Visiting Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city of great culture and history, making it a perfect destination for a city break or even a full holiday. With cheap flights leaving airports across the UK each day, a trip to the Dutch city has never been easier to organise and hundreds of thousands of young people and students are flocking each year to take in the wonder of arguably the most diverse metropolis in the whole of Europe.

What to do

One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving in Amsterdam is how the city manages to perfectly mix classic architecture with modern design. The bars and stores alongside the picturesque rivers and canals are a must for visitors and the atmosphere is like nothing else on earth. Those of you who love all things cultural will be drawn to Dam Square. Constructed during the 13th century, the square is just minutes from the Centraal Station and is home to the stunning Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds and the Nieuwe Kerk – a gothic church which traces its history back more than 600 years.

A few streets North West of Dam Square, you will find the world famous Anne Frank Museum. Located on the bank of the Prisengracht canal, the building is dedicated to the memory of young Anne Frank, who wrote a now best-selling diary as she hid from Nazi persecution with her family in a number or rooms hidden at the rear of the house during the Second World War. Another must visit place is Museum Square in the south of the city. Here visitors will find the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum as well as a large concert hall and exhibition centre.

Accommodation

After a day out in the museums or the bars, you’ll need somewhere to kick back and relax. Amsterdam has a wide choice of hotels and other accommodations to choose from, and the prices are much more reasonable than in many other cities on the continent. If you really want to be in the thick of the action, however, you may want to consider renting one of the many centrally-located apartments in Amsterdam. After all, finding a place to stay in the centre of the city makes a lot of sense as all of the top sights in the city will be within easy walking distance. Another key advantage to apartments is that they provide a space that feels like your own. Many hotels provide you with a room and little more, but with an apartment you will have a living space to chill out in as well as all the perks of a hotel stay.

Activities and parties

When the sun goes down, activities for tourists do not have to end as the city is home to more than 1,200 pubs and nightclubs and attracts some of the best musicians and DJs from around the globe. Remember, Amsterdam is a lively city with tons of activities and sight-seeing locations, so you’ll want to be sure you have the time to see everything; plan ahead and have fun!

Photo Credits: Sensation, Canals of Amsterdam

Tags: Amsterdam, Travel

Category: Travel