Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital, is one of the world’s best hangout spots, a place where you can immerse yourself in culture, history, art.
For a fairly small city, Amsterdam has a surprisingly large number of museums and galleries.Traditional art-lovers know the route to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. But modern art too is richly represented in Amsterdam, with the Stedelijk Museum and the Cobra museum in Amstelveen to name just two. There is a plenty of galleries, especially in the Spiegelkwartier and in the Jordaan. And if you want to experience more of nature, then the gardens of the universities and Artis Zoo are the right addresses. In a nutshell, there are lot of things to see in Amsterdam.
Transportation
Once in Amsterdam you will find that the city is very compact and there is little need for public transport. You can cross the city by foot in about an hour which adds to its appeal. If you want to explore further a field, bicycles are the way to go. These are abundant in Amsterdam and the flat land and numerous cycle paths make it a perfect city for cycling. There are numerous shops across the city from which to hire bikes and it won’t set you back too much. If cycling really isn’t your thing then Amsterdam also has a good network of trams which are reasonably priced and easy to use
Amsterdam Cafés
Amsterdam is a city of cafés and bars, there are about 1, 500 in all. Each area has a special atmosphere to offer, from friendly and relaxed brown cafés - a traditional Dutch local pub characterized by dark wooden interior - to lively and crowded modern bars. Each café has something special: a large range of beers, live music, canalside terraces, art exhibitions, pool or board games.
Amsterdam Canals and Waterways
From the grace and elegance, the city’s canals and waterways embody the very spirit of Amsterdam. They are spanned by many beautiful bridges, including the famous Magere Brug, a traditionally stylled lift bridge. You can simply relax at a canalside café and watch an array of boats float by, or take a canal tour.
Markets.
There are numerous markets in Amsterdam and these are a great way to waste a lazy afternoon and to pick up some bargains. The Albert Cuypmarkt, located in the Pijp district, is the best-known and busiest outdoor market in Europe, attracting thousands of visitors who come to browse the 300 odd stalls. The Waterlooplein Flea Market is also one of the most popular and is worth a look and there are many others for those who are serious about their bargain hunting.
Other Places of Interest.
In addition to the places outlined above there are many attractions which I did not have the pleasure to visit during my stay. These include the Artis Zoo, the oldest zoo in Holland, the diamond cutting and polishing factory, Madame Tussauds, The Royal Palaces, The Modern Art Gallery, The Heineken Brewery, and the Amsterdam History Museum.
Redlight District.
So much has been written on this so I am not writing on this.
overall I will say a beautiful and consompolitan city that has something for everyone.