Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is famous for coffee shops, historical architecture, houseboats, and canals. This beautiful city was founded in the year 1725 and then grew in both importance and wealth.
This sumptuous city is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. The fascinating history of Amsterdam is one of the reasons behind its popularity among tourists. This place is surely one of its kind and grants many different kinds of experiences to the explorers.
Language: The official language of Amsterdam is Dutch. But the most interesting part is that nearly everyone can speak English and it is also the second language.
Currency: Euro.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Amsterdam at any time of the year and have the best experiences. But the popular visiting time is July and August. They are the busiest months as well. However, if you want to experience the serenity of the tulip gardens, then mid-April to early May is the perfect time to explore Amsterdam.
Moreover, if you are in search of best deals and the best time to purchase tickets then October to March should be your pick. During these months there will be fewer crowds and you can move freely with your family as well as have the best experience.
There is actually no best or worst time to visit Amsterdam. Whereas, it completely depends upon the preference of the traveler and their needs.
Weather
Netherlands experiences mild climate and as a result summers in Amsterdam are warm and winters are fairly cold. The winters in Amsterdam are accompanied by wind, rain, and snow. On the other hand, spring is the driest season of all.
The hottest month in Amsterdam is August and during this time the temperature is nearly 63⁰F. On the other hand, January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 37⁰F.
Vaccine Requirements
You should be up to date will all the regular routine vaccinations while traveling to Amsterdam. The vaccination for measles is very essential for infants and even for the kids who are 12 months old or older.
Make sure that you are up to date with routine vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, chickenpox, polio, and other flu shots. Some travelers even need vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and even rabies.
Top Tourist Attractions
The Anne Frank Museum
This museum in Prinsengracht attracts more than one million tourists annually. The Anne Frank Museum is dedicated to the short-lived life of the Holocaust victims. It is the house where Anne Frank and her family were hidden during the Second World War.
They were actually the Jewish refugees from Frankfurt. Moreover, Anne Frank is well known for the diary she wrote during the time of her stay in this house and it later became the best seller book after the devastating war.
This world-famous museum speaks about the poignant moments of the past. Interestingly, nothing much has been changed and it is kept as it was during the Anne Frank’s time so that people can attain the exact essence of history.
Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is one of the topmost attractions in Amsterdam. It is the best place to visit for history lovers. This museum was opened in the year 1972 and it is dedicated to the extraordinary artistry of the most prominent painters.
The most interesting part is that this modern Gerrit Rietveld structure has the largest collection of Van Gogh works in the world. It not only ends here, but you will also find some of the intriguing works of Van Gogh’s contemporaries as well. However, do not forget to check the precious works of Paul Gauguin and Henre De Toulouse Lautrec.
Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ, Amsterdam
Dam Square
Dam square is the busiest and most tourist-packed place in Amsterdam. It is the most interesting and prominent place of the city. Moreover, the most intriguing aspect of this place is the Royal Palace which was the former home of the royal family.
On the other hand, it is the current venue of the royal functions. This place is even the home to other tourist attractions such as National Memoriam Statue, New Church and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. However, this public square even has some of the best coffee shops and restaurants in Amsterdam. So, do not forget to have a good cup of coffee after an exhausting excursion.
Secret Gems
Waterlooplein Flea Market
It is one of the oldest markets in Amsterdam. It is a perfect place where you can find amazing antiques and many other goods that are hard to find in any roadside shops.
Due to the less charismatic look very few tourists head towards this flea market. However, it is a hidden gem where you can find everything that you need. It is a place that is worth a visit.
Buddha Temple
Amid all the historical Dutch buildings there is an interesting Buddha temple which is situated in the heart of the old city.
Tourists are so inclined towards the historical structures that they somehow let go of the beautiful golden tiled temple that seems like a piece of Shanghai in Amsterdam. The interior of this Buddha temple is very impressive and it is open to the public on Saturdays.
Cloud Gallery Amsterdam
There are many museums and galleries in Amsterdam but Cloud Gallery is quite different and unique. This gallery is a combination of modern art with tea and coffee. They offer amazing tea and coffee alongside exhibitions.
It is a perfect place for photographers and rising artists. Do not forget to check out this beautiful and intriguing place where art and appetite blend very fantastically.
8 Tips Not To Do
Although Amsterdam is a very intriguing and amazing city there are things that you should avoid while you are in the capital city of the Netherlands.
Ø Do Not Get Into The Public Transports Without OV Chip Card: buy valid passes or OV chip cards to avail free trips and rides.
Ø Do Not Walk On The Bike Lane: study the map before heading to the roads. Walking into the bike lane can leave you badly injured as there are too many two wheelers in Amsterdam.
Ø Avoid A Huge Crowd Of People: keep yourself safe by avoiding crowds. You can fall into an unwanted situation just by being walking around huge crowds.
Ø Do Not Hire A Bike If You Are A Poor Rider: Amsterdam is full of bikes and if you are someone who is a poor rider then you will surely face a hard time there.
Ø Don’t Stand Still While Taking Pictures In The Tourist Locations: take a picture and move fast. Amsterdam is a busy city and the pedestrians can face issues if you stand on the streets still. This might even cause a long queue as well.
Ø Don’t Carelessly Leave Your Belongings: Amsterdam is a safe city for travelers. But there are thieves as well who waits for an appropriate opportunity to take advantage. So be careful all the time.
Ø Don’t Bring A Car To Amsterdam: it is a bad idea to bring a car to Amsterdam because there are very less parking spots. On the other hand, parking charges are even high in this city.
Ø Don’t Get Too Drunk: Amsterdam is famous for beer. But it will surely be a weird situation to get drunk and roam around the streets. On the other hand, you can even get robed in these situations as well.
Accommodations
Family Budget Hotels:
Backstage Hotel Amsterdam
· Accommodation: Budget Hotel
· Location: City Center
· Price Range: $
Backstage hotel is a budget hotel in Amsterdam where you can have a pleasant stay with your family. It has essential amenities and even a perfect accommodation for people who are on a budget trip. On the other hand, it has a modern and funky looking décor with complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour front desk service.
Mauro Mansion
· Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
· Location: City Center
· Price Range: $$
Mauro is located right in the heart of the old town. This hotel has a charming and modern touch to it. There are nine rooms in this mansion. Each room is equipped with a tea and coffee maker, mini bar, DVD player, TV, wireless internet access, and private bathroom.
Room Mate Aitana
· Accommodation: boutique hotel
· Location: Westerpark
· Price range: $$
Room Mate Aitana is a modern boutique hotel. This hotel offers amazing services and amenities. It is located near the Amsterdam central station. Moreover, this hotel is close to all the tourist attractions. Interestingly, they are just wake able distance away. This hotel is popular among couples. So if you are in search of a hotel for two then Room Mate Aitana is the perfect pick.
Family Luxury Hotels
The Dylan Amsterdam
· Accommodation: luxury
· Location: City Center
· Price range: $$$$
Dylan is one of the luxurious hotels in Amsterdam. This hotel is situated in the west of the city center. It offers excellent services, friendly staff service, and great food. The rooms are even gorgeous and have all the modern amenities.
Pulitzer Amsterdam
· Accomodation: Luxury
· Location: city center
· Price range: $$$$
Pulitzer is a kid’s friendly hotel. It is one of the luxurious and famous hotels among other hotels in Prinsengracht. The guests are offered a boat trip along with other services and modern amenities. This hotel has a fantastic décor which is the combination of traditional and modern Dutch design. It has 225 guest rooms among them there are even family rooms as well.
Local Food and Restaurants
Piqniq
Piqniq is the best restaurant where you can have your breakfast with your family. They offer small dishes and yummy local food. It is a great place to hang out and it is even a budget restaurant with amazing ambiance.
Rob Wigboldus Vishandel
This restaurant is amazing for having lunch. Moreover, it is 5 minutes walk from dam square. So you can hop into this restaurant after exploring the wonderful tourist attraction. The most popular dish of this restaurant is the traditional Dutch fish sandwich. Do not forget to check out this restaurant because here the menu starts from €3.
Restaurant Vlaming
If you are in search of a Netherlands inspired menu then nothing than be better then dining out in Restaurant Vlaming. This restaurant is located in the Joordan district and offers amazing local food. The vegetable risotto and tuna is the famous dishes of this place. However, reserve your seats beforehand because this place always remains packed with tourists.
Places to Visit with Your Kids
Vondelpark:
Vondelpark is a famous park in Amsterdam. This park has a lot to offer to the kids. Your kids can play in the Terrance of the Melkhuis and adjacent to it is a playground as well.
There is even a Kinderkookcafe where your children can cook small dishes while you relish a cup of coffee. There are even small pools and little playgrounds where most of the children gather in order to spend some playful time.
Nine Streets
The nine little streets are packed with interesting little shops. There are art, fashion, design and kids items in those small shops.
Your kids will surely enjoy exploring those amazing stuff. Moreover, there are pancake stalls as well. Therefore, they can not only enjoy the surrounding but also munch on pancakes as well.
Anne Frank House
This place is an excellent pick for kids who are older children. It is not only interesting but also an educational place. This is the house where Anne and her family were hidden during the Second World War. This place can still be visited today.
Artis
Artis is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. This zoo was opened in the year 1835. Currently, there are some amazing playgrounds and good restaurants. The zoo is not huge compared to the other zoos that we visit but it has plenty of things to offer to the kids.
Amsterdam is a treasure of museums, creative works and history. It is place where the heart finds solace because of the beauty it holds. It is a lively city of Netherlands where people can relish some wonderful experiences. The sumptuousness of Amsterdam is hard to express by words. Hence, as a traveler, you should head towards this land by yourself for exploring its every streets and corners.
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