Amsterdam Hotels

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ edgiest city, filled with a hip young demographic and rich with hundreds of years of European history.

Discovering the ‘Dam

City explorations can begin near Dam Square, where the beautiful New Church dominates the area and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops surrounding the majestic Royal Palace. Locals hang out by the impressive fountain and National Monument, which commemorates the fallen soldiers of World War II.

For a town square with an alternative vibe, visitors can head to Leidseplein, northeast of the Singelgracht canal and one of the busiest nightlife spots in the city. The Stadsschouwburg theatre sits in the center of it all, and Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam, is only a few streets away.

The Rijksmuseum, the cultural hub of the Netherlands, is a museum housed in a magnificent building that is dedicated to Dutch arts and antiquities. Arty types also have the contemporary collection in the Stedelijk and the Russian treasures in the Hermitage to choose from, and Amsterdam is home to the largest single collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world. Rembrandt admirers can broaden their knowledge by dropping by the artist’s house to view the studio where the master created some of his most famous works.

The history of this fascinating metropolis is laid out at the Amsterdam Museum, which covers everything from Rembrandt to the famous marijuana laws, the Red Light District and the Dutch East India Company.

Those seeking to discover more obscure parts of the city should try the Amsterdam Chinatown, especially to see the colorful Zeedijk Buddhist temple - the largest Chinese-style building of its kind in Europe.

Eating and Shopping

Amsterdam is a fabulous destination for budding foodies and anyone with keen retail radar. The streets around the Rijksmuseum provide ample opportunity to discover boutique shops and delicious traditional food spots, like Pompa on Willemsparkweg. Due to its colonial heritage, the Netherlands is a haven for Indonesian cuisine, and there are plenty of restaurants that can prove this in Amsterdam, such as the ever-popular Tempo Doeloe on Utrechtsestraat.

This city is home to the world’s only floating flower market, made up of a collection of barges anchored on the Singelgracht canal that sell beautiful blooms including the Dutch tulip. In the Jordaan area, bargain-hunters can spend hours nosing around the Noodermarkt, the legendary flea market held every Monday. Amsterdam’s eccentric tastes are concentrated on The Nine Streets, a collection of avenues linking the main canals. Exclusive clothing can be found in chic stores such as PINA Amsterdam, and places like Art Deco-Djoeke Wassing sell funky design pieces.

Nightlife

Amsterdam’s nightlife is justifiably world-renowned; for something uniquely Dutch, the Heineken Experience is a great complement to late nights spent sampling ales. The self-guided tour includes screenings of some of the best-loved advertisements from the brand, and promises to give every beer lover a renewed appreciation for the country’s favorite pilsner.

The busy Nieuwmarkt square is a focal point for after-hours frivolity and day-time relaxing. Any of the cute sidewalk cafes here are perfect for sitting back with a latte and watching the crowds drift by – once it gets dark, Café Cuba is a cool venue for cocktails. Amsterdam is an incredible destination for New Year’s Eve; in Nieuwmarkt, Dam and Rembrandtplein, there are huge, thrilling firework displays.

See the rest of Netherlands, and check out other accommodation options at The Hague