Amsterdam - the city of bicycles and canals

Many people associate the Dutch capital with legal drug use and a red light district, but Amsterdam is much more than that. Culture, art, science and of course the abundance of tulips and the wonderful canal system should come to mind when we want to describe this city.

When walking in Amsterdam, we constantly cross bridges, as there are 165 canals in this special city: this gives the unique atmosphere that is so typical of the Dutch capital. There are also many houseboats bobbing on the water, such homes are very common here, in addition to the high real estate prices. You can also rent them if you want, I would like to try this lifestyle someday, at least for a few months. You often see small gardens and terraces on houseboats, they really seem very comfortable.

One typical means of transportation is the boat, the other is the bicycle. Many people cycle in Amsterdam, sometimes pedestrians have to jump away from hurried and not very attentive cyclists. An interesting fact is that about 25 thousand bicycles are fished out of the Amsterdam canal system every year. I guess the bikes that are rusty from the heavy rain or damaged for other reasons are simply thrown into the water…

When choosing accommodation, I kept in mind that I would be able to get around on foot as usual, so I stayed at the centrally located and I think brilliant The Highlander. It is a relatively small boutique hotel, each floor has a different color and theme, the decoration of the rooms is also very special, and for breakfast they bake you any egg dish you want on site, or make you divine sandwiches. Dam Square is only a few minutes walk away.

Amsterdam is a place where you can, and even should, wander aimlessly. Walk along the canals or cycle like the locals. Get lost among the 16th-17th century buildings, then hop on a glass-topped boat and admire the city from a different perspective. And the port part of the Damrak is worth seeing at sunset, it has a magical atmosphere.

Amsterdam 10+1 unusual program recommendation:

Let's first look at the list of lesser-known, unconventional program options:

1. A'DAM Lookout is an unmissable program, you need to buy a ticket in advance. You will have a 360-degree panorama from the roof terrace, they also provide audio commentary about the sights, and you can have a cocktail, lunch, or dinner in the Skybar. If you are not afraid of heights, be sure to try the swing above the abyss, swinging over the edge of the roof. You can also complement the program with a VR roller coaster experience.

   
   

2. Nearby is This is Holland, where you can watch an informative show about the Netherlands for about 1 hour, and also take part in a short 5D flight experience, while seeing the sights from a bird's eye view.

3. WONDR is also worth a few hours: it's an indoor "playground" in fact, but not (only) for children, the audience is more of young adults. You can roller skate or take photos in the area called Pink Beach as if you were on some surreal tropical beach. If it's raining and you're looking for some indoor entertainment, this could be a good choice.

4. The Fabrique des Lumières is located in an old factory, and is still worth a visit if you don't want to visit museums in Amsterdam. It has immersive exhibitions, some shows are constantly changing, but be sure to check out the permanent Hollandse Meesters (Dutch Masters) show, which showcases the work of the greatest Dutch/Low German painters, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.

5. “ Ripley's Believe it or not” is a crazy interactive museum where you can spend long hours without getting bored for a minute.

   
   

6. If you want to shop in a beautiful place or just take a walk, I recommend Beurspassage .

   
   

7. It is worth taking a walk to the flamingo-filled lake in the Botanical Garden. There is also a nice café in the park, so you can sit here for a while with a delicious coffee or soft drink.

   
   

8. If you're a Heineken fan, the Heineken Experience is for you. An interactive program will teach you the history of one of the world's most famous beers, show you how it's made, and offer breathtaking views from the rooftop bar.

9. STRAAT Museum: a fantastic street art museum where workshops are also held for those interested.

10. “Drunk houses”: it is very interesting that in Amsterdam we can see residential buildings that seem to be swaying, without a single vertical, straight wall. The reason for this phenomenon may be the peaty-swampy soil and the heavy rain. Another explanation is that in the past, buildings were taxed based on the size of the facade, so people built narrow houses, which over time tilted.

+1. Cow Museum: cows of all sizes, colors, patterns, and much more. And the friendly owner will tell you everything you want to know.

Classic attractions of Amsterdam:

• Anne Frank House

• Van Gogh Museum

• Rijksmuseum

• Dam Square

• Royal Palace

• Museum Square

• NEMO (natural history museum)

• Flower market

• Beguinage

• De Gooyer Windmill

If you only try one sweet in Amsterdam, it should be the Stroopwafel. It's a wafer stuck together with syrup, comes with all sorts of decorations and toppings, and is incredibly delicious. It's best enjoyed with a hot drink.