Location: Amsterdam
Top Things to do in Amsterdam
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What to do and see in Amsterdam, North Holland Province: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
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. Museum Vrolik
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
The Museum Vrolikianum was the private anatomical collection of the Amsterdam anatomists Gerard (1775-1859) and Willem Vrolik (1801-1863). After their deaths, the collection was further expanded by other Amsterdam anatomists. The human body is the central focus in Museum Vrolik. What do we look like on the inside? What diseases did people suffer from in the past? Skeletons and wet specimens show the devastating effects of diseases like rickets (English disease), TBC and syphilis. Congenital malformations are also on display, such as cyclopia and conjoined twins. Museum Vrolik has a large collection of animal anatomy as well.
Reviewed By tonis927 - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
All those poor deformed babies in jars make for a fascinating yet sorrowful experience. Luckily modern medicine is able to prevent such horrors as Cyclopia and rickets but not for these poor souls. If like me you have a fascination for the bizarre and grotesque this is for you. It's situated in what looks like a hospital/medical college on the south side of Amsterdam which was about a 30 minute Uber from our hotel in the West of the city but I'm so glad we went. Entrance fee is €7.50, very cheap compared to BodyWorlds which is over double the price. It's also more interesting in my opinion. Having seen BodyWorlds 20 years ago in London and again the same week as the Vrolic Museum I can testify this is much better value for money. It's small and your not meant to take photos but what you will see will stay with you for a long time.
2. FreeDam Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,182 reviews
WE WILL REOPEN ON JULY 1ST 2021. FreeDam Tour is proud to be the Nr 1 best-rated walking tour Amsterdam! We combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: history, modern life, culture, art, fun facts and personal stories for a unique insider's perspective on life in Amsterdam. Our tip-based system allows YOU to decide how much the Tour is worth. We only charge you the booking and marketing fees. That way we are motivated to always give our very best and you get the best possible value for your experience. WHEN: Every day at 11 am. MEETING POINT: in front of the Stock Exchange (Beuesplein 5) which is located on the wide street (Damrak) between Central Station and Dam Square.
3. Public House of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
4. Willet-Holthuysen Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
Visitors can tour this 17th-century canal-side house in Amsterdam, which is filled with furnished period rooms and works of art that were donated by the owner Louisa Willet-Holthuysen to the city in 1895.
Reviewed By alicebenjipietro
This house is beautiful and I was in the mood for a small museum instead of one of the larger and more overwhelming ones. It consists of three floors with an audio guide and takes about an hour, and there is a lovely garden in the back. The paintings (especially of dogs) and art collection is quite impressive for the couples house. I was really amazed on how beautiful and intricate the details were - I would highly recommend giving this house a visit. Each room is so specifically designed and carefully thought through. The staff are also quite friendly. Another plus - there is a bathroom located on each floor. This is a place I would consider holding a private event. Loved it.
5. Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,372 reviews
In the heart of Amsterdam's bustling centre lies one of the city's oldest museums: Museum Our Lord in the Attic. Here visitors get to experience the Dutch Golden Age in a special way: a 17th-century house with a top floor converted into a Catholic church.
Reviewed By ILoveDinglyDell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Amazing to find what was hidden behind the facade of an old Dutch house bordering one of the canals. Fascinating insight into the life of the house from the 1600s to sometime in the 1800s with the family rooms, storage rooms and at the top of the house, a complete church. We wandered around up and down steep stairs, with our audio guides in hand which we found extremely helpful. Wonderful experience and one not to be missed!
6. Amsterdamse Bos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 771 reviews
Covering an area of almost 1000 hectares, the Amsterdamse Bos is one of the largest city parks in Europe. It contains 150 indigenous species of trees and over 200 species of birds. The park sits to the South of central Amsterdam and can easily be reached by bike, tram or metro from the city center.
Reviewed By jlechtm - Vienna, United States
If the idea of cycling in Amsterdam terrifies you (and it probably should), come here. We had a lovely breakfast in the park and rented bikes for two adults five children with ease. From there we rode to a pool for wading, a lake for canoeing, a herd of highland cattle for viewing (at a safe distance) and a wonderful pancake house for -- what else? pancakes :-). On an extended visit to Amsterdam, it was a wonderful escape from the city for a day.
7. Tropenmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,127 reviews
The Tropenmuseum is a museum about people, housed in an impressive listed building overlooking Amsterdam's Oosterpark. The extensive permanent display and regularly changing exhibitions feature objects that all have a story to tell about humankind. Stories about universal human themes like mourning, celebration, ornamentation, prayer, conflict. From Africa to West and Southeast Asia, from New Guinea to Latin America: come to the Tropenmuseum and discover that, despite cultural differences, we are all essentially the same.
Reviewed By Clare4561 - Salisbury, United Kingdom
I visited the Tropen Museum because it was within easy walking distance of my hostel Stayokay Oost and I was very pleased I did so. It had a wide range of exhibits on modern relevant issues: the Japanese Anime phenomenon; pilgrimage to Mecca and the Dutch colonisation of Indonesia and slavery issues. I also highly recommend the Tropperje (Dutch mini pancakes) in the restaurant.
8. Portuguese Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,452 reviews
9. Begijnhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,570 reviews
Tucked away just off Spui, this delightful collection of houses arranged around an open court is well worth searching out.
Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States
Definitely worth a quick visit, such a nice and peaceful place with two churches and the oldest house in Amsterdam, from the 1400s (it is the black house right in front of the statue of the Begijn lady). I went as part of Rick Steves free "Amsterdam City Walk" audio guide. Do a search online and download it for free!
10. Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,402 reviews
Rein Mulder auteur Fotograaf 1927-2007 liet boek na Amsterdamse jongen in oorlogstijd: zoon Rein Mulder jr gaf memoires bij uitgeverij, en werd pakkend boek Koninklijke brief gehad ligt ook in Verzetsmuseum met boek 2016 kwam boek pas uit. Boek in oorlogstijd literatuurplein op luister CD. Voor de rest Verzetsmuseum geweldig voor scholen, 70 miljoen doden door rassenhaat 1940-1945 dat maag nooit meer gebeuren 1940-1945
Reviewed By OldGuysStillTravel - Greater London, United Kingdom
We arrived rather late in the day with the museum closing within 75 minutes. The staff on entering were fantastic, probably the most genuinely enthusiastic welcome I have ever been greeted with in a museum. We were told that it would be difficult to see all the museum in the time we had before closing. They gave advice as to the bits to skip in order to take in the most important elements of the museum. The excellent audio guide is free making this museum great value with an entrance fee of €11. The museum gives a sobering insight into the Dutch resistance movement and Amsterdam life in general during WWII. Located close to Artis Zoo I would recommend doing both on the same day, leaving 2 hours to do this museum justice. On a final note I really would like to thank all on duty at the museum on the evening Dec 3rd - you were all fantastic.
