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Amsterdam general information (city overview) |
Amsterdam was originally established as a fishing village at the mouth of the Amstel River during the 13th century. The city prospered over the years, with its wealth and power peaking during the 17th century's Golden Age.
Probably the most enduring image that most people have of Amsterdam is its tree-lined canals, flanked by 17th century mansions and town houses and crossed by more than 1,000 bridges. The three principal semi-circular canals, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht give Amsterdam its characteristic half-moon shape.
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Amsterdam map (city center) |
This guide will help you to locate some of the main city highlights that you'll likely get a chance to experience by yourself. Click on an attraction name to find a list of nearby hotels. Download full Amsterdam map [ size - 1Mb ]
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Amsterdam points of interest (city attractions) |
Dam Square
All roads of the city lead to Dam Square, the real heart of Amsterdam. It is the site of the original dam built across the river Amstel, giving the city its name. The square is used for official events, festivals, concerts, and an occasional market. In the midst of the square is the National Monument, a tall white obelisk, dedicated to the Dutch soldiers died during WWII. Koninklijk Paleis, the Niewe Kerk (New Church), Madame Tussauds Scenerama overlook this vast and bustling open space.
- Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace)
Originally built as the City Hall, it was turned by Louis Napoleon into the Royal Palace during his short-lived reign over the Netherlands. Today the Koninklijk Paleis is used by the Dutch royal family only for ceremonial occasions. The sculptures and artwork inside are worth seeing. [ Get hotels near Koninklijk Paleis ]
- Tussaud Scenerama (Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum).
This wax museum takes visitors on a unique historical journey. Special effects and moving wax figures create a vivid impression of life in Holland's Golden Age. The museum also features famous figures of modern times with many computer controlled personalities. It is approximately a 10 minute walk from Central Station. There are also several nearby parking facilities. [ Get hotels near Tussaud Scenerama ]
Rembrandthuis Museum (Rembrandt's House).
A charming three-storey house built in the early 17th century, where Rembrandt lived and worked for nearly 20 years. There are ten rooms, including kitchen, artist’s studio and the beautifully decorated art cabinet. Recently added museum wing is a home to a comprehensive collection of 250 of the artist’s etchings and self-portraits. [ Get Amsterdam hotels near Rembrandtthuis Museum ]
Red Light District
The Red Light District, known in Dutch as the Rosse Buurt represents secrets of the world’s oldest profession unmasked. The old streets where monuments, window prostitution, pubs, theatres and restaurants jostle side-by-side. This place looks best at night, when the red lights reflect from the inky surface of the canals. Lots of visitors come here out of curiosity or just for fun. [ Get Amsterdam hotels near Red Light District ]
Airport Schiphol
One of the most important transportation hub in Europe. It is located 15km southwest of Amsterdam, close to the A4 motorway linking Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague. Below the airport there is a train station. Direct trains run to the city Central Station every 15 min (every hour through the night). The journey takes 20 min. There is also a direct link to Amsterdam’s RAI Congress Centre, with trains running every 15 min. [ Get Amsterdam hotels near Airport Schiphol ]
Central Station
The neo-Renaissance train station, where you can get the metro or tram around town or a train to Paris or Berlin, was built by P.J.H. Cuypers, the designer of the Rijksmuseum. The partly gilded reliefs show allegories of maritime trade as a tribute to the city’s past. The harbor of Amsterdam is at the back of the station, and there are canals on the sides. Zillions of bikes right outside the Central Station are an excellent, inexpensive way to get around. [ Get Amsterdam hotels near Central Station ]
Vondelpark
City's most famous park, popular place for tourists and residents with a variety of outdoor activities such as meditation (in the mornings), biking, hiking, jogging, skating and picnicking. In the summer free open-air concerts and theater performances are held regularly. Scattered through the park are ponds with swans and ducks, flower gardens, Film Museum, cafes, a children's park, a display of farm animals, the llamas and alpacas, colourful parrots for the kids and acres and acres of fields to play soccer or frisbee.
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Today
the restored facades of buildings representing all periods in Amsterdam's
history await your visit. Amsterdam’s inhabitants are gregarious,
tolerant and cosmopolitan and its nightlife is lively, with ample
offering of restaurants, clubs, theatres and concerts. For a daytime
entertainment, Amsterdam has great museums on offer, such as the "Rijksmuseum"
and the Van Gogh museum, countless canal-side cafes, flower and cheese
markets and wonderful parks.