Amsterdam, the capital city of Holland, is perfect for a short city break from anywhere in the UK and I visited for three nights in August 2004. Here's what I thought of this wonderful and cosmopolitan city.
Getting There and Away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can fly to Amsterdam from all of the major UK airports for very little if you book well ahead of schedule. I flew with KLM from Newcastle for £129, which isn't cheap but was as good as I could get given that I went over the weekend and in the school holidays.
Once you're off the plane and have your luggage, getting from the airport to the city is incredibly easy. Train tickets can be purchased from machines at the airport and the journey only takes about half an hour to Central Station. Literally everyone speaks English and all the signs and directions are in English. It is impossible to go wrong.
****Be warned: KLM and Amsterdam airport in general have the WORST record of any airport world wide for lost luggage.*****
It is also possible to get the ferry from Newcastle on DFDS. I looked in to this however and found that it was actually more expensive than flying in addition to taking much longer.
Once in Amsterdam you will find that the city is very compact and there is little need for public transport. You can cross
the city by foot in about an hour which adds to its appeal. If you want to explore further a field, bicycles are the way to go. These are abundant in Amsterdam and the flat land and numerous cycle paths make it a perfect city for cycling. There are numerous shops across the city from which to hire bikes and it won't set you back too much. If cycling really isn't your thing then Amsterdam also has a good network of trams which are reasonably priced and easy to use.
Things To Do and See. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Canals.
Spending some time wandering the picturesque canals and cobble-stoned side streets, exploring shops packed with knick-knacks and enjoying a coffee or a beer in the sun by the side of the canal is just an ideal way to spend an afternoon and this is an essential part of any trip to Amsterdam. The Prinsengracht is one area I would particularly recommend, this is the area where all of the 'posh' houseboats are and believe me they are really worth a look, the boats have amazing roof gardens and some are just stunning. Canal trips are also a common and I am sure relaxing way to view Amsterdam although sadly this is something I did not have the time to do on this occasion.
Markets.
There are numerous markets in Amsterdam and these are a great way to waste a lazy afternoon and to pick up some bargains. The Albert Cuypmarkt, located in the Pijp district, is the best-known and busiest outdoor market in Europe, attracting thousands of visitors who come to browse the 300 odd stalls. The Waterlooplein Flea Market is also one of the most popular and is worth a look and there are many others for those who are serious about their bargain hunting.
The Red Light District.
Everyone has heard of the red light district and I am going to be blunt about what's there. The red light district is a haven for tourists for a number of reasons. Firstly, because there is an abundance of cheap accommodation, youth hostels, bars and eateries to be found in the area. The other reasons are more illicit. There are many 'coffee shops' in the red light district in which one can enjoy more than just a coffee and cookies or a fruit smoothie. Each of the coffee shops has a menu on the wall from which the customer can select the type of ganja they would like to smoke which is then keyed into the till, just like you were paying for milk. You are then free to sit and get stoned at your leisure. The other reason that the red light district is famous is of course for the sex. There are many scantily dressed women on display in window fronts and this is very blatant. In addition the red light district is home to many porn shops and theatres, gay bars and clubs, a condom museum and a marijuana museum. It really isn't an area for those who are easily offended but it is fascinating and frankly I'd be amazed at anyone who couldn't resist having a look! It is a busy area and I never felt unsafe there at any point.
The Van Gough Gallery.
Situated on the edge of the city centre in huge park called the Vondelpark this is an absolute must if you have any artistic inclination at all!! There are a great deal of masterpieces housed here. At EURO15 it is pricey to get in and we had to queue for a good 45 minutes but it was definitely worth it. The gallery also has a large area housing temporary exhibitions, while we were there this featured the works of Monet and Manet, which was also exceptional.
Situated adjacent to a particularly pretty cane,l on Jodenbreestraat and near to one of the larger markets of Amsterdam, Rembrandts House, which became a museum in 1911, was also interesting and worth the trip. Rembrandt collected many old classics by other artists and a whole host of other knick-knacks including stuffed animals and foreign objects of interest. These are on display along with over 250 etchings, works which Rembrandt completed relatively early on in his career and which are relatively unknown. The highlight was a workshop we attended on the makings of these etchings, using all of his old, original equipment, although this massive and grandeur house is worth a look just in itself. Admission was EURO7.50
Anne Frank's House.
Anne Frank's House, located on Prinsengracht, is essential part of any trip to Amsterdam. If you do want to go, then expect to wait in line, I had to queue for about an hour to get in and it was raining to top it off. The admission price is EURO7.50 for adults, which is reasonable and I'd say you should expect to spend a couple of hours here at the most. I presume that everyone knows the story of Anne Frank and her family, who hid from the Nazis, for two years in this tiny annex at the back of the bookcase. I found the visit very sobering although utterly fascinating. The house itself and the accompanying museum is a shocking and moving account of the power of the Nazi's and the misery they brought to ordinary citizens. This is a must visit attraction and was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
The Magic Mushroom Museum.
This small and very modern museum, located on Spuistraat, presents an introduction to the world of legal herbs and there uses, which I found totally fascinating. You can buy magic mushrooms here complete with advice about how to use them and what to expect alongside just about any other legal stimulate you can think of, what's more it is completely free so theres no excuse for not popping in. Just down the road there is also some great graffiti which is worth a look.
Other Places of Interest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In addition to the places outlined above there are many attractions which I did not have the pleasure to visit during my stay. These include the Artis Zoo, the oldest zoo in Holland, the diamond cutting and polishing factory, Madame Tussauds, The Royal Palaces, The Modern Art Gallery, The Heineken Brewery, and the Amsterdam History Museum. Further information about all of these attractions is available on the web.
Places to Stay. ~~~~~~~~~~
There is something for everyone in Amsterdam from plush five star hotels to basic hostels in the red light district, which is where we stayed. The advantage of staying in the red light district is that this is just a five minute walk from Central Station but the disadvantage is the noise at night. The red light district is after all famous for it's night life.
Money. ~~~~~
The Dutch Guilder was exchanged for the Euro back in 2002 and prices are generally similar to those observed in the UK. There are ATM cash machines everywhere and you can pay by card in most places.
Summary. ~~~~~~~~
I would recommend Amsterdam as a city break to anyone, regardless of interests!! It is a perfect city for art lovers with a wealth of galleries and some wonderful architecture to admire. It is a great place for couples and is a truly romantic and picturesque City. In addition Amsterdam is known as a top destination for British stag and hen dos and it has a great party and night life but it also has a sophisticated edge and had many attractions for the more mature traveler.
I loved Amsterdam and I am sure that I will return at some point to sample some more of the night life and to see some of the things I didn't have time to enjoy on my first trip. The fact that it is such a compact city and just a stones throw away from the UK make it an ideal destination for a weekend break and if you haven't been already you should definitely consider a trip. Five stars for this beautiful and cosmopolitan city which truly does have something to offer everyone.
Pictures of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Central Station
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Advantages: Lots of things to do, always lively, many attractions are accessible on foot. Disadvantages: Weather is unpredictable, it can be difficult to find your way if you're new to it.
joycarole 27.09.2004 (27.09.2004)
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Review of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Advantages: a variety of activities; English-speaking; friendly people; good museums; interesting night life Disadvantages: not car-friendly; bicycles have right of way; changeable weather
bunny711 02.04.2004 (02.04.2004)
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Review of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Advantages: Inspirational, paintings and other fine objects, good museum shop! Gardens and courtyard outside Disadvantages: Too big! (cannot see all of it in one day!)
Connoisseur_Haggler 30.07.2001 (30.07.2001)
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