Discover Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, is located in the northern part of the country. Its main feature is the net of canals and bridges crossing and surrounding the city. While in the past these canals were used for commercial and postal traffics, to and from the city, today they are a great tourist attraction. The Canals of Amsterdam received UNESCO world heritage status in 2010.

What To See In Amsterdam

The capital of the Netherlands has a great cultural heritage. The network of canals is not the only attraction of the city, even if it is undoubtedly at the top of the things to see in Amsterdam. As a matter of facts, many historic palaces, churches and monuments overlooking the main canals are worth a visit.
Art lovers will appreciate the richness of the works exhibited in museums. Two of them should not be missed at all: the  Van Gogh Museum, entirely dedicated to the famous Flemish Artist, and theRijksmuseum, the public museum with works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
When answering the question "what to see in Amsterdam?" you should never miss Dam Square and the Nieuwe Kerk. The square may be well considered the real centre of the city, with the cathedral and the royal palace. It is often the scene of events and meetings of various kind. Other interesting places in Amsterdam areAnna Frank’s house and the  Westerkerk, the protestant church whose bell tower is the highest point of the city.

Suggested Hotels in Amsterdam

Among the best hotels in Amsterdam are:

- Hotel A&O Amsterdam Zuidoost – 2 stars
- Hotel Best Western PremierCouture – 4 stars
- Amstel Botel – 3 stars
- Hotel Room Mate Aitana – 4 stars

When Best To Visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a continental climate. Although temperatures are not excessively cold (except a few, exceptional cases, temperatures rarely drops below -5°C / 23ºF). The best seasons to visit Amsterdam are spring and summer. During those months temperatures are mild and it’s never too hot. Rain is mainly concentrated in autumn and winter, and therefore travelling between April and September generally guarantees a nice weather and good temperatures.

Among the best times to visit Amsterdam it is worth to consider the tulip season. The typical symbol of Holland opens in early spring, at the beginning of April, making the Dutch countryside a charming canvas full of colours. During the blossom weeks, if you cannot travel across the countryside, you can see them at the Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market in Amsterdam.

How to reach the City

The best way to reach Amsterdam is by airplane. The Amsterdam-Schiphol airport is about 20 km (12.42 miles) South West the city centre. Trains and buses connect the airport with the city centre. The airport train station is located below the airport. To reach the airport, a good alternative to the train is the bus. The journey is a little longer (about half an hour), but it offers a nice view of some of the most interesting parts of the city.

How To Move in Amsterdam

Dutch people generally travel by bicycle. If you want to experience a holiday living like the locals, you can rent one and move around the city with it. You can find many rental points around the city and most of the time hotels directly rent bicycles. The fee for a daily rental is about 10-15 Euros, allowing you to freely move throughout the day. A guide, available in all tourist info points, provides a list of the cycle lanes and the rules to follow.
If you prefer a faster way to move, you can rely on buses, trams or underground. Means of transportations are very quick and the public transportation system is one of the most efficient in Europe. The waterways are also worth being considered: a boat tour among the city main canals is an attraction that is really hard to resist. Amsterdam’s historical centre is very small and can be easily enjoyed on foot. Walking along the small streets of the centre and crossing the bridges while discovering the city symbols is a very pleasant and relaxing promenade.