Quick Facts & Travel Information about Amsterdam
With its characteristic canals (UNESCO World Heritage) surrounded by narrow, low and crooked 17th-century houses, Amsterdam is, without a doubt, one of the most charming capital cities in Europe. With a rich cultural life and a wide range of entertainment, Amsterdam is a full-scale city which has managed to retain its small-town feel. Amsterdam is also a real treat for art-lovers. Amsterdam is home to over 50 museums, many of them famous across the globe. Highlights include the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. For the visitors who have already seen the beautiful canals pioneered the Jordaan and got the hang of our never-ending nightlife..there is plenty more to experience and explore. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area offers a great variety of surprising and unusual attractions and landscapes.
Source: arrivalguides.com (this guide was updated: 2015-02-04)
Do & See
Amsterdam’s fantastic architecture is best seen from a sightseeing boat on the canals. But Amsterdam is also a great city to explore by bike or foot. Sign up for a group tour or excursion or feel like a local and discover Amsterdam on your own. Whatever suits you best, the I amsterdam City Card is an outstanding way to explore everything the city has to offer! Sign up for a tour or excursion to discover a side of Amsterdam you might never see on your own. For example, a canal cruise is an absolute must for every first-time visitor. Or travel outside the city and experience the typically Dutch landscape of windmills, dikes and manicured green pastures. Stroll through quaint fishing villages, take a boat tour along the scenic waterways or cycle along the dunes.
Dining
Looking for a quick snack, a refreshing drink or a romantic three-course dinner? Amsterdam has all of that and more! From grand cafés and historical watering holes to Michelin stars and the best in seasonal produce, keep reading for tips on where to have a memorable meal or drink in Amsterdam.
Shopping
Whether you’re searching for the best souvenir, a unique vintage dress or the latest designer handbag, Amsterdam has the perfect shop for you! Hunt for antiques, score some limited-edition trainers or sample local Dutch delicacies: you can find it all in Amsterdam. Besides the main shopping streets the Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat, home to all the shops you would expect to find in a large European city like H&M and Zara, Amsterdam has a lot to offer to the luxury shopper. Amongst the best spots in town are department store De Bijenkorf, shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat with luxury boutiques and designer stores and the exclusive shopping centre Magna Plaza. Looking for antiques? Visit the Spiegelkwartier, within walking distance from the Rijksmuseum, or if you are a more budget conscious shopper, do not miss out on one of the neighbourhood markets!
Shops in Amsterdam are generally speaking open every day of the week, but hours vary. Opening times may differ slightly per shop and district, but here are some general guidelines:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri from 09:00 – 18:00
Thu from 09:00 – 21:00
Sat from 09:00 – 17:00
Sun from 12:00 – 17:00
Accommodations
Planning a romantic weekend getaway, a vacation or a business trip? With some 350 hotels in the city, you are sure to find the right location and budget for you. Hotel accommodations vary from budget 1 star and youth hostels to 5 star deluxe.
Bars & Nightlife
The dance clubs in Amsterdam might feel too small for somebody who is used to flashy clubs in NY, LA or London. But the clubs in Amsterdam can be just as entertaining and completely crazy. Hip, laid-back or sophisticated – the choice is yours!
Museums & Attractions
Amsterdam is home to a variety of world-famous museums. A trip to the city isn’t complete without stopping by the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House. However, Amsterdam has much more to offer. A stroll through the heart of the city and beyond will reveal the countless attractions, thereby catering to young and old. Take some time to discover them all!
Cafes
Whether you’re after soaking up the atmosphere of a traditional Dutch brown café, lounging in a city luxurious grand café, enjoying a summer drink on one of the city’s many terraces or checking out the thriving bar scene, Amsterdam is the perfect place to enjoy a tipple.
Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
For the visitors who’ve already seen the beautiful canals, visited the highlights, pioneered the Jordaan and got the hang of our never-ending nightlife… Here’s news for you: Amsterdam is bigger than you think! There is plenty more to experience. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area offers a great variety of products and is a stunning area that surrounds our city. The beach to relax, shopping, a dive into our history, or a breath of air in our beautiful countryside… All of these attractions are within reach of an hour using public transportation!
Essential Information
Population: 800.000
Currency: Euro, 1€ = 100 cents
Emergency numbers: 112
Newspapers: Volkskrant, De Telegraaf, Het Parool, NRC Handelsblad, AD
Tourist information: Visitor Information Centre Schiphol Airport (Holland Tourist Information), Schiphol Airport, Arrivals 2 at Schiphol Plaza, Mo -Su: 07:00 – 22:00 hour / Visitor Information Centre Central Station, Noord-Zuid Hollands Koffiehuis, Stationsplein 10 (across from Central Station), Mo -Sa : 09:00 – 17:00 hour Su: 10:00 – 17:00
