Location: Grachtengordel-West
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Things to do in Amsterdam, North Holland Province: The Best Sights & Landmarks
This city, full of colorful homes, canals and bridges, is one of Europe's most picturesque capitals. Must-sees on any visitor's itinerary include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the world's only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals navigating Amsterdam's labyrinthine streets, or just take in the sights on foot. For an unusual and memorable alternative to hotels, consider staying in a houseboat.
Restaurants in Amsterdam
1. Anne Frank House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62,301 reviews
The Anne Frank House (Dutch: Anne Frank Huis) is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. As a visitor, you experience this story through a audio tour, quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The Anne Frank House can only be visited with an online ticket for a specific date and time.
Reviewed By Skiforever1223 - Salt Lake City, United States
This is a very special museum for many reasons but I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully the museum created the narrative and the spaces they created. My two teenage daughters and I will never forget this experience. I loved the amazing artwork at the end portraying scenes recreated from the hiding place and also recommend taking time to watch the touching tributes video at the end where you hear visitors’ experiences and guest book comments from Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg and more. Read or re-read Anne Frank’s diary prior to visiting to really feel the spirit of this young reminder of so many tragically lost. You do have to reserve tickets online. Per the website: 80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at 12:00* hours noon, 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00* hours, the tickets for the day are made available on this site. (*Amsterdam time). The museum recommends this for children 10 and older. I would recommend 11 yrs. for a well-prepared child. It is a quiet, sober tour and there is one brief concentration camp scene that is graphic. Bag check and audio guides included with your ticket and there is a cafe and shop for after your tour. No photography. You line up outside at your assigned time slot until it’s time for your group to go in and it’s best to take a picture of your ticket rather than try to pull it up in your email because connectivity is spotty. The actual house/store is encased and preserved by the museum surround on Prinsengracht street. We booked an evening visit which also added to the poignancy as you leave the museum and see the canals lit by street lights. Highly recommend.
2. De 9 Straatjes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,762 reviews
This neighborhhod of "nine little streets" is full of quirky stores selling clothing, books, art, food and lots more.
Reviewed By CorneliusfudgeGM - Stockport, United Kingdom
A great neighbourhood with lots of independent shops and tucked amongst them are some great bars and restaurants. You won’t be disappointed at strolling through the 9 streets.
3. Embassy of the Free Mind - Huis Met de Hoofden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
The House with the Heads as an Embassy of the Free Mind. The Embassy of the Free Mind is a new international platform that harnesses spirituality, science, art, culture, music and storytelling to promote and share free thought. Located in the majestic 17th-century House with the Heads on Amsterdam’s Keizersgracht, the Embassy combines a range of functions: knowledge centre, international meeting place, study room, cafe and a living room of Amsterdam. The project is an initiative of The Worldheart Foundation. The Embassy of the Free Mind is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10am to 5pm and offers a versatile programme that includes museum experience tours, talks, debates, lectures, concerts and conferences.
Reviewed By 938charmainel
The Embassy of the Free Mind is one of the BEST places to be in the whole world. To truly appreciate it, I suggest doing some research as to the resources available there. Perhaps, start with The Ritman Library documentary by S. Ferro & C. Weil. Mr. Ritman and the enthusiastic staff showcase not only the rare, first & early edition books and manuscripts, but also their love and passion for their incredible treasury of gnostic, hermetic, Rosicrucian and theosophical knowledge, to name a few. All the members of the staff, volunteers and regular visitors are incredibly personable and made me feel at home. The free and open communication and sharing of ideas, no matter the level of study, provides any student of life with the freedom and space to either begin a journey into the self or to add to one’s enlightenment in a safe and accepting space. There is no other place that can offer an amalgamation of diverse texts on wisdom. Some of the books in the Rare collection were published in the 1400s, but the knowledge goes back farther than the past couple of centuries. When you are ready to ask yourself what life is about, all you have to do is browse through the books. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find. Then you’ll realize it’s 5:00 PM, and you’ll want to come back for the rest of the 24,000+ books! I suggest all the tours: Daily Tour, Rare Books, The Grail and any exhibit. Visit the website to see which collections appeal to you, likely all of them because all the ideas are connected by threads that begin to bring ideas into focus, depending on who you are (or who you are becoming)! The building itself has a rich history. Please remember that admission isn’t free – it’s your mind that is given the space to be free to explore and create your own understanding. Imagine a place in which you can view something and engage in meaningful conversation with the text, with other people, with yourself. You can’t put a price tag on that. What places the Embassy of the Free Mind above all other museums & libraries is the fact that each of the books and prints offers seeds of knowledge and wisdom from which any individual can grow and become aware of her/his place in the world and be connected with something greater. Perhaps, when you are so moved, you will even be inspired to act. Thank you to everyone at the Embassy of the Free Mind. I am grateful.
4. De Poezenboot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By martingA97JJ
If you love cats, then you MUST visit the Cat Boat here in the 'Dam on the Singel - populated with up to 50 rescue cats of all shapes, sizes and ages, it is a feline lover's paradise. This is a working cat rescue centre and not strictly a tourist attraction but it has become part of Amsterdam sightseeing. Lovely staff and a really relaxed atmosphere to escape the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city centre....There are queues sometimes as it is so popular and it only opens for two hours per day so ensure you have the correct times to avoid disappointment. On entry, you donate voluntarily as there is no mandatory admission fee. Donations help to keep this place going and they are much welcomed. You can also buy merchandise, tote bags, postcards and other small novelty items here. Do not miss it.
5. Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
6. Westerkerk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 705 reviews
This magnificent Renaissance church (circa 1620) is identified by its high tower (more than 245 feet high,) and is the site of Rembrandt's grave who was buried here in 1669.
Reviewed By NJRollHard - New York City, United States
The church itself is... a church. Not much more to say. But I gave this 5 stars because you can climb to an observation deck, which is a wonderful experience. You must register to climb to the top with someone sitting at the front desk. It costs 6 Euros and there's a tour at the top of each hour. There's a closet that locks to leave your purses/backpacks/other large things, which are not allowed on the tour. Once you check with the front desk attendant, you must pick a time to visit, as each tour only holds a few people (I think 6 was the maximum.) You may get lucky and get the next time slot, or you may need to reserve one for hours later. The climb is difficult and steep, but if you are able, it's worth it. The tour guide (ours was a lovely woman whose first name began with J...) tells you about the building of the steeple, the bells that chime, the history of the church, and a lot more. You emerge at an observation deck that is 40m (that's 131 feet, for my fellow Americans) tall, with expansive, stunning views of the city. I highly recommend this tour if you need a workout and want a bird's eye view of the beautiful city of Amsterdam.
7. Felix Meritis
8. Rode Hoed (The Red Hat)
9. Hofje Van Brienen
10. Westertoren
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By 389ashleshab
I had heard about this tower online but only did it because our group had some time to spare between activities. We did a tour of the old church tower where we climbed up to the top (from which there were great views!) and learnt about the history of the place as we ascended through each of the floors. The tour guide was great and very knowledgeable about the history behind the tower. Definitely more interesting than I expected and well worth the €8 spent!
