Last updated on at 07:43 am
These Amsterdam attractions make beautiful Amsterdam a dream destination that deserves a spot on everyone’s Europe bucket list.
If you’ve read our post on the 12 things to love about Amsterdam and have decided to take the plunge (i.e., visit), then this post answers the next logical question which is what to do when you’re finally there.
Thankfully, there are plenty of things to see and do in this city of canals and bridges—many educational, some sobering, but all fun. So, let’s get right to it.
Museums
Amsterdam offers a great selection of museums to satisfy everyone’s interest. Here are the top noteworthy ones.
1. Rijksmuseum
Although it isn’t as popular as Paris’s the Louvre, Rijksmuseum (State Museum) is one of Europe’s finest. Opened to the public in 1815, it has since gone through several renovations, including one that lasted from 2003 to 2013 that restored it to its 1885 glory.
Rijksmuseum houses a huge collection of Dutch masterpieces, particularly 17th-century Dutch art. Rembrandt leads the pack with his illuminating masterpiece, The Night Watch. Other works of his on display are The Jewish Bride, Anatomy Lesson, and a few self-portraits.
Other well-known Dutch artists in residence are Vermeer with his The Kitchen Maid and Woman Reading a Letter, and Frans Hals with his wonderful The Merry Drinker.
Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The ticket costs 20€ but is free for ages 18 and under.
2. Stedelijk Museum
Lovers of modern and contemporary art would have a field day at Stedelijk Museum located at Amsterdam’s Museum Square and just close by Rijksmuseum.
Displaying artworks from the early 20th century to the 21st century, you will find pieces by Picasso, Monet, Henry Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol, among others, at Stedelijk.
Stedelijk Museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, but up to 8 pm on Fridays. The ticket costs 20€ but is free for ages 18 and below when accompanied by adults. You may book your tickets online.
3. The Amsterdam Museum
For a better understanding of the fascinating city of Amsterdam, spend some time at The Amsterdam Museum, formerly known as Amsterdam Historisch Museum.
Located at an old city orphanage, the Amsterdam Museum traces the beginnings of this city up to the present–from its humble origins as a small fishing village to becoming a world trading powerhouse. Highlighted is Amsterdam of the 17th century, the city’s Golden Age, where you’ll find much information about the trades that made this country great.
Paintings by famous Dutch Masters are also on display.
The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. The entrance fee is 20€. Ages 17 and below are free, while students with student cards get a discounted rate of 15€.
4. Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum pays homage to the life and works of The Netherlands’s most famous modern artist, Vincent van Gogh.
Located close to Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk, it houses the largest collection of the artist’s works: 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters. The display provides a narrative of Van Gogh’s work life.
Also on exhibit in the museum are works of Van Gogh’s favorite older artists and those of his contemporaries like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
For opening hours and admission prices, visit the museum’s website.
5. Joods Historisch Museum
For a better understanding of the history of the Jewish community in Amsterdam, head on to Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Historical Museum), a large complex that houses many things related to the Jewish culture. Located in the Jewish Cultural Quarter, it gives an account of the over 400 years of the populace’s life in the city.
6. Moco Museum
For lovers of modern and contemporary art, indulge your passion at Moco Museum, also located in the Museumplein. Those who want to expand their horizons by trying other art forms apart from those of the Old Masters are welcome, too.
7. Body Worlds
Body Worlds is a science museum that showcases the exploration of the human body. With over 200 specimens of the human body on display, it delves into how intricate, tough, and sensitive the human body is.
8. Tropenmuseum
Tropenmuseum showcases the cultures of Dutch former colonies in Indonesia, India, and the Caribbean, and provides a fascinating study of them. A different yet interesting sightseeing option that’s educational and entertaining.
Related Reading: Day Trips from Amsterdam: 5 Awesome Destinations
Historic Places
9. Anne Frankhuis
Anne Frank House is one of the Amsterdam attractions that make this city special.
Anne Frank huis was where Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, lived in hiding with her family for two years during the Nazi Occupation of Amsterdam during the Second World War. Their living quarter was just a small apartment in the attic, really, hidden behind a swinging bookcase, which they also shared with another family and a friend. Today, it stands as a memorial to the brave girl and her companions whose story touched the world.
You can see that apartment as well as an account downstairs of the horrors of war wrought upon Amsterdam. Copies of Anne Frank’s diary in several languages are also available for sale.
10. Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder
Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic) is an example of a clandestine church from the 16th and 17th centuries. Back in the day when Dutch Reformed Church was the only recognized religion in Amsterdam and all others were banned, followers of other beliefs were forced to worship and hold their services underground (or in the case of the Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder, above ground). Occupying the interlinked third floors of three 17th-century houses, it has a canal house, a house church, and a museum.
11. Rembrandt House
The home and workplace of Dutch Golden Age painter Rembrandt from 1639 to 1659. This 17th-century abode is now a museum that pays homage to the life and works of this great artist.
It is located in the street behind the Red Light District and opens on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
12. Royal Palace of Amsterdam
An impressive edifice on the west side of Dam Square, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam is the official reception palace of the Dutch monarchs. It was built in the 17th century. It was originally a town hall but was later converted into a palace when Louis Napoleon, brother of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, became King of Holland. Self-guided tours are available.
13. Red Light District
It isn’t always that you come across a place with such tolerant and practical regard to a delicate subject as prostitution as you would in Amsterdam. Yes, when it comes to the trade of the flesh, Amsterdam has adopted the stance that “if you can’t beat it, then regulate it.” Amsterdam brothels are licensed, made to pay taxes, and required to submit to regular medical check-ups. They’re also confined to a particular area called the Red Light District.
Situated near the Old Church (Oude Kerk), these brothels occupy some of the most beautiful 17th-century buildings in what could be a nondescript neighborhood in Amsterdam. Come nighttime, though, it’s transformed into a busy, lively spectacle with scantily clad girls displayed behind glass store windows and all sorts of spectators up front. Watching the entire scene is quite an experience to be had.
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14. The Jordaan
If you need to pick just one area in Amsterdam to explore, then choose the Jordaan. This neighborhood of tree-lined canals, narrow streets, 17th-century houses, and pretty shops and cafes is as lovely as they get. It’s the perfect spot to get lost.
15. A’dam Lookout
For great views of Amsterdam and nearby, head on to A’dam Lookout. It’s the city’s answer to London’s London Eye or Paris’s Eiffel Tower. Unlike the latter two, though, it offers a more thrilling experience for the daredevils in us: a swing on the edge of the high rise that lets you dangle 100 meters above the ground!
16. Vondelpark
For some fresh air or for those who want to indulge in some picnicking–Amsterdam-style–head on to Vondelpark, the city’s most famous playground. Opened to the public in 1865, it’s a vast stretch of space loved by many. People are there for jogging, walking, biking, roller skating or just lazing around. It’s located near Museum Square.
17. Canal Cruise
Picturesque canals dotted with humpback bridges along 300-year-old gabled houses make this city one of a kind.
With over 160 canals encompassing more than 100 kilometers and much more than 1,200 bridges in Amsterdam, a canal cruise is definitely a must activity when in town. It’s a wonderful way to see the sights since the boats plying the routes are glass-roofed, to boot. There’s also an included commentary that helps you learn more about the city. Canal cruises take around 30 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on the season.
18. Bike Ride
See Amsterdam like a local does by biking around the city. With orderly and neat bike lanes in place, biking around is a fun–and healthy–sightseeing alternative. Bike rentals are found all over town.
19. Brown Cafés
Try some local beers at Amsterdam’s well-loved brown cafés. Brown cafés are equivalent to what pubs are for Londoners. Most say they’re called “brown” because of their dark interior (usually brown, with furniture and decor of the same color), but some claim that the brown comes from all the stains caused by the cigarettes smoked by patrons all through the years.
Either way, brown cafés are cozy hangouts popular in Amsterdam. They serve local beer, gin, and a selection of wines. Their charm comes from their warm atmosphere that’s perfect for great conversation with friends and acquaintances over cold bottles of drinks.
What is the city of Amsterdam best known for?
Amsterdam is renowned for its picturesque canals, historic architecture including the Anne Frank House, vibrant cultural scene with museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, liberal attitudes, bustling nightlife, and bicycling culture. It’s also famous for tulip fields and the annual King’s Day celebration.
Guided Activities
For those who like their activities with a side of an informative guide, these guided tours are great options to choose from.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have the best of time getting to know Amsterdam with these wonderful and exciting Amsterdam attractions. As always, happy travels!
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This post brings back so many memories of my 2 weeks in Amsterdam! I think I did all of these that you suggested and my favorite was a toss up between the Rijkes Museum, Van Gough Museum, and just wondering around town to take in the loveliness! Thanks for the memories this morning!
You’re very much welcome! Glad this brought back beautiful memories. I was getting nostalgic, too, remembering our time in Amsterdam when I was writing this post 🙂