel the canals and let your hair down by night. Here is a top ten of Amsterdam’s unmissable attractions.

Start off by heading to Museumsplein for the highlights of Amsterdam’s culture. The Rijksmuseum is justly famous for its vast collection of historic Dutch art. Look out for works from the golden age of the 16th and 17th centuries as well as arts, crafts and paintings from other eras. Be sure to pay homage to Rembrandt’s the Night Watch which is displayed in the Philips Wing.

The Van Gogh Museum is located next door and has the largest collection of his works in the world, displayed in a light, airy building. Also on Museumsplein you will find the Stedelijk Museum. With an extensive collection of modern art you can browse and enjoy works by Piet Mondriaan, Kazimir Malevich and others.

Situated close by you will find the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam’s main concert hall. The Concertgebouw is considered to have some of the best acoustics in the world and with hundreds of concerts held there each year it is one of the world’s premier music destinations.

Among the other cultural attractions on offer in the city are two buildings which housed remarkable former residents. Rembrandtshuis stands in Jodenbreestaat and is where the painter lived from 1639 (when he began painting the Night Watch) until his bankruptcy in 1656. The house has been refurbished as it would have looked in his day and there is an encyclopaedic collection of his etchings as well as other artworks.

On a more sombre note Anne Frank’s House stands on Prinsengracht. It was here that the young Anne lived out her short life in hiding from the Nazis. Tragically they caught up with her and she and her family lost their lives in a concentration camp but her famous diary survives as a poignant reminder of the war.

Those seeking retail therapy will find it at the traditional Dutch department store of De Bijenkorf on Dam Square, which houses departments such as fashion, beauty and homeware. Maison de Bonneterie on Kalverstraat offers a traditional Parisian-style store which is also full of luxury goods. As you explore the city be sure to sample the traditional cafes with their excellent coffee, cakes and snacks.

No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without at least one trip on a water taxi. These travel the extensive canals which navigate through the city, offering a gentle, laid-back perspective as you float past architectural treasures and flower markets. An excellent place to take a water taxi to is the Leideseplein. Here you can drink coffee or sip beer as you soak up the atmosphere. Located close to the Singelgracht Canal, it is renowned for its lively and bustling nightlife.

It is also good to know that the frequent flights to Amsterdam arrive at Schiphol Airport; and its close proximity means you are never too far away from the heart of all the action.

The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.