Amsterdam – The City That Writes Memorable Stories

Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant cities in the world and a place where you won’t need a lot of time to get used to the amazing and memorable attractions and events. It is the absolute synonym of freedom, liberal and interesting lifestyle and a true cosmopolitan centre of the world. Amsterdam’s essence and way of living will definitively conquer your soul but those are not the only reasons. You will simply adore this city. Amsterdam has a long and interesting history and its architecture makes it one of the most memorable places on Earth. So if you are ready for an amazing adventure the Dutch capital is definitively a place you want to visit!

The Place That Defies Nature

The Dutch Metropolis is located on the shores of river Amstel and it is the largest city in the Netherland. You can often hear people calling it Venice in the North since the city’s area is carved with numerous canals just like in the Italian beauty. Amsterdam is an important tourist centre in Europe, so there are many cool events throughout the year. But still, you might try to avoid coming here in winter. The days are quite shorter and it can get very cold, hence you may not be up for a lot of sightseeing. And that would be a great loss for every traveller.

Of course, reaching Amsterdam is not difficult and you can literally come here by ground, air or sea. Whatever choice you make, it will not be a bad one since you will be enjoying the trip. Roaming around the city is also a piece of cake thanks to a modern, affordable and efficient public transport.

The Frenetic Development of the City

Once you visit Amsterdam it will be almost impossible to accept the fact that this amazing city used to be a small fishermen village. It was mentioned in the 12th century for the first time, and it had almost no significance for the next few centuries. But in the 17th century, there was an immense change. Amsterdam’s Golden Age had started and the city soon became the first true centre of the world.

 The Netherland managed to gain its independence from Spain and Amsterdam became the capital of the young state. It became the world’s biggest trading centre and a starting point of numerous trading and exploration missions. Vast new buildings were erected, dams and canals were built, the port kept being busy and people from all around the world started to settle in here. Amsterdam soon became the centre of art, science, and culture. Today, Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant cities in the world and a place where word “boring” does not exist.

What You Should Not Miss

You should probably stay for a year in Amsterdam to see most of its top attractions. The city has amazing landmarks on every corner and we will just give you main directions for places you must not miss. We have already mentioned Amsterdam’s incredible architecture and visiting its untouched historic centre. The historic heart of such a lovely city is packed up with medieval wooden houses which will bring you back in the ancient times.

Roaming over the canals will be a unique experience and will lead you to many unique buildings in Amsterdam. The Canal Ring is perhaps the best quarter for visiting if you want to see impressive 17th-century mansions.

Probably the most famous quarter in the world is the famous Red Light District which does not need any special introduction. Also, this is the area where you can find some unique museums such as Sex Museum or Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum. If you are in the mood for the more mainstream type of museums then Rijksmuseum is the place for you. Try not to miss the Vincent Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House.

And just to mention, this was a very, very short list of places you should visit while staying in Amsterdam. But as mentioned before, there are awesome things in every corner of the mesmerizing city of Amsterdam, so be sure to check them out as soon as you get the chance.

Find Your Best Accommodation Option

In an active, popular and perfectly organized city like Amsterdam, it is impossible not to find a perfect match when it comes to lodging. The city offers all kinds of accommodation, and no matter what are the purposes of your visit, you will always have a wide variety of possibilities that suit every budget. For instance, if you are visiting the city either for a romantic weekend, for business purposes or just because you are a travel enthusiast, there will be a vast number of accommodation choices to suit your needs and demands. If you are visiting for the first time, you will soon see it for yourself that Amsterdam’s hotels are in the range from the basic to the most brilliant ones, which is why travellers all over the world are attracted to the Netherland’s capital.

Hence, if you are travelling on a budget, a great alternative to hostels and hotels are the numerous campsites placed on different locations within the city. There are various kinds of pitches including youth campsites, family oriented camps and so on. Therefore, travellers need not bother with where they will leave their motorcycles or caravans. The good thing is that campsites are concentrated both in the centre of Amsterdam, as well as on its borders.

Another excellent option for all those who travel to Amsterdam, but have saved a decent amount of money for their trip is a B&B. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Amsterdam, you can book B&Bs in different locations of the city. So, all of you who want to see the beautiful natural landscapes and green surfaces are welcome to make a reservation in Heerlijck Slaapen op de Zaanse Schans. Here, you will also witness the unique area of 17th-century houses and churches that simply lure you to visit them. There are plenty of B&Bs in Amsterdam, and perhaps you should first check them all, before deciding on the best one. Among other options, we also recommend Wladimir Studios, Urban Lodge Hotel, WestCord Art Hotel Amsterdam, Art’otel and La Remise.

When it comes to hostels in Amsterdam, they are as liberal as the entire country. Hence, you can choose among many hostels where there are options of sleeping in the dormitories or in private rooms. If you are liberal enough to sleep with other people, sometimes even unfamiliar ones, then dormitories are a better and cheaper option. However, if you still yearn for some privacy, don’t hesitate to book a private room that will surely fulfil all your expectations. So, if your first demand is the central location of a hostel, then you may choose Amsterdam Hostel Annemarie or Flying Pig Uptown. But if you opt for a special location, then make a research and find the desired hostel. It is important to know that almost all the hostels in Amsterdam are budget friendly with an excellent service and a nice atmosphere. If you are more for a youth hostel, don’t miss the chance to stay at Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark.

Regardless of the fact that thousands of tourists visit Amsterdam on a daily basis, the city still has a lot of accommodation capacities, and when we talk about hotels, it has to be mentioned that the city disposes of more than 350 hotels in all locations. If you don’t have a limit on your budget, you will first have to check Hotel de l’Europe, which provides you with all-inclusive and best of the best service. With the view over the Amstel river, and with tremendously spacious rooms, balconies, and toilets, you will enjoy every second of your Amsterdam tour. Apart from Hotel de l’Europe, you may also look for The Dylan Hotel or  Waldorf Astoria. Be that as it may, there are numerous options for you. Hence, you don’t have to be worried about not having the place to stay at during your visit to the capital of the Netherlands.

The novelty in accommodation options in Amsterdam is the lovely houseboats that are placed on the canals of the city. These can be both, affordable accommodation and a whole new experience with a lot of advantages.

Cuisine – An Inevitable Part of Your Visit to Amsterdam

No matter how weird, scary of already familiar the name of the meal in Amsterdam may sound, you should definitely give it a try because the food in the Netherland’s city is simply awesome. Apart from the international restaurants or those based on only one type of a cuisine, there are many places that offer only traditional meals, specific for the region of the Netherlands and its capital city.

One of the meals praised by all the visitors is the raw herring. At first, it looks perhaps unattractive, but be sure that once you try it, you will instantly have the desire to order another portion of this extremely tasty dish. It is served with onions and pickles, and if you like, you can even get it served as a sandwich. Raw herring can be found on the numerous stalks, as well as in the restaurants. Once you try it, you will be thrilled.

Should you want to feel the ultimate comfort while in Amsterdam, find a place that serves stamppot dish. It is also a traditional Netherland’s dish made of mashed potatoes as well as other vegetables, including kale, carrot, onion, and sauerkraut. You will usually get a sausage served with the meal, so all those who enjoy eating meat will not be deprived of pleasure.

All of those who just adore soups should try Netherland’s most famous soup, called snert. This is a perfect mixture of peas, celery, pork, leeks, and onions. If you visit Amsterdam during the winter, you will find snert all over the city from the street vendors.

Things To Do While In Amsterdam

It is impossible to be bored in a city with a vibrant climate, hundreds of events, thousands of attractions and sightseeing destinations. That is why Amsterdam should be among the first ticks on your ‘to-visit’ list. However, if you are tired of visiting historic, cultural and artistic spots, you can still have a lot of fun in the capital of the Netherlands.

The first activity you have to do is canal cruising. If you have arrived at the city, and seen the lovely canals, it is a pity not to cruise as well. So, contact the operators in charge of cruising in Amsterdam, and book your cruise ticket, which will lead you to investigate some of the city’s UNESCO protected sites. Perhaps the best operators in the city are Stromma and Blue Sky.

You can also hop on the bike and experience the city as the locals do on a daily basis since Amsterdam’s residents just adore biking through the town either on business purpose or in their leisure time.

But should you move out from the city and visit the incredible windmills and witness the fascinating Dutch landscapes, take a boat and make an excursion to some of the fishing villages nearby. You will surely be amazed by the entire region and what is more, you will yearn to come back here as soon as possible.

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