Known for its historic canals, narrow houses, rich artistic heritage, and liberal culture, Amsterdam offers a unique and captivating experience for all who visit. From the Red Light District, to the unique museums, to the bustling cycling culture, Amsterdam is an interesting oasis of internationals, commerce, and edgy spirit.

THE INTERNATIONAL DUTCH HUB

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MOST FUN THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM

Visit some of the many unique museums

Amsterdam boasts a diverse array of museums, ranging from art and history to science and modern media. Highlights for classic art lovers include the Rijksmuseum, housing masterpieces by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, and the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to Vincent van Gogh's work. Additionally, the city features unique spots like the EYE Film Museum, focusing on cinematography, and NEMO Science Museum, engaging visitors in science and technology. Alongside this, some immersive modern (digital) art museums that will leave you inspired!

Rent a boat, kayak or paddle board & explore the canals

A unique way to explore the city of Amsterdam is from the city canals. However, many of the boat cruises are tourist traps. Be sure to opt for a fun way to explore the waterside of Amsterdam, such as in a kayak, on a paddleboard, or the SmokeBoat, if you're into that kind of thing.

Walk or cycle through the historic streets of the inner city

Walking allows you to immerse yourself fully in the city's atmosphere. Key areas to explore include the Canal Belt (Grachtengordel): Walk along the UNESCO-listed canals like Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. The Jordaan District: Famous for its narrow streets, independent shops, and cozy cafés. The Red Light District (De Wallen): Historic and lively, especially at night. The Dam Square: Central and iconic, surrounded by landmarks such as the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk. You can also opt to rent a bike from central station if you want to fully blend in to Amsterdam culture. Be prepared though, the cycling experience can be intense in full bike traffic. For tourists, there are several bike rental places near Amsterdam Central Station.

Go to a festival!

Many festivals take place in and around Amsterdam. For Kings Day there are several festivals held such as Kingsland. Another fun one is Pride, as Amsterdam is the place to be if you like big crowds and city-wide festivities. There are many music festivals on the schedule for Amsterdam in 2024! For those less interested in stomping your feet to the beat for 12 hours, try the rolling kitchens food festival, the coffee festival, or the wine festival. For other upcoming events & details in Amsterdam, check the link below.

Take a ferry to the swing on top of A'DAM Lookout

Taking the ferry to A'DAM Lookout in Amsterdam to experience the Over the Edge swing is a popular activity for both locals and tourists. If this is not your thing, it is still a nice spot to sit and have a drink and admire the beautiful city views. The drinks are relatively expensive and served in plastic cups, as no glassware is allowed on the rooftop. A photo is taken as memorabilia before you go up the spacey elevator. A regular ticket to go up on the rooftop costs €16,50 and the swing is an add-on for €7,50. You can also add the VR experience, which is a little silly and commercial, but might be fun for kids.

Attend a ballet, opera, classical or jazz music performance

Amsterdam has many cultural shows on offer. It is an international hub for all things music and dance and often has numerous options for live experiences. The picture on the left shows the Candlelight show, a string quartet playing various types of classical & modern music, sometimes accompanied by ballet dancers. See all Candlelight concerts in Amsterdam via the link below. The National Opera & Ballet theatre also has various shows on offer, check them out below.

See a (sex) show in the Red Light District

Have a spicy evening with friends or your partner and experience the edgy wonderland that is the Red Light District. Always buzzing with tourists, this area of Amsterdam attracts people from all over the world. Visit the Moulin Rouge for a show, the infamous banana bar, or Casa Rosso, for some sexual acrobatics you will never be ready for. The Red Light district is soon being changed by the municipality of Amsterdam, as they plan to build an enclosed center to house the red light tourist traffic.

Go coffeeshop hopping

Many tourists want to blaze it up, because when in Amsterdam, going to some coffeeshops is a classic. Prix' di Ami is one of the largest coffeeshops in Europe, and has some game tables to keep their guests entertained while smoking. There are many other coffeeshops that are nice to sit in and have a drink. No tobacco is allowed to be smoked inside coffeeshops, so make sure to get some herbs from the counter to mix with. For a list of good coffeeshops to sit in, check out the link below.

Stroll through the Vondelpark

Vondelpark, Amsterdam's largest urban park, offers 47 hectares of lush greenery, ponds, and wildlife, perfect for walking, jogging, and cycling. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, children's play areas, and cultural highlights like the open-air theatre, a statue of poet Joost van den Vondel, and Picasso’s "Figure Découpée" sculpture. The park also features cafes, restaurants, and hosts events such as King’s Day festivities and seasonal markets.

Have fun in the Amsterdam forest

There is a lot to do in the Amsterdam Forest. At the top of the list, go pet some goats at Goatfarm Ridammerhoeve! You can also do a cheese-making workshop here, and they have a little farm shop. Another forest activity is the climbing park. The installations at Fun Forest Amsterdam allow you to climb up high and move from tree to tree, fun for all ages. A summer activity in the Amsterdam Forest is canoeing on the lake. There is a little canoe rental shop, stocked with all sorts of water vehicles. Bring a speaker and some beers with you, and hope for a lovely sunny day!

Go skiing or snowboarding in SnowWorld

If you are expecting slopes like you would find in the mountains, you will be disappointed, as it is a single slope that goes straight down. However, indoor skiing is a fun activity if you do not have the funds to take a ski trip. If you want to learn how to ski or snowboard, there is a baby slope alongside it.

Visit Aloha for lasergaming, minigolf, bowling & kareoke

Aloha Amsterdam is an entertainment and leisure venue located in the heart of Amsterdam, offering a variety of activities and experiences. It's a great spot for families, friends, and groups looking for fun indoor activities. Aloha has a Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf course, a bowling alley, a lasergaming arena, arcade games and a kareoke bar. They serve food & drinks.

Visit the monthly vintage market

The IJ-hallen in Amsterdam host the biggest vintage market in the Netherlands once a month. Entrance is 6 Euros, but they are Euros well spent. Endless stalls of random items are lined up for you to succumb to all your capitalistic urges in a more sustainable way. You can also buy a combo ticket and visit the STRAAT museum afterwards, definitely recommended!

Take a tour in the diamond polishing factory

Amsterdam has a long heritage in the diamonds, and has been a major diamond center since the introduction of the diamond cutting industry in the later 16th century. There are several old diamond polishing studios that offer free guided tours. Definitely a unique and affordable day out!

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