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A M S T E R D A M
The capital of Netherlands is notorious for its canals, narrow houses architecture and world-class nightlife. One of Europe's best hipster cities is known for tolerance on sex related topics and cannabis policy. It has also numerous art museums including artwork from Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Amsterdam has more bikes than people. Hop on bike and explore old windmills village and colorful tulip fields.
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5 Best Things To Do
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B I K E - F R I E N D L Y
There are over 880,000 bicycles in Amsterdam. That’s more bikes than people! Amsterdam has unbeatable network of cycle routes. The city regularly comes out on top in lists of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities. About 57% of Amsterdammers use their bicycle on a daily basis. Yes, even when it snows! Combined, Amsterdammers bicycle about two million kilometers every day. Sounds like the best way to explore the region’s attractions, right? Wrong, I don't recommend to bike around the city unless you do much bike riding at home. It does take a bit of practice to get up to speed with the locals, who are usually in hurry to get to/from the work as fast as possible. For your safety I recommend renting a bike in a countryside in the windmills village or somewhere near by the tulip fields.
The capital is best explored on foot. Walking allows you to fully take in parts of the city. The Dutch are known to be the masters of architecture and the use of space. Amsterdam's houses are very narrow because back in the days taxes were charged based on the width of the building's facade. The wider facade, the more tax they paid. The smallest house is just 2.02 meters wide. The houses are actually rather deep and tall.
Facades facing the UNESCO protected canal belt make the city picture-perfect.
Amsterdam is 0,5 meters below sea level and would be underwater without its canals. Around 15,000 bicycles are pulled out of Amsterdam’s canals each year while 100,000 bicycles are stolen in Amsterdam yearly.
The city is also a paradise for art lovers and is famed for its world leading museums Rijksmuseum (only museum in the world you can cycle through), Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank Museum. You can admire artwork from figures that have helped shape the history art, including Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
R E D L I G H T D I S T R I C T
Amsterdam is world's most liberal city and one of the world’s best nightlife destinations. In Red Light District prostitutes advertise themselves in the famous red-lit shop windows to get paid for sex. The purple lights in the window signifies that the lady is a transvestite. You may take photos of the street, but you shouldn't take photos of prostitutes without their consent. Not only it is disrespectful but it's also a violation of privacy. Prostitution in the Netherlands is legal and regulated. At the very center of the famous Red Light District is the world’s first and only museum of prostitution Red Light Secrets.
Even having a sex in the Amsterdam's public park Vondelpark is legal. As long as you do it in the nighttime and stay away from the playground. Some people talk about the Dutch being the most open-minded nation on their tolerance of all sex related topics and (soft) drug policy.
C A N N A B I S C A F E S
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Amsterdam is famous for its coffee shops, otherwise known as cannabis cafes. If you see a ‘coffee shop’ in Amsterdam, you’re probably not going to get your coffee. An Amsterdam coffee shop is a legal place where people go to buy and smoke cannabis. Cannabis has been decriminalised in the Netherlands since 1972.
Of course you don't have to smoke weed to have unforgettable Dutch experience. Amsterdam is also world-famous for its excellent food. Culinary lovers have to try Herring served with pickles and onions. You’ll spot haringhandels (herring carts) serving up these traditional Dutch snacks all over the city. I loved to snack on Dutch iconic sweet treat Stroopwafel. Two thin waffles, similar to a cookie filled with a sweet caramel syrup filling. Every visitor to Amsterdam should give it a go. For more local food plan a day trip to Zaanse Schans. The country boasts an extensive railway network. The train is a comfortable way to get around in Holland. Book a hotel close to Amsterdam Centraal train station. The map below may help you choose.
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T H E W I N D M I L L S V I L L A G E
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Just 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal is a picturesque pastoral paradise Zaanse Schans full of photogenic old windmills, wooden houses, barns and winding canals. It is open-air museum with handicraft shops with workshops.
The first thing that stroke me since I step foot on the main street leading to the windmills of Zaanse Schans was the smell of Dutch cocoa. Have a hot chocolate in a cocoa factory CacaoLab.
Visit The Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm and learn how is made semi-hard cheese. Well known cheese Gouda is originating from the Netherlands. It is named after the town of Gouda, located in the west of the Netherlands. Gouda is produced from pasteurized cow's milk that is known for its rich, unique buttery flavour and smooth texture.
Don't miss also Clog workshop and see how these world famous Dutch shoes are actually made.
T U L I P F I E L D S
Yes, they’re as clichéd as clogs, but tulips are a definitely symbol of Dutch culture, and a trip to the Netherlands wouldn’t be complete without seeing it in bloom. The tulips are main reason why spring is Amsterdam's peak season. Tulip season runs from late March until mid May, but the flowers are usually at their best halfway through April. More than 7 million flower bulbs bloom in spring at the Keukenhof. This botanical garden, originally used by Dutch royalty to grow fruits and vegetables, is one of the best places to discover many different kinds of tulips. Even better are Bollenstreek tulip fields stretching out in colourful stripes in shades of pink, red, purple, yellow, white and orange across miles.
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P H O T O G A L L E R Y
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