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Amsterdam is a major world city with fabulous cultural and historical significance. As you walk along the picturesque canals, you will be in awe of the beauty and history on display in the famous narrow canal homes. Visit the world-renowned museums, discover the adorable terrace eateries, and stroll through the multiple lush parks. Amsterdam must-see attractions could fill an endless list, so you really can't go wrong here. Take a tour or explore on your own - either way, you will surely find Amsterdam must-see attractions could fill an endless list. You might be feeling overwhelmed at all the options, so we put together this list of the top 10 things to do in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum is definitely one of the top things to do in Amsterdam. If you are really into art history, then you might want to spend all day in the Rijksmuseum. The museum has famous paintings from Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh as well as many other Dutch masters. There are also other exhibits that change seasonally, so check the website before you go to see what will be available. During peak travel season, you will want to get tickets online so that you don't waste time waiting in line. They don't allow backpacks inside, but they have a storage room and lockers if you need them.
Another one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum. This museum is extremely popular, so you will want to reserve your tickets well in advance. They only allow a certain amount of guests at a time, so even if you have a museum card, you will still want to reserve your space. This museum has many popular Van Gogh paintings, such as The Potato Eaters.
Take a break from the sightseeing and go hang out in Vondelpark. You will see people relaxing all over the lawn, eating a picnic with friends and family, playing frisbee, and just enjoying a beautiful day in Amsterdam. There is a teahouse in the middle of the park if you need a break.
Even if you have read the Anne Frank Diary, there is truly nothing like standing in the actual room where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis. The museum is guided via an audio tour that takes a little over one hour. You will get the opportunity to explore the annex where her family hid, listen to real interviews from the people who helped hide her family, and see the original diary pages. Tickets are only sold online and sell out fast. About 80% of tickets are pre-sold online. However, each morning the remaining 20% of tickets are released online at 9:00 am. If you sign on exactly at 9:00 am, you should be able to tickets for the day. The time slots are in 15-minute intervals so that the museum doesn't get too crowded.
Brouwerij 't IJ is a small, local craft brewery in Amsterdam. It is located in a former bathhouse and next to the De Gooyer windmill. It brews eight standard beers and three seasonal beers, all of which are organic. The food here is really good, you can get tasting platters to try some traditional Dutch snacks, cheeses, and sausages. You can sign up for tours to explore the brewery. The brewery is named after the Amsterdam waterfront, called "Het IJ" or "The IJ" in English.
The coolest neighborhood in Amsterdam would have to be De Pijp. This district is filled with trendy cafes, diverse restaurants, and quirky boutiques. The Albert Cuypmarket is here, which is a 300-stall open-air market that is open every day of the week. You can find many of the traditional Dutch delicacies in this market. If you are looking to escape the super tourist-y areas of Amsterdam and feel like a real local, then head over to De Pijp neighborhood.
There are so many canal cruises to choose from. It is best to book them in advance because they are so popular. The canal cruises will share the history of Amsterdam and give you a unique perspective of this special city. This is a great activity to start your vacation, so you can get ideas for more areas you would like to go.
Unless you are really lucky, it will probably rain on your trip at some point. The Netherlands is known for its rain! The best way to still enjoy the city in the rain is with a cool rooftop bar. Blue Amsterdam is located at the top of an indoor mall is this cozy cafe overlooking the city of Amsterdam. It can be a popular place, so it might take a bit to find a table. But once you sit down, you won't want to leave. The food and drinks here are really good and the views are just so stunning.
In the trendy Amsterdam Oud-West area is a converted industrial building called De Hallen. There is a cinema complex, boutique hotel, independent fashion stores, a weekly indoor craft market, and a huge food hall. The food hall has so many different places to eat, ranging from Dim Sum, to BBQ, to Spanish tapas. Some nights there is even live music and they open up a dance floor. Locals love hanging out at De Hallen and you will, too!
If you want to explore local boutiques and wonderful eateries, then Jordaan is your neighborhood. The area is made up of the "Nine Streets" with canals crossing between them. There are so many perfect picture spots and it offers a stunning look at the building styles from the Dutch Golden Age.
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The Hague is a city that can get overlooked by tourists who come to the Netherlands mainly to visit Amsterdam. But, as the seat of the country's political and judicial branches, The Hague holds a lot of historical and cultural value. The world-renowned museums, beautiful parks, and fascinating architecture make The Hague a must-see city on your Holland list.
If you are looking for your next vacation destination, then look no further than The Netherlands! It is a small country, about the size of Massachusetts, but this means that you can easily travel around and see many different areas. The Netherlands is so diverse and has so many different things to offer. Whether you are into art history, nature, or cuisine – there is something for everyone!
Maastricht is truly a beautiful city, I would certainly spend more than one day here. However, if you only have one day then you can still try to fit in all the incredible history, culture, and nature that is around Maastricht. There is a great shopping district, over 1,600 national heritage buildings, beautiful parks, and even an intricate network of tunnels!
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We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.