Amsterdam Travelers Recommend

Nothing symbolizes Dutch pragmatism better than the country’s drug policy. Rather than wage war on all drugs and drive them further underground with all the criminal, anti-social activity that brings, they take a different approach. Concentrating on the elimination of hard drugs, authorities tolerate the sale of soft drugs in controlled environments. Hence the Netherlands’ famous “coffee shops”. But to avoid confusion, let’s get our terms straight. If you actually want coffee in Amsterdam, head for a café or “koffiehuis”. Because what you’ll get in establishments marked “coffeeshop” is actually cannabis, sold by experts, to be consumed on the premises.

Discover the traditional Dutch countryside just beyond Amsterdam. Drive through a picture-perfect landscape crisscrossed with canals and windmills, where you can still witness traditional crafts from days gone by. The picturesque village of Zaanse Schans is famous for its original windmills, vividly capturing Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries.

With its masterpiece-packed museums, Golden Age canals lined with gabled buildings, and cutting-edge art, design, and culinary scenes, Amsterdam is a one-of-a-kind jewel box of a city. See below for our top tours and experiences that you should not miss while visiting.

Warmer months mean the Dutch can finally say goodbye to gloomy skies and hello to better biking weather. Those looking to make the most of a trip to Amsterdam, particularly during its sunnier days, will discover a range of options for digging deep into the culture and history of this iconic destination. Book a bicycle tour or check out the sights and navigate backroads like a local by renting a bike and following a self-guided route. Looking for something just as personalized but requiring a little less effort? You can also enjoy a hassle-free hop-on hop-off bus or canal bus and be sure to stop at all of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions. Those who want to get a bit off the beaten path may enjoy a walking tour of Amsterdam’s racy Red Light District. Whether by day or night, this is a city highlight renowned around the globe and certainly worth a visit. Art lovers can check out the Van Gogh Museum and explore the work of one of the area’s most celebrated painters.

Sephardic Jews first came to Amsterdam in the late 15th century, escaping persecution in Spain and Portugal, and settled behind Waterlooplein, bordered by the Amstel and the Herengracht canal. They integrated successfully into Dutch life and flourished, with many working in the diamond industry. After enjoying years of religious freedom in Amsterdam, everything changed with the advent of World War II; the majority of Amsterdam’s 100,000 Jews were herded up and transported to Auschwitz and Belsen concentration camps. By 1945, less than 500 survived. Today, the Jewish Cultural Quarter houses several monuments to Jewish life in Amsterdam. -Sasha Heseltine Editor’s Note: This recommendation was taken from our Amsterdam Things to Do blog. Visit the original post to continue reading the full post and to learn more about things to do in Amsterdam.

While Amsterdam is known for its decidedly adults-only activities, there's still plenty of fun to be had if you're visiting with kids. Skip the breweries, coffee shops, and Red Light District and try some of the kid-friendly things to do below.

The name of Anne Frank is forever linked with Amsterdam. The fate of a young Jewish girl and her family destroyed by the Nazis in World War II would have been long since overlooked were it not for one fact: after her death in March 1945, Anne’s diary was discovered by her father and published to worldwide acclaim. Today the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht attracts international visitors in the hundreds of thousands each year to pay their respects in the cramped secret annex to the rear of the building. Here Anne, her sister and parents were incarcerated with another Jewish family for three years before they were betrayed to the Nazi occupiers of Amsterdam. Anne and her sister both died in Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp but her father survived his ordeal in Auschwitz and returned to Amsterdam. The Diary of Anne Frank was published in 1947 and ensured that the tragic tale of the Frank family was never to be forgotten.

Beer- and cheese-lovers are right at home in Amsterdam, where Dutch cheeses like Gouda, Edam and Leiden make up a healthy part of the cuisine and Dutch lagers are consumed heartily. To get the full cheese experience, head to a cheese market like Alkmaar, open weekly during the summer. A guided tour to the 400-year-old Alkmaar market will get you a scenic countryside drive and the chance to see cheese-carriers dressed in traditional costumes carry cheese through the village square. The tour also includes a stop at the cheese factory in Edam, where Edam cheese, traditionally sold in a circular shape coated with wax, is made. Of course, cheese makes you thirsty so you’ll need some beer to help wash it down. Dutch beers are mostly pale lagers (you can also find special brews like witbier and bok), the most famous of which are Heineken, brewed since 1873, and Grolsch, founded in 1615. Other Dutch breweries include Brand and Bavaria.

Amsterdam has all the offerings of a major world capital, yet the atmosphere is more akin to a village with tree-lined canals, art museums and a strong café culture. A perfect starting point is Dam Square, the heart of the city. Close to the 15th century Nieuwe Kerk and stately Royal Palace. Stroll towards the 14th century Oude Kerk - in the 'Wallen' Red Light District - to see the steamy side of life (Definitely not for kids.). Waterlooplein Market is nearby, and the Rembrandthuis Museum is just around the corner. Take the Amsterdam Hop On & Off Canal Pass to navigate the city by canal. If you prefer to do it like the Dutch, hop on a bike or try a self-guided tour of the city's impressive old mansions. Treat yourself in the evening with a candlelight cruise along the canals. Beat the queues by starting at the excellent Anne Frank House. Go for a stroll in the Jordaan neighborhood along Prinsengracht towards Museumplein ("Museum Square"), home to the Rijksmuseum.