Having a beautiful 17th century architecture, a unique system of canals and a vibrant, diverse culture, Amsterdam is thus an outstanding option for a city break. You will find a neverending list of museums, galleries, traditional bars, ethnic restaurants and beautiful parks throughout the city. The Red Light District adds an edge to the city centre and the city's 160 canals and 1,500 bridges create a stunning backdrop to the city's attractions. Take one of the many boat trips to gain a different perspective on the city or simply walk the city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see one of the world's most memorable cities.
Amsterdam began life as a tiny fishing village as far back as the 12th century and by the 17th century it had grown to become one of the world's great trading cities due to the success of Dutch Golden Age, international colonies and the riches of global trade in spices and other goods. This led to a huge programme of construction, with new areas such as Jordaan, emerged and the digging of the city's vast canal system began. International trade has also shaped the culture and atmosphere of the city we see today, with its distinctively cosmopolitan feel altogether.
Most visitors plan their visit focusing the Old Centre, a semicircle of canals gleaming southwest from the water of the IJmeer, the area where the majority of the city's attractions lies. The city has an abundance of museums and some of the finest art collections in the world. You can relax with the locals in the leafy Vondelpark, where open air eating and drinking is the order of the day. In June, the park hosts a free festival of open air theatre, with cabaret, drama and dance. So, snap up some flights and enjoy this uniquely beautiful city.
The Old Centre and Canal Ring are an absolute must for anyone visiting Amsterdam where you can walk across 400 bridges to 90 islands, taking in more than 7,000 listed buildings along the way. At the Begijnhof, you can see two of the city's only surviving wooden houses, dating from the 1400s, and the famous flower market is one of the city's iconic sights. The Oude Kerk dates from 1306 and is the city's oldest church, while the Anne Frank House recounts the teenager's harrowing experience of hiding from the Nazis during the Second World War.
Shopaholic’s Paradise
Shopping streets of Amsterdam include Heiligeweg, Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat and Nieuwendijk among others. They run from the Leidseplein to Central Station, offering a wide range of mainstream shopping. If you wish to check out some more upmarket shopping places, try Hoofstraat, by the Rijksmuseum, where you can find interesting independent stores down the sidestreets of the main canals and Jordaan also has a selection of small, quirky stores having many good options. If you prefer designer shopping, you may head south to the Fashion & Museum District in Amsterdam Zuid. Ethnic lovers can head to Javastraat, that offers the best ethnic shopping in the city. Open air markets, that are loved by everyone are a common sight and can be found across the city centre.
Foodie’s Hub
Amsterdam has a rich colonial past that has inspired a huge range of ethnic eating in the city, Jordaan has a wide range of restaurants, centred around Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, a few may include Mantoe, the city's only Afghan restaurant. Most of the Asian restaurants can be found around Nieuwmarkt, and the little tokos shops fill the air with beautiful scent of eastern spices, not to forget, Indonesian restaurants are a particular highlight in the city. Local specialities include cheese, herring, bitterballen meatballs and Ossenworst, a kind of spiced beef sausage that is loved worldwide.
Culture
The city of Amsterdam is a haven for culture lovers, where the main art gallery is the Rijksmuseum, which holds a truly world class collection, this includes works by Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Steen. The Museum of the Amsterdam School celebrates the city's architecture and the EYE Film Institute has a museum of cinema. It also displays work by international artists, with a particular focus on Asian art. The Van Gogh Museum is a huge celebration of the Post-Impressionist's work, with the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world that’s a treat for all the art lovers out there.
Nightlife
The nightlife of Amsterdam has a exciting and varied spice to it. Here, Traditional pubs are called bruine bars, or brown bars, and are so named for their traditional dark wood paneling. Typically they sell beer in small schooners, apparently to keep it fresh and some of the best bruine bars are around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The city's best nightclubs, such as Melkweg, Paradiso and Sugar factory are located in the same area of the city. Certain areas are of course famous for its Red Light District, which is generally well-policed and rather safe thus, a guided tour is a good option for visitors.
International Fashion Week that happens in January
All the Fashionistas flock to the city in January for International Fashion Week, where there is a huge range of shows, exhibitions and events all focused on the latest clothing designs as per the latest market trends.
King's Day (April)
It is the national holiday of the Dutch and attracts more than a million revellers, seemingly all dressed in orange as a part of its tradition. This day celebrated through conducting parties, concerts and general celebration that is a wonder to behold.
National Restaurant Week held in September
At this time of year, the city becomes a home for all the foodies as the city hold a food festival with a whole host of restaurants offering special fixed-price menu deals, allowing visitors to dine at some of the leading restaurants for a fraction of the normal price that’s paid for it.
Festival of Light happens in December to January
Visit the city of Amsterdam during these dark winter months to find the city illuminated with tens of thousands of lights and enjoy special boat tours and the Christmas canal parade in this uniquely romantic atmosphere.
Amsterdam is known for its rich history and art, such as the Anne Frank house from WOII and the Van Gogh Museum are a few of its major attractions. Have a look at the following other essential information before planning your trip to Amsterdam.
If you are looking for some really great deals for flights to Amsterdam, Tripomate.com is your one stop shop, that offers you the best fares and an hassle free booking experience. You can book from any which way you want to, book from your laptop, tablet or smartphone and be assured to get the best deals and a easy booking process. Did you know you can save some money by traveling on different days or fly from other airports? Tripomate is your best guide and will provide you with all the best possible options as per your need and budgetary requirements.
Our Suppliers are certified and accredited