Amsterdam has, at times, an unfair reputation where the focus is on coffee shops (that don’t sell much coffee, for that non-inhaled pursuit you need to find a cafe) and its seedy red light district. It is a city with fine museums and cultural pursuits.
Amsterdam is also one of the most relaxed and friendly cities in the world. One of the best places to spend some time in is Dam Square, it is most well-known and important locations in the city. The name relates to a former dam on the Amstel River.
Amsterdam is the capital city and most populous city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Among the cultural highlights is the museum dedicated to the master painter Rembrandt van Rijn: the Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum possesses the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art.
Rembrandt himself is celebrated throughout the city. The artist is widely considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art
A must see place in the Anne Frank House. Visiting this museum is an emotional experience. Here visitors can see where and how Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank and her family hid out for a long period of time from the occupying German army during World War II.
More traditional tourist offerings are the waxworks, such as Madame Tussauds, based on the waxworks begun by Marie Tussaud in 1777. Outside the museum there is plenty of activity, including street artists and entertainers.
A different museum, in a traditional Dutch townhouse, is one dedicated to trade union banners. This is the Vakbondsmuseum. The building is called De Burcht (meaning Stronghold).
Amsterdam, like most of the Netherlands, is synonymous with clogs. Clogs are a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood. Clogs are also used in several different styles of dance. A girl models a slightly oversize pair of clogs in the photo below:
One of the recurrent delights, because there are many of them, are the canals. The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning, with the first canal built in 1613.
Many of the buildings are impressive:
Some of which are in classic common Dutch Renaissance style:
The buildings looks as impressive at night as the do during the day.
Amsterdam has many bars and ale houses. Popular drinks are beer and a form of gin, called jenever. The gin is richly juniper-flavored.
Food, as well as beer, features strongly. A semi-soft cheese called Edam is popular. Edam is traditionally sold in rounded cylinders with a pale yellow interior and a coat, or rind, of red paraffin wax.
Also popular are pancakes, served either sweet or savory. Many restaurants are dedicated to selling pancakes (or ‘pannekoek’.) The pancakes are thinner and much bigger than the types found in most other countries.
For shoppers, there are many markets, which offer more interesting fare (although a lot of tulip bulbs) compared with the high street shops. One lively market is called Bloemenmarkt, which specializes in flowers; another worth visiting is Boerenmarkt, where a range of farm food is available.
Amsterdam is still an active port, leading out the North Sea. This seagull remains focused out to the choppy waters, rather than inland towards the city.
An interesting place to visit is the Heineken Experience, whether one likes the beer or not. The visitor center is well designed, tracing the history of brewing, as well as celebrating the brand and it history. Many of the exhibits are interactive, such as this drum kit.
Spending time in Amsterdam is enjoyable. There is a rich amount of culture to take in; a relaxed, bustling atmosphere; and plenty to see and do.
