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Indeed, any road you turn onto once you step out of the station will take you to the prime tourist area, a pool of ‘coffee shops’, canals, and clog peddlers; marijuana t-shirts and Heineken merchandise; flower-stalls, model windmills, and all things Rembrandt or Van Gogh.
Whilst this synthesis of all things stereotypically Dutch may sound like rather a clichéd introduction to the city, it is an animated area of the city to step into upon arrival, and will get you into the mood for visiting all of the city’s treasures.
The Canals. It is hard not to go for a walk along the canals in Amsterdam; anywhere you might want to go will be next to a canal. But the canals themselves are worth some attention, and taking a stroll down to the south of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the central-station area is recommended. There are endless bars and cafés along the embankments of the canals, and sitting in the sun, sipping a beer, admiring the unique architecture that you are surrounded by is a worthy pursuit in Amsterdam.
The Sex Museum. Maybe not for a family trip, but if you’re there with friends this makes for an amusing hour. The museum looks into the history of “sensual love” and boasts exhibits such as a 40cm Roman stone phallus, medieval chastity belts, and grotesque, early, erotic photos. There are also comical exhibits such as the life-sized mechanical flasher, and the condom pump. At 3 Euros, it’s the cheapest museum in the city, and one of the most entertaining. There’s no gift shop – but perhaps it’s not the best place to be buying postcards for your granny anyway.
The Red Light District. It’s impossible to describe the experience of the Red Light District. Women in less-than-underwear beckoning you towards them from behind glass panels is one aspect of it, but seeing people seduced by this beckoning reminds you of the other side of the experience. It’s a thought-provoking thing to see if nothing else.
Anne Frank’s House. It must not be forgotten that Amsterdam was occupied during the war. The house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the war, before their whereabouts was betrayed, has been converted into a museum. You can visit the rooms where the family hid, see a model of the house as it was laid out when they lived there, and see Anne Frank’s original diary. The walls of the house are printed with quotations from her diary, and the experience of being surrounded by words which describe how she was feeling whilst sitting in the room you are standing in on a particular day during the war is haunting. It is easy to get carried away in Amsterdam by the liberal nature of the city, or by its artistic heritage, but Anne Frank’s house is a very moving place to visit.
Albert Cuyp Market: This market sells all sorts; cloths, shoes, cheese and chocolate. There are also stalls which sell traditional Dutch food-stuffs, so if you’re feeling brave, then raw-herring with pickles are available here. If you’re feeling less brave then Dutch waffles with chocolate are also available.
If you are tiring of herring and waffles, then the city also boasts fantastic Indonesian food. Holland’s colonial connections to Indonesia make for some authentic South East Asian cuisine in the capital.
If it’s just a coffee you fancy, beware. “Coffeeshop” does not mean Starbucks in Holland, and if you ask for directions to a “coffee shop”, you’ll get a pot shop. If, however, you would actually like to sample the independent coffee (as in the beverage) shop scene of Amsterdam, then a visit to Taart van m´n Tante is a must. Just beside the Albert Cuyp Market, this establishment sells all manner of coffees and teas, but its pièce de résistance is the cakes. Each table is decorated with a model cake, and the food menu is comprised entirely of cake. Even if you don’t want cake, pay this place a visit, and soak up the wacky décor; if Evil Eye teamed up with Cath Kidston, this would be the result.
It’s easy to get the train from Amsterdam to nearby towns and other Dutch cities, and the train prices are reasonable. A trip to the historic town of Leiden, just south of Amsterdam is a lovely day trip, and indeed, if it’s nice weather then a trip to the beach is easy to arrange.
Amsterdam has something for everyone. It’s a 50 minute flight away – closer than London time wise! – and once you’re there you won’t be bored for a minute.
I've just been to Amsterdam and it's great fun. As most tourists I went to the red light district. To prepare myself I found a lot of useful information here: http://amsterdam-red-light-district.info/ The area is smal but exciting. Boy, are these girl gorgeous.
Rumour has it that RAG might be doing a hitch to Amsterdam this term. It's a great city + you get to go there and raise money for charity. Everyone wins.
Rumour has it Samuel Houlders is running for YUSU President. My auntie's second cousin overheard him in Greggs saying "I'm going to wipe the floor with both Lango and Ngwena".
You heard it here first.
I suggest visiting the zoo. The world's 3rd largest, and the oldest on mainland europe! Not to mention extremely entertaining when under certain influences.
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