Amsterdam Celebrations

If you are looking to go to Amsterdam and want to join in some local calibrations then you have to go on Queens’s day, the Dutch celebrate the birthday of the Queen mother but in reality they use it as an excuse to party hard, any old excuse.

The best cities to stay at whilst celebrating Queens day is the Hague, Rotterdam and off course Amsterdam, although the hole of the Netherlands celebrate this occasion these cities have a special atmosphere during this spectacular party.

In particular Amsterdam has something special going with an estimated ¾ of million people coming into the city to party, many of whom wisely travel in by train. In the city centre hot spots like Leidseplein, Spui, Rembrandtplein, Damrak, Rokin and Dam you will find a great atmosphere with everybody dressed and partying in orange.

Also on Queens’s day you will find that all the street trade is unregulated so it makes it a good day for some second hand shopping, and in Vondelpark all the kids’ show of their business expertise by offering a wide variety of attractions.

Amsterdam city is a vibrant place to be with hundreds of quality and historic attractions to visit.

Right in the middle of the centre of Amsterdam is the Dam square; it has a lot of culture and includes the National Monument Commemorating the fallen Dutch soldiers of WWII, there is the wonderful Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) that is flanked by the Royal Palace.

If you go by the Kalverstraat all the way to the Spui, then take a right and follow along until you come to the Begijnhof, There is a lovely traditional although small chapel that is defiantly worth a visit if religion or history is your kind of thing, the courtyard shelter next to the Chapel that is surrounded by the enclosing homes along the edge is home to single religious women who devote their time to their religion.

Beyond is the rest of the fabulous city that is surrounded by monuments and churches that are punctuated by the canals that are used for navigation through the city. The Largest and most distinctive building in the city has to be the Westerkerk (West Church) that can be recognized by its large blue crown. Neighboring the Homomonument is the popular tourist attraction Ann Frank House. Walking along down towards the Haarlemmerstraat by the Prinsengracht you will come across boutiques, restaurants that disperse in either direction. Just by the Haarlemmerstraat towards central train station and you will come across the multi storey bicycle park rthat is used by thousands every day, cycling is regarded as one of the easiest ways to travel around Amsterdam as it is almost completely flat.

Amsterdam is easy to get to, especilay by ferry, there is ferries arriving and going from Amsterdam ferry port in IJmuidennoon day and night from varouse european countrys.

As we have previously mentioned, Amsterdam offers an extremely rich travel experience. In fact, there is so much to do that it can be a little overwhelming for visitors. Luckily for you we have compiled this list on what are the not-to-be-missed atractions when visiting Amsterdam.

- Walking tour of Amsterdam

Walking around Amsterdam offers hours of sightseeing fun. Its a great option if you are on a budget as you can pick up a map at one of the Amsterdam Tourist Offices and go ahead and explore. Try strolling around Jordaan (trendy), the Central Canal Ring; Oude Zijde (historic area); or the Eastern Canal Ring and stately mansions. These areas are all very picturesque.

- Visit Van Gogh Museum

There are many superb museums in Amsterdam. However, the Van Gogh Museum is one of the best. The largest collection of Van Gogh’s work, the museum itself has undergone a refurbishment and this has improved the visitor experience immensley. There is also an option for an English language self guided tour.

- Sample the Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands largest national museum, the Rijksmuseum offers the finest collection of 17th-century Dutch works of art in just one wing of its massive Neo-Gothic structure (architecturally worth seeing itself). “The Masterpieces” exhibition is a must see, featuring works by Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals.

- Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Travelling along the canals is the only way to get a truly experience the uniqueness of Amsterdam. Infact, if you only have a short period of time in the city, we would recommend a canal cruise above all else. You can jump into an open-top canal boat or do-it-yourself on a canal bike. You can cruise doen the canals and soak in the atmosphere, viewing 17th-century mansions, tree-lined neighborhoods and stunning architecture, both ancient and modern. A night or sunset cruise is probabaly the best time to take a cruise.

- Visit The Anne Frank House

In a profound and moving experience, where Anne Frank penned her world-reknowned diaries during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War 2. Visiting this museum is a profound experience. Avoid the queues by visiting early or late in the day, or by purchasing tickets in advance. The museum is situated in Westermark, central Amsterdam.

- Sample the cafe culture

Of course, no trip to Amsterdam would be complete without taking in the unique and laid back atmosphere of the many cafes that pepper the city.

These are just a few of our favourite attractions in Amsterdam. If you have any recommendations for Amsterdam essentials please let us know.

You can get a ferry to Amsterdam daily from the UK, our favourite way to travel.