Do not be that ignorant tourist, who thinks that Amsterdam is only filled with legal drugs and prostitution. Although it is very different than most countries, Amsterdam has so much more to offer than just drugs and sex.
1. IAMSTERDAM Sign & Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to the arts and history of Amsterdam. This museum is right behind the IAMSTERDAM sign and located at the Museum Square. The Museum Square holds the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Concertgebouw, and Rijksmuseum within walking distance of each other.
Rijksmuseum displays 8000 pieces of art and history with a total collection of 1 million pieces of art and history in their total collection. Their total collection ranges from the years 1200 to 2000 with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, and more.
Cost:
- Adults: 17.50 Euros
- Youth (18 and under, Museumkaart holders, I Amsterdam City Card, members of ICOM, ICOMOS, the Rembrandt Association (Vereniging Rembrandt), KOG, Stadspas, Vrienden van de Aziatische Kunst, Vrienden van het Rijksmuseum, BankGiro Lottery VIP-KAART): Free
Hours:
- Open daily: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Buy tickets online so you do not have to wait in line for the ticket counter, BUT will have to wait in line to enter the museum.
*IAMSTERDAM sign is open daily, 24/7
2. Anne Frank’s House
The Anne Frank’s House is dedicated to the famous wartime diarist, Anne Frank, a victim of the Holocaust. Anne Frank was born a German but later moved to the Netherlands. In this home, there were hidden rooms to hide from Nazi persecution. Anne Frank did not survive, but her diary has been read all over the world. Hopefully, with her story spread around the world, we will never make the same mistake ever again.
The museum still preserves the hidden rooms, a permanent exhibition of the life and times of Anne Frank, and an exhibition space about the forms of persecution and discrimination the Jewish people faced.
Unfortunately, canal houses (aka Anne Frank’s house) is notorious for having steep stair cases, making it difficult for those to climb. The old part of Anne Frank’s house, which includes the Secret Annex, is not accessible to wheelchair users. HOWEVER, the new building and exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Those with visual impairments, unfortunately, are not allowed to bring in guide dogs.
PLEASE BUY TICKETS ONLINE EARLY. They sell out fast and DO NOT sell tickets at the museum (until July 1st, 2018).
Cost:
- Adults: 9 Euros
- Youth (10-17): 4.50 Euros
- Children (0-9): Free
Hours:
- April 1 – November 1
- Daily: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- November 1 – April 1
- Daily: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
3. Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum is a museum dedicated to the pieces created by Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. The museum is located in Museum Square, which is within walking distance of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Concertgebouw, and Rijksmuseum.
Hours:
- Opened daily
- Sunday-Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM*
- Fridays: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM*
- Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM*
- *Depending on the time of the year.
- The busiest times are between 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Most people spend an hour to two hours at the museum.
4. Red Light District
Do I need to explain this? The Red Light District is famous for their brothels, sex shops, and museums. The district may be portrayed as a dangerous part of Amsterdam, but it really is not bad at all. As long as you are smart and not acting like a disrespectful, drunk tourist, you’ll be fine.
Please DO NOT take pictures of the workers. They are doing their job and they should be treated with respect.
5. Jordaan District
Jordaan District is known for its delicious restaurants, unique shops, and beautiful houses. Here, you’ll see beautiful canals and streets. Many of these beautiful streets include the Prisengracht, Westerstraat, Haarlemmerstraat, and the ‘9 straatjes’.
Every Monday until 1:00 PM in Noordermarkt, there is a flea market. The flea market sells old-fashioned plates, pots, linens, clothes, accessories, and more.
Looking for delicious food? Go to Lindenmarkt at the Lindengracht on Saturdays or the market in Westerstraat on Mondays.
6. Dam Square
Dam Square is mostly a bustling area for tourists. The Royal Palace, a famous tourist site in Dam Square is where the Dutch Royal Family used to live. Madame Tussauds, the New Church, Beurs van Berlage, and Hotel Krasnapolsky are some of the other places tourists visit in Dam Square.
7. Rembrandt House Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum is where the painter, Rembrandt, lived and worked from 1639 to 1656, until he went bankrupt. The museum holds a large collection containing Rembrandt’s sketches and paintings of his contemporaries.
Hours:
- Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Cost:
- Adults: 13 Euros
- Children:
- Under 6: Free
- 6-17: 4 Euros
- Museum Card: Free
- ISIC Card: 10 Euros
- I Amsterdam City Card: Free
- Friends of the Museum: Free
