| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 739,000 |
| Languages spoken | Dutch, English, German, French |
| Currency | Euro (EUR); 1 EUR = (appr.) 1.27 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 59F-62F; Winter: 37F-39F |
| High season | Peak tourist season is in July and August, but also a great off-season destination due to the mild winters. |
The diversely tolerant city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is home to just over 739,000 people. Built around 165 canals, Amsterdam is a maze of cobblestone districts and neighborhoods, each with its own historical flavor and mood, although the city itself is compact and easily covered in just a few days. Probably the most famous lures to this city are the tales of legal and readily available sex and drugs, but don't be fooled: While prostitution and cannabis have both been decriminalized, they are strictly regulated and highly taxed.
Outside of the draw of these guilty pleasures, Amsterdam is a city steeped in rich cultural heritage, giving you many things to see and do that you can actually write home about.
Accommodation choices in Amsterdam are just as diverse as the people, from $10-per-night hostels to five-star landmark hotels; just about any budget can be served. For a truly original stay, rent a houseboat as a home base. Most are privately rented and don't include the services found at traditional hotels, but the experience is well worth it. Prices can run from around $150 per night to over $1000 depending on the size and location, but start your search early as they book up well in advance.
After arriving, drop off your bags and get ready for a three-day tour of one of the most captivating capital cities in Europe.
Day 1: The grand tour
Getting around the city is much different than in the majority of other cities you may have visited. The extensive canal system and the city's relatively small geographical size negate the need for cars, and traffic is fairly limited in the core of the city.The best mode of travel, other than walking, is a bicycle. This city is one of the most bike-friendly places in the world; in fact, it boasts an extensive bike-lane system and numerous locations that rent out bikes by the hour or the day.
For your first day in Amsterdam, walking or bike riding are the best ways to catch all the nooks and crannies of this densely packed area. Start your day in The Jordaan area, which is a maze of narrow streets, 17th-century houses and tiny stores. It serves as the perfect introduction to the core of Amsterdam.
Next, see the city from a different perspective by taking a seat for an hour or two. Trips to Amsterdam are notoriously hard on the feet, so it's no surprise that on every visitor's list is the ever-popular canal tour. Head to Damrak, where tours run frequently throughout the day and offer all-day passes that let passengers jump off when a particular stop strikes their fancy. When they are ready, they can rejoin the tour at any of the designated meeting points.
Most tours follow a similar path and pass by all of the major historical buildings, museums and shopping districts, which are all pointed out by experienced guides. Most will show you the unique sights of the city, including the “skinny bridge” and the world's skinniest house, which comes in just under 101 centimeters (40 inches) wide.
Next, make your way over to the Nine Streets area for even more shopping and your evening meal. Minutes from Dam Square, it is a picturesque representation of the local scene. Packed with boutiques, interesting galleries and gourmet restaurants, this area is home to some of the most stunning architecture in the city. For authentic Dutch cuisine, the local Damsteeg Restaurant offers a remarkably elegant dining area, as well as a patio in the summer months that is perfect for people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere.
After dinner, a short walk will take you to another kind of sightseeing altogether in a place where window shopping takes on a whole new meaning: the Red Light District. This is where the ladies of the night peddle their trade and stores filled with sensual delights stay open until all hours. Thriving since the 13th century, this area is now packed with tourists after the sun goes down and is an experience not to be missed. Whatever you do, don't get your camera out to commemorate your stroll and the “window displays,” as you wouldn't be the first amateur photographer to be tossed into the nearest canal by one of the burly bouncers that lurk in every doorway.
A safer bet for getting a taste of the Dutch people's sexual leniency is to pay a visit to one of the sex museums, where everything is on display. Both of the museums in the area illustrate carnal acts, fetishes and erotica in an enlightening and informative way. Stop by the classy Absolute Danny to pick up some risqué gifts for your girl at home. This place offers traditional sex articles, fetish wear, books, and videos. We suggest the Tarzan vibrator for a gift that will make both you and your woman happy.
Next, hit one of the smoking coffee shops in the area -- even if only for a quick wide-eyed flip through the extensive menus and a look at the nonchalant locals. The Dutch people are generally calm, cool and collected, so try not to make a big deal out of the public marijuana experience -- and the same goes for the Red Light District.
While Amsterdam is well-known for being a liberal place, it's best to keep in mind that cannabis isn't fully legal here and is still strictly controlled. Purchasing and smoking is perfectly acceptable in the coffee shops, but it is illegal to make a purchase on the street or to imbibe in public. Locals and policemen alike frown upon thoroughly intoxicated tourists spilling onto the street, so stay in the coffee shops or skip it all together. Oh, and don't bother trying to leave Amsterdam with any souvenirs from the cafes: Customs officials are notorious for thoroughly inspecting homeward-bound tourists.
Even if you don't join in, just around the corner is the Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum, where you can stop in for a good look at the history of the drug and the myths that have surrounded it for years. This way, whether you try it or not, you can at least go home sounding like you know what you're talking about.
After a trip back to your hotel to drop off your purchases, it's time to get your night started. A visit to a Dutch institution is in order: The Heineken Brouirer, which was recently decommissioned as an actual working brewery, is now a museum that offers free tasting sessions to get your taste buds working and your thirst for beer in full swing. Three drinks are included in the $15 entrance fee, which is a good deal in any city.
After claiming your beverages, carry on your beer tour and head to In de Wildeman just behind Dam Square. If you're a beer connoisseur, this incredible beer-tasting bar will be your favorite stop of the day: It has hundreds of bottled beers representing just about every country in the world. Housed in a historic former distillery, this place takes beer very seriously and will introduce you to all of the major Dutch beers, as well as some old standbys, in an appropriate setting.
With a few drinks under your belt, it's time to head to a club to get a taste of the nightlife in this famous party city. An age-old favorite of the locals is Escape, located in the Rembrandtplein district. This club is huge, holding around 2,500 patrons at a time, and it comes complete with spectacular light and video shows, as well as a number of world-class DJs. Escape has been a thriving Amsterdam nightclub since the late 1980s and will plunge you into the local scene head first. Be prepared for a late night, as most clubs in Amsterdam are open until 4 a.m. during the week, with some staying open until 5 a.m. on Saturday nights.
Day 2: Soaking up the culture
Start your day at the Bar With No Name, which is hidden away in the Nine Streets area. This cozy breakfast spot opens early and hosts both locals that haven't yet made it home from a night out as well as tourists planning their days in the nearby Museumplein district.Museumplein is centered on a large park that used to be the largest thoroughfare in the city center, but has been redeveloped into an expansive green space bordered by the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, your two main stops for a full day of activities.
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of art in the Netherlands, housing more than 7 million works in a stunning Neo-Renaissance building. With an average of over 1 million yearly visitors, this is a must-see tourist attraction that displays not only the Dutch masters, but also the works of many notable European artists.
After a morning of browsing the vast collection at the Rijksmuseum, stop by one of the many street vendors to pick up freshly made pastries for a leisurely lunch on the grass before venturing over to the Van Gogh Museum. Most of Van Gogh's work has never left the Netherlands, and more than 200 famous paintings and 500 drawings call the Van Gogh Museum home. The souvenir shop at the museum offers up a great selection of Van Gogh art.
These two stops will take you into the late afternoon or evening, so your next stop will be dinner at Le Garage, a place that is as much a gallery as it is a restaurant. Reservations are required and you might want to stop at your hotel to freshen up for your night on the town. Tasty food from the kitchen and great art on the walls prefectly complement your day of visiting the art collections of the nearby museums.
After dinner, head over to Absinthe Bar for a truly Dutch experience. Holland is one of the few countries that still sells the mythical, mind-altering absinthe that was so popular among artists in the 19th century; in fact, it's still blamed for causing Van Gogh's infamous ear-cutting incident, although the kind that is sold today is much more refined. The Absinthe Bar is an exotic place with North African décor and great clientele -- it is a popular spot for visiting celebrities.
Whether you try out the absinthe or stick to something more traditional, you'll soon be ready to head over to Paradiso. Keeping with the cultural theme of the day, this place is set in an old, converted church that has amazing acoustics and stunning architecture.
Paradiso has more cool music than it knows what to do with; legendary bands from all over the world make stops here. The Rolling Stones recorded many tracks from their Stripped album here, so don't be surprised if you happen upon a last-minute gig featuring one of your favorites. Every night at the Paradiso is different, so be prepared for anything.
Day 3: Take something home
For your last day in Amsterdam, it's time to do the obvious and visit some of the working windmills in the city center or to head out on a side trip in the surrounding countryside to get the full display of the unofficial symbol of the Netherlands. If you're traveling in the spring, the trip out of the city will also give you a great view of the famous tulip fields. Tours can be found from a variety of operators or you can go it alone with a bicycle and a map.Next in your tour of postcard-perfect settings is the famous Bloemenmarkt on the Singel canal. This market is the only floating market in the world dedicated solely to flowers, and it's the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs for the women in your life. If purchasing bulbs to take home, be sure to get those that are stamped as ready for export or they could be confiscated when you leave the country.
A few minutes away is another shopping mecca, the Albert Cuypmarket, Amsterdam's most popular -- and the country's largest -- day market. It sells everything from textiles to souvenirs to fresh fish. Unique Dutch items can be found here for decent prices, and remember: It always pays to negotiate, as the vendors expect it.
If you're looking for something a little pricier, it might be time to visit an outlet for one of Amsterdam's largest industries: diamonds. Amsterdam has a very long history in the diamond trade that dates back to the 16th century. Five of the nine local diamond factories offer daily tours that show the entire process and sell their wares after explaining the finer points of diamond purchasing. You can choose between loose diamonds that can be custom-set or beautifully premade pieces. Stop by Gassan Diamonds located in the Waterloopen district for the best selection.
Next, head toward Dam Square and stop in at the Magna Plaza for lunch. This beautiful center is an artfully renovated neo-gothic building that began as the central post office of the city in 1898, and now houses upscale shops and restaurants. Offering stunning views of the canals, the Caffe Ristrello has a full lunch menu and a great selection of coffees to keep you going after having been talked into an expensive diamond purchase.
After lunch, spend the afternoon visiting some of the historical sites that can be found on your way back to Dam Square. Both Anne Frank's House and the Rembrandt House are nearby and offer a more in-depth look of the fascinating history of the city.
Make your way to De Still to waste the rest of your evening putting your drinking skills to good use. If you like whisky -- or want to give it a shot -- this small bar with over 150 varieties offers a no-frills introduction to the beverage. Feel free to ask questions or join an organized tasting group, as the staff here loves to educate and is incredibly enthusiastic about its liquor.
After the whisky, head over to Club 11 for dinner. Minutes from Central Station, this venue -- on the 11th floor with wraparound windows -- will give you a perfect evening view of the canals below. After the sun sets, the city comes alive with lights and even the most inconspicuous footbridges you crossed during your day take on a whole new look. Complete with huge screens playing a mix of music, film and cartoons, as well as an incredible light system, Club 11 is a feast for both your eyes and your palate that will keep you entertained well after your dinner is done.
To end your final night in Amsterdam, it's only fitting to go to one of the most famous venues in town, De Melkweg. Like most other long-standing clubs in the city, the setting for De Melkweg is more unique than any you will find in your hometown. It is housed in a former dairy building and is a full-service entertainment complex complete with cinema, gallery, café, and most importantly, a dance club. Just like Paradiso, every night here is different, so be prepared for anything.
tips for the trip
- Amsterdam is a “late city,” with many establishments not opening until 10 a.m. and staying open very late at night.
- Credit cards aren't as widely accepted in the Netherlands as you might be used to, so inquire before attempting to use one.
- Prices always include taxes and bills include tip, so what you see is what you pay.
- Even though the Dutch speak many languages, most prefer to communicate with tourists in English rather than to struggle through their attempts at Dutch or German.
- Because so many of the local clubs have theme nights that are constantly changing, keep an eye out for the fliers on display in most pubs and stores to get an idea of what's happening during your stay.
abandon your inhibitions
Amsterdam is a small city that can pack quite a punch. It's no wonder that it is one of the most popular European destinations for bachelor-party trips and long-weekend escapes. Regardless of how much cash you have to spend, there are no limits on how much you can see and do here -- the only restriction is your stamina.Resources
http://www.houseboatrentals.nl/
http://www.paradiso.nl/
http://www.holland.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
http://www.fodors.com/
http://www.melkweg.nl/
http://www.amsterdam-holland-travel.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/
Amsterdam Travel Guide
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