Amsterdam, the pride of the Netherlands, the city of canals… It’s like a utopian city where bicycles play a more significant role in transportation than cars. In this article, we will talk about Amsterdam’s most popular places and embark on a historical tour here and there. Are you ready to explore one of Europe’s most unique cities?
Before we begin, let us remind you: Don’t forget to download the Piri Guide mobile app to explore Amsterdam step by step with your personal and digital tour guide! 😊
Where is Amsterdam?
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. It was actually founded as a fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River in the 12th century. Today, Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North due to its extensive network of canals formed by the flowing Amstel River.
Speaking of Venice, don’t forget to check out our Venice Travel Guide before diving into Amsterdam, the Venice of the North.
How to go to Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the largest airport in the country, offers regular flights from almost every corner of the world.
There is also a beautiful train station used for travel within the Netherlands and most Western European countries. Amsterdam Central Station is conveniently connected to Schiphol Airport by train.
When to Go to Amsterdam?
The period from April to November is the ideal time to visit Amsterdam. During the spring and summer seasons, you can enjoy exploring the city by bike, relaxing in lush green parks, and taking canal tours. If you visit around May, you’ll be mesmerized by the scent of the famous Dutch tulips.
Since the Netherlands experiences rainfall throughout the year, don’t forget to bring your umbrella no matter when you go! Just a friendly reminder from us. 🙂
Must Visit Places in Amsterdam
We have listed the must-see places in Amsterdam for you below. However, let us remind you that you can find much more on the Piri mobile app. The Piri mobile app offers you the most beautiful routes for Amsterdam, detects your location, and automatically starts telling the story of where you are. All you have to do is put on your headphones and follow the route. In Piri, our Amsterdam tour is narrated by the famous guide, Saffet Emre Tonguç. Don’t start exploring Amsterdam without downloading your personal mobile tour guide that moves according to your preferences and pace! 😊
Amsterdam Centraal
We can say that Amsterdam Centraal is one of the most beautiful examples of 19th-century architecture. Made of red bricks, this building successfully captures attention with the busts on its facade.
In addition to its aesthetic appearance, Amsterdam Centraal also serves a functional role as the destination for 1,500 trains. With its international train connections, it is a bustling place. This train station warmly welcomes those taking their first steps into the city, saying, “Welcome!” in a friendly manner.
Red Light District
Perhaps one of the first areas that comes to mind when Amsterdam is mentioned is the Red Light District. It’s like the heart of Amsterdam. In fact, it’s a whole neighborhood consisting of numerous streets. In these narrow streets, it’s worth mentioning that the brothels under the red lights are under state control.
By the way, let’s not forget to mention that contrary to popular belief, the Red Light District is not the oldest brothel in the world. The first brothel was actually found near Naples in Pompeii, Italy.
Oude Kerk
The oldest community church in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerk (Old Church). Its construction began in the 13th century, and over the course of 300 years, several chapels were added to it. The most famous and magnificent of these chapels is the Chapel of Our Lady Oude Kerk, with its stunning Gothic architecture, is home to 2,500 tombstones. Additionally, approximately 10,000 Amsterdammers are buried inside. As one of the city’s oldest buildings, this church is a must-visit on your Amsterdam itinerary.
Royal Palace Amsterdam
The construction of this palace, located in Dam Square, began in 1648, right after the 80 Years’ War with Spain. The palace’s foundation consists of 12,600 piles, and you can see traces of the Classical Period in its architecture. Although the royal family currently resides elsewhere, Amsterdam Royal Palace still hosts various ceremonies and events.
Madame Tussaud Museum
One of the most popular places in Amsterdam is Madame Tussauds Museum. It’s a place where you can see wax figures of many famous personalities. These wax figures are known for their incredible realism. Here’s a suggestion: After exploring the museum and taking some photos, make sure to go up to the top floor and enjoy the breathtaking view of the city!
If you’d like to check out the museum’s website, you can click here.
Rijks Museum
This museum is filled with artworks from the Dutch Golden Age. It belongs to the Rijksmuseum, which has the largest collection of Dutch art with over 8,000 pieces. It showcases the works of famous artists like Rembrandt, Steen, Hals, and Vermeer. One of the highlights is Rembrandt’s masterpiece, “The Night Watch.” We highly recommend seeing it!
You can visit the museum’s website by clicking here.
Van Gogh Müzesi
The museum houses the largest collection of over 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Vincent van Gogh. It’s truly a treat for his fans. From his landscapes to his significant works like “Sunflowers,” it sheds light on the artist’s life and development. This could be the best option to witness the evolution of Vincent van Gogh.
You can access the museum’s website by clicking here.
For now, that’s all about Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most extraordinary cities. If you want to take a deeper tour at your own pace, you can download the Piri Guide mobile app.
