Do you have a free weekend coming up? A great excuse to have an Amsterdam weekend! It’s the perfect green destination, especially if you like cycling or if you are looking for amazing fairytale landscapes. Hurry up and book Amsterdam Canal tours. And we’ll share top-rated tourist hotspots to spend those two days varied and active.
Hunt for the beauties of Amsterdam
Of course, such a hunt will not require much effort because encounters with the beautiful are waiting for you at every step. But in some places, the concentration of beauty per square meter exceeds any expectations.
Classic variant for uncovering Amsterdam`s beauty
The classic variant is to visit Amsterdam’s most famous museums, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. According to TripAdvisor, both are among the top 25 museums in the world. In 2017, the Van Gogh Museum was the most visited in Holland, breaking all records: 2,260,000 people in one year! The Rijksmuseum is in second place with 2,160,000 visitors for the year.
If the second museum needs no introduction, the Rijksmuseum should be described in more detail. Here you can see Rembrandt’s famous painting “The Night Watch” and works by Dutch artists – Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer, Jan Sten, and Pieter de Hooch. A museum with a bicentennial history, it reopened in 2013 after a 10-year renovation – a highly anticipated event for Dutch and foreign visitors alike.
The Rijksmuseum is located at Museumstraat 1 and is open daily from 9.00 to 17.00. The ticket price in 2023 is 21 euros (children under 18 years are free).
The Van Gogh Museum is located nearby, on Museumplein 6, and is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00 and on Fridays until 22.00. The ticket price is 22 euros (free for children under 18).
Van Gogh Museum tickets are only sold online. Online tickets for the Van Gogh Museum are often almost impossible to buy on the same day. Plan your visit in advance and purchase tickets at least 2-3 days before your desired date. It’s best to buy tickets a week in advance during the high season.
Tip: In the museum square, next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, there is an excellent MoCo museum where you can see Banksy’s work. We advise you to go there as well!
Alternative variant for uncovering Amsterdam`s beauty
If the spirit of the city for you is not in its history but in everyday life, then feel free to go to the markets of Amsterdam – Waterlooplein and Bloemenmarkt. Although it’s hard to call them classical Dutch markets (they are, first of all, aimed at tourists), there is more than enough color and beauty there!
Waterlooplein is Amsterdam’s most famous flea market, where they sell the most diverse things today. We mean from rare toys and collectible car models to spare bicycle parts, from goods from India to the outright second-hand stuff lying on the pavement.
It is likely that here you will find an unusual interior decoration that will remind you of your trip to Amsterdam a long time.
The address of the market is Waterlooplein 2. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 17.30 (it is better to come after 10.00).
The Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt) is often called a floating market, although it stands on barges along the Singel Canal promenade. Here you will find seeds and bulbs of all kinds of flowers. In addition, the Flower Market offers the largest selection of souvenirs in the city.
The market is open daily from 09.00 to 17.30. Average prices: 3 packs of bulbs (a dozen each) of tulips – 10 euros, 3 magnets – 5 euros.
Fresh impressions from Amsterdam: add fire!
Are you in the mood for something hot? Choose if you want to go where the hottest things in Amsterdam live or where the food is really spicy! But be sure to use an online scheduler for proper time management in Amsterdam.
The classic option
The Red Light District (yes, it’s not a street, it’s De Wallen!) is probably one of the most famous landmarks in Amsterdam.
The red light district is located in the city’s center – starting from the Old Church (Oude Kerk). The neighborhood doesn’t embarrass anyone – there’s a bronze monument to a prostitute right next to the church. Turn into any alley between Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal, and you’ll see the red “shop windows” that occupy the first floors of residential buildings.
The neighborhood is most colorful in the evening when the red lights are burning, the smell of marijuana is wafting, and erotic shows are tantalizingly signposted.
As we know, prostitutes in Holland are individual entrepreneurs who work within the law: they officially rent a workplace, pay taxes, and even have a trade union. To learn more about this profession, you can visit Red Light Secrets – Museum of Prostitution.
It is a unique and intriguing museum dedicated to shedding light on the world’s oldest profession and providing visitors with an educational and thought-provoking experience.
The museum is situated in a former brothel, adding an authentic touch to the atmosphere. Visitors are transported into the secretive and captivating world of prostitution, gaining insights into its history, culture, and personal stories.
Red Light Secrets takes visitors through various exhibits, multimedia presentations, and interactive displays. The museum delves into the social, cultural, and legal aspects of prostitution, exploring both its positive and negative dimensions. It aims to challenge preconceived notions and stimulate conversations about the complex nature of the industry.
The alternative option
Amsterdam is a very international city, and each ethnic group brings something different to its atmosphere. Oriental cultures excel at it. Visit Chinatown starting from Zeedijk. It starts practically from the main station and runs right next to the red light district. Here you can experience all the different smells, sights, and tastes!
If you like Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine, you should visit one of the oriental restaurants! Prices in most places on Zeedijk are affordable.
Zeedijk Street also has a real He Hua Temple – the largest Buddhist temple in Europe. If you are interested, you can safely climb the stairs – they like visitors and calmly treat curious tourists.
The temple is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12.00 to 17.00 and Sundays from 10.00 to 17.00. By the way, the afternoon is the best time to visit Chinatown, as many establishments open at 12.00.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amsterdam truly shines as a remarkable destination, captivating visitors with its enchanting blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning beauty. From the iconic canals that wind through the city to the world-class museums that house masterpieces by renowned artists, Amsterdam offers an unrivaled experience for tourists. The top-rated tourist hotspots in this Dutch gem showcase the city’s unique charm and allure, leaving visitors with lasting memories.
Exploring the city’s historic center, with its narrow streets and charming architecture, is like stepping back in time.
Author Bio: David van Luijn, Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Group International. It sells over 4,5 million Tours & Tickets yearly through ticket offices, online channels, attraction box offices, PDAs, shop-in-shops, and partner platforms.
Cover image: photo via Canva PRO
Hotel La Bohème – Green Hotel in Amsterdam, Government of Amsterdam, North Holland, NL 
