Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands, is known for its historical attractions. The historical great art and old colours and flavours are preserved so well. 700 years old Amsterdam, is the city of bygone aged museums. The centuries old canals and the ancient patrician houses, adorn the beauty of the city.
Amsterdam is famous because of its museums, beautiful canals, cafes, restaurants and graceful houses. If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, these are the best places you can visit and things to do in Amsterdam.
Places to Visit in Amsterdam
1. Rijksmuseum:
The museum was opened in 1885. Rijksmuseum is the only museum in the world with the road inside. The motor vehicle in the museum were allowed until 1931. After the cars were banned, its opened for the bicycles. The museum is built on the 8,000 wooden piles because the soil in the Amsterdam is swampy. The piles are still supporting the museum building.
The collection of the museum were started to be gathered before the 100 years it was opened. Although it has One million objects collected, only 8 thousand of the objects are on its display. You’ll have to walk one and a half kilometers to see all of the museum collections. Rijksmuseum has the largest library in Netherlands and its open to everyone. The library is at the second floor of the museum.
2. Van Gogh Museum:
The museum is dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and contains the largest collection of his paintings and drawings. With the 2.3 million visitors in 2017, it achieved the record to become most visited museum in Netherlands. Museum has 200 paintings, 500 drawings and more than 750 letters by Vincent van Gogh.
The museum was opened in 1973 and has 2 buildings. The main structure was designed by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, who was a member of the progressive art movement De Stijl. The museum opened a new exhibition wing in 1999 and this was designed by the Japanese architect Kurokawa Kisho.
3. Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is the house of a Jew diarist, who was hiding from “Nazi” with her family and four other Jews during the World War II. She was 15 years old when she died, and got famous because of her diary she wrote during her hiding times.
The diary gives a poignant glimpse of the world of a Jewish girl who survived in a secret annex which was hidden by a movable bookshelf. It is one of the most famous and bestselling books ever.
Anne was born in 1929 in Frankfurt and wanted to become an author. In 1940, when Germany invaded Holland, the deportation of Jewish started. This was the time when Frank family decided to hide. They stayed in their hiding place from 9 July 1942 to 4 August 1944 with four other Jews. Their non-Jewish workers helped them stay alive. Eventually, they were betrayed and deported to Westerbork camp and Auschwitz-Birkenau post that. In November 1944, Anne arrived at Bergen-Belsen with her sister Margot and died of typhus in March 1945.
The museum was opened in May 1960. The hiding place of Anne Frank is preserved in the museum. It has a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank. In 2013 and 2014, the museum had 1.2 Million visitors and became the third most visited museum in the Netherlands after the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.
4. Jordaan:
Jordaan is a neighbourhood of Amsterdam. Jordaan contains an upscale assortment of Patio restaurants, art galleries, cafes and street musicians. An area is a must-visit place because it gives a beautiful view as it’s bordered by the Singelgracht canal and the neighbourhood of Frederik Hendrikbuurt to the west; the Prinsengracht to the east; the Brouwersgracht to the north and the Leidsegracht to the south.
The Jordaan has a high concentration of hofjes. These buildings (Courtyards) were built by rich people for charity to old women. By 1970, most of the courtyards were in bad shape. But many of them were restored and became the homes of the artists, students and some elderly people.
5. The Amsterdam Dungeon:
The Amsterdam Dungeon follows the same concept as York Dungeon, London Dungeon, Berlin Dungeon and Hamburg Dungeon. All the Dungeons are owned and operated by the same UK-based company named Merlin Entertainments. They attempt to show history through an interactive adventure. The address to the dungeon is Rokin 78, 1012 KW Amsterdam. Following are the attractions inside the Dungeon.
Torture Chamber: The Torture Chamber can be scary for you. In the chamber, a female torturer lines up the male prisoners against a wall and pick out one young prisoner for the demonstration. The visitor will be tied to a chair which is surrounded by the torture devices like the dreaded appendage cutter. The cutter will be placed near the man’s groin and will be demonstrated inch by inch.
Take a look at the Ship Doctor’s surgery where the surgeon gives witness to the brutalities of 18th-century field surgery at sea.
Watch a short film named “Council of Blood” about the terror brought in the Netherlands in the 16th Century
An animated ghost story is presented in the dungeon. The story is about a woman who is convicted as a witch in the Century. The woman is brutally tortured before being burned to death
A recreation of the streets of plague-ravaged Amsterdam street. The deadly disease was spread in the city of Amsterdam in 1664.
6. Hortus Botanicus:
The garden was founded by the Amsterdam city council in 1638 to serve as a herb garden for apothecaries and doctors. The initial name of the garden was Hortus Medicus. The purpose of opening the garden was quite serious. At that time, the cities of Leiden and Utrecht faced the plague epidemic and had thousands of victims.
Hortus Botanicus is known as the most peaceful place in Amsterdam. Nature and greenery lovers visit the garden to find peace around the beautiful flowers and plants.
Fun things to do in Amsterdam
1. Cycling:
Amsterdam is on the top of the list of “Most cycle-friendly cities in the world”. There are 8,00,000 cycles in Amsterdam which is more than the population of the city. Cycling is the most convenient and comfortable way to explore the city. Cycling is the way of life in Amsterdam and it’s made easier with the help of a network of cycle routes in the city. Amsterdam has created more than 400 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths and bicycle parking everywhere to make the city cycle heaven.
2. Boat Tours :
Amsterdam has always protected its canal belt. The canals give a gorgeous sight especially in the evening during the sunset. The lighting of the bridge gives a wonderful view and gives a magical feel. Think of yourself sitting in the boat floating over the canal when the lights of Amsterdam provides a fascinating view. You have the option to choose your boat as there are always so many offers given by the cruise.
3. Buy flowers at Bloemenmarkt
4. Try local beer at a brewery