From its gorgeous windmills and wonderful tulip fields to its fashionable, art-centric capital city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands is brimming with beauty and adventure. Historic Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ most populous region, is known for its charming streets and picturesque canals. Tour major museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to learn about Amsterdam’s rich art history; excursions provide skip-the-line access to these popular attractions. With our list of top attractions and interesting things to do in Amsterdam, you can discover the greatest locations to visit in this lively city.
Explore the canals by boat.
A trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without a visit to the city’s famous canals! It’s a fantastic opportunity to see how the city’s various areas arose: the 13th-century medieval centre constructed on swampland, the 1600s golden age era, and the hip new neighborhoods! Alternatively, take a nighttime cruise to view the city lit up.
View the Rijksmuseum’s Art Collections.
The Rijksmuseum (National Museum) was built in 1798 to hold the country’s vast collection of rare art and antiquities. It is one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions — and undoubtedly its most important art repository. The museum’s outstanding collection includes a million cultural artifacts from the 13th century to the present day, including more than 8,000 important paintings spread out across 250 rooms. The Rijksmuseum has a well-stocked library with about 35,000 volumes and manuscripts in addition to its artworks.
Take a tour of the Red Light District with a twist.
The Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest building, contains a few surprises. To begin with, the edifice (meaning “old church”) is located in the Red Light District. Second, it is no longer a church, despite its history and appearance. The Prostitution Information Center, which dispels stereotypes and preconceptions about the industry, and the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest church, are both fascinating to visitors. The Oude Kerk grew affluent when local sinners would cleanse their spirits by giving a “sin tax.”
Savor the Dutch Food
In Amsterdam, there are so many delicious things to eat. There are more traditional foods like cheese and bitterballen, as well as more unusual treats like buttery, syrup-topped silver-dollar pancakes with powdered sugar.
Consider taking a culinary tour if you enjoy learning about a location through its cuisine. You’ll get to sample a range of delectable foods while learning about their origins and significance to the Dutch. Make time in your itinerary to stop for Indonesian food, no matter what. In Amsterdam, trying the rijsttafel (“rice table”), a supper of 15+ little dishes ranging from eggrolls to satay, is a must.
Enjoy the Art in Van Gogh Museum
Since its opening in 1972, the stunning Van Gogh Museum has been one of Amsterdam’s top attractions, attracting art lovers and historians alike. The collection, which includes 200 paintings, 500 etchings and drawings, and 700 letters written to (and by) friends and family, is divided into two sections: realistic works (1880-1887), which include the famous The Potato Eaters, and Impressionist works (1887-1890), which include Vase with Sunflowers, perhaps his best-known work.
