Top 8 Insider Tips for Amsterdam

As one of the most interesting and popular cities in Europe, Amsterdam is often chosen as a destination for city trips. It's no wonder, as the Dutch capital is diverse yet compact, allowing you to experience a lot even on a short trip. Since Amsterdam is also one of our favorite destinations for a spontaneous getaway, we decided to create a small but fine Amsterdam travel guide today, sharing the best Amsterdam tips for your next city adventure in this wonderful city.

The Dutch capital is just about 120 kilometers from the German-Dutch border and nearly 200 kilometers from the Ruhr area. Therefore, it is also very quickly accessible by car, which is an interesting alternative for those of you who enjoy traveling by car and reside in the western part of Germany. However, the most common way to reach Amsterdam is still by air. The Schiphol Airport serves as an important hub for flights throughout Europe and the world. If your transfer is not included in the travel price, you need not worry: the airport is connected to a large bus and train network, so you can easily reach the city without much hassle. Many long-distance buses also travel to Amsterdam.

Once you arrive in the center of Amsterdam, we recommend purchasing a day pass for the GVB (Amsterdam public transport) for €8, which allows you to use trams and buses. This way, you'll be mobile at all times and can explore every sight in the city. If you booked a central hotel, this ticket might not even be necessary, as you could get around quickly on foot and see a lot more of the city. In all booked hotels and sometimes also in private accommodations, Amsterdam charges a 'tourist tax' of 5% of the price for an overnight stay without breakfast per day. These fees are not always included in the total hotel price and may need to be paid on-site. This city tax is now mandatory in many metropolitan areas, so don't be surprised if you're asked to pay again at hotels.

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The Dutch capital offers many amazing sights and places that you simply must see! In our Amsterdam insider tips, you'll get an initial overview of the highlights of this canal city. By the way: In our travel magazine, you will find a guide that shows you which highlights in Amsterdam can be visited for free.

When you're in Amsterdam, you must absolutely visit the Rijksmuseum. The enormous national museum of the city houses almost 8,000 exhibits that can be admired by visitors. The entry fee to the Rijksmuseum is €20 for adults, and children and teenagers under 18 can enter for free. The museum is located in the southwest part of the city center at Museumplein (Tram 2, 5 & 16 stop Rijksmuseum or Van Baerlestraat), where you will find many other museums as well.

The world-renowned Van Gogh Museum is definitely worth a visit. It showcases the different phases of the creative works of the famous Dutch painter impressively. The entry fee is €19. A small tip: it's better to buy your tickets in advance online to avoid standing in line! Visitors also recommend renting an audio device to gain even more background knowledge. Vacation Guide Tip: For a whole new museum experience, we recommend visiting the Van Gogh Museum on Friday evening, as cocktails, music, and cool presentations occur alongside the artistic masterpieces. These events take place every Friday until 10 pm and are still a real insider tip!

In May 2016, a new, trendy museum opened at Museumplein: the Mocco Museum, which features an exhibition about the street art legend Banksy. A visit for about €12.50 (reduced €9.50) is worth it!

Another interesting museum, the Rembrandt House, is located in the center of Amsterdam, near Waterlooplein. For €15 (reduced €10 or €6), you can view numerous sketches and paintings by the famous painter Rembrandt.

Another highlight is the NEMO Science Center in the northern part of the city (stop Centraal). Inside, you can witness many different experiments and even get hands-on experience. Fun is clearly prioritized here! Once you've finished experimenting, you can relax on the observation deck and watch the activity in the harbor. Entry to NEMO costs €17.50, and children under 3 enter for free.

Particularly notable is De Oude Kerk (Tram 4, 9 & 16 stop Dam), a church in the city center of the capital. It was built in the 13th century and has since been restored and renovated several times. What makes this church particularly special is its location: as the only large church in the world, it is surrounded by numerous brothels! Unlike in most other cities, the Red Light District is one of the best residential areas in the city and is an integral part of Amsterdam's unique urban landscape. Throughout the city, you will find very narrow but tall houses. As customs duties were sometimes calculated based on the width of the house, they were simply built taller! Due to the relatively soft subsoil, this construction method has caused some houses to lean, making them interesting subjects for a memorable photo.

A visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is also highly recommended. We can only endorse these recommendations, as the family's residence, which has been converted into a museum, tells much about the cruel Nazi era and the history of the Jewish girl Anne, who hid here and wrote a diary. The Anne Frank House is one of the most popular sights in Amsterdam, so long wait times can be expected for entry. It's best to book your ticket online in advance, which can be done up to two months ahead, costing €14 for adults and €7 for children and teenagers under 17. For children under 10 years, admission is €1. Please also account for a €1 reservation fee with online bookings. A guided tour is available in English from a price of €7 per person. You can best reach the Anne Frank House via tram lines 13, 14, and 17. You should get off at Westermarkt stop. The museum is open from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Right in the city center, you will find the ARTIS Zoo, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, which impresses with a modern atmosphere. A visit to the zoo is especially appealing in good weather, as you can stroll through the park's historic paths and observe animals such as giraffes, zebras, elephants, and monkeys next to centuries-old trees. Admission costs €25 for all visitors over 10 years. Young visitors between 3 and 9 years pay €20. You can get to the zoo via tram lines 9 and 14, getting off at the Artis stop.

Are you excited for a city tour in Amsterdam, but the weather forecast says rain? That's no reason to cancel your trip or just lounge around in your hotel. With our tips for Amsterdam in the rain, you can still have a wonderful time in the city of canals.

In the city's canal belt, which winds around the city center like a protective wall, you'll find numerous shopping centers and boutiques where you can refresh your wardrobe. However, the many small markets on the streets of Amsterdam are also very attractive, where local vendors offer their varied goods at particularly low prices. Especially recommended is the Flower Market in the city center: daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm, various flowers and small souvenirs are available for sale (Tram 1, 2 & 5 stop Koningsplein). You can stroll calmly through the city, visit a café like the Hard Rock Café right in the center, and then continue shopping.

If you're solely in search of high-quality fashion, you'll find most of the well-known designer shops outside the canal belt near Museumplein on P.C. Hooftstraat. Here, everything has a name! For those who need some peace after several hours of shopping, you can lie down in the gigantic Vondelpark, which borders P.C. Hooftstraat, and watch the vibrant activities of the park (Tram 1, 3 & 12 stop Stadhouderskade or Van Baerlestraat). What many might not know: In Amsterdam, most shops are also open on weekends! Shopping while on a Sunday stroll makes it all the more enjoyable!

In many neighborhoods of Amsterdam, the night really comes alive! The city's nightlife is diverse and has something suitable for everyone. Most of it takes place in the canal belt. Here, you'll find everything from small clubs or bars to larger nightclubs that cater to every party heart! Especially at Leidseplein (Tram 7, 10, 16, 1, 2 & 5) or Museumplein (Tram 1, 2 & 5), you'll discover numerous venues where you can party until the early morning hours or simply enjoy a drink in peace. Be sure to drop by Café de Gieter at Leidsedwarsstraat 179 (Leidseplein stop): in this student pub, you'll get cheap beer and experience the wonderfully laid-back atmosphere of the city firsthand. If you're looking for something chic, Escape at Rembrandtplein 11 is just right for you. Other cool clubs in Amsterdam include Club Air (Rembrandtplein stop), Club Up, and Sugarfactory (both at Leidseplein). Those who are daring enough go partying in the famous Red Light District. Here too, you'll find many bars, pubs, and nightclubs that are open to their visitors at all times of the evening and are largely gay-friendly, such as in Warmoestraat.

Another area that we strongly recommend for going out is the De Pijp neighborhood (Tram 3 & 4). You'll discover numerous restaurants, bars, and smaller clubs. Just stroll through the streets of the district and pop into whichever place appeals to you. Since there are so many bars here, bar-hopping is a great idea. Have fun!

Amsterdam is not a city where you should rely heavily on cars for transportation. Instead, it's best to hop on a bicycle and explore the city on two wheels! When doing so, ensure you're traveling in the 'flow' so that nothing goes wrong. We've marked a few shops on the map further up in the article where you can rent a bicycle for around €10 per day. It's important to also rent a good lock to ensure your bike doesn't get stolen.

If you prefer a quieter and more exclusive experience, you can take a Canal Cruise through Amsterdam. The boats hit all the important hotspots of the city via water and are a good way to cover larger distances quickly. For around €19, you get a day pass that allows you to use all boats as public transport. Often, this is faster than by bus and train, as the boats only target tourist attractions!

For a fantastic view of Amsterdam, make sure to visit the café located at the top of the Openbare Bibliotheek van Amsterdam. The library is a central meeting place where you can quickly connect with others - truly wonderful!

If you value a cozy lunch break, we also have three great bar and restaurant recommendations: right in the heart of the canal city, you'll find Tales & Spirit, a cozy cocktail bar that also serves homemade hot dishes; the Herengracht Restaurant & Bar with delicious snacks for between meals; and Stein Oven Pizzeria La Piazza, just a few meters from the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum, tempting you with super tasty pizzas. Here, every hungry visitor is sure to be satisfied! The restaurant The Avocado Show has caused quite a buzz online. In this restaurant, you'll enjoy artfully presented dishes centered around the iconic avocado.

And now we wish you much enjoyment with our Amsterdam tips. We hope you've found something here that you'll certainly want to do during your next visit to Amsterdam. Are you now really wanting to go on a short trip to Amsterdam? Then we highly recommend the design hotel Jaz in the City Amsterdam. Stylish, modern rooms, excellent service, and superb transport connections for your city trip - you'll stay directly opposite Johan Cruijff ArenA and next to Ziggo Dome, and you'll be in the city center in 20 minutes by metro - plus a comprehensive concept that connects music, food, and art: ideal for a short trip!