Where to go in amsterdam interesting places. Amsterdam attractions: interesting routes and excursions

Itinerary Article: Find out what to see in Amsterdam in 1, 2 and 3 days. Opening hours, ticket prices to museums and attractions, how to get there. Each subsequent day complements the previous one - so in three days you will visit all the significant places of the city.

What to see in Amsterdam in 1 day

The main starting point of the route - Central station. The main attractions of the city - Dam Square, the Red Light District and others - are within walking distance.

Dam Square easily recognizable by the snow-white National Monument, it is located at the intersection of Damrak and Rokin streets. Southeast of the area - famous area red light district, in the western - the Royal Palace and the New Church. It is better to visit the area of ​​sin in the evening, and you don’t have to worry about transport - buses run at night.

In the afternoon it is good to walk around the center of the capital of the Netherlands. Royal Palace- this is the current residence of the monarchs, so you can not always admire the interior decoration. Sometimes the palace is open for visits (from 11 to 17), the entrance costs 10 euros. Nearby are the famous Wax Museum Madame Tussauds(entry 22 euros) and new church- Gothic temple.

It is not difficult to see the historic center of Amsterdam in one day - it is quite compact, you can get around it on foot. Fans of cycling can easily find bike parking, which is here at every step.

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The best souvenirs, fresh flowers, seeds and bulbs of plants can be bought at Flower floating market - Bloemenmarket. The market on the Single Channel has been around for over 100 years. Previously, there were boats with goods, now all the pavilions are stationary. The market is open on weekdays from 9 am to 5:30 pm and on weekends from 11 am.

Not far from the market is cheese shop Reypenaer, where you can taste and buy real Dutch cheese, the average cost is 5-9 euros.

From the Flower Market it is easy to get to main shopping street in Amsterdam - Kalverstraat. Here you can dine and make nice purchases. At the flower market and the eastern part of the Kalverstraat is the Mint Square and its main decoration - the Mint Tower.

You won’t be able to see everything in Amsterdam in 1 day, but we recommend that you definitely look into red light district- in the De Wallen quarter between Central Station and the New Church. Here, in red-lit showcases, priestesses of love expose themselves as merchandise. You can’t take pictures of the ladies, for this vigilant guards can cause minor bodily harm.

Youth aspires to numerous coffeeshops and smartshops where psychedelic drugs are sold legally.

Museums are open for those who are especially curious: from 9:30 to 23:30 - Sex Museum(4 euros), from 10 to 22 - marijuana museum(9 euros), from 11 am to 1 am - Erotic Museum(7 euros), from 12 to midnight - Museum of Prostitution(10 euros). Opens at 19:00 sex theater Casa Rosso(from 40 euros).

Book hotels in Amsterdam in advance! On our trip to Holland, we allowed ourselves to stretch, as a result, options for best price have already been dismantled. To find hotels at the best price, use Roomguru - a search engine that compares prices and allows you to find best deal. If you start looking for accommodation in advance, you can find good hostels from 21€ per person, and double rooms in a hotel in the city center - from 70€.

(Photo © HereIsTom / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Day 2 in Amsterdam: what to see?

If the first day is reserved for the main attractions, then the second day in Amsterdam should be devoted to museums and less touristy places.

From the Central Station by tram (No. 12, 11, 5, 2, 3) it is easy to get to the famous Museum Square, stop Hobbemastraat. There are four main museums here: State Museum(Rijksmuseum), Van Gogh Museum, Museum contemporary art(Stedelijk) and the Diamond Museum. In front of the Rijksmuseum there are huge letters "I AMSTERDAM" so that the photo session can be combined with a cultural program.

Even for a cursory inspection, you need to allocate at least 1-1.5 hours for each museum. AT Rijksmuseum there are paintings by Dutch artists and the famous "Night Watch" by Rembrandt. AT Van Gogh Museum collected more than 200 paintings of the genius. AT Stedelijk Museum- paintings by Picasso, Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Chagall and Kazimir Malevich.

The Rijksmuseum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Van Gogh Museum until 6 p.m., on Friday until 10 p.m., the Stedelijk Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Thursday until 10 p.m. There may be queues at the entrance to the museums, so it’s better to buy tickets online and with printouts go along the special corridor. Tickets cost 17-20 euros.

Creator diamond museum became a company Coster Diamonds, who carried out the British order for the polishing of the Koh-i-nor diamond. The ticket costs 8.5 euros, people will be able to watch the jewelers' technique, and then admire the stones in the vault.

What else to see in Amsterdam in 2 days? In warm weather take a walk on boats and boats. Usually the simplest cruise takes a little over an hour and costs 13-16 euros. From the Museum Square you can walk along the three Grand Canals.

Another option is to visit in Amsterdam Zoo Natura Artis Magistra(metro stop "Waterlooplein"), where more than 6,000 animals live, take a walk in botanical garden or go to the planetarium and museums. Entrance to the zoo costs 20 euros (for children 3-9 years old - 16.5 euros), open all year round until 18:00. You can buy tickets.

In the evening you can visit Chinatown, it runs parallel to the red-light district on Zeedijk Street. There are a lot of restaurants with Asian cuisine, where you can dine for 8 euros. Also here is the real Buddhist Temple He Hua Temple.

(Photo © visualpanic / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Day 3 in Amsterdam: what to see?

The third day in Amsterdam can be devoted to the prestigious Jordan district. To do this, take the subway and get off at the Nieuwmarkt stop. At Sint Antoniesbreestraat 69, there is a public library in the house of the banker Pinto, an old building built in 1605.

Close to Jodenbreestraat open Rembrandt House Museum. The atmosphere of those times was restored in the house according to the inventory, preserved after the sale of the artist's property at auction. In the interior there are engravings by Rembrandt and paintings by his students. Not far from the museum on Waterloo Square is grand flea market and Jewish Museum in 4 synagogues on the Nieuwe Amstelstraat. The museum is open from 11 am to 5 pm, entrance fee is 15 euros.

If you have the strength and time, then you can visit in Amsterdam Western church on the Prinsengracht embankment. From its bell tower it is easy to see the whole city. Entrance from 10 to 15, except Sunday. Installed in the church square monument to Anne Frank, close to her house-museum. The exposition is dedicated to the life of a Jewish girl during the Nazi occupation. Opening hours vary, admission is 10 euros.

In the evening you can go to Leiden Square, tram stop Leidseplein. On the square there is a city theater and more than 100 restaurants where you can taste any cuisine of the world.

If you didn’t manage to visit everything that you wanted to see in 3 days in Amsterdam, then you shouldn’t be upset - but there will be a great reason to return to this wonderful city again.

Intro Image Source: © megoizzy / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

The capital of the Netherlands is a wonderful city that is visited by millions of tourists every year. But many of them end up here for 1-2 days, following the journey from one European country to another. And, of course, every guest does not want to waste time in vain. What to see on your own in Amsterdam in 1 day? Let's talk about this in more detail.

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It really is, in a way, the "heart of Amsterdam". After all, the Central Station receives the main flow of tourists. Up to 250 thousand passengers arrive here annually. The station began to work in 1889, and many tourists perceive it not only as the starting or ending point of their journey, but also examine the old building with curiosity.

Today you can take a high-speed train from the Central Station in a row major cities European countries, and the road will take a few hours, which is very convenient. There is also a bus station here. Flights departing from here connect Amsterdam with other cities in Holland. And, finally, ships that follow the large city canals also moor at the Central Station.

Public library

If you find yourself in Amsterdam for 1 day, you are unlikely to linger in the library as a reader. Still, it's worth coming here. The construction of the magnificent complex cost the state 80 million euros. The 10-story building now houses the largest library in Europe, and many Russians can only dream of such amenities.

Of the 1,200 reading places, half are equipped with computers connected to the Internet. Tourists can also visit the Library Museum and go up to the 7th floor. Here is the self-service restaurant V&D La Place, the terrace of which is an excellent observation deck. Here you can drink coffee - after all, the forces will still come in handy, there is a whole journey ahead, and admire the opening view of the city. The library is open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm.

NEMO Museum

Actually, this is the Museum of Science - in the full sense of the word. In appearance, it very much resembles a green ship. Since you can stay here for a very long time, it is worth noting that the cafes are located on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors. The 1st also sells souvenirs that you can't buy anywhere else. They repeat the layouts presented in the museum.

The first floor is dedicated to the structure of DNA and various chain reactions, here you can also watch a half-hour show on this topic. The ball factory is located on the second floor. Children are especially amused by the conveyor through which their stream flows. Also, there are numerous exhibitions that tell about the water cycle in nature, the work of electricity, etc. Those who wish can watch popular science films.

The third floor is a huge laboratory. You can see how scientific experiments are carried out and even take part in this process. The fourth floor is dedicated to the human brain. Here they give lectures and conduct various kinds of tests that allow you to evaluate the work of the brain and sensory organs. The fifth floor is a place where you can have a bite to eat, look at the city from the observation deck, and little tourists will spend time in the playroom with pleasure.

Church of St. Nicholas

This ancient church is especially loved by the townspeople, because St. Nicholas is the patron saint of the city. In addition, this is a church, truly "suffered." During the Reformation, there could be no question of building new Catholic churches - and the old ones were banned. The Church of St. Nicholas, the construction of which began in 1884, became the "first sign" that announced the softening of the persecution of the Catholic faith. It turned out to be very beautiful, embodied two main styles - neo-baroque and neo-renaissance.

Two tall towers, crowning the facade, a bas-relief depicting the Savior surrounded by disciples, a sculpture of St. Nicholas - in a word, it is difficult to take your eyes off the basilica. She has one more advantage: excellent acoustics. When the ancient organ sounds, numerous guests gather in the basilica to enjoy the music.

Exchange Berlage

The author of the architectural project is Hendrik Petrus Berlage, and his name is now inextricably linked with his most famous brainchild. The apparent simplicity - this style is called "rationalism" - is deceptive. It is worth paying attention to the decorative clock tower, as well as the statues of the heroes of Holland surrounding the stock exchange.

This is the knight Geisbrecht, whose name is covered with legends, Kun Jan Pietersoon - thanks to him, Holland began to dominate Indonesia, and the famous philosopher Hugo Grotius. At the end of the 20th century, the stock exchange ceased to exist within the walls of this building. Now here you can visit a museum that tells how it functioned. Visit the huge Main Hall - in 2002, the king of the Netherlands got married here. Visit exhibitions of paintings, including paintings by the famous Van Gogh. There is also one of the best restaurants in the city.

Dam Square

No, the name of the square has nothing to do with the fair sex. She received this name because in the 13th century a dam was built here. Over time, the dam became so wide that a square arose here, and a city grew around it. Today, the size of the square is 200 x 100 m. If you find yourself here, then other attractions will be within walking distance. Among them is the Red Light District. The Royal Palace, the New Church, the Wax Museum overlook the square itself. Fans of shopping will find here a wonderful Bienkorf department store. There are always a lot of tourists in Dam Square, so if you are looking for compatriots, you will definitely find them here.

Royal Palace

Previously, the palace was the town hall, now it is the royal residence. The ancient building, built in the middle of the 17th century, bears the features of ancient Roman architecture, this style is called "Dutch classicism". Outside - the severity of classical lines, and inside - richly decorated interiors - all this also characterizes the Royal Palace. It rests on a powerful foundation made of thousands of wooden piles, and the sandstone from which the walls are built only emphasizes the old building with its dark shade. The palace is crowned with a weather vane, to which the master gave the shape of a ship.

The main room of the town hall - the Central Hall - has impressive dimensions, and its height reaches almost 30 m. And, as if emphasizing the power of the monarch, on the floor, under his feet - there are images of the two hemispheres of the Earth. Since 1808, the palace is no longer used as a town hall. At first it belonged to Louis Bonaparte, then to the Royal House of Orange, and only in the 30s of the 20th century, it went to the state. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to see the art gallery located in the palace. Here are collected the works of famous artists, including Rembrandt.

new church

In fact, it is not so new, except perhaps in comparison with other attractions. The Calvinist church was built in the 15th century. It is located next to the Royal Palace. Permission for its construction was given after the church of St. Nicholas was too small for the growing city.

Initially, the New Church was dedicated to two saints - Mary and Catherine. The Middle Ages is an era when fires often occurred in cities. The Church of Saints Mary and Catherine did not escape them either. It burned three times - twice in the 15th century, and once in the middle of the 17th. After that, it was rebuilt, adding Gothic elements. The last reconstruction was carried out in the middle of the 20th century.

More than once the New Church was used for inaugurations and weddings of royalty. Many are also buried here. famous people cities. Today, services are not held in the church, but here you can see various exhibitions, listen to organ music concerts.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Everyone has heard of this museum. He is a branch London Museum with the same name. The building on Dam Square was located in 1991. Here you can see with your own eyes famous artists - artists, musicians, singers. As well as famous political figures. New figures appear here regularly. Today's viewer has the opportunity to see Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other public idols. The museum is open daily.

flower market

You will not see such a market anywhere else - it is the only one in the world. This is perhaps the main attraction of the city. The thing is, it's floating. As early as the 17th century, merchants sailed boats on the canals and sold flowers. After the city moat was filled in at the end of the 19th century, the market moved to the place where it is still located.

There are barges along the city embankment, and there are shops selling flowers in them. Here you can buy both luxurious bouquets and planting material. For example, tulip bulbs are sold both individually and by weight at a reasonable price. Tourists come to this market, often just to admire it, but many also make purchases. It is no coincidence that in Russia the very first, bright red tulips are called "Dutch".

Leidseplein

If you are a nightlife lover, then this is the place for you. Until the early morning fun is in full swing at the Leidseplein. Entertainment here is for every taste. There are theaters and cinemas, clubs, cafes, shops. Not to mention the street performers. here you will meet musicians and jugglers, magicians and fakirs. If you yourself have some talents, you can also perform. Grateful spectators are provided. Like concert hall under open sky. They also sell amazingly delicious coffee. You can enjoy it in one of the cafes, or buy ground and take it with you.

Canal Cruise

Many tourists admit that the canal cruise was the highlight of their trip. Such excursions do not last long - an hour and a half. You can start your acquaintance with the capital of the Netherlands with such a trip, or end your trip with it. Often, listening to the guide's story, tourists pay attention to some sights, and then visit them on their own. In total, about two hundred types of boats and ships ply through the canals of the city. You can book a romantic trip "with lunch" or "with dinner", a thematic tour, for example, to places associated with the name of Van Gogh. An hour trip costs about 15-16 euros.

Red light district

The red light district is known far beyond the borders of the country. Amsterdam is one of the few cities in Europe where the hottest entertainments are legalized. However, this was not always the case. In the 16th century, they fought against prostitution in the country, temporarily turned a blind eye to it in the 19th century, in the 20th - brothels again switched to an illegal position. And only in 1988, three years after the first international congress of ladies of easy virtue, prostitution in the Netherlands was recognized as an ordinary profession.

Today, the Red Light District is a city in miniature. It includes about two dozen streets. It has its own shops, cafes and even museums. About a thousand priestesses and priests of love work here. It is allowed to enter the panel from the age of 21. Special showcases attract guests, behind which you can see girls or boys. If the place is free - through the window you will see everything that is being done in the room. Has a client arrived? The curtain falls.

You can find entertainment in the Red Light District during the day, but still the main life here begins at 23:00. Prices are quite affordable - about 50 euros per visit. Homosexuals will also find partners here. But still, most of the tourists come here not for carnal pleasures, but just to stare.

How to get from the airport to the center

And one more question that worries the vast majority of tourists - how to get to the center from the airport? This can be done in several ways. But, if you arrive on your own, and no one will meet you, you should familiarize yourself with the city map in advance in order to know exactly where your hotel is located.

What do you know about the city of Amsterdam? Most likely, the fact that this is a city of tulips, bridges, "Red Light District". But, that's not all. Today we will tell you what to see in Amsterdam, and also give some tips on what to fear here.

Brief information about the city of Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands - the city of Amsterdam, stands at the mouth of two rivers IJ and Amstel. The most interesting thing is that sixty percent of the inhabitants of this country are immigrants who came here in search of a fun and carefree life. The capital of the country is a major cultural, financial and business center, here are the headquarters of the largest corporations in the world, the head office of the Greenpeace organization, the world's oldest stock exchange. There are a lot of large banks, light industry factories in Amsterdam, and its food production specializes in potato processing, coffee and brewing. Huge income to the treasury brings local major port. The leading industries of the country - mechanical engineering, oil refining, aircraft building, cutting of jewelry stones, also bring considerable income to the budget of the Netherlands.

History of the city of Amsterdam. The tour guides tell a lot interesting legend about the founding of the capital of the Netherlands. A long time ago, two fishermen were caught in a severe storm, they desperately fought the storm for their lives and prayed to God for help. In answer to their prayers, the boat was thrown into a deserted place where the Amstel River flows into the Zuider Zee. To keep themselves busy, the two friends built a hut and a new boat. They began to gradually settle down, they liked the new place of residence so much that they moved their families and friends here. Thus a new village was born. To protect it from flooding with the waters of a fast river during the flood period, they built a dam, and the settlement was called "Amsteledame", literally translated "Dam on the Amstel". The first mention of this place is found in written sources from 1275. The capital of the Netherlands, the city of Amsterdam became much later, in 1814, when it was already a very large settlement. Amsterdam is a wonderful city that has made efforts for centuries to drain excess water. According to legend, in 1275, two fishermen who, by the will of God, survived the storm, founded a fishing settlement on the banks of the Amstel River. The annual flooding of the river required the construction of a dam, which began the difficult construction of a city on the water. It must be said that the history of the development of the city is continuously connected with the constant struggle of the local population, associated with the recapture of drained territories from the water. The area around the future city consisted of numerous swamps, lakes, straits and small islands. Draining the lands cost enormous efforts: they brought bags of sand and earth, stones and other rubbish, pouring it all into the water, built their houses on high piles, erected the now legendary Dutch mills, which, by the way, have become the hallmark of Amsterdam. During the period from the thirteenth to the fourteenth century, the rapid growth of urban wealth spurred on, given to Amsterdam the status of a city with "tax benefits". It has become a real magnet for traders. Thanks to this, Amsterdam became a successful "business center" of the time and the largest seaport in the world. Luxurious buildings, bridges, cathedrals began to be erected in the city. So what to see in Amsterdam?

Canals of the city of Amsterdam. There are three main canals in the capital of the Netherlands: Herengracht, Kaisergracht, Prinsengracht, which form three peculiar rings around the city, and together they are called the Grachtengordel Canal Belt. Herengracht Canal - "Canal of the Lords and Masters", got its name in honor of the former rulers of Amsterdam. Today it is the main water artery of the city. And its embankment is the most fashionable district of Amsterdam, with the poetic name "Golden Bend". It is famous for its magnificent medieval mansions with remarkable architecture. The Kaisergracht canal is the "Royal Canal". AT winter time, it is covered with ice, the very first, so winter sports enthusiasts are happy to use it for winter joys: ice skating. The Prinsengracht Canal - the “Prince of Orange Canal” - serves as an invisible border separating the craft and trading part city ​​from the representative district with rich mansions. This canal is the busiest and longest of the three canals, and a huge number of boats pass through it every day. There are almost a hundred small and medium-sized canals in the city, over which more than a thousand bridges are thrown; in the dark, millions of lanterns illuminate them, which makes Amsterdam at night a fabulous place.

The fact that the territory of the city is located on marshy swamps, as a result of which it is impossible to build skyscrapers, high-speed multi-lane highways, does not affect the tourist attractiveness of Amsterdam at all. Its narrow streets paved with stone, decorated with numerous flowerpots and flower beds with tulips, ancient buildings standing on strong, high beams, numerous parks and a unique atmosphere of comfort, indescribable friendliness - all this attracts numerous tourists from all over the world to the city. The capital of the Netherlands is a unique mixture of ultra-modernity with medieval antiquity. Here, like nowhere else, ancient balustrades and mirrored facades of new buildings are harmoniously combined, museums are located next to fashionable boutiques representing popular world brands, in modest democratic cafes you will be served amazingly strong beer, prepared according to old recipes of monks. This city is considered the most tolerant in Europe. In its numerous "coffee shops", it is allowed to legally smoke marijuana, and in the glass windows of the streets of the "Red Light District" to look at the luring tourists, priestesses of love. By the way, visiting this quarter is a tourist highlight of Amsterdam. But besides this amazing quarter, there is something to see in Amsterdam: numerous museums, interesting art galleries, cathedrals, squares and ancient monuments. Another tourist attraction is the "Diamond Factory" of Amsterdam, where those who wish can visit the exhibition hall, look at the interesting process of cutting precious stones.

Travelers begin their acquaintance with the sights of Amsterdam with a visit to its old part - Oudzids - historical center. The main attraction of the area - Oudekerk Church for eight centuries, it delights and delights the eyes of local residents and numerous tourists, with unsurpassed pride and grandeur. She is a real embodiment of the spirit of the Middle Ages. The construction of the Oudekerk church began in the thirteenth century by fishermen, dedicating this temple to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who has long been the patron saint of sailors, merchants, and children. This church was wooden and built on the site of an old cemetery, in the middle of a swampy area. Construction was carried out for three centuries, during which time it experienced several fires, attacks by iconoclasts, who destroyed the luxurious wall paintings. Later the temple was built of stone. Today you can hear its bell, which is the oldest in Amsterdam, it was cast in 1450 by master Francois Hemony. Since then, he has been calling believers to the Sabbath service for seven centuries. The church is famous for its stunning sixteenth-century stained glass windows by Dirk Crabeth and Lambert Van Noort. The stained glass windows depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, while the ceiling paintings, dating back to the period of the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries, represent biblical scenes. Since the church was erected in honor of St. Nicholas by fishermen, images of ships can be seen everywhere here. Still, this church is proud of three organs, the oldest of them is 358 years old, the organ, assembled in 1724, is considered the best organ in Europe. The Oudekerk has excellent acoustics, so organ concerts are constantly held here.

"Red light district"- occupies most of the historical center. This is not a quarter, but a whole district, which locals They call it "De Valletes" - "Walls", since in ancient times the walls of city fortifications passed here. This place was chosen by prostitutes in the fourteenth century, as it was near the port and next to the church, taverns and brothels, that is, everything that sailors who arrived from a long voyage needed. Life here is in full swing at any time of the day, but the most interesting begins with the onset of darkness: the illumination lights up, loud music begins to play, the streets are filled with an excited crowd of people, glass windows are occupied by “priestesses of love” of all stripes, skin colors, sizes and ages. It must be said that the bulk of the people are onlookers, not consumers. This area is home to the Amsterdam Erotic Museum, which displays erotic art from different cultures and times. There are sculptures, paintings, statues, photographs, old engravings, various accessories and so on.

Nieuwekerk church- a temple dedicated to St. Catherine, it began to be built in 1380. We can say that this is the most eclectic building in the city. Its grandiose facades, surrounded by a variety of buildings dating from different time periods, do not immediately make it clear how old this building is. Construction was carried out for seventy years. For its five centuries, the church has experienced terrible fire, as a result, only two of its original Gothic facades have come down to us. The history of this church is inextricably linked with the history of the Netherlands: Since 1814, weddings and coronations of the royal dynasty of Orange-Nassau began to be held here. By the way, the tradition has been preserved to our time, in 1980, the coronation of Queen Beatrix took place here. And yet, concerts, exhibitions, antique fairs and lectures are held here.

Royal Palace of the City of Amsterdam- one of those places that you must visit. The building was conceived as the location of the city hall: the administrative and judicial authorities of the Netherlands. The project was developed in 1648 by the architect Jacob Van Kampen. The palace was planned to be built in the classical style, as a reminder of architecture Ancient Greece and Rome. For the implementation of the grandiose project, a lot of work had to be done: almost fourteen thousand twelve-meter, strong piles were driven into the muddy soil, a platform was built on them, and only then the construction of walls began. They decorated the building with chic: allegorical figures, a marble map of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, laid out on the floor of the central hall. This building houses the great paintings of the Dutch masters. Tourists can look at them by purchasing a ticket in advance. The City Hall became the Royal Palace in 1808, after Napoleon came to power. He chose this luxury building- residence. Today, despite the fact that the royal court permanently lives in The Hague, this building is at the disposal of the Royal House of the Netherlands and is used for important celebrations.

What else to see in the city of Amsterdam? Well, of course, museums! On the central square of the city - Dam Square, named after a dam erected in the Middle Ages on the Amstel River, is a branch of the world famous, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. It was officially opened in 1971, and since 1991 it has moved to its current address. Museum visitors can see here the great Dutch painter Rembrandt, the scientist Albert Einstein, the famous Van Gogh, the brilliant Pablo Picasso and the unique Salvador Dali. In addition, there are amazing doubles of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and many others. The museum is open every day from ten in the morning until half past six in the evening.

Van Gogh Museum- located on the Museum Square of the capital of the Netherlands. It must be said that the priceless canvases of the artist have come down to us by a miracle. The fact is that after the death of the artist, his paintings were inherited by his brother, but he also soon died, and the artistic legacy of Vincent van Gogh, along with his letters to his beloved brother, remained with the widow of his brother Theo. Her friends offered to get rid of this bad taste, but she carefully kept these canvases, and gave the letters for publication. The master's collection of paintings was in the Van Gogh family until 1973. Until his cousin, Vincent Willem van Gogh, donated them to a museum specially built for this purpose. Today, we can see here more than two hundred original paintings, his sketches, numerous letters, as well as paintings by other impressionist masters, his friends.

Rembrandt House Museum– the exposition of this is located in the building where he lived and painted greatest artist and engraver of the seventeenth century to the 17th century - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. In total, he created almost three hundred paintings, the same number of engravings and two thousand drawings. The museum was officially opened in 1911. Today, in the house-museum, the atmosphere of the times of the master's life is accurately recreated: kitchen, rooms, workshop. The collection includes works by Rembrandt and paintings by his students, as well as Peter Lastman - his teacher, one of the halls is dedicated to the technique of engraving.

Heineken Brewery Museum is the place to learn about interesting history families of world-famous brewers, to get acquainted with the old devices for brewing beer, as well as to taste it. The museum has a souvenir shop.

Since Holland is always associated with tulips, you should definitely visit flower market Amsterdam, where you can not only admire the variety of these beautiful flowers, take great photos for memory, but also buy a few tulip bulbs as souvenirs to grow them at home.

Now let's talk about the precautions that should be observed in the city of Amsterdam. As in any major metropolitan area in the world, there is a fairly high probability of pickpocketing, often carried out in the flea market near the main attractions or public transport. Do not carry valuables, documents and money in your pocket. Since Amsterdam is a city of cyclists, and tourists often rent bikes to explore the city, a common type of theft is bike theft. Therefore, you need to leave it in a special bike parking. Since the Netherlands is a country with the legalized sale of light drugs, you should not think that you can also freely bring them as a souvenir to your homeland if they are found with you or in your luggage at the airport, you are guaranteed long proceedings with the police. And yet, on the streets of Amsterdam, people are fined for drinking alcohol, and the fines are considerable. Be very careful when visiting the Red Light District: and try to refrain from open photo and video shooting here. The ladies of the area don't like it and you can be punished by their guards. Smoking on the streets of Amsterdam is prohibited not only narcotic cigarettes, but also regular ones. And also, if you decide to visit local coffeeshops, do not overeat, out of habit, pies with hashish and mushrooms. The package says: "No more than three pies a day" - trust them, otherwise you will be taken to the wrong place! And, as for the capricious local weather: Amsterdammers always carry a raincoat with them, regardless of the season, because the proximity of the sea can cause a downpour at any time.

Amsterdam is a very controversial and unpredictable city, where beautiful old buildings, cathedrals and bridges across numerous canals coexist with the depraved Red Light District, and the Van Gogh and Rembrandt Museum with the Museum of Sex and the Cannabis Museum. But, the capital of the Netherlands is one of the most attractive tourist destinations, where there is never a "low season", and in the city of Amsterdam, there is always something to see.

But even if you are not interested in paintings on the nautical theme, the maps of the 17th century, weapons, ancient globes and navigational instruments will certainly not leave you indifferent! Do not miss the pride of the museum - the richest collection of models of sailing and rowing boats. And in the museum docks, you can board the handsome ship "Amsterdam" (a copy of the ship of the East India Company) and see firsthand how the sailors of that time lived on campaigns.

The museum is a 15-minute walk from the Central Station and is open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily. The ticket costs €15.

7. Van Gogh Museum

Even if you are not a fan of painting in general and Van Gogh in particular, do not be too lazy to go to this famous museum. The bright, saturated colors of the canvases of the famous painter will leave few people indifferent. To learn more about the creative path of the great artist and debunk stereotypes, we advise you to go on a unique tour "", which was developed by the guide, based on the works of art historians and psychiatrists. And if you want to understand what attracts art lovers so much in Van Gogh's paintings, do not miss the tour "

Weekend in Amsterdam: what to see in two days?

Are you planning a free weekend? A great excuse to arrange an "Amsterdam weekend" for yourself! Book your accommodation in Amsterdam as soon as possible and plan your trip. And we will share insider tips on how to spend these two days in a varied and active way.

Before you - two options for plans and ideas of what to do in the capital of Holland. Choose, combine, compose your own program to your taste - and enjoy all the variety of emotions and impressions that Amsterdam is ready to offer you!

Classic weekend getaway in Amsterdam

Suitable for you if:

Alternative weekend plan in Amsterdam

Suitable for you if:

  • you want new impressions from this unique city
  • you do not like to walk the beaten paths
  • you want to feel a little bit in Amsterdam and not just a tourist.

Advice! If you want to see the most important sights of Amsterdam, pay attention to the overview Russian-language excursion "Amsterdam at 15:15". Duration 2 hours, cost 20 euros.

So, let's begin!

Cultural program: hunting for the beauties of Amsterdam

Of course, such a hunt will not require much effort, because meetings with the beautiful await you at every step. But in some places the concentration of beauty per square meter exceeds any expectations.

Classic variant. Go to the most - (State Museum) and. According to TripAdvisor's "Travellers' choice" ranking, both of them are among the 25 best museums in the world. At the end of 2017, the Van Gogh Museum became the most visited museum in Holland, breaking all records: 2.260.000 people per year! The Rijksmuseum is in second place with 2.160.000 visitors per year.

If the second museum needs no introduction at all, then the portrait Rijksmuseum, perhaps it is worth adding a few touches. It is there that the famous painting "Night Watch" by Rembrandt is located, as well as the works of Dutch artists - Hals and Vermeer, Steen and de Hooch. A museum with two hundred years of history, in 2013 it reopened after a 10-year renovation - which was a very long-awaited event for both the Dutch themselves and foreign visitors.

When scheduling your time, keep in mind that there will most likely be queues at the entrance to the museums. They can be avoided buying tickets online. Having printed tickets in hand, you get the right to enter the museum through a special corridor. And in some museums - for example, in the Rembrandt House Museum, Madame Tussauds Museum, Heineken Experience Museum - when buying tickets on the website, and not at the entrance, you can also save money.

Attention! From September 2018 Van Gogh museum tickets on sale only online. It is often almost impossible to buy online tickets to the Van Gogh Museum on the same day. Plan your visit in advance and buy tickets at least in 2-3 days until the desired date. AT hot season tickets better to buy in a week.

Alternative option. If the spirit of the city for you is not in its history, but in everyday life, then feel free to go to the markets of Amsterdam - Waterlooplein and Bloemenmarkt. Despite the fact that they can hardly be called classic (after all, they are designed primarily for tourists), there is more than enough color and bright colors!

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The market is open daily from 09.00 to 17.30. Average prices: 3 packs of bulbs (ten each) of tulips - 10 euros, 3 magnets - 5 euros.

Photographs from Amsterdam: clicking frames for memory

During the trip, hundreds of frames will surely appear in your camera, which are simply breathtaking. Want some special photos? Here are at least two win-win places for photosets.

Classic variant. Two-meter letters I AMSTERDAM- one of business cards and sights of the city. They are located right on the Museum Square opposite the Rijksmuseum, so it is easy and convenient to combine this photo shoot with museum leisure. The Rijksmuseum itself will also be in the frame! But in order for there to be no other “photo models”, you will have to try very hard - this installation is very popular with tourists.

update: Attention! On December 3, 2018, the letters I amstedam were removed from Museum Square. Now a permanent installation with letters stands at Schiphol Airport. Plus, there are “traveling” letters that are transported to different parts of the city. , where are all the letters I amsterdam at the moment.

Alternative option. A photo shoot against the backdrop of letters is undoubtedly a seductive idea. She has only one drawback: it is interesting only for the first time! If your album already has this element of the mandatory program, then look for a positive yellow duck on a bike. It is located at the intersection of Sint Antoniesbreestraat and Snoekjessteeg streets (a three-minute walk from the Waterlooplein market). And, apparently, according to the citation index in social networks she will soon give odds to the famous letters!

Shopping: just one eye (really!)

So how do you resist the temptation...

Classic variant. Go to Kalverstraat, Amsterdam's main shopping street. Mass market brands such as Zara, Vero Moda, H&M, America Today, Levi's, Ecco, Diesel and hundreds of others are located here. On Kalverstraat, you can update your wardrobe, buy gifts, and have a bite to eat.

For luxury brands (MaxMara, Burberry, Gucci), check out De Bijenkorf department store(an analogue of the Moscow GUM) on Dam Square (there you can find boutiques Chanel, Dior, Escada and many others).

  • You may be interested in:

Most of the shops in Amsterdam are open from 10.00 to 19.00. On Sundays and Mondays, many of them open at 12.00, but on Thursdays all large shopping centers have an extended working day - until 21.00.

Alternative option. You have already studied the new Zara collection by heart, but the number of Mango blouses on the inhabitants of your city is full of eyes? In this case, give preference to the “nine streets” area, where small designer clothes and accessories stores, vintage and colorful second-hand shops are concentrated.

Cost: 3 - 3.5 euros per serving.

P.S. And remember the phrase Mmm, lekker! (“Mmm, delicious!”) - you will definitely need it!

Alternative option. Order your favorite Dutch appetizer bitterballen (literally translated as “bitter balls”, but this is exactly the case when the literal translation has little to do with reality) - small balls of deep-fried meat stew. Served with mustard or sauce (mustard + mayonnaise). They fit especially well.

Cost: 6-7 euros per serving.

Fresh impressions: let's add fire!

Do you want something hotter? Choose - we go where the hottest things in Amsterdam live, or where they serve really spicy food!

Classic variant

Sounds shocking and even criminal? Don't worry, this quarter is completely safe for tourists (the main rule to follow is not to take pictures of girls in booths, this is strictly monitored by the "fighters of the invisible front"). Many of those travelers who came here for the first time note that "everything is neat and even cozy."

And besides, it's legal. After all, as you know, prostitutes in Holland are individual entrepreneurs who work quite within the law: they officially rent a workplace, pay taxes, and even have their own trade union.

Alternative option. Amsterdam is a very international city, and each ethnic group brings something different to its atmosphere. Representatives of oriental cultures are very successful in this matter. Go to, which starts almost from the very central station and passes next to the red light district - and feel all the variety of smells, sights and tastes!

An unusual view of the city: changing the focus

You can walk endlessly along the streets of Amsterdam: admire the canals, look at the colorful inhabitants, notice interesting details on like gingerbread houses. It would seem that more to wish for! But completely unexpected views will open up to you if you decide to look at Amsterdam in the truest sense of the word from a new angle.

Classic variant. Join one of the many canal tours- it is from the boat that you can best see all the breathtaking beauty of the houses and sights of Amsterdam. A classic day trip (60 minutes) costs an average of 16 euros.

Attention! From July 12 to August 31, 2019 you can get a discount on KINboat cruises:

  • Small Open Boat Tour : 3 euro discount(total 13 euros instead of 16) using the promotional code SOBT-MINSK19
  • Cruise Like a Local : 5 euro discount(total 19.50 euros instead of 24.50) with the promo code CLAL-MINSK19

Evening canal cruises can be successfully combined with dinner. You can choose Pizza Cruise, which serves pizza + drinks (42.50 euros per person), or you can choose Dinner Cruise, which serves a full meal on board (from 92.50 euros). Cruise tickets are best booked in advance.

Life hack! Canal cruise tickets can be purchased in combination with museum tickets. These combo tickets will save you 5-7 euros. For example:

  • combo ticket to Madame Tussauds + canal cruise (save 7.5 euros)
  • Rijksmuseum combo ticket + canal cruise (save €5)
  • Heineken Experience Combo Ticket + Canal Cruise (save €7)

Alternative option. Take a look at Amsterdam bird's-eye! In May 2016, A’DAM Lookout opened in Amsterdam, offering a 360 degree view of Amsterdam from the 20th floor. Entrance fee - 15 euros (buy tickets >>). All guests - a photo for memory!

The A'DAM Lookout site is open from 10.30 to 21.00 (at the entrance they are allowed until 20.00). And, to be honest, the views of Amsterdam in the evening are even more fascinating than in the daytime! Watch the sunset at the cozy Madam Bar on the 20th floor.