hotels4u amsterdam travel guide

7/31/2019 Hotels4U Amsterdam Travel Guide

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AT A GLANCE

Amsterdam is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe.

It is visited by millions of tourists every year in search of fine

art, unique evening entertainment and pretty tulips. The

numerous canals - 165 in total - that run through the city

make it a romantic and picturesque place to visit, while there

are also a wide range of attractions and museums to keep

culture-vultures happy.

WHEN TO GO

Amsterdam is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year, but the cheapest hotel deals can be found

between late October and early March (with the exception of Christmas). If you want to explore

Amsterdam whilst the weather is still pleasant, visit between April and September for longer days

and higher temperatures, although expect the city to be busier with tourists.

Weather

Spring: Days start to become longer and although its still quitecool, its a beautiful time of year to get outside and explore thecolourful flowers and trees around the city.

Summer: As the busiest time of year, summer in Amsterdamoffers an average of 16 hours of sunshine between sunrise and

sunset.

Autumn: Although temperatures begin to drop at the beginning of September, its still awonderful time to visit. Be aware of the unpredictable weather though.

Winter: Amsterdam is at its coldest, darkest and wettest between December and February;however there are plenty of places to stay indoors and enjoy the cosy surroundings.

Image: Sunshine in Amsterdam by Tambako the Jaguar on Flickr

THINGS TO DO

There really is something for everyone in Amsterdam,from

culture and romantic strolls to cycling and partying. Nightlife

in Amsterdam is a vibrant mix of bars and clubs, while there

are also plenty of day trips available for anyone who wants

to venture outside of the city.


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Attractions

Canals: Wherever you look in Amsterdam, you wont be

far away from one of the many of canals that run through

the city

Rijksmuseum: Featuring the works of famous artists such

as Rembrandt and Vermeer, this is the National Art

Museum of the Netherlands

Anne Frank House: This museum allows visitors to take a look at the secret annex where Anne Frank

hid during World War II and composed her famous diary

Floating Flower Market:An array of fresh flowers including Amsterdams famous tulips can be found

floating on the Singel Canal

Van Gogh Museum:This museum is home to the worlds

largest collection of works by Van Gogh, shown in

chronological order

Red Light District: As well as adult entertainment and

plenty of live shows, this area also offers many historic

houses

Madame Tussauds: Home to a number of famous faces

from the world of music, sport, film and much more, all made out of wax

Dam Square:The citys town square with many events taking place there that makes it one of the

most important places in the city

Nightlife

Whether youre looking for a few quiet drinks or to party the night away, Amsterdam has a diverse

mix of night time entertainment. The city is just as popular with couples as it is for stag and hen

parties, with its wide selection of bars, clubs, cafs and restaurants, while there is always the Red

Light District if youre looking for something a little different.

Leidseplein: One of the major nightlife areas in the city with an array of bars and clubs Rembrandtplein: A vibrant area that attracts a young crowd with its clubs, bars and cafes Red Light District: A unique night time experience with live adult-themed shows Spuistraat: Home to a variety of live music venues and alternative bars such as Bitterzoet Jordaan: A trendy area with many cosy cafs and stylish bars

Day Trips From Amsterdam:

The majority of people visit Amsterdam on a weekend break or for two or three days during the

week. There is always something to see and do in the city but anyone with a little extra time on their

hands will be able to leave the city behind for a day to discover a whole lot more from churches -

including the tallest in the Netherlands - to museums that take a look at everything from nautical

artefacts to modern art.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdamhttp://www.rijksmuseum.nl/http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/http://www.annefrank.org/http://www.annefrank.org/http://www.holland.com/uk/tourism/article/floating-flower-market.htmhttp://www.holland.com/uk/tourism/article/floating-flower-market.htmhttp://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsphttp://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsphttp://red-light-district-amsterdam.com/http://red-light-district-amsterdam.com/http://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/http://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam_Squarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam_Squarehttp://www.amsterdam.info/leidseplein-nightlife/http://www.amsterdam.info/leidseplein-nightlife/http://www.amsterdamsights.com/nightlife/rembrandtplein.htmlhttp://www.amsterdamsights.com/nightlife/rembrandtplein.htmlhttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/amsterdam/0043024448.htmlhttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/amsterdam/0043024448.htmlhttp://www.partyearth.com/amsterdam/nieuwe-zijds-5/http://www.partyearth.com/amsterdam/nieuwe-zijds-5/http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/nightlife-nam_loc:590441.htmlhttp://www.fodors.com/world/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/nightlife-nam_loc:590441.htmlhttp://www.fodors.com/world/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/nightlife-nam_loc:590441.htmlhttp://www.partyearth.com/amsterdam/nieuwe-zijds-5/http://www.frommers.com/destinations/amsterdam/0043024448.htmlhttp://www.amsterdamsights.com/nightlife/rembrandtplein.htmlhttp://www.amsterdam.info/leidseplein-nightlife/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam_Squarehttp://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/http://red-light-district-amsterdam.com/http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsphttp://www.holland.com/uk/tourism/article/floating-flower-market.htmhttp://www.annefrank.org/http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdam


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Delft:Visitors will be able to explore a mini Amsterdam in Delft, which

is famous for its blue and white pottery, as well as the various churches

there such as the Oude Kerk and the Nieuwe Kerk.

Travel Time: 1 hour

Utrecht: Like Amsterdam, this university town is home to various

canals that have a lower level on the water, while the iconic Dom

Church (standing at 399 feet tall) is well-worth checking out.

Travel Time: 30 minutes

Rotterdam: Home to one of Europes largest ports and the iconic

Erasmus Bridge, Rotterdam also has a wide range of shopping facilitiesin the city centre that are full of designer brands.

Travel Time: 1 hour

Den Haag: The unusual skyline of the city makes this a more

unusual day trip, while the Peace Palace that holds the

International Court of Justice and various museums are some of its

most popular attractions.

Travel Time: 1 hour

Images: Amsterdam Canal by Eoghan OLionnain / Rijksmuseum by Ted Drake / Van Gogh Museum by Ewen Roberts / Delft by Salim Virji /

Dom Church in Utrecht by tothalvadi on Flickr / Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam by Daneila Nedelkova / Den Haag by Roel Wijnants

SHOPPING

From trendy boutiques to second hand bargains, Amsterdam

offers an eclectic mix of shopping facilities to suit all. The city

is without doubt, the shopping capital of the Netherlands

making it a shoppers dream with its many shops selling

everything imaginable, as well as a wide selection of open-airmarkets that are the perfect place to grab a bargain or two.

Shopping Areas:

The Nine Streets(De Negan Straatjes): A diverse mix of stores in scenic surroundings Museum Quarter: Home to many luxurious brands from Gucci to Chanel De Jordaan: A maze of tiny streets full of hidden treasures and second hand stores Kalverstraat: A pedestrian-only street, home to a variety of big name clothing stores

Shopping Centres:

Bijenkorf:Amsterdams biggest shopping centre with an upmarket clientele Magna Plaza: A smaller shopping centre, home to major fashion brands on three floors
http://www.delft.nl/delften/http://www.delft.nl/delften/http://www.visit-utrecht.com/enhttp://www.visit-utrecht.com/enhttp://www.cityguiderotterdam.com/http://www.cityguiderotterdam.com/http://www.denhaag.nl/en.htmhttp://www.denhaag.nl/en.htmhttp://www.theninestreets.com/http://www.theninestreets.com/http://www.mydestination.com/amsterdam/shopping/25799-53224/museum-quarterhttp://www.mydestination.com/amsterdam/shopping/25799-53224/museum-quarterhttp://www.21stcenturyamsterdam.com/jordaan.htmlhttp://www.21stcenturyamsterdam.com/jordaan.htmlhttp://www.kalverstraat.nl/index-en.htmlhttp://www.kalverstraat.nl/index-en.htmlhttp://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bijenkorf/http://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bijenkorf/http://www.magnaplaza.nl/enhttp://www.magnaplaza.nl/enhttp://www.magnaplaza.nl/enhttp://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bijenkorf/http://www.kalverstraat.nl/index-en.htmlhttp://www.21stcenturyamsterdam.com/jordaan.htmlhttp://www.mydestination.com/amsterdam/shopping/25799-53224/museum-quarterhttp://www.theninestreets.com/http://www.denhaag.nl/en.htmhttp://www.cityguiderotterdam.com/http://www.visit-utrecht.com/enhttp://www.delft.nl/delften/


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Kalvertoren: An all-round shopping experience with everything from watches to cosmetics Bonneterie: Various designer brands feature in this old fashioned luxury store

Markets:

Waterlooplein Flea Market: The largest flea market in Amsterdam with a wide variety of goods Albert Cuyp Market: An open-air street market with a fun and vibrant atmosphere Noordermarkt Flea Market: Stalls feature everything from fabrics to antique goods

Image: Waterlooplein Flea Market by Incase on Flickr

FOOD & DRINK

There are a huge number of restaurants in Amsterdam that

combine a myriad of cultures from the people living in the city.

Visitors will be able to walk along the same road and choose to

eat a range of different cuisine from around the world. For some

authentic fare, sample some Dutch cheese including Gouda andEdam; most cafs having cheese and bread on the menu.

Alternatively, youll be able to try other foods such as

stroopwafels - a Dutch cookie for those with a sweet tooth,

Dutch pancakes known as pannekoeken, and if youre ordering

chips, theyre likely to come with a huge dollop of mayonnaise on top.

Popular Amsterdam Hotspots:

Centraal Station: The most popular area for tourists in this busy street known as the Damrak

Nieuwmarkt: Home to a huge variety of restaurants, as well as the hustle and bustle of Chinatown

Leidseplein: One of the best eating areas in Europe teeming with hundreds of restaurantsRembrandtplein: Mainly bars and clubs but also has a range of stylish restaurants

Image: Amsterdam Cheese by acroll on F lickr

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

Amsterdam truly is one of the most unique cities in Europe with its laidback and cosmopolitan

lifestyle. The Dutch are famous for being quite open about things such as sex and drugs; however

they still like to keep their personal lives private. Although the majority of Amsterdammers speak

excellent English, its always a good idea to learn a bit of the lingo before visiting, while there are

also a few things to remember in order to get the most out of your time here.

Useful Phrases

Do you speak English? - Spreekt u Engels? Thank you - Dank u / Dank je Where is the Red Light District? - Waar is de wallen?

Dos and Donts

DO greet bartenders and shop owners with a smile and a friendly hello DONT walk in the cycle lanes DONT smoke tobacco inside, as like in the UK its illegal
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-netherlands/amsterdam/shopping/shopping-centre/kalvertoren-shopping-centrehttp://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-netherlands/amsterdam/shopping/shopping-centre/kalvertoren-shopping-centrehttp://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bonneterie/http://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bonneterie/http://www.waterloopleinmarkt.nl/http://www.waterloopleinmarkt.nl/http://www.albertcuypmarkt.nl/ac_english.htmlhttp://www.albertcuypmarkt.nl/ac_english.htmlhttp://www.amsterdamsights.com/shopping/noordermarkt.htmlhttp://www.amsterdamsights.com/shopping/noordermarkt.htmlhttp://www.amsterdamsights.com/shopping/noordermarkt.htmlhttp://www.albertcuypmarkt.nl/ac_english.htmlhttp://www.waterloopleinmarkt.nl/http://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/bonneterie/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-netherlands/amsterdam/shopping/shopping-centre/kalvertoren-shopping-centre


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DONT take photographs in the Red Light District as this is very much frowned upon DO hire a bicycle for the day to get around the city DONT drink alcohol on the streets as this is illegal DO learn the difference between a coffee house and a coffee shop

TippingA service charge of around 10-15% is usually added in restaurants; however it is normal to tip an

extra 5% on top of this. Of course if youre dining with a local, dont be afraid to split the bill and go

Dutch.

Image: Coffee Shop in Amsterdam by Terrazzo

TRANSPORT

Many of the major attractions in Amsterdam can be found in the city centre so you can easily walk

from one place to another in the same day. If youre looking to explore even more of the city at a

faster pace though, cycling is a great way to get around, while there is also an excellent publictransport system with trams, buses and the metro system.

Getting Around

Buses: A variety of bus routes are available that areprimarily used to reach the outskirts of the city

Metro: Useful if you want to travel outside of the city Cycling: The most popular way to get around

Amsterdam is by bicycle and there are in fact more

bicycles than residents here

Trams: A great way to get around the city, runningregularly until 12:15am every day

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: The countrys main international airport and is just 20 minutessouthwest of the city

Fare Information

GVBis Amsterdams public transport system and includes the metro, buses and trams If you plan to travel on public transport a lot in one day, aGVB day cardentitles you to

unlimited travel and costs 7.50

A number of cycle hire companies offer deals from as little as 8 a day Image: Amsterdam Cycles by Redjar on Flickr

HEALTH & SAFETY

British Embassy in the Netherlands- UK in the Netherlands

Emergency number: 112
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transporthttp://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transporthttp://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Amsterdamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Amsterdamhttp://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://www.schiphol.nl/index_en.htmlhttp://www.schiphol.nl/index_en.htmlhttp://www.gvb.nl/http://www.gvb.nl/http://en.gvb.nl/service_en_verkoop/reisproducten/Pages/Dagkaarten.aspxhttp://en.gvb.nl/service_en_verkoop/reisproducten/Pages/Dagkaarten.aspxhttp://en.gvb.nl/service_en_verkoop/reisproducten/Pages/Dagkaarten.aspxhttp://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/http://ukinnl.fco.gov.uk/en/http://en.gvb.nl/service_en_verkoop/reisproducten/Pages/Dagkaarten.aspxhttp://www.gvb.nl/http://www.schiphol.nl/index_en.htmlhttp://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Amsterdamhttp://www.amsterdam.info/transport/metro/http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transport

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