Amsterdam, places to visit?

The Venice of the North

A city that can be visited in every season, Amsterdam alternates old and modern architecture and guards genuine art treasures in more than 30 museums (the most famous being the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank’s house).

Dam Square in Amsterdam

A point of reference and meeting place is the imposing Dam square, the heart of the city centre, full of coffee shops and different stores and continuously animated by the flow of tourists and the presence of street artists. The Royal Palace, with its imposing neoclassical facade, residence of the Queen of Holland, and the seventeenth-century Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) overlook the square. On one side is the National Monument, a 22-metre-high stone obelisk dedicated to victims of the Second World War. Another great attraction is Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

Kalverstaat leads off Dam square. This busy shopping street, crossed by Spui square, where there is a book market every Friday and on Sunday artists come here to display their work. Spui square leads to the Begijnhof court garden which, at no. 34, has the oldest house in Amsterdam. Nieuwendijk, a street with souvenir stores, coffee shops and bars and restaurants for all tastes, begins on the other side of the Royal Palace. Dam Square is divided in half by Damrak, alarge street that takes the name of Rokin as it continues in the direction opposite to the central station. At number 11 is the Amsterdam Diamond Centre, where the art of diamond cutting can be observed. Parallel with Rokin is Nes, a street of theatres and coffee shops with a unique atmosphere. At right angles to the two roads is Damstraat, a street teeming with shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

Leidseplein Square in Amsterdam

The tourist office, a place of reference for every visitor, is to be found in Leidseplein, Mone of the areas for entertainment and nightlife in Amsterdam. In spring and summer this area is filled with musicians and street artists and has coffee shops such as the famous Heineken café and the historic Bulldog coffee shop, and many fast food restaurants and pubs. The Café Americain is on the ground floor of the American Hotel. It is decorated in pure Art Deco style and one of the most elegant cafes in the city. The bus terminal linked to Schiphol Airport is located near Leidseplein.

Leidsestraat, another shopping street, is in this area, together with Max Euweplein square with its giant chess board, which leads to Vondelpark, the most famouspark in the city.

Continuing from here on foot you reach Spiegelgracht, a street filled with art galleries including the imposing Rijkmuseum, and the Museum Square, with the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, a neoclassical building and temple to classical music concerts.

Leidseplein is only 15 minutes on foot from Dam Square and almost the same distance, passing through the flower market, from Rembrandtplein, at the centre of which is a statue of Rembrandt. Reguliersbreestraat and the Tuschinski Cinema, with its majestic Art Deco style facade and fairytale interiors, are nearby.
The parallel road running along the river Amstel leads across a bridge to Waterloo Square, site of the flea market held from Monday to Saturday, dominated by the Town Hall and “Stopera” Opera House, a building of red bricks, marble and glass.

Around the square are examples of the old Jewish quarter and a museum. Further ahead is the Magere Brug, a white, wooden “thin bridge” in typical Dutch style; nearby is the Carré Theatre with its imposing neoclassical facade.

The Amsterdam dependency of the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg is at Nieuwe Herengracht 14. Many of Amsterdam’s masterpieces can be viewed from the monumental Blauwbrug, theblue bridge that crosses the river Amstel to the south of Waterloo Square.

Text by Eugenio Sorrentino

Updated by Alisè Vitri

Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Copyright © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

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Where to sleep in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Amstelpark

Anne Frank House

Artis Zoo

Basilica of St. Nicholas

Begijnhof

Allard Pierson Museum

Dam Square

Flower Market

Fashion Museum

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Amsterdam Airport (AMS)

WHERE TO GO in amsterdam

Monuments and places of interest in Amsterdam

OUDE KERK OF AMSTERDAM

Oude Kerk, in Amsterdam's Red Light District, is the city's oldest church (c.1213) overlooking Oudekerksplein square, near the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal. Religious services are celebrated here and since 2016 it has exhibited works of art by contemporary artists. Inside, there are thousands of tombs including that of Saskia van Uylenburgh, wife of Rembrandt van Rijn.

MAGERE BRUG BRIDGE

The Magere Brug bridge in Amsterdam is the most famous in the city and has crossed the Amstel river since 1934 when it was erected to replace the original Kerkstraatbrug bridge built in 1691. The Magere Brug bridge is very beautiful to admire during the day but also at night when it is illuminated. by thousands of bright bulbs that reflect on the river, creating a special atmosphere, ideal for taking evocative souvenir photos of the city.

NIEUWE KERK OF AMSTERDAM

Nieuwe Kerk is the new church in Amsterdam but dates back to around 600 years ago as it was built in the 15th century. The Nieuwe Kerk church is located near the Royal Palace on Dam Square. Over the years it has undergone several fires and renovations and has been used as a venue for royal events and cultural exhibitions.

DAM SQAURE

Dam Square is the most important square in Amsterdam. The 1956 National Monument dedicated to the fallen of the Second World War, the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk church (new church) overlook Dam Square. Street artists perform their art on the square. Close to Dam Square is also the famous Amsterdam Red Light District.

AMSTERDAM LINE OF DEFENSE

Built between 1883 and 1920, the Amsterdam Line of Defense is a 135km circular military defense system that surrounds the city with man-made forts and canals. It is part of the Dutch Water Defense Lines and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It can be covered on foot, with skates or by bicycle.

THE CANALS OF AMSTERDAM

The canals are a symbol of Amsterdam and, thanks to their cultural and historical value, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010 as a 17th-century canal area in Amsterdam. The best way to observe them is with a boat ride from which you can see the city with its historic buildings overlooking the canals.

Museums in Amsterdam

RIJKSMUSEUM

Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum in the center of Amsterdam. Here are preserved paintings by great masters of the seventeenth century including Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer and Rembrandt. Do not miss the great masterpieces such as the "Night Watch" by Rembrandt van Rijn and "The Milkmaid" by Vermeer. Dutch history can be admired among thousands of works of art, sculptures, Delft majolica, clothes, weapons and a beautiful library.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM

The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, a 19th-century Dutch post-impressionist painter who influenced 20th-century art. The museum houses hundreds of famous Van Gogh paintings, drawings and written documents. You can admire several Van Gogh masterpieces such as "Sunflowers", "Potato Eaters" and Van Gogh's self-portraits.

STEDELIJK

The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam houses temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection of modern and contemporary works of art created by 20th century artists from different artistic movements such as De Stijl, Cobra, Minimal Art and Pop Art. The permanent collection includes paintings, sculptures , drawings, photos and works by Picasso, Mondriaan, Cézanne, Monet, Matisse, Chagall, Renoir and Appel.

REMBRANDT HOUSE MUSEUM

The museum is the house where Rembrandt van Rijn lived between 1639 and 1658. It houses a collection of the artist's paintings, etchings, engravings and sketches. Through the history of engraving and painting you can discover how Rembrandt made his paintings. In addition, you can see some objects in vogue in Rembrandt's time, such as household items, shells or exotic goods.

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Recommended excursions and tours in Amsterdam

Evening canal cruise in Amsterdam

Aboard a boat to explore Amsterdam in the evening, illuminated by the lights, with its bridges and buildings overlooking the canals. From the boat you can see the skyline of Amsterdam, the Magere Brug, the Gouden Bocht and the most evocative parts of the city. Duration of the cruise: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Info: book your night cruise in Amsterdam.

Discover Anna Frank in Amsterdam

Guided walking tour, for private or small group, with an expert guide. Visit the 17th century Portuguese Synagogue, the old Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam listening to the life story of Anne Frank who lived in Amsterdam between the 1930s and 1940s and the history of World War II. Also you can admire the Jewish Historical Museum, the Monument to Auschwitz and finally the Anne Frank house. Duration: 2 hours; ticket to the Anne Frank house not included. Info: book the tour.

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