When people think of Amsterdam most minds immediately go to the city’s famous Red Light District, however, the city has a deep history and a thriving music scene well worth checking out if you ever find yourself in the Netherlands. That being said, here are our suggestions for 17 things to do when visiting Amsterdam.
Ice Bar
One of the more unique drinking spots in Amsterdam is the Ice Bar which, as the name suggests, is a bar constructed entirely out of ice.
Your visit includes a 20-minute tour and 3 free drinks (2 of which will be in the Xtracold ice bar) if you’re worried about having to pack your winter coat for one bar, don’t be, the bar provides a lovely warm coat and gloves, perfect for holding onto your ice glass.
The Catboat
A floating cat paradise, a volunteer ran a shelter for stray cats located on a houseboat along the canal.
Entry to this feline sanctuary is free however donations are greatly appreciated to help keep everyone fed and happy. If you love cats of all shapes and sizes this is an unusual spot well worth your time
De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets)
Cafes, vintage stores, and artisanal food shops make up this neighborhood in the middle of the canal belt in Jordaan.
This small, charming neighborhood is guaranteed to have something to appeal to you, whether you want to grab a bite to eat or take a leisurely stroll and do some shopping.
Van Gogh Museum
One of the most notable artists in all of history, the Van Gogh Museum contains the largest compilation of artwork by the painter of any museum worldwide.
Though he was never appreciated in his time, thankfully you can appreciate his work in all its glory right here in Amsterdam located just around the corner from our next suggestion.
Rijksmuseum
If you need something grander in your museum then look no further than the Rijksmuseum, the largest of Amsterdam’s big three museums.
With a wide variety of exhibits, you may be overwhelmed with where to start, luckily the museum has its own app to give you any of 14 personal audio-guided tours, making it easy to see everything you could want.
Anne Frank House
What may first appear to be just your average house along the canal is actually one of the most historic monuments in modern history, the house where Anne Frank famously wrote her diary while hiding from the Nazis.
No matter how much you know about Anne Frank’s story and her life I assure you this will leave you stunned and emotional, it is truly not to be passed on.
Foodhallen
Street food is vast and varied in Amsterdam and there are few places better to experience it than Foodhallen, with 21 stalls there’s sure to be something to your tastes.
From hot dogs to pizza to curry there’s something for everyone and all of it is worth trying. Perhaps you only feel like sampling some of the local drinks, luckily Foodhallen also features 4 unique bars each with a different specialty.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Speaking of drinks next up we have Amsterdam’s original microbrewery, Brouwerij ‘t IJ.
Located inside one of the city’s working windmills there is no shortage of beer, whether you pilsners, IPAs, or good old blonde beers there’s definitely something to quench your thirst.
Of course, there isn’t just the beer, there is also a variety of traditional Dutch bar snacks to soak up some of that alcohol and make sure you don’t leave feeling too tipsy.
House of Bols
If beer isn’t your thing, maybe cocktails are more your speed. Bols was the world’s first distilled spirit and Genever is essentially a Dutch variation of modern gin.
Included in a tour of the Bols Cocktail and Genever experience are multiple interactive exhibits dedicated to teaching you about 2 of the oldest spirit brands of the Netherlands as well as, of course, a complimentary cocktail in the mirror bar crafted by an expert mixologist.
Take a Bicycle Tour
Slowing things down Amsterdam is one of the most cyclist-friendly capital cities in the world with 5 different bicycle rental locations across the city with 10 different types of bikes to ensure there’s a ride for you. Whether rented by the hour or day Amsterdam is a different place when experienced on two wheels.
Artis Zoo
This next offering is particularly excellent if you’ve brought the kids with you. Though not exceptionally large, Artis is actually the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Whether you’re a fan of elephants, giraffes or monkeys at least one of the over 750 species will appeal to you.
As well as the expected wild animals there’s an aquarium, a planetarium, and the Micropia, a museum connected to the zoo that boasts of being the world’s first museum about microscopic life.
NEMO Science Museum
Spanning 5 floors of activities and exhibits, the NEMO Science Museum is an almost entirely interactive experience where you are allowed to touch nearly everything on display making this the perfect museum to visit with the kids.
Some notable exhibits include Water world, the search for life, journey through the mind, and energetica, each of which is uniquely interactive to truly allow you to get hands-on with science.
BODY WORLDS
If the human body fascinates you then consider stopping by BODY WORLDS Amsterdam.Themed ‘The Happiness Project’ in an attempt to discover if there is a formula for happiness.
With over 200 anatomical models you will get insight into how happiness impacts the human body and what are the effects on human well-being.
Vondelpark
With a lot of tourist attractions, it is easy to overlook some of the more relaxed spots in Amsterdam, the most popular of which is Vondelpark, a park in the city centre with restaurants, designated barbecue areas, and even an open-air theatre.
From regular concerts through the summer to a relaxing cocktail in a cafe, Vondelpark is the perfect place to just sit and watch the world go by.
Madurodam Miniature Village
On the topic of miniature attractions, maybe consider dropping into the Madurodam miniature village.
From windmills to waterworks, the detailed miniature versions of buildings will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the most iconic buildings of the Netherlands without needing to travel all around the country.
OT301
If you’re a fan of live music there are plenty of venues across Amsterdam but OT301 is the best place to check out some underground, niche, or up-and-coming artists.
OT301 is also home to De Peper, a vegan restaurant, staffed entirely by volunteers where you simply pay what you can. Though the main draw is definitely the nightly performances, the days are also filled up with community classes and art workshops to really give you something to do at all times.
Red Light District
Obviously, the first thing people think of when they think of Amsterdam is usually the Red Light District which has a reputation all of its own.
Though nighttime may be home to some of the more explicit aspects of the culture and a centre for stag and hen-dos.
The district, however, is the city’s oldest neighborhood with churches, monuments, and plazas that are worth visiting even if the nighttime activities are not something you wish to experience.
