Amsterdam is a beautiful and historic city in the Netherlands. Most people know of Amsterdam because of its Red Light District and legal recreational weed. While these things obviously attract many visitors, there is much more to do!
I stayed in the Amsterdam Teleport Hotel, which is a quick 5-minute train ride to the city center. It is quite easy to navigate the city using public transportation, and I highly recommend that you take advantage of it!
5 Things to Do Your First Time in Amsterdam
1. View the Amsterdam Centraal Station
Amsterdam Centraal Station is located at the heart of the city. 250,000 people go through this station daily. Not only is this building useful if you are looking to travel around the area, but the building itself is also a sight to see. It first opened in 1889 and has a Gothic / Renaissance build. Taking a tour of the area is a great way to experience it!
2. Visit the Anne Frank House
If you plan on going inside of the house, please be sure to buy your tickets well in advance. This is where Anne Frank, along with a few others, hid during World War II from the Nazis. Her hiding place has been preserved, along with a permanent exhibition about Anne Frank’s life. If you arrive without tickets, it is still worth it to see the outside of the house.
3. Rent a Bike
Amsterdam is very bicycle friendly. In fact, bikes are the most common way for people to get around the city. Many people say that this is the best way to truly see Amsterdam. The streets are mostly flat, so renting a bike will most definitely be a time saver if you are trying to take in every inch of the city!
4. Explore the Canals
You are going to see many canals during your time in Amsterdam. Walk to the middle of any bridge crossing over the water and you are guaranteed an amazing view of the buildings that line the canals. If you want a different view of the city, try taking one of the many canal cruises that are offered.
5. Visit the Iamsterdam Letters
The perfect photo opp for a group or solo photo. This area is a lot of fun! You can find these iconic letters located at the back of the Rijksmuseum, which houses a vast collection of art. This winter there was ice skating in front of the sign!
While there are of course many, many more things to see and do in Amsterdam, these are a few things that you may want to consider adding to your itinerary during your trip!
Have you been to Amsterdam? What would you add to the list?
-Haley
