The Amsterdam Botanical Garden is considered to be one of the oldest and largest in Europe. It was founded in 1638 and today has about 6,000 species of plants and trees.

Orthus Botanicus is famous for its greenhouses, each of which accurately recreates certain climatic conditions. So, in the local "tropics" it is very humid, where you can look at exotic creepers and luxurious orchids. And in the "subtropical" greenhouse there is a bridge from which you can admire the ferns and flowering fruit trees. The territory of the garden is huge - if you get tired of studying rare plants, go to the cafe on the territory for a break.

The address: Plantage Middenlaan, 2a
Website: dehortus.nl
Wiki: amsterdam botanical garden
Working mode: daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (on holidays - special opening hours, in addition, the park is closed on January 1 and December 25).

2. Museum of hashish, marijuana and hemp

Recently, the sale of light drugs has been limited in Holland: no more than 5 grams per hand, you can not advertise and sell to minors. And from January 1, 2013 - a complete ban on the sale of hashish and marijuana to foreign citizens.

But no one forbids tourists to go to museums, even specific ones. Moreover, the Amsterdam exposition of hashish, marijuana and hemp has a noble educational mission. The museum tells about the types and varieties of these plants, how they are cultivated, their medicinal properties, as well as the history of their use in various cultures and industries (our grandmothers, for example, wore hemp clothes).

The cost of visiting is 9 euros. Tasting of exhibits is not provided.

The address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 148
Website: hashmuseum.com
Working mode: daily from 10:00 to 23:00

3. The Pancake Bakery

The taste of Holland is the famous Amsterdam herring, kibbeling, croquettes and bitterballs. But you won't understand anything about Dutch cuisine unless you try pannenkokens. These are pancakes with all kinds of fillings - meat, cheese, fruits, chocolate, etc. But, unlike Russian pancakes, the filling is not wrapped in pannenkokens, but is superimposed on top, as for pizza.

The best pannenkokens in Amsterdam are served at The Pancake Bakery, not far from the Anne Frank Museum. The menu of this establishment has 75 types (!) of national Dutch pancakes. At the same time, the prices “do not bite” - 5.95 euros for a large portion.

The address: Prinsengracht 191, 1015 DS
Website: pancake.nl
Working mode: daily from 12:00 to 21:30

In the very heart of Amsterdam, in the cobblestones of one of its streets, there is another unusual attraction - a monument to the female breast. The bronze composition, which is a magnificent female breast lying in a male palm, symbolizes Yin and Yang. The chest is a symbol of humility and femininity, and the palm is a symbol of firmness and male power. At the same time, the hand is chained to the girl's body with chains, which means the codependency of female attractiveness and male power. True, most tourists do not dig so deeply, for them the message of the sculpture is obvious, because it is located in the Red Light District.

Many urban legends are associated with this monument. According to one of them (the most beautiful), a young man and a girl once lived in Amsterdam, madly in love with each other. But the happiness of the young couple did not last long - the war separated them. The guy went to the front and lost his sight, and the girl became a prostitute because of poverty. Returning home, the guy was walking through the streets of his native city, when suddenly someone called out to him. This was one of the priestesses of love. Touching her chest, the young man recognized his beloved.

In addition to legends, the monument is covered with signs. For example, men who stand on a bronze chest are guaranteed male longevity, and those who stroke it are guaranteed many sexual victories.

The address: Prostitutiegebied, in de buurt van de Oude Kerk

Monument to the female breast in Amsterdam

5. NEMO Science Center

Where does lightning come from? Why do earthquakes happen? How do planes fly? Children always have a million questions, and adults do not know the answers to all of them. To satisfy the curiosity of "why" (and your own), head to the NEMO Science Center.

This is a unique museum dedicated to science and technology. Its peculiarity is that the “Do not touch” rule does not apply there. On the contrary, it is recommended to pick up the exhibits, twist, shake, press buttons - children should comprehend the world from personal experience.

The center building, reminiscent of a ship's stern, was designed by Renzo Piano. The architect deliberately “exposed” ventilation pipes and other functional elements, as this is in good agreement with the concept of the museum. There is an observation deck on the roof of NEMO, which offers a wonderful view of Amsterdam.

The address: Oosterdok, 2
Website: e-nemo.nl
Wiki: NEMO Museum
Working mode: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00

6. Tattoo Museum

The Tattoo Museum is a relatively new institution in Amsterdam. It was founded by Henk Schiffmacher in 2011. As a tattoo artist, Henk has been collecting tattoo-related artifacts for many years. As a result, so many things accumulated that the artist decided to open a museum.

And it really needs to be seen! Tattoo machines, needles, photographs, paintings and even a piece of real tattooed skin of a Boston sailor - more than 40 thousand exhibits in total.

The address: Plantage Middenlaan 62 1018 DH
Website: tattoomuseum.wordpress.com
Working mode: daily from 10:00 to 19:00

7. Coster Diamonds Diamond Factory

Everyone knows that Amsterdam is a city of flowers, but few know that it is also a city of diamonds. However, in the capital of the Netherlands there are several factories for cutting the hardest minerals on Earth, and one of the oldest is called Coster Diamonds.

It was there that in 1852 the famous Kohinoor diamond, which is part of the treasures of the British crown and stored in the Tower of London, was recut. After this cut, the diamond became pure white and "lost weight" from 191 to 108.9 carats.

"Konkhinur" is not the only jewelry masterpiece created within the walls of Coster Diamonds. What other diamonds turned into diamonds there will tell you on free tour, which, in addition to the theoretical part, also includes various master classes - you can try yourself as a grinder or cutter.

The address: Paulus Potterstraat, 2-6
Website: costerdiamonds.com
Virtual tour
Working mode: daily from 9:00 to 17:00

8. Python Bridge

Officially, this bridge connecting the Sporenburg peninsula with the island of Borneo is called Pythonbrug. But it's big, red, and curved like a snake, which is why tourists call it "Python."

A serpentine pedestrian crossing was built in Venice of the North in 2001. The project was developed and implemented by West 8, which used steel as the main material - it is light and ductile, which allows you to create bizarre designs. The length of this one is almost 100 meters. The bridge is also decorated with 2,000 light bulbs, making it especially beautiful at night.

The address: Pythonbrug, 1019 Zeeburg

9. Sex Museum

Amsterdam is a city of tolerance. Here, they treat with understanding any manifestations of sexuality and believe that carnal Love is worthy of a separate museum.

The Museum of Sex, or rather the Temple of Venus (as its owners prefer to call it) was opened in 1985. For almost 30 years, a solid collection of exhibits has been collected: from the statue of the Goddess of Love, meeting visitors at the entrance, to Marilyn Monroe with her skirt raised by the wind.

The Sex Museum is located near the famous Red Light District in an old building of the 17th century. At the same time, the exhibits are exhibited in its back and front parts, as well as on the stairs connecting these rooms - it turns out a kind of frank labyrinth.

If you are over 16, then be sure to visit this exhibition (ticket price is 4 euros) and take a picture with extravagant exhibits (you give Ava against the backdrop of a huge erect phallus! ;)).

The address: Damrak, 18
Website: sexmuseumamsterdam.nl
Working mode: daily from 9:30 to 23:30

10 Bob's Youth Hostel

Bob's Youth Hostel is one of the best hostels in Amsterdam, what young people need when traveling in Europe. The walls of the rooms are painted by local and visiting artists, which creates a special atmosphere.

For 18-23 euros you will get a bed, clean linen, breakfast and a left-luggage office. A bar is open from 8 am to 3 am, selling fairly cheap beer. In addition, the hostel does not have a "curfew", but only persons over 18 years of age can be accommodated.

The address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, 92
Website: bobsyouthhostel.nl

11. Art Plain Spey

Every Sunday, 25 professional artists gather at Amsterdam's small Speuil. On street stalls, to the sound of a live violin or harp, they present their paintings (less often, sculptures and crafts). The next weekend, other artists will take their place to show the world their art (there are about 60 artists traded on the market who are members of the same creative association and replace each other).

Art Plain Spey is both a gallery (you can just wander between the rows and admire the paintings) and a marketplace. There you can buy works by contemporary Dutch artists, and much cheaper than in the gallery, which usually requires a commission - 50% of the cost of the picture.

The address: Spui Plein, 1012 WZ Amsterdam
Website: artplein-spui.nl
Working mode: Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00 (closed in winter)

12. Restaurant De Kas

De Kas is a unique bio-restaurant that offers its visitors only the freshest products, literally just picked from the garden. After all, De Kas is a restaurant located in a greenhouse.

In 1926, a greenhouse was built in Frankendael Park, where they were going to grow fruits and vegetables for local social institutions. However, soon the need for this disappeared, and the greenhouse fell into disrepair. Until in 2000, the enterprising Gert Jan Hagemann bought the building (for 1 euro!) and opened an unusual gastronomic establishment.

The biorestaurant is surrounded by garden beds, where fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers ripen all year round, which later end up on the plates of visitors. But do not think that meat lovers have nothing to do in De Kas - the menu is not only vegetarian dishes (meat is supplied by a nearby farming). So in this place you can taste the best dishes of Dutch cuisine (De Kas is Michelin starred). At the same time, a bio-dinner for one will cost about 50 euros, and a lunch for two - 75.

The address: Leidseplein

Monument "Don't drink the bough you're sitting on"

In 1956 another Project 611 Zulu-class submarine B-80 was built in Riga. Her combat equipment included 22 torpedoes and 36 mines. And in 1991, the B-80 submarine was bought by Dutch businessmen and arrived at the port of den Helder, where it turned into a floating cafe.

Then, in 2002, the Amsterdam architect Mikel Naidam bought the submarine and transported it to the capital's port. Naidam planned to make a conference room out of the B-80, but the idea failed. As a result, the Soviet submarine was resold several times, but new and new owners could not find a worthy use for it. Currently, the boat is idle for the most part, only occasionally private parties are held in its compartments.

The address: NDSM Amsterdam

Submarine B-80 in the port of Amsterdam

These are just some of the unusual attractions in Amsterdam. Please add to this list in the comments. What do you remember about Venice of the North?

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Amsterdam - unusual city, which combines different aspects. This is the museum open sky with an old building dating back several hundred years, and a city of artists and numerous museums dedicated to them, a city of idyllic canals and a city of flowers, especially tulips. In a word, Amsterdam is surprisingly diverse, so that tourists who come here have places to go and things to see.

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as well as one of the most important ports on the European continent. Amsterdam is located in the north-west of the country at the mouth of the Amstel River on the coast of the artificial lake IJsselmeer, separated from the North Sea by a dam. It is to her that the city owes its existence, because Amsterdam is located below sea level by as much as 2 meters.

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands

The population of the city itself is a little over 800 thousand people, but together with the suburbs it grows to 2.3 million people, and together with neighboring cities it forms the Randstad agglomeration (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht), which is 6- and in Europe. Amsterdam is a highly urbanized city, with a territory of 219 km 2, the population density reaches 4768 people per km 2.

Amsterdam is a relatively young city for Europe. It was founded in 1300 and originates from a small fishing village founded near a dam built in the 13th century. It was the favorable location of Amsterdam that allowed him to gradually take a leading position in port transportation, first in the North and then in the Baltic Sea. Even greater success came to the city at the end of the 16th century, when the United Provinces of the Netherlands won independence from Spain. Antwerp, Amsterdam's main competitor, remained under the dominion of the Spaniards, and was also devastated by the Spanish troops during the uprising.

Amsterdam is a relatively young city for Europe

The "golden age" of Amsterdam and all of the Netherlands began in the 17th century. The capture of colonies, the development of capitalism and trade, as well as the ever-increasing status of the main port of Europe, made Amsterdam one of the richest and most developed cities on the continent. The same century saw the rise of the culture of the Netherlands, which today is reflected in numerous museums. However, despite these achievements, Amsterdam was not the capital of the country, although it remained its largest city.

Subsequent centuries somewhat reduced the role of Amsterdam in international trade, but in the Netherlands itself its role remained unshakable. Finally, at the very end of the 18th century, during the era of the Napoleonic Wars, Amsterdam became the capital of the country, which remains to this day.

How to get to Amsterdam

The easiest way to get to Amsterdam from Russia is by plane. The city is connected by regular flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Several daily flights depart from the capital of Russia to Amsterdam, the travel time is 3 hours 35 minutes, the ticket price is from 13.9 thousand rubles. From the northern capital to Amsterdam, the flight lasts less (2 hours 55 minutes), but the cost of tickets is more - at least 18.4 thousand rubles. If you wish, you can try to save money and buy tickets for low-cost airlines with connections in Riga, Berlin or Budapest.

Flights from Russia are accepted by the Schiphol city airport, located 15 km from the center of Amsterdam. You can get to the city itself by train (from 4 euros), bus (4-5 euros) or taxi (50 euros).

The easiest way to get to Amsterdam from Russia is by plane

Until recently, the Russians had the opportunity to get to Amsterdam on the RZD direct carriage, but at the moment this route has been canceled. So travelers who prefer rail transport will have to change in one of the European cities, for example, Berlin.

Those wishing to get to Amsterdam by bus can do this from Moscow or St. Petersburg. From the capital of Russia, the trip will take almost 48 hours, the ticket price is from 7.5 thousand rubles. From St. Petersburg, the duration of the trip and ticket prices are similar.

Well, the last way to get to the capital of the Netherlands is to use private car. You will have to spend at least 25-26 hours behind the wheel, so it will not be possible to cover a distance of almost 2.5 thousand kilometers in one sitting. The way to Holland lies through Belarus, Poland and Germany. Residents of St. Petersburg can use an alternative route through Finland and a ferry to German Bremen.

The city's attractions

The sights of Amsterdam are a unique combination of canals, old mass buildings with individual outstanding buildings and numerous museums. Most of them are devoted to the arts, in which the Dutch and neighboring Flemings have historically excelled.

Canals of Amsterdam

The canals of Amsterdam are the most memorable feature of the city, which immediately catches the eye of visitors. In total, there are several hundred canals and 1.5 thousand bridges in Amsterdam, so Amsterdam rightfully bears the title of "Venice of the North". The main canals completely encircle the Old Town of Amsterdam in four semicircles. The canal system of Amsterdam is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The canals of Amsterdam are the most memorable feature of the city, which immediately catches the eye of visitors.

The main canals of the Old City were built several centuries ago - in the Middle Ages or the "golden age" of the Netherlands.

1. The Singel Canal is the oldest in Amsterdam, completed in 1428. Initially, it was a city moat and protected Amsterdam from the outside world. However, due to the rapid growth of Amsterdam, he was inside the city walls. Among its attractions are the narrowest house in the world (1 meter wide), several ancient churches and the buildings of the 17th-18th centuries that are classic for the Netherlands.
2. Herengracht is the second oldest canal in the city, built in the first half of the 17th century. The banks of the canal are built up with small two- and three-story mansions of the 17th century. The most fashionable part of the coast is called the Golden Bend.
3. The Keizersgracht canal is the city's widest canal. The development of its banks lasted several centuries, so here you can find buildings of various styles of architecture, and not just classic Dutch houses.
4. The Prinsengracht is the city's longest canal, named after Prince William of Orange.

All the canals of Amsterdam, located in the Old Town, were massively built up in past centuries. So an ordinary walk along their shores, or, even more so, a trip on the water in a boat or boat can bring great aesthetic pleasure.

Dam Square and the Royal Palace

Dam Square is the main one in the whole city, so it often becomes a venue for various events. The square owes its status to several outstanding architectural monuments located on it, including the Royal Palace.

In Dutch, "Dam" simply means "dam". It was she, built in the XIII century, that gave birth to the city itself. Its strengthening made it possible to arrange a fairly large area on the land reclaimed from the water. Its size is small - 100 by 200 meters, but in the old town with its narrow streets it is the largest in area.

The main building of the square was made in the XVII century. Unfortunately, several outstanding buildings have not survived to this day - the Chamber of Weights and Measures was demolished by order of Napoleon at the very end of the 18th century, and already in the 20th century the building of the Old Exchange was demolished. But what is now left of the old buildings will not disappoint. The ensemble of the square is formed by the Nieuwekerk church (XIV-XV centuries), the building of the Madame Tussauds Museum and the National Monument dedicated to the victims of World War II. But the main building of the square is the Royal Palace.

Dam Square is the main one in the whole city, so it often becomes a venue for various events.

After gaining independence from Spain, the Netherlands remained a republic for a long time. When, at the beginning of the 19th century, the Netherlands was nevertheless transformed into a monarchy, and the Orange dynasty came to power, the kings were given one of the best buildings in the city, previously occupied by the town hall. It was erected in 1665 by architect J. Van Kampen. The classical architecture of Rome was chosen as a model. So the style of this building is Dutch neoclassicism, quite rare for Amsterdam.

Now the building has been bought out by the state, so it is open to everyone, however, the royal family did not remain offended - royal receptions are held here. The luxurious appearance of the Royal Palace is fully consistent with its interiors. Three floors of exquisite and magnificent halls, the walls of which are decorated with paintings by Dutch masters of painting, decorations and decorations dedicated to the Age of Discovery, marble, gold and stucco - a walk inside the palace will not disappoint anyone.

The Royal Palace is located at Dam Square, the nearest metro station bears the same name. Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (Tuesday - Sunday). On Mondays and days of official receptions, the palace is closed to the public. Ticket price: 10 euros (adult ticket), 9 euros (students), children under 18 years old - free of charge.

Keukenhof park

If Amsterdam is the "Venice of the North", then Holland is often called the "Land of Tulips". And the personification of this name may be the Keukenhof National Park, located in the suburbs of Amsterdam. It is also called the Royal Park, "Tulip Park" and "Garden of Europe".

Keukenhof is located in the small town of Lisse, halfway between Amsterdam and The Hague. Historically, it was the land of the Countess of Gennegau - greens and grass were grown here for the count's kitchen, which is why the land was called Keukenhof, which literally means "Kitchen Yard". In the 19th century, a classic landscape park was laid here, but its own modern look Keukenhof took over already in 1949, when flower growers decided to organize here amusement park colors.

Keukenhof is located in the small town of Lisse, halfway between Amsterdam and The Hague.

Now Keukenhof is a real "kingdom" of flowers. About 7 million flowers are grown on the territory of 32 hectares, of which 4.5 million are occupied by the national flowers of Holland - more than 100 varieties of tulips. Hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils and other flowers also grow here. A fantastic picture of fields dotted with flowers leaves an indelible impression on the guests of the park.

Unfortunately, you can get to Keukenhof only for 2 months - from about the 20th of March to the 20th of May. It was then that the flowering fields turn Keukenhof into a real Garden of Eden. Park address: Lisse, Stationsweg 166A. You can get to the park by train, getting off at the Leiden station, and then get to Lisse by bus. Opening hours: 08:00 - 19:30. Ticket price: 18 euros.

Zaanse Schans

Another symbol of Holland is the windmill. In many ways, it was to this structure that the peasants of Holland owed their prosperity, since there was never a shortage of wind in the Netherlands. You can admire windmills, along with other examples of wooden architecture, at the Zaanse Schans open-air museum in the suburbs of Amsterdam.

Another symbol of Holland is the windmill.

Except windmills tourists visiting the Zaanse Schans can get to know classic Dutch cheese farms, traditional Dutch peasant houses, as well as folk crafts, such as the manufacture of wooden clogs.

You can get to Zaanse Schans by bus (No. 391) or by train (direction to Alkmaar, exit at Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station). Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00 Ticket price: 10 euros (adult), 6 euros (children).

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum - main museum Amsterdam and all of the Netherlands, included in the Top 20 most popular art museums planets. It was founded by Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother) in 1800, that is, when the Netherlands was conquered by revolutionary France.

The Rijksmuseum is the main museum of Amsterdam and all of the Netherlands, one of the Top 20 most popular art museums in the world.

The basis of the expositions of this museum are the works of the great Dutch masters of the XVI-XVII centuries: Rembrandt, Vermeer, de Hooch, van Ruysdael, van Leyden and many other artists. There was a place here for the so-called "little Dutch" and representatives of the national school of painting of subsequent centuries, for example. Trost. But the main asset of the museum is the great painting by Rembrandt "The Night Watch", which belongs directly to the city authorities.

And although the Rijksmuseum is primarily dedicated to the national painting of the Netherlands, there was a place in this museum for other national schools: the Flemings (van Dyck, Rubens), the Italians (Tintoretto, Veronese, di Cosimo) and the Spaniards (El Greco, Goya). So a visit to this museum will not disappoint either those who are primarily interested in big names, or those who are interested in the works of little-known masters outside the Netherlands.

Museum address: st. Museumstraat, 1. Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00. Ticket price - 17.5 euros, for persons under 19 years old - free of charge.

Van Gogh Museum

The traditions of national painting in the Netherlands are by no means exhausted by the classical artists of the Golden Age. To some extent, the old masters were able to surpass the artist, whose fame came to him after his death. Van Gogh became one of the major artists of the 19th century, so the dedication of a separate museum in Amsterdam to him is not at all surprising.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has the world's largest collection of works by the mad genius, including paintings recognized as masterpieces: "The Potato Eaters", "Sunflowers", "Almond Blossoms", "Wheat Field with Crows", "Bedroom in Arles" , Self-portrait (1887), "Irises" (1890). In total, the Amsterdam Museum stores 200 paintings by the great artist, that is, about a quarter of his heritage.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the world's largest collection of works by the mad genius

Museum address: st. Museumplein 6. Working hours: 09:00 - 19:00 (Sunday - Thursday), 09:00 - 21:00 (Friday, Saturday). Ticket price: 18 euros (adult), children under 17 years old - free of charge.

What to see if you come with a child

Amsterdam is a fairly child-friendly city, so even when traveling with the whole family, tourists have places to go. As usual in Amsterdam, museums are of the greatest interest here, but in this case, they are aimed at children.

Nemo Museum

The Nemo Museum is the largest child-oriented science museum in Holland, so it will delight the curious child. Moreover, it is educational in nature and is designed to arouse interest in science and technology from an early age. The museum was opened in 1997, and the Italian architect R. Piano became the author of its bright and unusual ship-shaped building.

The Nemo Museum is the largest children-friendly science museum in Holland.

Nemo is an interactive museum, so you can and should touch its exhibits with your hands - after all, they “come to life” only after being touched. The museum does not have a single scientific direction; children who come to the museum get acquainted with a wide range of sciences: from mechanics and chemistry to biomedicine and information technology.

Museum address: st. Oosterdok, 2. Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:30, closed on Mondays, but during school holidays the museum is open on this day. Ticket price: 16.5 euros.

Horror Museum Amsterdam Dungeon

Of course, not every child can be brought to the Museum of Horrors, but for teenagers there will be nothing to worry about, even more likely they will be delighted with such a museum, because who at that age does not like horror movies.

The elevator brings visitors to the lowest floor, after which the group, passing by the rooms, must go upstairs

Amsterdam Dungeon is 5 underground floors, each of which makes you shudder. The elevator brings visitors to the lowest floor, after which the group, passing by the rooms, must go upstairs. Along the way, frightening and exciting scenes await visitors: from the torture chamber of the Inquisition and the hold of a pirate ship to a street that has become extinct from the plague and a tavern with a crazy mistress. Well, at the very exit from the museum in a small shop you can buy souvenirs, whose theme is directly related to the focus of the museum.

Object address: st. Rokin 78. Working hours: 11:00 - 18:00 (Sunday - Thursday), 11:00 - 19:00 (Friday, Saturday). Ticket price: 19 euros (online) or 23 euros (at the museum box office).

Climate of Amsterdam

The climate of Amsterdam, due to the influence of the sea, is distinguished by mild winters and cool summers, rather strong sea winds that bring frequent rains. Therefore, when traveling to Amsterdam, it is absolutely necessary to warm up and arm yourself with an umbrella. In the winter season, it is better to stock up on a warm windproof jacket and waterproof shoes, as even with a positive temperature, but with a strong wind, it will be noticeably cold. In many ways, the same applies to spring and autumn. Summers in Amsterdam are quite cool and rainy, so a light jacket and an umbrella will also come in handy. An alternative to them can be a raincoat, which is often worn by the Dutch themselves.

How long does it take to see the city

Amsterdam is not the city of one or two bright sights that overshadow everything else. Possibly the monuments interesting places cities cannot be called true masterpieces, but here their density is surprisingly high. Well, perhaps the main reason why tourists come here is to feel the unique atmosphere of this city, which is incomparable with any other on the planet.

Amsterdam is a city of free morals

Another way to save money, including on public transport, is to purchase the I amsterdam city card, which not only allows you to ride the same GVB transport for free, but also gives discounts to numerous museums in the city. The cost of such a card is slightly higher: for 24 hours - 59 euros, for 48 - 74 euros, for 72 hours - 87 euros, for 96 hours - 98 euros.

An alternative to the Amsterdam Travel Ticket may well be a bicycle, because Amsterdam is considered the "Mecca" of this two-wheeled transport. Renting will cost only 10 euros per day - the cost of 2-3 trips by public transport.

Amsterdam is a city of rather free morals, which manifested itself in coffee shops known far beyond the borders of the country and, of course, in the Red Light District. However, if you avoid establishments selling soft drugs and a tiny quarter, then Amsterdam will seem quite decent and even somewhat puritanical city. So do not expect licentiousness and debauchery from Amsterdam and be afraid to go here or bring children.

A trip to Amsterdam is suitable for almost any tourist: lovers of architecture and painting, fans of idyllic rural landscapes and those who prefer narrow stone streets, adhering to free morals and guardians of strict morals. Every traveler who comes here can find in this city something of his own, the closest to him.

Many tourists come to the capital of the Netherlands for a short period of time. I would like not to miss the opportunity to get to know the city. But what to see in Amsterdam in 3 days and where to go? If you plan your route correctly, you can see many interesting places in such a period of time. So that you do not waste time on this, we have already prepared a guide. Everything has been thought of!

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The day of arrival in the capital of the Netherlands usually turns out to be quite troublesome. The road from the airport, check-in to a hotel takes time, and you just want to relax after a long trip. Therefore, it is especially important to make a route for walking around the city so that you spend less energy and see as much as possible. It is best to hit the road from Leiden Square. It is quite interesting in itself, there are many cafes where you can have a bite to eat, and 5 tram lines intersect here. But the main thing is that this square is like a gate to historical part cities.

Leiden Square

On Leiden Square, life is in full swing almost around the clock. Street performers perform here - fakirs, jugglers, singers - you can see the whole performance. Around the square there are enough clubs and cinemas, shops and art cafes. It is here, at Bulldog Palace, that you should buy a coffee as a memento of Amsterdam. Also here are beautiful building City Theater, and another theater that bears a name similar to the square, several rock clubs and a street bureau where you can buy tickets for performances.

flower market

Leiden Square is within easy reach of the Flower Market. It has huge popularity: even those who have never been to the Netherlands have heard of it. After all, its age is measured in centuries. Even in the 17th century, merchants came here in boats and sold flowers. The flower market is still "standing on the water", that is, it is placed on fixed barges. Here you can buy souvenirs at quite affordable prices - from magnets with views of the Netherlands, to T-shirts and baseball caps, buy cheese, even buy hemp seeds - they are sold legally in the country.

But the main thing that buyers come here for is, of course, flowers. Moreover, cut ones make up only a small part of the market assortment. Basically, bulbs of various varieties are sold here. And the most popular are tulips. The price of a package that includes several bulbs is 3-5 euros. Planning to take more? You will definitely get a discount.

Church De Kruytberg

This is a famous Catholic church, consecrated in honor of St. Francis Xavier. The common name "Kreuterg" is translated as "chalk mountain". The house of a chalk merchant used to stand on this site, and then there was a secret Catholic chapel in honor of Jesus Christ. At that time, Catholics in the Netherlands could only pray in secret - the Protestants were in power.

The Church of St. Francis was built in the 80s of the 19th century, the project was carried out by the architect Alfred Tepe. Today, both believers and ordinary tourists can come here. At the end of the 20th century, the church was restored - it took almost 24 years. But now you can admire the magnificent paintings and stained-glass windows, stucco and the main altar. It is so beautiful here that it is simply impossible to forget this place.

coin tower

This is one of the oldest buildings in the city. In the 15th century, Amsterdam was surrounded by reliable fortress walls, and the entrance to the city was guarded by sentinels on watchtowers. In 1618 there was a major fire. Only part of the western tower was not damaged by the fire. Later it was tuned in the Renaissance style. They installed an elegant clock tower and a spire on top. The bells ring every quarter of an hour, and on Saturdays you can hear a professional bell ringer playing. In the 17th century, during the war with France, the Mint was evacuated to Amsterdam. He was located in the guardroom adjacent to the tower. Thus the name of the tower was born. Today this place is very popular. The tower is located at the confluence of the Singel Canal with the Amstel River.

Speuil Square and the Beguinage Courtyard

The name Spey Square comes from the word "spillway". Once in these places, the spillway was actually the southern border of the city. In the 80s of the 19th century, it was filled up and a square was laid out here. Now it is a favorite place for book lovers. Book and art fairs are regularly held here, and there are countless bookstores in the area. The statue of a street boy, installed here, is a real symbol of the inhabitants of the city, who are not accustomed to become limp under any circumstances. The old Lutheran church, the main building of the university and the unusual building "Helios" will also be seen by everyone who comes to Spey Square.

The main entrance to the Beguinage courtyard is also located from the side of the square. It is an arch decorated with stucco. Beguinage - that was the name in the Middle Ages of the place where women lived who did not take tonsure, but behaved almost like nuns. Beguinage in Amsterdam appeared in the 14th century. Today, there are no more runes here, but several dozen single women live. The center of the courtyard is a lawn on which stands a statue of Jesus Christ. Nearby are a Protestant church and a cemetery. And in one of the houses there is a Catholic church. Also here you can see an old wooden house, it belongs to the 16th century.

Dam Square

The name of the square is deceptive for the Russian ear. No, we are not talking about the beautiful ladies of past centuries. Dam means "dam". In the 13th century, a dam appeared here, which connected the settlements located on different banks of the Amstel River. The word "dam" in translation into Russian just means "dam". The dam expanded and strengthened, eventually turning into a square. Now there was a brisk trade, and the Fish Market became famous even outside of Amsterdam.

Of course, there are many sights to see here. For example, the Gothic Nieuwekerk church, built at the end of the 14th century. Here those who are to govern the country are crowned for power. Arouse interest among tourists and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. As well as the Royal Palace (former town hall) - a building of the 17th century. The most modern monument is the National Monument, dedicated to those who died in World War II.

Red light district

The whole world knows about this place. And a person who has visited Amsterdam will definitely be asked if he visited the Red Light District. Although the inhabitants of the country themselves do not see anything surprising and exciting in this, prostitution in Holland is officially allowed, moreover, it is inscribed in everyday life. Prostitutes are the same taxpayers. The risk of getting sick, thanks to women of easy virtue, is also minimized - all these ladies undergo regular medical examinations. On average, a lady charges a client 50 euros for a 15-minute visit, and a transsexual costs 30 euros.

Those who find themselves in the Red Light District during the day - we can recommend returning there at night - the spectacle will be much brighter. The history of the quarter is also impressive. Prostitutes rented clients here already in the 14th century. They were most popular with sailors who returned from a long voyage. For sailors, local taverns were opened. Today, as soon as it gets dark, it seems that a holiday begins in the Red Light District. Music is playing, lights are on... Girls - blondes and brunettes, whites, blacks and Asians, large and petite, thin and fat, sit on high chairs in beautifully illuminated shop windows.

Not everyone who comes to the Red Light District becomes their client. Most are just tourists who have come to stare (by the way, photographing girls is prohibited), but the ladies smile and wink at everyone without exception. When a client comes to the girl, she lowers the curtain. During the day, the Red Light District is empty, although some prostitutes continue to work. If you're lucky, you can get to the "open day". In this case, you can look into the girls' rooms just for the sake of interest, and even chat with the beauties. This is done so that people do not treat priestesses of love as second-class. Many of the girls are very pleasant companions.

Oudekerk Church

This name translates as "old church", and the Oudekerk fully deserves it. The chapel appeared here at the beginning of the 13th century, and the stone church began to be built in the 14th century. There is no older building in the city. In order for the weak soil to withstand the weight of the temple, it was repeatedly completed and rebuilt. In its final form, it took the form of a cross. In the 16th century, a Renaissance bell tower was erected, its height is 67m. The temple has a unique acoustics. There are 3 organs, the largest of them is considered the best in Europe. There is also a carillon from the 17th century. And a 15th century bell.

The walls of the temple are whitewashed, but there are stained-glass windows of the Catholic period, they were made in the 16th century. For several centuries, the temple served as a cemetery; many famous personalities rest here, for example, Saskia, the wife of Rembrandt. In the second half of the 20th century, the temple was closed for renovation, and reopened in 1979. Today, not only pray here. in the Oudekerke international festival organ music, honorary ceremonies and even light installations.

Central station

Even those who came to Amsterdam by plane should visit the Central Station. The building, built in the 19th century according to the design of Peter Kuipers, is so beautiful that it evokes an association with an old castle. An additional effect is given to it by evening illumination. The station is a place where the paths of a variety of transport converge. Trains and electric trains, intercity buses arrive here. There is a metro station, and next to the pier where liners and ferries stop.

On one of the towers of the station you can see a clock, and on the other - a weather vane that indicates the direction of the wind. Inside the station, today is adjacent to yesterday. For example, there are ticket machines here, but there is also a piano that anyone can play. Do not forget that the people of Amsterdam are big fans of bicycles. For two-wheeled transport there is a spacious parking lot.

Church of St. Nicholas

The church is located in the ancient part of Amsterdam and has the official name "Church of St. Nicholas in the Walls", because it was once surrounded by the walls of the fortress. The church of St. Nicholas was built in the second half of the 19th century according to the project of the architect Blais. It has 3 towers and a very beautiful rose-shaped window depicting Jesus and His disciples. Also on the pediment you can see the sculpture of St. Nicholas. He has always been considered the patron saint of sailors, and in Amsterdam, a city standing on the water, he was especially revered.

Canal Cruise

It is simply impossible to visit Amsterdam and not touring its canals. Even if you stay in the capital of the Netherlands for only a few hours, you should buy such an excursion. It's inexpensive and won't tire you out at all. But there will be impressions - more than enough. Tourists have a wide choice - several hundred boats and ships ply the canals. An hour walk costs about 15-16 euros. You can also save money by buying a combined tour that includes a visit to the museum and a canal cruise.

Those who travel with a group can rent a boat that will be led by a professional captain. A two-hour trip will cost 200-250 euros. It is most convenient to start the journey from the Central Station. The boats leave every half an hour, in the high season there are queues of people who want to ride. You can travel in any weather. In rain and strong winds, boats are covered with glass roofs. Evening cruises are more entertaining. On board they offer a full dinner and wine, or a lighter option - snacks, pizza, alcoholic drinks. The cost of such a cruise is slightly higher - about 80 euros.

Active tourists who want to see as much as possible are advised to take a ticket for a water taxi. A ticket for a day costs about 27 euros. You can get off at stops, go sightseeing, then come back, get on the boat and go on. You can go on cruises even in the cold season. In winter, evening cruises are especially spectacular during the Festival of Lights.

Sex Museum

Even children are allowed into the Museum of Sex, however, accompanied by adults. From here you can bring erotic souvenirs that are sold in shops located on the territory of the museum. Also, guests will receive just a sea of ​​​​different information related to erotica - from ancient times to the present day. And, of course, special attention is paid to the Red Light District. There is even a special room imitating this place. Here you can see the figure of the priestess of love, made of wax.

Nemo Museum

The museum is located next to the Central Station. With its shape, it resembles a ship that suddenly found itself on land. Such an unusual appearance was given to him by the architect Renzo Piano. The museum opened in 1997. Its name can be misleading, bringing to mind Captain Nemo from Jules Verne's novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Yes, and the cafe "Nautilus" is here. And yet, first and foremost, NEMO is a museum of science. And his main guests, those who are most expected here, are children. Young tourists come not only from different cities in the Netherlands, but also from other countries. It is here that they can get a visual representation of the structure of the world. Here they understand that the laws of science, combined with imagination, can work wonders.

Here you can make exciting journeys into various fields of science, and the exhibits are allowed to be taken in hand. Children are also delighted with attractions, thanks to which they learn new facts about light, sound and energy. If you wish, you can see all the places described above in one day, or you can choose something especially interesting for yourself and your companions.

2 day

The second day of your stay in the capital of the Netherlands is best devoted to museums. There really is something to see here. Visiting these museums will be interesting for both adults and children. In conclusion, it would be nice to go to the zoo. And to end the day, full of impressions, in a cozy pub with a glass of beer.

OBA City Library

The public library is located near the Central Station. It has 26 branches, so it is convenient for all residents of the city to use the funds. More than 4 million readers annually. The library is open daily until 22:00. She can be proud of a truly modern equipment. There are hundreds of places where you can work with the Internet, special places with computers for viewing digitized publications, there are places where you can listen to music files or just read.

Today, the library has a theater, a cafe, a restaurant, and conference rooms. Almost 6,000 events are held every year. The Amsterdam Library is recognized as the largest public library in Europe. And it all started very modestly. The public library opened about a hundred years ago, in 1919, in a modest building on the Keizersgracht. The modern building was completed only in 2007, and the library soon became the most visited cultural institution in the city.

And what about those whose plans do not include reading? Firstly, to see a beautiful creation of modern architecture, where, thanks to free Wi-Fi, you can explore any modern publication. Secondly, go up to the 7th floor, to the La Place cafe. Here, not only the cheapest breakfasts in the city, but also a wonderful view of Amsterdam.

Anne Frank House Museum

This museum makes a deep impression on tourists. Anna is a Jewish girl. Until 1933, her family lived in Germany. When the Nazis came to power, it became clear what awaited all Jews in the near future. The Frank family hastened to leave for Amsterdam. But, thanks to the Second World War, the Nazis came to the Netherlands. All Jews were to be sent to concentration camps. But the family did not leave the old 17th century house. There used to be a mansion here. And then housed the company that produced household appliances. One of her employees was Anna's father.

A family friend designed a secret closet. Behind him was a niche where the whole family hid during the day. When the company closed in the evenings, it was possible to leave. But still had to be very quiet so as not to attract the attention of strangers. Anna kept a diary, where she wrote down the details of the family's life, shared her fears with the diary - after all, it was not known what tomorrow would bring. So the family managed to hide for 2 years. In 1944, following a denunciation, the family was arrested and sent to a camp, where Anna died shortly before the end of the war.

Her diary was published and received a wide public response. In the 1950s, the house was about to be demolished, but public opinion prevailed. The result was the opening of the Anne Frank Museum. In front of the entrance there is a statue of a girl, next to which there are always flowers. In the museum you can see the famous diary, photographs of family members, furniture and household items of that time, pictures of Amsterdam during the Second World War. The museum is open daily.

Rijksmuseum Art Museum

The museum is located in historical center city ​​and is very popular. Usually, to get here, you have to stand in line. The museum was created with the participation of the King of Holland, Louis Bonaparte. At first he did not have a permanent place, he had to move. In the 80s of the 19th century, a separate neo-Gothic building was built for the museum. Later, in accordance with the needs, it was rebuilt and reconstructed. This could be done, for example, in order to show the public a large painting by Rembrandt "The Night Watch".

Today, the museum is so large that it is simply impossible to get around it at a time and admire all the exhibits. After all, here are collected paintings, furniture, utensils, porcelain, sculptures created by the masters of the country - starting from the 11th century. But you can see the most interesting. For example, the works of such great artists as Rembrandt, El Greco, Rubens, Van Dyck, Veronese. The doll house exhibition is also very popular. Among them there are really old ones - the 17th century. Porcelain collections and graceful models of ships also make a great impression on tourists.

Van Gogh Museum

Next to the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum. A huge merit in the fact that such a museum appeared belongs to Johanna van Gogh, the wife of Vincent's brother. Theo and Johanna carefully kept the artist's letters - hundreds of them have accumulated. Most of them contain illustrations to the written text. Paintings and drawings were preserved with the same care. Johanna was left a widow at the age of 29. Years later, she prepared Van Gogh's letters for publication. And she passed on the originals and artwork to her son Vincent. He proposed to the city authorities to build a museum.

The building was designed by the Dutchman G. Rietveld, and in 1973 the museum was opened. Today it houses about 200 paintings by the artist. Moreover, they are placed the way Vincent van Gogh himself once conceived. The whole life of the great painter passes before the viewer. First, museum visitors see early works, still angular and imperfect. Then the paintings created in Paris, when Van Gogh discovered the work of the Impressionists. Next - Arles, in this small town Vincent wrote his masterpieces. Finally, Saint-Remy and Auvers are the last paintings. Also recreated the environment, as close as possible to the one in which Vincent van Gogh worked.

Diamond Museum

This museum appeared in the capital of the Netherlands, thanks to the company Coster Diamonds, engaged in cutting jewelry. Tourists can visit both the diamond factory and the museum at the same time (they are located in the same building). Guests will see how jewelers are engaged in cutting stones, learn a lot of new information about what diamonds are. In the museum, they will watch a film that tells how diamonds are mined and how they are cut. Guests will also be presented with exhibits acquired in various parts of the world - from South Africa to India.

You can also see works of art, for example, a copy of Van Gogh's famous painting "Starry Night", which all sparkles and shimmers with diamond brilliance. Diamond jewelry made by famous jewelers is also presented. The gift shop at the museum also sells diamonds and jewelry.

Beer 't Arendsnest

Round off a second such busy day in Amsterdam at the beer hall located at Herengracht 90. You can try 350 beers, not counting 250 seasonal beers. Moreover, products are presented only from Dutch breweries. Periodically, thematic events are held here, tastings are organized. Guests of the pub note that they have not tried such delicious beer as here. Old recipes, proven for centuries, what can I say!

There is no need to be afraid that here you will run into a crowd of people. On weekdays, the place is not crowded. You can try draft beer - buy small glasses first, if you like it - order a large mug. If you like bottled beer, you have to take the whole bottle. However, this is rarely regretted. The pub is open from 16:00 to 24:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 14:00 to 2:00 in the morning. Walk, so walk!

3 day

If there is an opportunity to spend one more day in the Netherlands, it is worth spending it on a trip to one of the cities or villages located nearby. There you can feel the atmosphere of the real Holland. Communication here is excellent, and you can get anywhere from the Central Station in a short time. Of course, you won’t have time to visit everywhere, so choose what you like.

Zandvoort

If you missed the sea in Amsterdam, go to Zandvoort. This is a small resort town where everything contributes to bliss and relaxation. Wide white sand beaches and the sound of waves. Zandvoort was founded at the end of the 11th century. At first it was a small village, and in the middle of the 19th century it began to develop as a resort. The name of the place literally translates as "sand ford". At the end of the 19th century, a Railway which greatly increased the number of tourists. Interesting fact– it was here that one of the first Dutch films was filmed. It happened in 1905.

Even if you arrive on a cloudy or rainy day, there is plenty to do in the town. There are numerous cafes and bars, shops and restaurants. You can sit with a cup of coffee almost on the beach - the glass walls will protect from bad weather. Road to suburban train will only take half an hour.

Zaanse Schans

The windmill is a real symbol of the country. Such a mill was a breadwinner. It depended on the wind whether the grain would be ground, whether the butter would be churned. The picturesque Dutch windmills have repeatedly fallen on the canvases of artists, were captured in photographs, in films. Mills can be seen in different places Netherlands. But it is in the village of Zaanse Schans that tourists get acquainted with different types of mills. Many of them work, you can watch the process.

It is rare that anyone avoids the opportunity to go to a farm where cheese is prepared according to old recipes, and, of course, to buy such a rarity. And in the Zaanse Schans, in front of tourists, they make national shoes - klomps. They are also willingly bought as souvenirs. The open air museum can be seen at any time. But in order to get inside the mills, you need to arrive between 10 am and 5 pm, the entrance ticket costs 10 euros. The most convenient way to get from the Central Station is by bus or train.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam makes a big impression on guests. And how could it be otherwise - the second largest city in the Netherlands, the largest port, which until recently was considered the busiest in the world. Its center is built up with futuristic buildings that seem to have come from science fiction films. There are also museums in the city worth visiting. You can also admire the windmills - there are 7 of them. As you can see, the past is organically combined with the future.

Shoppers will appreciate the shopping zones. Those who need a vibrant evening life will find here dozens of clubs where you can hear all kinds of music. Some tourists come here because of the magnificent Rotterdam Zoo. And, of course, everyone, without exception, notes the special atmosphere of the city - more multinational than all other cities in the Netherlands.

Rotterdam is an old city. It was founded in the 13th century on the Rotta River, where there was already a dam. These 2 words merged and gave the city its name. The location of Rotterdam was very advantageous, and it quickly became a major trading city. In the 16th century, it survived the sack by the Spaniards, but successfully revived. And in the 17th century a new port was built here. The wars also left their mark on Rotterdam. During the First World War, special services bases were located here. And during the Second World War, the city was bombed.

What is interesting to see in Rotterdam:

1. Kijk-Kubus are "cubic houses" designed by P. Blom.
2. De Markthal is a market where residential apartments are located. The painting on the walls and ceiling deserves special attention.
3. De Verwoeste Stad - "The Ruined City", a memorial dedicated to the Second World War.
4. Erasmus Bridge - the length of this bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam is 800 m. The spectacular bridge has become a symbol of the city.
5. Rotterdam Tower - you can climb to the observation deck (100m) to see the panorama of the city. And the total height of the tower is 185 m.
6. De Brug is a very interesting office that is worth seeing. It was built in the form of a bridge over the factory.
7. The White House of Rotterdam is the first skyscraper built in Europe. The building was erected at the end of the 19th century, its height is 45 m.
8. Laurenskerk Church - not so many medieval sights have survived in Rotterdam. This temple is one of them.

The Hague - Delft

The Hague is the residence of the Queen. This is where the government sits. It is also the legal capital of the world. After all, this is where the International Court of Justice is located. At first glance, it becomes clear that The Hague is an aristocratic city that sacredly honors its traditions. As in the old days, only low houses stand here, each of them is built with great taste. Not a single high-rise building will disturb the appearance of the city. The streets here are like in the Middle Ages - narrow. Very green - there are three dozen parks. Tourists are sure to take pictures of the Peace Palace, because it resembles a fairy-tale castle. They stop at the Parliament, visit the Mauritshaus Museum of Painting, which displays paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and other great artists.

You can continue your walk to the suburb of The Hague, Scheveningen, which overlooks the sea. Delft is another interesting town. It is on the way from Rotterdam to The Hague. The great painter Vermeer was born here. Quiet streets, old houses - one gets the impression that the yard is still in the 17th century. And the local market appeared even earlier - in the 14th century. Its main products are fresh seafood and flowers. In local shops it is worth asking the price of porcelain. After all, Delft is the capital of Dutch porcelain.

Volendam - Edam - Marken

The picturesque fishing village of Volendam has long been loved by artists, performers and people of other creative professions. Here you can visualize how fishermen lived in the 19th century. But first you need to say a few words about the town of Edam, which is located in the neighborhood. After all, originally Volendam was the harbor of Edam. The town was founded in the 13th century. Ships were built here for several centuries. But then the main occupation of the inhabitants was the production of cheese. Today, about 7 thousand people live in Edam. On Wednesdays there are cheese fairs. But the delicious cheese bearing the same name as the city can be bought at any time.

About 3 times more people live in Volendam than in Edam. But gastronomic tourism is also popular here. People come here for the most tender herring, smoked eels, fresh oysters. All this is sold here literally for a penny. Almost always, fresh fish can be bought from boats - from fishermen who have just returned from fishing. Tourists also buy small fish for feeding birds. This is a kind of local attraction. Ducks and cormorants are ready to grab treats right from the hands.

The most crowded and noisy place is the Volendam embankment. It is slightly higher than the rest of the village, as it is located on a dam that protects the city from the sea. Another feature can be noted here - the absence of curtains on the windows. This is also a tradition. The wives of the fishermen who went to sea did not draw the curtains - they say, we have nothing to hide, we are faithful to our husbands. The custom took root. Attractions are the Historical Museum, the 19th century St. Vincent's Church and Art Gallery, as well as the bronze figures of people from the past that can be seen on the streets.

It is worth visiting the village of Marken, located on the island. You can get to it by ferry or bus (paved highway). Less than 2 thousand people live in the village, but it looks very colorful. Previously, Marken was part of the land, but in the 13th century, after a flood, it turned into an island. So the old days come alive here. Houses on stilts, well-groomed courtyards, dishes in cafes - you will not try these anywhere else ...

To visit all these places, it is most convenient to purchase a WaterLand ticket - a magnetic card that costs 10 euros. It makes it possible to travel without restrictions along the route - from Amsterdam to Volendam, Edam and Marken.

Kinderdijk

To visit this famous park windmills, located in the small village of Kinderdijk, you need to drive 2.5-3 hours from Amsterdam. First to Rotterdam, and then by ship, or first by tram, and then by bus. But the spectacle is worth it - here you will see 19 windmills that were built in the 18th century. The name of the village "children's dam" is associated with a legend, when after the flood only a cradle with a child survived on this place. And so many mills were built here in order to hold water, and not allow two local rivers to flood the village.

Mills stand on the banks of the canal - an unforgettable sight. One of them is available for inspection from the inside. And to go around the entire park, you can rent a bike. In winter, it is also worth coming here to admire the skaters who glide on the ice of the canal. A spectacle like from an old book. The park of mills is under the protection of UNESCO.

Texel Island

The film "Knocking on Heaven's Door" received wide recognition in Russia. How his heroes wanted to see the sea! Filmed on the island of Texel. Or Tesla, as the Dutch themselves call it. large island contains 7 towns and several dozen villages. And it is also a barrier between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. Today it houses a nature reserve where birds live. The economy of the island is directly dependent on tourism. Guests inspect the territory, going on foot trips, order cycling or horseback riding. You can get to the island by ferry, which departs from the port of Den Helder.

The island is also famous for the fact that a large catamaran regatta takes place here. The Maritime Museum is also located here, where you can see things raised from sunken ships. You can also climb the old lighthouse and enjoy the view. And in October there is a 10-day Blues Festival.

Must-Try Foods

There is such a thing as "gastronomic tourism". But whatever the purpose of your journey to this wonderful country, there are things that you must try in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city, and many dishes have been around since the colonial era. Now in the capital you can buy themed tours. One of them is dedicated to the pubs of Amsterdam, and the other is called the "Gastronomic Bike Tour". But not everyone is ready to ride an iron horse, and besides beer, you need to try something else more substantial. It remains to embark on an independent journey through cafes and restaurants. What do we order?

Kebabs, which here, as in Russia, are made from pork, beef or even chicken. They are only served with peanut sauce (a mixture of soy sauce, peanut butter and chili sauce).

Bami Goreng is actually an Indonesian dish. But the Dutch loved it so much that now it is served in every restaurant. These are noodles with pieces of meat, beans and soy sprouts.

Dessert Oliebollen - sweet donuts are most popular in winter - traditionally served at Christmas. But at other times of the year they may also appear on sale. Raisins are included in the ingredients of donuts, and those with more apple slices will be especially delicious.

Boerenkool Stamppot - mashed potatoes are familiar to Russians. And the Dutch mix it with finely chopped kale. Unusual, tasty and very useful. You can order this dish as an appetizer, or as a side dish for meat or fish.

Erwtensoep - pea soup. In fact, soups are not in honor of the Dutch. In restaurants, you will hardly see “national soups” except for pea soup. Its preparation is treated with great care, the first course is served in portioned pots. The composition includes chopped smoked sausage, and the soup itself is so thick that a spoon stands in it.

Hollandse Nieuwe is the same herring that the royal family eats. It is she who is presented with the first catch of the new year. Herring is salted in special barrels, and it turns out just incredibly tasty. It's impossible to resist.

Kibbeling are deep fried fish pieces. This dish can be tasted not only in cafes and restaurants, but also in street tents. Pieces of white fish in dough are served with garlic sauce.

Rookworst - but this is already meat. Specifically, smoked sausages. The Dutch love them very much. They add them to soups, serve them with beer, put them on bread and make sandwiches, and, of course, they eat them as an independent dish. The recipe for their manufacture is not so simple - after all, sausages include 3 types of meat. Tourists like this dish so much that they buy packaged sausages and take them home as souvenirs.

Drop - lollipops, and suddenly salty? Yes, yes, and you should definitely try them. Licorice lozenges, although they have an unusual taste, are very good, and, by the way, are useful during a cold.

TOURIST ANSWERS:

There are a lot of interesting places in Amsterdam. It is simply impossible to get around in a day. I would mark at least 100 places that are really worth a look.

But first of all, a person who has arrived in Amster should visit Dam Square, or Dam Square, which is a 10-minute walk from the railway station.
This is the heart of the city, where all the streets "flock" to, where all the roads lead. The area itself is small, surrounded by dozens of shops, cafes, restaurants. On the square is the National Monument in memory of the victims of the war.
This is a kind of meeting place in Amsterdam, so near the monument you can see hundreds of tourists resting on the approach to the monument. Street performers, musicians, magicians constantly perform on the square, flash mobs and holidays are also held there.

Also on Dam are the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century.
The palace can be visited throughout the week, except Mondays, only on certain holidays the palace is closed. Opening hours - from 12 noon to 5 pm, in July and August the palace invites tourists from 11 am. A ticket for adults costs €7.5, for children from 5 to 16 years old, as well as students and people over 65 years old - €6.5, children under 5 years old are admitted free. From the inside, the palace with its 17 halls amazes with luxury and grandeur. In the palace, tourists have the opportunity to order an individual tour for €60. And you can take a free audio guide, however, it is not available in Russian, but for those who understand English, German, Italian, French or Spanish, this will be the way out.

Nearby is the Nieuwekerk church, also an interesting place.
The church can be visited daily from 10:00 to 18:00, the ticket costs €10.00.

Well, the last thing you can see on the square is Madame Tussauds Museum.
The museum contains about 40 wax figures: world stars, politicians, and many others. Entertaining place! The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The ticket costs €22 and €18. You can buy tickets online and save €2. By the way, when buying tickets online, you can not indicate the date of the visit: the tickets will be valid until the end of the year. After 15:00, tickets become cheaper: an adult - € 18, a child - € 13. By the way, you can buy a combined ticket and at the same time go to the Amsterdam Dungeon attraction, or Dungeon, with Madame Tussauds.
A sort of horror room that shows heartbreaking moments from the life of old Amsterdam.
For example, both visits will cost €30 for an adult (not €43.00). You can order museum tickets here: http://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/

By the way, if you intend to visit more than one museum, it would be advisable to purchase a single entry ticket IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass (and the second, in my opinion, is better).
Buying a card allows you to save a lot on visiting museums and galleries in Amsterdam (as well as other cities in the country), plus you can use this card to move around the city by public transport. You can buy a card here: http://www.hollandpass.com/

Next, a place that everyone has heard of. Red Light District, Red Light District or de Wallen.
It is located behind Dam Square, if you go to the canal. This famous one is located between Nisel in the north, Nieuwmarkt seawall in the east, Sint-Janstrat in the south and Warmustrath in the west. During the day, the district is unremarkable, but it comes to life with the onset of darkness. Everything sparkles with red lights, more than 300 windows open their curtains, well-known business workers are waiting for clients (if anyone is interested in the cost, then 20 minutes of sex costs 40-50 euros).
There are streets with Asian, black prostitutes, and even transvestites.
In addition, this quarter has many sex shops, peep-show booths, video rentals with a cinema, coffee shops, and the famous Museum of Erotica.
The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 1 am, on Friday and Saturday - until 2 am. Entrance costs €5.

You can join the beauty in the Van Gogh Museum.
All paintings of the great artist are collected on 4 floors of the museum. In the museum you can take an audio guide, but in general, all the paintings have captions and a little background of creation. All inscriptions are in English and Dutch. This museum is located at Gabriel Metsustraat, 13, you can get to the place by tram number 2 or 5. The ticket costs 15 euros (entrance with the IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass is free), for people under 17 years old - admission is free. Be prepared for the fact that there are always long queues at the museum (for example, we stood for at least half an hour), but those who purchased electronic tickets are allowed to skip the line (you can buy tickets here: http://tourister.amsterdam.ticketbar.eu /en/museums/van-gogh-museum-001/). The museum is open from May to September from 10:00 to 18:00 (and on Friday - until 22:00), and from September - from 10:00 to 17:00 (on Friday - until 22:00).

Further, the oldest church in Amsterdam is the Old Church (Oude Kerk, Oude Kerk).
The church is located in the Red Light District. The church itself is a beautiful, unusual building, from which emanates the Middle Ages. The floor of the Oude Kerk is made entirely of tombstones (creepy, yes). And they also organize concerts in the church, as there are excellent acoustics inside. The church is open from Monday to Saturday - from 11 to 17, on Sundays - from 13 to 17, and is closed during events or holidays. Entrance to the church costs € 5 for adults, students, seniors and groups of more than 10 people the entrance will cost € 4, children under 13 are free.

In general, there are plenty of museums in Amsterdam: visit the National Museum Rijksmuseum (a museum dedicated to fine arts, crafts and history at Stadhouderskade, 42), the NEMO Museum (a science center with laboratories and various interesting exhibits, Oosterdok, 2), the Rembrandt House Museum (there the great artist lived and worked. Address - Jodenbreestraat, 4), Anne Frank House Museum (Prinsengracht, 267), Amsterdam Diamond Museum (Paulus Potterstraat, 8), Stedelijk City Museum (museum contemporary art, at Paulus Potterstraat, 13), Bag Museum (Herengracht, 573), Tropical Museum (anthropological museum, Linnaeusstraat, 2), Amsterdam Historical Museum (Kalverstraat, 92), Netherlands Maritime Museum (Kattenburgerplein, 1), Film Museum (Vondelpk , 3) and many others. You won't be bored!

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There are no uninteresting places in Amsterdam! By the way, the name of the city literally means - a dam near the Amstel River and the first mention of this was in 1275. Since then, Amsterdam has been inextricably linked with the sea, dams and, of course, canals.

If you are in the capital of the Netherlands do not visit the Van Gogh Museum, then you will regret it for the rest of your life. The museum is open every single day from 10 to 18 and the only day off is January 1.

If you have free time then just wander around this amazing city, and there are plenty of amazing things here, and first of all, this is the inexplicable passion of Amsterdam people to move everywhere on bicycles!
And mind you, not super fancy, modern, but quite ordinary, I would even say ancient bicycles that are at least 50 years old.

Without fail, go on an excursion to the exemplary village of Marken - Marken, located literally next to the city. It is here that you can see the mills, which are 300 years old and they are like new and still work.

Be sure to visit the workshop for the manufacture of wooden shoes,
where you can buy shoes made before your eyes, both as a souvenir and just everyday shoes. Well, of course, do not miss the opportunity to buy the world-famous Dutch cheese.

Let's return to magical Amsterdam - the capital of flowers, the absolute majority of which are tulips, by the way, 11 thousand hectares of land, reclaimed with such difficulty from the sea, are occupied by the production of tulips and therefore it would be the height of indecency not to visit the flower market located on the Singel Canal.

And of course, you don’t have to think that this a beautiful city known only for his past and many channels (about 600). Amsterdam is also a city with cutting-edge architecture.

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Amsterdam is the capital of Holland and a very interesting city for tourists.

In my article we will talk about where you can go in Amsterdam, but there will be a slight difference from similar articles. Since a lot has been written about the sights of Amsterdam, in my article I will talk about what I saw in this city - short description of this place, my impressions and advice. First of all, I note that my choice of museums in Amsterdam was quite traditional - before the trip, I studied the sites that tell about the sights of the city and outlined for myself a number of museums that seemed to me the most interesting. So, let's begin.

State Museum (Rijksmuseum)

What is it?

This is one of the most significant museums in Amsterdam, which was founded in the 19th century. It is quite large, among its exhibits are paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, drawings, engravings, photographs and much more.

A special pride of the museum is a collection of paintings by famous Dutch masters, among them - Rembrandt, Vermeer, de Hooch, van der Gelst and many others.

Information for visitors

The address: Museumstraat 1

Opening hours: The museum is open to visitors from 9 am to 5 pm

Ticket price: 17, 50 euros for adults, for children under 18 free of charge, for those who have purchased an I Amsterdam card - discounts

My impressions:

In general, I liked the museum, because there are a lot of art objects on display. There were quite a lot of people, but there was no flea market. Signatures for exhibits English language if you know it - there will be no problems. A big plus of the museum (I don’t remember if I saw this in others) - the most significant paintings (for example, the Night Watch) have large sheets that anyone can take - they depict a picture, and the key points are enlarged and explanations are signed to them - in other words, who is it, why is it drawn the way it is, what is unique about it, and so on. Thus, you can stand right in front of the picture, take a sheet with explanations, look and compare. I really liked this idea, it's much more interesting (after all, not all of us are experts in painting) and it's more memorable.

From the collection of the museum, I remember paintings by Dutch masters, a collection of jewelry, Delft porcelain and various locks with keys.

With the I Amsterdam card, I bought a ticket at a discount, which was quite profitable. I spent about three hours in the State Museum, although it could have been more, I was just limited in time.

Maritime Museum

What is it?

A museum that tells the visitor about the history of seafaring in Amsterdam. As you understand, navigation is closely connected with the history of the country and its economy.

Among the exhibits of the museum are paintings depicting naval battles, ship models, maps, and next to the museum there is a ship (similar ships were used by the Dutch fleet) - you can go inside and inspect it.

Information for visitors

The address: Kattenburgerplein 1

Opening hours: the museum is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm all days except April 27, December 25 and January 1

Ticket price:

children under four years old - free of charge

children from 5 to 17 years old - 7.50 euros

adults (from 18) - 15 euros

students - 7, 50 euros

· I Amsterdam card holders - free of charge

My impressions:

the museum as a whole made a good impression on me, I especially liked some interactive moments that are designed to entertain visitors. I note right away that all this is in English, or in Dutch - there is no Russian.

The first moment I liked is that on the screens of the exhibition you seem to be accompanied by a group of people - they show those whose lives were inextricably linked with the sea - I remember among them the captain of the ship, his wife, a sailor and a servant girl taken from the West Indies. At each exposition, they tell how their life has changed, at the end they will tell how it all ended (by the way, I note that there were also tragic moments).

And the second point - in that part of the exhibition, which is a port, visitors can, as it were, follow the path of the container - loading, transporting, unloading - all with the help of huge screens.

Children especially like these things. And, of course, I also liked the exposition itself - among the most curious things I will note the figures taken from the bows of the ships, paintings and maps.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

What is it?

It seems to me that explanations are unnecessary here - the museum presents wax figures famous personalities - from politicians to actors and musicians.

Information for visitors

The address:dam area,20

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:30

Ticket price:

• adults - 22 euros
• children - 17 euros
• children under 4 years old - free of charge

My impressions:

I didn't really like the exhibition, mainly because I'm not very interested in actors, singers and other media people, so I don't know many of them. The museum will appeal to those who understand this area, as well as those who like to take pictures - the figures are standing / sitting in different poses, so you can take a lot of funny photos.

Diamond Museum

What is it?

A museum that tells about the mining, classification of diamonds, and also demonstrates products made from them.

Information for visitors

The address: Paulus Potterstraat 8 (next to the Rijksmuseum)

Opening hours: from 9 to 17

Ticket price:

• adults - 8.5 euros
• children - 6 euros
• pensioners and children under 12 - free of charge

My impressions:

The museum is quite curious, although small - an hour and a half is enough for your eyes. Explanations, as in previous museums, exclusively in Dutch and English. You can take pictures, although the stones do not turn out very well in the photo. I was interested in the classification of diamonds, the story about artificial diamonds, and, of course, the exhibits themselves - among them Jewelry, inlaid paintings and a couple of modern art objects (extremely unusual) - a monkey skull studded with diamonds and so on. According to my observations, most of all in the museum of girls - they really like to look at jewelry. Anyone who is interested in diamonds or would like to learn more about them, I would recommend visiting this museum, especially since it is located in the very center of the city, within walking distance from the State Museum.