Best Tourist Attractions in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands. The Netherlands is commonly called Holland and the language is Dutch. It is ruled by the new King Willem - Alexander, the son of former Queen Beatrix now Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands. She abdicated last April 30, 2013 during the celebration of Queen´s Day.
Amsterdam is one of the largest cities in Holland and one of the interesting places to see in Europe. People from all over the world travel to this unique amazing city. In Amsterdam you will meet different kind of people with different race, culture and traditions, so English language is commonly used to communicate with the tourists or the locals.
Best Tourist Attractions in Amsterdam
1. Rijksmuseum (Rijks Museum)
Rijksmuseum is located at the Museum Square near to Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and the Concertgebouw or Concert Building. This museum was recently opened this year in April 13, after a decade of renovations. It houses the Dutch Arts and History with the paintings of the popular painters like Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. One of the most amazing paintings is the Night Watch of Rembrandt. The museum displays 8,000 art and history collections out of a million the Rijksmuseum has.
Rijksmuseum has its own new beautiful garden now, displaying the sculptures of Henry Moore, an english sculptor.The Reclining Woman Elbow and the Draped Reclining Figure of Henry Moore were displayed before at the entrance of Leeds City Art Gallery, England.
Rijksmuseum and Garden
Click thumbnail to view full-size2. Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum is the museum named after the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. It houses more than 200 paintings, 400 sketches and some letters of the talented painter (Source: Van Gogh: Wikipedia). The Sunflowers, The Potato Eater and Vincents Bedroom are some of the popular paintings displayed in this museum.
Van Goghs Museum houses not only Van Goghs paintings, but some great and beautiful paintings of some popular painters like Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Manet and Tolouse- Lautrec.
The New Opening of Rijks Museum
Anne Frank Book
3. Anne Frank Museum (Anne Frank Huis)
Anne Frank Museum was the house where a Jewish girl with her family and friends were hiding from the Nazis during the Second World War. They were hiding in a very small Secret Annex in this house at Prinsengracht, Amsterdam.
While hiding in this Secret Annex, Anne wrote a diary of what was happening inside, how they spent the day without going out and the fear of being discovered by the Nazis. Anne hoped that her diary would be published after the war. They were betrayed by somebody and were deported to different concentration camps in Germany.
Of the eight people hiding inside the Secret Annex, only Anne´s father Otto Frank survived. He was the one who let her diary published after the war. The diary was published many times in many different languages.
The only Video of Anne Frank
4. The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is located at the Dam Square. It was built in the 17th century as a City Hall by Jacob van Campen, a Dutch architect. It is one of the three palaces the Royal Dutch family uses. It is usually used for welcoming official visitors, for ceremonial awards, and celebrating the yearly Queen´s Day. This palace plays a big role in the Dutch Royal weddings and for crowning and for abdication of the Queen or the King.
One of the biggest celebrations in the Royal Palace every year is the Queen´s Day on the 30th of April. Since the abdication of Queen Beatrix this year on the same date, the Kings Day will start next year, 2014. The new King is her son, King Willem-Alexander.
The Royal Palace is open to the public when it´s not being used for official ceremonies. There are guided tours in different languages. For more information, please check the palace websites online.
Dam Square, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Click thumbnail to view full-size5. Madame Tussaud
Madame Tussaud is a Wax Cabinet Museum located at Dam Square. It is one of the most tourist attractions in Amsterdam as it houses the wax figures of some popular celebrities like the Beatles, Madona, Lady Di, President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela and of course the Dutch Royal families and many more.
The late Madame Tussaud, Anna Maria Grosholz who was born in 1761 and died in London in 1850 was a master and a skilled wax worker.She used to create death masks and head sculptures of some beheaded French royalties before she died. (Source: Amsterdam info)
Canal Cruises, Amsterdam
Click thumbnail to view full-size6. Canal Cruises
One should not miss to experience this wonderful canal cruises in Amsterdam. Be it at night or at day time. Nowadays, the boats cruising the canals are no longer loud. The boats are powered by new electrical gadgets.
There are many different canal cruises for every one. From a romantic evening canal cruises, dine in sailing restaurants, to a barbeque canal cruises. For the tourists who don´t speak fluent English, they can have their canal cruises with the tour guides speaking their mother tongue languages. Of course, one can hop in and out to the places they choose.
Shopping in Amsterdam
Click thumbnail to view full-size7. Albert Cuyp Market
Albert Cuyp Market is a very long open air market at Albert Cuyp street. Over 300 stalls are lined up at both sides of the street. Every stall has its own products from vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish, meat, bread, DVD´s, clothes, furnitures, cheese, bags, purses and many more.
8. Bloemenmarkt ( Flower Market)
Bloemenmarkt or Flower Market is a floating flower market at Singel Canal. It is said to be the only floating market in the world (source: Amsterdam info) that sells season flowers on houseboats. Tulips and other bulb flowers are abundant for sale not only for the locals, but also for the tourists.
9. Museum of Handbags and Purses
The Museum of Handbags and Purses has an awesome and excellent collection of more or less 1,500 bags and purses that are displayed in this museum. Some of the bags have its own stories. For women, it´s a "must go" place.
10. Vondel Park
After a long days´ of walking and shopping, take a rest at the largest and beautiful city garden in Amsterdam surrounded by nature. You can sit on the grass or have a seat at the historic Pavillon restaurant while drinking your fresh brewed coffee or tea.
11. The Red Light
I´m sure you have read or heard about this Red Light District in Amsterdam. It´s in everybodies tongue when you hear something about Amsterdam. Check it out if you want to know if what you heard is true.
The Red Light District is where women display themselves almost naked at the window parlours. Women of all nationalities, offer themselves not only for a show in a private cabin. You will know when they have customers because they will close the curtains of their windows where they were displayed before that. Tourists all over the world, men, women, young and old visit this unique place of selling the flesh just to see (if not more) the reality.
Transportation
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeMeans of Transportations:
Transportation in Amsterdam is very good. You can go everywhere by train, tram, buses, bicycles, by car and of course by boat from one canal to the other.
Biking is popular in The Netherlands. In fact, the bikers have their own bikers way and a bikers parking space. It´s quite safe biking there, safer than in any big city in Europe. If you don´t have a bike with you, you can rent one.
Driving by car to Amsterdam is an expensive thing to do as the parking places are very expensive and besides that, it is stressful to drive in the centre of Amsterdam.
Thank you for dropping by. Have a lovely trip to Amsterdam! Enjoy!
Sources: Wikipedia, Amsterdam info and my travel to Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Video
Map of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
© 2013 Thelma Alberts
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Comments
I love the Netherlands. Next time I travel there I am going to explore the countryside more - get away from Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam is an amazing city.
This is a very interesting article, especially as we are planning a trip to Amsterdam soon.
Interesting hub, Thelma! Nice photos, too!
I've never been to Europe, but if I do have the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam, I'll definitely check out the Rijks, Van Gogh, and Anne Frank Museums, Madame Tussaud and The Royal Palace.
Thanks for sharing!
This is one place I would love to see.
Hi Thelma, What a beautiful hub you featured. I was always fascinated by Holland and especially Amsterdam. I probably will never get there, but it's fun to see the pictures and the video. Thanks for all the work you put into that.
Blessings to you.
That was a great post on Amsterdam in Holland, the country were I was born and grew up. I've been to all the places you mention and more. What is also very interesting is to take a day tour Bus from Amsterdam which would take you to Giethoorn. Look it up.
This is a very interesting and enjoyable hub, Thelma. I've wanted to go to Amsterdam for many years. It sounds like an intriguing place to visit. Thanks for sharing all the useful information and the lovely photos.
Hi Thelma, this hub of yours brought back some awesome memories. Unfortunately we have spent only a day in Amsterdam; we were most of the time in Utrecht and immediate region. Our walk through De Wallen was extremely upsetting. How many wagons have to roll over a woman before she allows herself to become a show piece to be used and abused in those windows, I wondered.
I felt my roots in the streets of Holland.
Fantastic hub about the best tourist attractions in Amsterdam :)
I came back to browse your photos of Amsterdam. I hope to make it there someday! Today, the museums and market sound especially enticing. Thank you for sharing these great travel ideas.
A great hub about a place that looks rich in history. One day I may be able to bring my family. Jamie
Wow, I think I've just added Amsterdam to my bucket list! I long to see the Van Gogh and Anne Frank museums. Awesome! Thank you for sharing.
I love reading travel hubs and you did a great job with this one. I visited Holland many years ago but I took ill and don't remember much from my brief stay. Looks like a lovely place to visit when you're well! Voting up and awesome.
That made an interesting read Thelma, i never knew that this can be such a beautiful place. Voted up and shared it too
Great to revisit. Voted up, beautiful. Shared and pinned.
Thanks for showing me the world I have never seen in real. I loved your travel suggestions as well as the pictures.
Have a great Sunday.
I was in Amsterdam over 20 years ago and I remember what a great city it was. The Rijksmuseum was unbelievable. We also traveled to some of the local countryside which was really nice too. Nice suggestions and a useful hub. Pinned.
I have been to the Netherlands, but it has been many years ago, so it was great to read this and look at your wonderful photos. It is quite updated and modern today. I have visited the museums, the Royal Palace, the Square, Anne Frank's hiding place, and of course the infamous Red Light District. Your hub is so thorough. I love the new boats that cruise the canals. When I was there, I took a bicycle tour of the city and that was a fun way to see it. Thanks for an enjoyable trip down memory lane for me.
Excellent hub! Great options.
Thanks for sharing this interesting info on Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Voted and shared.
Hope you had a wonderful time in Netherlands. The photos say that. Canal cruises seem to be the most delightful ones.
Voted up, useful and beautiful. Shared too.
Thanks for a great tour, Amsterdam sounds wonderful, I never realised they had a Madame Tussauds too, we have one in london, voted up and shared! nell
Wonderful hub with lovely pictures! This will be a great travel guide to those who want to visit Amsterdam, me included.
Thanks for sharing the information!
Hi Thelma,
Oh the memories you brought back to me when I visited Amsterdam some years ago. I was with a Dutch boyfriend and absolutely LOVED this city on many levels. The Van Gogh Museum and gallery was a favorite as were the canal cruises, flower market, red light district, wandering around the beautiful shops; the creativity here is amazing and the pub and cafe culture is so lively and vibrant.
Your photos are lovely Thelma and a great list of attractions with info, votes, shared and pinned!
Don't think we should leave Amsterdam without seeing the Van Gogh museum! Went some time ago. Thanks, Thelma!!
I have not been to Amsterdam yet but I would love to go there. There is really much to see and do. Thank you for sharing this interesting and useful hub. Very well presented.
A wonderful hub Thelma ;great write and wonderful photos. Voting up and here's wishing you a great day.
Eddy.
Nice travel hub and excellent list, Thelma! Amsterdam is definitely a destination worth visiting with a great selection of museums and many beautiful sights.
I love Amsterdam! I think it's such a fun and welcoming city. The museums there are amazing! They are some of the best ones I've been to. I would definitely recommend those as well. The best thing to do in Amsterdam is just to wander and see what you run into!
What a gorgeous city! So much interesting architecture. If I ever make it out that way, I will have a great list of thing to do. :) Thanks for the awesome article.
So cool! I have several friends who've been, but I haven't been to Europe in years now. It looks like there is so much to see, do, and learn there. And I've never seen anything like that canal tour boat! Thanks for the awesome tour.
Thanks for sharing photos from your trip. It sounds like Amsterdam has a wealth of interesting museums. The gardens are so lovely!
Lovely pictures and I enjoyed this visit. I'd love to visit Amsterdam if given an opportunity and would love to canal cruise.
Voted up and interesting. I'm sorry I wasn't able to share or pin this hub as the buttons are not working ever since I came to China.
You have included most of the highlights for tourists who visit Amsterdam, Thelma. Taking a canal cruise and visiting the red light district were fun and 'educational' for me. There is another floating flower market though in Bangkok, Thailand.
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