Amsterdam is one of those must-visit cities that I have somehow not yet visited.  This guest post by ProntoHotel provides a quick and easy profile of the city with basic information to plan a trip or at least inspire you to put Amsterdam on your travel list.

Amsterdam City Profile

Amsterdam is a wonderful city that brings travelers to their knees with its beauty, art, and fun-loving culture.  No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s plenty to do in the capital of The Netherlands, from world-class art museums to beer factories, canal tours to tiptoeing through the tulips.  And then, of course, there are some of the more risqué reasons people flock to Amsterdam.  You know the ones.  Here are some of the highlights of and things to know about Amsterdam.

Getting There (and Around) Town

Amsterdam is serviced by the Schiphol International Airport as well as frequent train service to the Centraal Train Station.  The one million residents who call Amsterdam home are world-renowned for riding their bicycles everywhere, and you can get in on the tradition by renting a bike from one of the many bike shops around the city.

Alternative transportation options include tram, metro, and bus service.

Museums

Amsterdam is chock-full of museums of all kinds.  After all, it was the home of some of the most innovative and industry-changing artists, including Rembrandt and Van Gogh.  As a result, the city’s 50 museums are top-notch, featuring original, rare works by some of the Dutch greats.

Amsterdam’s must-see art museums include the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum.  Another fantastic museum in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, which doesn’t showcase art, but instead gives a haunting glimpse of what it was like living in Amsterdam during the Nazi regime of World War II.

Canals

Dubbed the Venice of the North, Amsterdam is scattered with 100 kilometers of man-made canals, and taking a boat tour along them is an Amsterdam must.  Other great ways to experience the canals is to go for a bike ride, crossing over some of the 1500 bridges that span the waterways, or to rent a houseboat instead of a traditional Amsterdam hotel.  Living on the water will be an experience you’ll never forget!

Parks and Plazas

 

One of the best parts of Amsterdam is its open spaces, and locals love to take advantage of them!  Vondelparkis 120 acres of grass, ponds, and pathways, in addition to being the host of a film museum, an open-air theater, and endless summer activities.  As far as plazas go, Dam Square is the most popular as it is bordered by the royal palace and is where you’ll find big celebrations throughout the year.

Nightlife

Among the many things for which Amsterdam is known, chief among them is nightlife.  With a thriving club scene, Amsterdam has all-night parties where people dance the night away.  The prime nightlife areas include Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, so if you’re looking to partake in late nights, you may want to find a hotel in Amsterdam nearby.

The Tempting Stuff

Of course, no comprehensive list about Amsterdam would be complete without mentioning two of the things that many people—especially young ones—visit the city for: the Red Light District and marijuana.  The former is a section of town filled with adult-themed shops, strip clubs, and the city’s famous window girls.  While the Red Light District isn’t for the faint at heart, it is worth a walk through—and don’t worry about security, you’ll feel plenty safe as you see couples and groups of girls strolling through as well.

While Amsterdam doesn’t exactly authorize the use of marijuana and other drugs, they don’t put the kibosh on it all together either.  Coffee shops around the city sell various types of marijuana, mushrooms, and other recreational drugs—just use your common sense if you choose to partake.

Hotels in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is full of a variety of hotels spanning every budget and taste—from the budget-strapped college students looking for a weekend of fun to art connoisseurs in town for a gala.  Some of the best Amsterdam hotels include:

• Hotel CC (3-star)
• Canal House (4-star)
• Grand Hotel Amrath (5-star)

 

 Have you visited Amsterdam?  What was your favorite thing to do or see in the city?