Places to visit in Amsterdam

Jordaan is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Amsterdam because it represents the dutch way of life in the best possible manner. It is home to high-end boutiques, beautiful streets, magnificent canals, legendary restaurants and some of the most well renowned artist studios as well. The streets are decorated in a very stylistic and aesthetic manner, which are further complemented by the adjacent canals.

Seated in Amsterdam's historical center, Dam Square is a bustling gathering place for both locals and tourists. It is jam-packed with museums, the Royal Palace, food carts, restaurants, and retail establishments. An entertainment hub, hosting daily events like comedy performances, fire shows, live music, dance acts, and a variety of other events, it is always full of enthusiasm.

The city's oldest building, Oude Kerk is a center for art, culture, and heritage. Its fascinating past is woven with significant events that transformed this ancient Roman Catholic Church into a Calvinist Church. The church's stunning architecture is complemented by a rich collection of antique items, such as paintings and the four organs, which together serve as the church's primary draw for tourists.

The Begijnhofkapel (Beguinage Chapel) is a 17th-century church constructed as a secret place for meditation and prayer during the Reformation period. It contains a big picture with nine panes and stained-glass windows that convey the story of The Miracle of Amsterdam and awe visitors. It is one of the city's most valuable treasures, with significant religious and historical importance.

Situated in the city center of Amsterdam, Vondelpark is an English-style green arena that allows you to take a break from the urban life of the city and witness the luscious greenery. Spreading across an area of 111 acres, this park features a film museum, an open-air theater, a riding school, and a lake. The lining of different kinds of cafes, restaurants, and museums also makes it a year-round tourist destination.  

Rozentheater ranks among Amsterdam’s best family entertainment spaces and is a cultural hotspot hosting a diverse range of entertainment shows. Dating back to 1913, the iconic cinema theatre hosts stand-up comedy shows, dance performances, and magic shows, and offers escape room experiences and an old-world bar. Experience world-class facilities and the best of live entertainment at the three spacious theatres of Rozentheater.

Lined with lovely 17th-century buildings, cozy cafes, and stunning bridges, the canal belt offers some of the most picture-perfect sceneries you can relish and capture in Amsterdam. A boat cruise is the best way to have immersive experiences around the canal belt, allowing you to enjoy the city from a vantage point.

Visit the Diamant Museum to learn more about how diamonds are made, their history, and the craftsmanship needed to transform them into stunning pieces. The museum’s vast selection of magnificent crowns, jewelry, and other classic diamond beauties will leave you mesmerized. Activities like diamond heist and treasure hunt also help make the visit more exciting and memorable. 

The brainchild of a Merlin Entertainments company, the Amsterdam dungeon is a unique way of gathering information about the dark history of the Netherlands. There are several rides and performances that are interaction based. Their main aim is to shed some light on the archival scenes of the Plague, the medieval torture and the Rembrandt workshop. 

Witness the magical lively spirit of Amsterdam come alive at Leidseplein, the iconic nightlife, entertainment, and shopping hub of the city. Situated on the southern end of Amsterdam’s central canal ring, Leidseplein square is an unmissable tourist destination where one can find street performers, pubs, cafes, theatres, as well as the biggest international brands entertaining people from across the globe.

The Toren­sluis (Tower Lock), an arch bridge over the Singel dating back to the 17th century, is the oldest preserved bridge in Amsterdam. It is also Amsterdam’s widest and a favorite location for shutterbugs for its surrounding scenery and the statue of famed writer Multatuli. It is a great location to relax with friends, take a stroll in the evening, or have a drink.

The world’s only floating flower market awaits at Bloemen market, Amsterdam. Renowned as one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, the market floats around on houseboats on the Singel River. Witness a riot of colors and fragrances as you spot numerous varieties of flowers, garden, and house plants, plant food, pots, seeds, gardening equipment, and much more at Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt.

Muiden Castle (Muiderslot) is Netherlands' one of the most visited castles for being both an important historical relic and an architectural masterpiece. Its location at the mouth of the Vecht River also adds to its appeal. It is now a national museum that fascinates visitors with its restored 17th-century interiors and a vast collection of armor and weapons from the medieval era.

Situated in a former TV studio in Amsterdam, Nxt Museum is home to a collection of display arts that changes the ideas and perspectives of visitors with its immersive audiovisual experience. The museum consists of ten unique large-scale multi-sensory installations that diminish the differences between artistic expressions and technical possibilities. You can challenge your imagination and relish a new perspective in this beautiful digital art museum in the Netherlands.

Het Schip (The Ship), a magnificent apartment complex from the early 20th century in Amsterdam, is the best example of the School of Amsterdamse style. Today, it is the location of an architectural museum dedicated to the Amsterdamse School, which displays the origins and the best specimens of this distinctive style. The permanent interactive exhibition promises a surprising and motivating visit for visitors of all ages. 

The Portuguese Synagogue, commonly referred to as esnoga, is a spectacular Iberian-Sephardic-style structure from the 17th century located in the old Jewish district of Amsterdam. It serves as a functioning Synagogue and occasionally doubles as a location for candlelight concerts. On days when there are no services, visitors are welcome to explore this majestic esnoga and the secret treasure chambers.

Situated in Amsterdam, the Hortus Botanicus is one of the ancient botanical gardens in the world that houses a collection of over 4000 living plant species. This botanical garden is a beautiful green oasis in the city that consists of constantly changing gardens and three greenhouses with different climates and collections. It is an all-year-round tourist attraction as it offers something new in every season. 

Explore the best of modern art at Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. Designed like a massive bathtub, Stedelijk has stunning works of the best local and global modern artists. Works from modern art movements like Impressionism, unique collections of prominent artists like De Stijl, and fascinating works from European and American art trends are among the many artworks one can witness at Stedelijk.

Visit Amsterdam’s iconic Albert Cuyp Market, which is famous as the largest and most popular street market in the Netherlands. With its numerous ethnic shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes, parks, and much more, Albert Cuyp is the ultimate destination for entertainment shopping, browsing through shops, and massive bargains. Indulge in Amsterdam’s fun ambience and shop for classic Dutch delights at this century-old marketplace.

Amsterdam’s most famous and prominent river, the Amstel, flows from Aarkanaal in Nieuwveen to IJ in Amsterdam. This tourist attraction forms the base on which the city’s numerous dikes, dams, and canals are constructed. Explore Amstel with river cruises and bike rides to witness the Hermitage Museum, Royal Theatre Centre, Magere Brug, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, Ronde Hoep polder, and Defence Line of Amsterdam.

The Jewish Museum Amsterdam, comprised of the Jewish Museum & Jewish Museum junior, Portuguese Synagogue, Hollandsche Schouwburg, and National Holocaust Museum, offers an insight into Jewish life in the Netherlands. Situated in the Jewish Cultural Quarter, it is a great place to learn a comprehensive overview of the Netherlands' Jewish religion and culture over the ages through modern art, ceremonial artifacts, movies, and 3D presentations.

The National Monument, the Netherlands' most significant World War II memorial, towers an impressive 22 meters high structure in the middle of Amsterdam's Dam Square. It acts as a constant reminder of the war's horrors and human loss and is now the center of the annual Remembrance Day. It draws tourists from across the world as it symbolizes hardship, fidelity, victory, freedom, and renewed life.

Formerly known as Amsterdam ArenA, Johan Cruijff ArenA is home to the legendary Ajax football team! While the stadium was built in 1996, it was renamed the Johan Cruijff Arena in 2018, as a tribute to the famed footballer Johan Cruyff.

A medieval picturesque architectural classic awaits in Amsterdam’s countryside as you visit the De Riekermolen Windmill. Dating back to the seventeenth century, the still-functional windmill is one of the popular attractions along the iconic Amstel River. Surrounded by greenery, the windmill is reminiscent of period dramas and has a stunning statue of Rembrandt nearby, which celebrates the sketches he made here.

Rademakers Gallery, one of the most upscale attractions in Amsterdam, showcases enthralling fusions of various artistic disciplines through its exhibits. The museum features works by internationally renowned artists, including Studio Job, Jimmy Nelson, Carli Hermès, and Cathalijn Wouters, as well as emerging artists. The gallery focuses primarily on female artists and sustainability and is a haven for anybody who loves and lives art.

Witness a mind-blowing Amsterdam spectacle as you watch its fifteen bridges together from the Bridge of 15 Bridges. Popular as one of Amsterdam’s most romantic locations, the bridge has six bridges across the Reguliersgracht, six down the Herengracht, and two more on the left as you stand with your back to Thorbeckeplein. Walk or sail down to the iconic bridge during your Amsterdam tours.

A beautiful tourist attraction of Amsterdam, the Munttoren is a medieval-era tower that once was a part of the old city walls. Situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Amsterdam’s Canal Ring, the Mint Tower as it is commonly known, underwent renovation in the seventeenth-century Amsterdam Renaissance style. Today, the tower has 38 bells that chime every fifteen minutes and attract tourists.

Indulge in a never-seen-before aviation experience at the Aviodrome Aviation Theme Park of Lelystad near Amsterdam. Renowned as one of the best family destinations near Amsterdam, the park is actually a museum that traces the fascinating history of aviation. Explore a mind-blowing collection of aircrafts and space shuttles that range from the first wooden biplane to the modern Boeing 747 at Aviodrome.

If you wish to spend some peaceful time in the lap of nature in Amsterdam, then the Amsterdamse Bos would be a perfect fit for you. It is located on the outskirts of the city and is renowned for offering tranquillity and calm. Apart from brisk walking on the unpaved paths, you can also indulge in a wellness spa, or explore the adjoining goat farm.

Python Bridge (High Bridge), one of Amsterdam's most famous engineering marvels, is well worth a visit for its grandeur and surrounding beauty. It crosses a 90-meter-long waterway that connects Borneo Island with the Sporenburg peninsula. Installed in 2001, the bridge resembles a massive, winding red python and won the International Footbridge Award the following year, making it a popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam.

The De Poezenboot (Catboat) is Amsterdam's only sanctuary that offers shelter for stray and abandoned cats in a houseboat. A haven for feline lovers, the sanctuary floats on the picturesque Amsterdam canal and entices guests with its serene appeal. Visitors are welcome to play with and adopt kitties from this modern cat sanctuary and donate for the good cause.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ is a renowned brewery famous for its signature home-brewed beers. The brewery has a terrace where you can savor a delicious beer with cheese and quick bites, making it an ideal destination for locals and visitors to spend some lovely moments. With guided tours, it allows you to learn about its history and brewing process. 

Rem Eiland Restaurant offers amazing dining and drinking experiences with breathtaking views in the heart of the Amsterdam Houthavens. With excellent hospitality, delicious meals, innovative cocktails, fine wines, and personalized service, it promises a memorable break from the city's hustle and bustle. Visit REM with your loved ones or friends to have some cherishable moments while enjoying scenery and meals.