First Time in Amsterdam

Our Local Expert Says:

The most impressive building in Dam Square is the Royal Palace, but don’t expect to see the Queen; she lives in The Hague

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Located in the heart of Amsterdam, from here you are waking distance to many of the city's attractions. You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many fast food joints around, and watch the various street performers put on a show. Otherwise, you can sit on the large white phallic World Ward II monument and people watch in this busy square; stay long enough and you're sure to see something bizarre. In the square you can find a few reasonably priced souvenir shops, as well as the official Amsterdam tourist bureau.

Our Local Expert Says:

You may notice that not all the windows are red. The blue windows on Barndesteeg are windows for women who are women only from the waist up.

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Quite possibly Amsterdam's most defining feature, the Red Light District is the place to see some truly unique things. If prostitutes in windows aren't enough, you can also find an Erotic Museum, which takes you through the history of prostitution, the Hash Marijuana and Hemp Museum, which tells you all you need to know about weed, and the Banana Bar, a bar where waitresses are highly skilled in the various ways of eating a banana. If you want to learn more about prostitution in the Netherlands, visit the Prostitute Information Centre, located next to the Oude Kerk. If this doesn't excite you, the Warmoestraat, which runs along the Red Light District, is full of coffeeshops, bars, hostels and gay S&M clubs. Walking through the Red Light District today you may notice that some windows contain out of place fashion exhibitions. This is a result of the city's efforts to "clean up" the streets.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Quick Eats

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Developed within the past 20 years, this area is now the center of Amsterdam's large Asian community. Here you will find a variety of affordable restaurants, the largest Buddhist temple in Europe, and a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration.

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Lovers Canal Cruises offers a variety of themed tours through Amsterdam's canals as well as dinner (and other meal) cruises.

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The Bloemenmarkt, or Flower Market, is one of Amsterdam's most famous attractions. In the summer, the market is full of bouquets of the country's tulips, but beautiful flower arrangements of other varieties can be found year-long. It is here that you can also buy bulbs for all sorts of varieties of unique tulips, including certified bulbs that can be exported. But aside from flowers, the flower market is lined with souvenir shops containing every typical souvenir from Holland you can imagine.

Our Local Expert Says:

The most extensive collection of Dutch artists in Amsterdam.

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Architect Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers (1827-1921), the grandfather of modern Dutch architecture, designed the brick museum in a monumental Dutch neo-Renaissance, gabled style. Cuypers, a Catholic, slipped in more than a dab of neo-Gothic, too, causing the country's thoroughly Protestant King William III to scorn "that cathedral." The building opened in 1885 to a less-than-enthusiastic public reception. Since then, much has been added to the building and the collection.

The Rijksmuseum contains the world's largest collection of paintings by the Dutch masters, including the most famous of all, a single work that all but defines the Golden Age. The painting is Rembrandt's The Shooting Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburch, 1642, better known as The Night Watch. The scene it so dramatically depicts is surely alien to most of the people who flock to see it: gaily uniformed, but not exactly warrior-looking militiamen checking their weapons and accoutrements before moving out on patrol. Captain Cocq (once described as the stupidest man in the city, whose house on Singelgracht still stands), Lieutenant van Ruytenburch, the troopers, and observers (including Rembrandt himself) gaze down at us along the corridor of time, and we're left wondering what's going on underneath the paint, inside their minds. One sentiment might be irritation with this upstart artist, who painted some of their faces in profile or partly hidden, yet charged the full-face fee per man -- the militiamen hated the artistic freedom Rembrandt had exercised on their group portrait. In 1975, this masterpiece was restored after having been attacked and slashed.

Van Ruisdael, van Heemskerck, Frans Hals, Paulus Potter, Jan Steen, Vermeer, de Hooch, Terborch, and Gerard Dou are other artists represented at the Rijksmuseum. The range is impressive -- individual portraits, guild paintings, landscapes, seascapes, domestic scenes, medieval religious subjects, allegories, and the incredible (and nearly photographic) Dutch still lifes. In addition, the museum exhibits fine pieces of antique Delftware and silver.

Two rare furnished 17th-century dollhouses should be a highlight for children, by bringing the Dutch Golden Age to life for them in a way no amount of "real" stuff could. The dollhouses' former owners commissioned craftsmen to copy objects and ornaments, and the contents are exactly as they were in those days, only in miniature. Tiny seashells occupy a display cabinet. The tapestry room walls are covered with silk, the ceiling and mantelpiece are painstakingly painted, and Italian marble paves the hall floor. Silver spoons rest on the dining table and the family initials are embroidered on the napkins. Look carefully, and you'll even see pins stuck in pincushions.

In the Rijksmuseum Garden, breathe scented air and view interesting sculptural elements and other fragments from old buildings.

The Rijksmuseum also has a small gallery at Schiphol Airport.

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Enjoy the world's largest collection of Van Gogh's, including paintings, drawings, and letters. The museum also has a large collection of works by some of Van Gogh's contemporaries and friends like Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as a number of older artists whom Van Gogh admired, including Léon L hermitte and Jean-François Millet. The museum features regular exhibitions highlighting art toward the end of the 19th Century.

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Heineken is truly an international brand, easily recognizable by the green bottle, golden hue and great taste. At The Heineken Experience, explore Heineken's history and use all five senses to experience how the company makes its beer. Tours are self-guided. The Experience is open daily from 11:00 to 19:30. In June, July and August, the museum is open from 10:30 to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Adults cost €17.00, children ages 8 to 15 €13.00. For those that are of drinking age, the admission includes the cost of two beers.

-Jessica E. Lipowski, Amsterdam Local Expert

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In summer, you may have to wait an hour or more to get in, but you shouldn't miss seeing and experiencing this house. It's a typical Amsterdam canal house, with very steep interior stairs where eight people from three separate families lived together in silence for more than 2 years during World War II. The hiding place Otto Frank found for his family, the van Pels family, and Fritz Pfeffer kept them safe until, tragically, close to the end of the war, when it was raided by Nazi forces and its occupants were deported to concentration camps. It was in this house that Anne, whose ambition was to be a writer, kept her famous diary as a way to deal with both the boredom and her youthful array of thoughts, which had as much to do with personal relationships as with the war and the Nazi terror raging outside. Visiting the rooms in which she hid is a moving and eerily real experience.

During the war, the building was an office and warehouse, and its rooms are still as bare as they were when Anne's father returned, the only survivor of the eight onderduikers (divers, or hiders). Nothing has been changed, except that protective Plexiglas panels now protect the wall on which Anne pinned up photos of her favorite actress, Deanna Durbin, and of the little English princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. As you tour the small building, it's easy to imagine Anne's experience growing up in this place, awakening as a young woman, and writing down her secret thoughts.

To avoid lines, get there as early as possible -- and while this advice isn't as useful as it used to be, because everybody is giving and heeding it, it should still save you some waiting time. A better, strategy if you're in town from mid-March to mid-September, when the museum is open until 9pm, is to go in the evening; it's usually quiet then. Next door, at no. 265-267, is a modern wing for temporary exhibits. A bronze sculpture of Anne stands on nearby Westermarkt.

Description:

Experience the life of world-renowned artist Rembrandt van Rijn by visiting his home and studio. See where he lived, gathered inspiration, produced his work and taught pupils. From paintings and drawings to etchings and copper plates, the museum owns almost all of his work and rotates the displays. Demonstrations of paint preparation and etchings, as well as children's activities, are offered daily. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00, charging €10 for adults and €3 for children ages 6 to 17. Tours are available upon request.

-Jessica E. Lipowski, Amsterdam Local Expert

Our Local Expert Says:

Best view in Chinatown

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Bird first opened its snackbar at Zeedijk 77 in 1993, part of a new influx of Asian eateries taking over the formerly shady area of Amsterdam which is now known as the city's "China town." In 1998 they opened this restaurant across the street. Popular with locals and tourists alike, visitors can enjoy a Thai atmosphere and staff to acompany their traditional Thai dishes.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Best Apple Pie in Town

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Winkel 43 is a small café tucked away in the corner of the Noordermarkt. On a market day you can go shopping at all the interesting arts & crafts and food stalls, or at one of the many small shops in the neighborhood. But make sure you stop at Winkel 43 or you'll miss out on the best apple pie in town. This title is bestowed on the pie by the Dutch themselves, so the place is always packed.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best meal under 10 euros.

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Situated in a lofty and spacious former church, Bazar captures the atmosphere of a North-African market place with its décor and fusion of foods from Arabic countries. Located along the city's largest outdoor market, which is also a popular nightlife area, you will find couples as well as rowdy groups of friends starting their night out here. While the service is average for the Netherlands, the inexpensive and varied menu of delicious foods more than makes up for it.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Red Light District Experience

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The Old Church Coffeeshop is not to be confused with the city's oldest church, known as the "Old Church" and located right across from the coffeeshop. Grab a seat in the 2nd floor windows, or sit outside on a sunny day. Take a look at what's going on around you and you will see prostitutes in windows, police answering tourists' questions, and the city's most important church in front of you. All of this while you enjoy Amsterdam's specialty herb.

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If you're thinking freshly baked homemade pancakes, then head here. What's more inviting is the ambience in which you can feast on, at a gabled canal house. The friendly wait staff is more than eager to help you out and get you your order. The menu features items like Pancake with Cheese, Sunflower Seeds, Onions and Mushrooms and dessert items including Hot Cherry, Vanilla Ice Cream, Cherry Liqueur and Whipped Cream Pancake—could ask for more pancake options?

Our Local Expert Says:

If all the famous Leidseplein clubs are full, head over to Rembrandtplein. Here you are guaranteed to find a decent party that’s not sold out.

Description:

Rembrandtplein is one of Amsterdam's two main party areas (Leidseplein being the first). Whereas Leidseplein is a very popular destination for tourists, Rembrandtplein is more popular with the Dutch visiting the city for one night of partying. If you want to escape the bright lights and clubs of Rembrandtplein, adjoining Torbeckeplein offers a view over Amsterdam's famous seven bridges; beautifully lit up and reflecting in the water by night. In December, Rembrandtplein gets in the holiday spirit with a temporary skating rink set up in the square.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Leidseplein is full of nightclubs of varying degrees of quality, but the three main venues worth checking out are Paradiso, Melkweg and Sugar Factory

Description:

Amsterdam's main nightlife area is undoubtedly the Leidseplein. Full of cafes and bars with outdoor seating and heated umbrellas, this is a great place to sit down for a drink and watch the city go by, both by day and by night. In Leidseplein you will also find the very large Bull Dog Coffeeshop; the building it's located in was once the police headquarters. On the streets leading away from the square you can find many bars with live music in the evenings, as well as small Italian restaurants that specialize in 5 euro pizzas; the food is good, fast and cheap.

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The Odeon is located in a large 18th century historical canal warehouse in the centre of the city. 1960s to 90s dance classics, funk, hip hop, R&B, jazz dance and house is the broad range of music that is played in this club. One of the reasons for this diversity is that the Odeon has three floors on which the different music styles are played. The crowd is rather diverse as well. Normally you'll find a mix of students, out of towners, locals and tourists. The atmosphere is very open and social and it is rather easy to get in. If you think the music is too noisy for you, you can relax in the cafe with its nice painted ceiling.

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This store on the edge of the Red Light District claims to be the world's first specialized condom store -- the start of a whole new protection racket. It stocks a vast range of these singular items, in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, from common brands to flashy designer fittings, all but guaranteeing your apparel of choice. Open Monday to Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 6pm, and Thursday from noon to 8pm. Note: At press time, the store was based at adjacent Sint-Jansstraat 33 while the Warmoesstraat store was being renovated. It was slated to move back to its original digs in November 2006, but this date might easily have slipped.

Our Local Expert Says:

Most Spectacular Movie Theater

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The Tuschinski Theatre, located just a few steps from Rembrandtplein, is the most lavish movie theater of the entire Pathe chain of cinemas. Showing a mixture of mainstream releases and more obscure art films, the theater is worth a visit solely for its design.

Built in 1921 by Abraham Tuschinski, a Polish Jew who made his way to Amsterdam with a vision to create a spectacular movie house.  The result is an Art Deco masterpiece, with decorative elements from all over the world (including an Egyptian themed main theater and Japanese themed sitting rooms).  The building is especially grand, considering it was built in a part of town that was undesirable in the 1920s.

In 2002 the Tuschinski re-opened its doors after a four year restoration project.  Today the theater extends to the surrounding buildings and contains multiple modern screening rooms.  If you want to see a movie in the original Egyptian screening room, make sure to purchase tickets for screenings in Hall 1 (Zaal 1).

Aside from the spectacular architecture, other novelties include VIP love-seats, and a bar at the concessions stand where you can buy alcoholic drinks and take them to your seat.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Brewery Best Windmill

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Originally a squatted building, the brewery was founded in 1983 and is Amsterdam's most unusual brewery serving a variety of beers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Market

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While the Netherland's largest outdoor market (rumored to be the largest outdoor daily market in Europe) is an important tourist attraction, it is still predominately a Dutch experience. Locals mob this street daily, sifting through cheap clothing, fresh foods, toiletries, and electronics while traditional herring and cheese vendors loudly advertise their wares in Amsterdam's native tongue. Here, visitors to the city can immerse themselves in the authentic Amsterdam experience while buying souvenirs at half the price of those found in the tourist shops of the City Centre. The market is located in the famous de Pijp neighborhood, Amsterdam's Quartier Latin. While many visitors may want to combine a stop at this market with a visit to the nearby Heineken Experience, the savvy traveler won't want to forget the bustling and diverse dining and nightlife scene found here as well.

The Albert Cuypmarkt is named after the street on which it is located which is, in turn, named after a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. Amsterdam's longest-running market was first officially organized in 1904 as a Saturday evening event. Now it runs Monday through Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and hosts over 300 stalls.

Our Local Expert Says:

Quirkiest Market

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This square is host to the Stopera (City Hall and Opera) and the outdoor market best known to tourists, which runs every day except Sunday.  Antiques, clothes and souveniers are just some of the things you'll find here - and the variety of vendors and items change daily.