Our hotel tips in Amsterdam (centre)
When you go to Amsterdam, of course you have to see the city centre and especially the red light district. In the evening, all hell breaks loose in De Wallen. Sex museums, sex shops, strip clubs and brothels dominate the streets. It is impossible to imagine Amsterdam's red light district without the women waiting for customers in the red-lined shop windows.
After a lively evening exploring the city, you'll want to retreat to a comfortable hotel. Here's where Hotel deals in Amsterdam at hotels-in-netherlands.com come into the picture. They offer a comprehensive list of Amsterdam hotels that suit every budget and preference.
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The city centre and the red light district are a hive of activity in the evening.
The streets are filled with groups of men, couples holding hands and women celebrating their hen parties. Young people in particular are drawn here at night to really experience the city centre. You also meet legions of Asian tourists who capture everything with their cameras and smartphones. Photos of women in the shop windows are strictly forbidden, however.
Besides all the sex shops, there are plenty of burger shops, cafés and the like that make the Rossebuurt, as the Amsterdammers call the red light district, worth a visit. A visit here is definitely a must-do.
During our tour of the red light district, things were absolutely relaxed. No grim characters - instead boisterous people who just want to party and have fun.
One thing to keep in mind when you visit: the women behind the windows probably don't enjoy being ogled. Yes, it's a tourist hotspot, but you should treat everyone with respect.
2 The canal belt - an absolute must-see
It's great fun just to stroll along the canals. Amsterdam is not called the Venice of the North for nothing. Many Amsterdammers have their own boat, so there's always something happening on the canals.
It's fun to watch the hustle and bustle on the canals from a bridge.
From the bridges you always have a great view of the water and the city. You can explore Amsterdam's most beautiful places and sights at your leisure on a canal cruise.
This makes the trip a wonderful activity, especially when the weather is nice.
When the sun shines, the city comes to life
By the way, work on the canal belt began in 1612 and took about 40 years to build. The canals were mainly used to transport goods within the city, but also played a role in defence. Since 2010, Amsterdam's canal belt has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A boat trip on the canals is one of the absolute must-dos in Amsterdam. 3. 3 The Rijksmuseum - the most famous museum in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has, of course, many more sights to offer than the Red Light District. Wondering what else there is to do in Amsterdam? The city is home to one top-class museum after another. The Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, is the most famous, with over two million visitors a year.
The Rijksmuseum - where there is a regular flea market - is one of the top sights in Amsterdam.
In the Rijksmuseum you will find an extensive collection of paintings from the Golden Age of the Netherlands. Among other things, you can see Rembrandt's Night Watch, one of the most famous paintings in the world. But famous works by Jan Vermeer or Frans Hals can also be admired in the imposing museum building.
In addition, the Rijksmuseum displays a large collection of Asian art objects and artefacts relating to Dutch history. If you're not interested in art or don't have much time, just walk around a bit. Through two huge glass fronts you get a view into the building. There is also a regular flea market right in front of the museum.
This part of the famous museum is freely accessible and a great photo location. Recommended travel guide for your trip to Amsterdam
Looking for a printed guidebook for your city trip to Amsterdam? We highly recommend this travel guide.
4. the Oude Kerk
When you're in the red light district, you must visit the Oude Kerk. The "Old Church" is the oldest preserved building in Amsterdam and one of the top sights of the Old Town. Since the Oude Kerk is in the middle of the red light district, it is surrounded by brothels - this is probably unique in the world and definitely an attraction.
The Oude Kerk is surrounded by brothels and is therefore a top attraction.
But there are also numerous cafés that invite you to linger. The picture is really curious. If you walk around the church, you'll keep passing provocative ladies in their shop windows, while not five metres away the church walls rise into the sky. You simply have to see it. You have an excellent view of the church from the nearby Oudekennissteeg bridge.
The church lies directly on a canal 5 Trompettersteeg - the narrowest alley in Amsterdam
Just a few metres from the Oude Kerk, you will find the Trompettersteeg(Google Maps), another sight that should not be missed on any trip to Amsterdam.
But be careful: you can easily miss the alley. With a width of only one metre, Trompettersteeg is the narrowest alley in Amsterdam and a real highlight. Here, too, you walk past scantily clad ladies in their shop windows.
In the evening, hordes of tourists crowd through the alley - Trompettersteeg is, after all, a very hot address in Amsterdam. If you visit Trompettersteeg during the day, you can walk along the 30-metre-long alley without a big crowd. This alley is definitely a must-see and a great photo spot.
6 The coffee shops
We don't want to encourage drug use - in Amsterdam, however, it is completely legal to consume cannabis in the world-famous coffee shops. This, of course, makes them absolute hotspots for tourists.
The coffee shops are simply part of the cityscape. You can have the cannabis weighed out by the gram in the shop and enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee. For beginners, there are ready-rolled joints - but professionals roll their own.
But please don't get the stupid idea to smuggle some of it into Germany - customs don't like it! This is not an insider tip, but it should be mentioned again here. By the way, hard drugs are just as illegal in the Netherlands as in any other country in the world.
If you walk through the red light district, you will be offered something every now and then.
7 The Van Gogh Museum
Just a stone's throw from the Rijksmuseum is the Van Gogh Museum in a modern building. The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of works by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.
The Van Gogh Museum resides in this new building and is one of Amsterdam's most famous attractions
With around 1.5 million visitors a year, the Van Gogh Museum, like the Rijksmuseum, is one of Amsterdam's most famous museums and certainly a top activity. If you're interested in art, you can't miss a visit to the world-famous museum. Absolutely worth a visit!
Our tip: If you're interested in modern art, we highly recommend the Stedelijk Museum and the Moco Museum.
8 The Anne Frank House
If you have some time, you should visit the Anne Frank House. It's an interesting venture and a must-do in Amsterdam because of its direct reference to German history.
The Anne Frank House is inconspicuous - but you can't miss the sign. A visit is a must on every trip to Amsterdam.
Among others, Otto Frank and his wife Edith Frank-Holländer hid from the Nazis in the building with their two children Margot and Anne. This went well for more than two years until the hiding place was betrayed. On 4 August 1944, Anne Frank and her family were arrested and deported by the German Gestapo. Anne Frank died at the age of 15 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp shortly before the end of the Second World War.
The "Diary of Anne Frank" about her life in the dark hiding place is world-famous today. The building complex houses, among other things, a museum about National Socialist persecution and oppression.
However, you should get hold of online tickets as early as possible: every first Tuesday of the month, tickets can be bought again (15 euros for adults). For an additional seven euros, you can also book a "Ticket+" and get a half-hour introduction.
Regular opening hours are 9am-6pm during the week and 9am-8pm at weekends. You can find the exact information on the website.
9 The narrowest house in Amsterdam
If you stroll through Amsterdam on foot, you will quickly notice the narrow and sometimes extremely crooked houses. The city flourished at a time when it was customary to assess taxes on a building according to its width along the canal. Therefore, houses were predominantly built in Amsterdam with very narrow frontages along the canals. To create enough living space, the houses are relatively long and high.
Amsterdam Singel 7 - the narrowest house in the city
This also means that the staircases are very narrow and extremely steep. To get bulky goods or furniture into the houses, pulleys are still used today. Because of the soft subsoil, many houses are also extremely crooked.
Why not go in search of the oldest, the most crooked or the narrowest house? By the way, you'll find it at Singel 7, where the façade measures only about one metre. To be fair, this is the back of the house. The front is much wider.
10 De Nieuwe Kerk
The Nieuwe Kerk is the second oldest church in Amsterdam after the Oude Kerk and the coronation church of the Dutch monarchs. The "New Church" is also very centrally located and a great starting point for exploring the city.
The Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam's city centre is the second oldest church in the city and one of the top attractions. 11 Paleis op de Dam - Royal Palace
The Paleis op de Dam - also known as the Koninklijk Paleis - is located right next to the Nieuwe Kerk and is considered the most important historical and cultural building of the Dutch Golden Age. Are you interested in Amsterdam's history? Then you simply have to see this place.
The Paleis op de Dam is an imposing sight and a must-see in the Dutch metropolis.
The Royal Palace on de Dam Square is now used as a residence for state guests and other high-ranking visitors. Members of the royal family are only present for official receptions, the Queen usually only for the New Year's reception.
The Paleis op de Dam was built on 13,659 wooden piles, which is why the poet Constantijn Huygens once called it "the eighth wonder of the world".
Our tip: You might also be interested in a visit to the Hermitage Museum in the Amstelhof - here you can see Russian history in great exhibitions. The connection to the city lies in the then Russian Tsar Peter, who lived in Amsterdam for a time.
12. the Bloemenmarkt - one of the most beautiful places in the city
The Bloemenmarkt (flower market) is a must-do on any trip to Amsterdam and definitely one of the most beautiful places in the city. Some of the stalls float on the water and the visitor is immersed in a colourful sea of flowers. Of course, the Bloemenmarkt is quite touristy - but how could it be otherwise in a city like Amsterdam. If you don't want to bring flowers with you, you can simply buy a tulip bulb and take care of growing it yourself.
At the flower market you can find colourful flowers and bulbs in all variations. You can't miss this top sight 13 The NDSM shipyard
Ferries leave from Amsterdam Central Station for the other side of the city. A very special tip is the NDSM shipyard. The ferry takes about 15 minutes and is free of charge. The NDSM shipyard (Nederlandschen Dok en Scheepbouw Maatschappij) went bankrupt in 1984.
The Amstel-Botel is a 3-star hotel on board a boat on the river IJ at the NDSM shipyard. 
This discarded 90-metre-long Soviet submarine is rusting away in the NDSM shipyard and is a real insider tip
Today, the creative industries have taken over the former shipyard, but hotels have also settled here. If you are looking for very special accommodation, you should take a look at the Amstel Botel on a ship. The area is an absolute highlight for us in Amsterdam.
By the way, the creative workshop "Kunststad" is not just for working. Tip for young people: the Amsterdammers also celebrate house parties on the premises. If you stroll through the former shipyard, you will find posters and flyers everywhere.
Old cranes and jetties remind us of the times when ships were still launched here. An old submarine is rusting away at the ferry pier. Here you'll find some of the coolest photo spots in Amsterdam.
There are many exciting photo motifs to discover in the shipyard
From the pier you can reach the Noorderlicht Café in ten minutes. This place is very special. Everything here looks like the end of time - a great atmosphere. If you're lucky, a band will be playing. The food and drinks are not cheap and the staff seem overworked, but the flair makes up for it.
The entrance to Café Noorderlicht in the dockyard. 14 The Vondelpark
After the sightseeing trip and possibly a little hangover after a stag party, there's nothing better than lying down on the grass in the Vondelpark - for us one of the most beautiful places in Amsterdam - and taking a midday nap. What do you think? Doesn't that sound great?
Where you want to relax in the park, however, becomes a challenge. At 47 hectares, Vondelpark is the second largest park in Amsterdam. Just go to the Oud-Zuid district. The park owes its name to the famous playwright Joost van den Vondel.
From June to August, open-air theatres take place in Vondelpark. The best thing about it: admission is free.
15. the Jordaan district
If you ask me what you absolutely have to do in Amsterdam, I would suggest you take a detour to the Jordaan district. The best thing to do is sit down in a café in one of the side streets and soak up the atmosphere. Here you can also experience the quiet side of Amsterdam. We highly recommend this, especially for couples.
The canals are one of the city's top sights.
Afterwards, your wallet will be on fire, after all, this is where the shopping streets Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk are located.
To make sure you know exactly where the Jordaan district is, it is located in the area of the Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht, Leidsegracht and Singelgracht canals.
I would also advise you to visit two museums in the Jordaan that you should definitely see. The Pianola Museum and the Houseboat Museum.
Our tip: Explore Amsterdam's beautiful canals and districts by boat. So let's go on a canal trip. The houses look even more exciting from the water. Then you can immerse yourself in the wonderful flair of Amsterdam.
The best way to get to all the sights in Amsterdam is by bike. Of course, the Jordaan district is a great place to do this. So rent a bike and set off through the most bike-friendly city in Europe.
What is definitely part of Amsterdam? The many bicycles, of course 16 The A'DAM Lookout
Looking for the ultimate panoramic view of Amsterdam? Then you can't miss this attraction. Located in Amsterdam Noord, the A'DAM Lookout gives you a view of the entire city. From here you can see almost all of our top sights from above.
Adrenaline junkies beware: up here the huge swing Over The Edge, on which you are swung over the edge of the platform at a height of 100 metres - this is not for the faint-hearted and a hotspot for adventurers. You simply have to experience Amsterdam like this!
17 Keukenhof Botanical Garden
Fans of relaxing walks will certainly get their money's worth at the Keukenhof. Surrounded by colourful plants and flowers, you can simply switch off from the stress of the city. The botanical garden southwest of Amsterdam is especially suitable during the week for couples and families with children to enjoy the beautiful view together.
18 Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam
You ask yourself: Where do you have to go in Amsterdam and the surrounding area to experience great activities?
The Zaanse Schans residential and crafts district is not far from Amsterdam and offers a great insight into the history of Dutch workers since around 1850. The most incredible thing about it is that many people still live here today who continue to work in the historic professions and thus offer you a piece of recent cultural history.
Here you can get an insight into the work in the old mills and workshops, cheese dairies, pewter foundries and much more. A real speciality and our tip here is the wooden shoemaker's workshop - just like almost 200 years ago, shoes are still made of wood here.
You can visit the area for free, but the "Zaanse Schans Card" is worth it - for only 23.50 euros you get access to numerous museums and workshops, as well as discounts on restaurant and parking tickets.
19 Artis Zoo
We are generally rather critical of zoos. Too often, it is impossible to guarantee that animals are kept in captivity in a manner appropriate to their species.
But if you visit Amsterdam's Artis Zoo, with its butterfly pavilion, botanical garden and ancient trees in the park, you'll find an aquarium and planetarium alongside numerous land creatures. Daily events take place here - the "Zookeeper presents" series of events is especially interesting. In short lectures, you get cool information about an animal species from the zookeeper himself. You can find the list of upcoming events on the zoo's website.
Tip: Families with children can also visit the Micropia . Micropia is the world's first museum where you can discover the world of microscopic creatures.
20 Madame Tussauds
Yes, Madame Tussauds is not only in Amsterdam - but the different wax figures at each location make a visit worthwhile. It's always amazing how real the figures look.
In addition to international celebrities like Barack Obama and the Hulk, you'll also find Dutch stars here - in wax form, of course.
Tip: Here you can find our highlights at Madame Tussauds in Berlin.
Our hotel tips in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is not an inexpensive place. Hotel accommodation in the city - especially at weekends - can be very expensive. To avoid disappointment, here are four great places to stay on your city break.
If you want to do more than just party and explore the city's top sights, we recommend the "I Amsterdam City Card. It includes admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam and the region. You can also use the public transport network. Another highlight is the free canal tour.
You can book the "I Amsterdam City Card" for one to five days, whereby the card is particularly worthwhile for longer stays in the city.
Another great way to explore Amsterdam at a low price is the Go City Pass Amsterdam.
Facts and figures about Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, but the seat of government and royal residence is The Hague.
Amsterdam's founding history dates back to the 13th century
In 1928 Amsterdam was the venue for the Olympic Games
Around 840,000 people live in Amsterdam
2.4 million people live in the greater Amsterdam area
8863 buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries still stand in the city today
According to estimates, there are around 880,000 bicycles in Amsterdam
Around 200 coffee shops sell soft drugs
Every fourth tourist goes to a coffee shop at least once
There are about 400 "women's windows" in the red light district
The Amsterdam Arena is the largest stadium in the Netherlands and is an absolute must-see. Over 54,000 spectators fit into the arena
The Heineken Experience is an absolute attraction for beer lovers. In the museum you can learn everything about beer, brewing and tasting beer.
Always carry an umbrella - on average, it rains 234 days a year in Amsterdam.
When it rains, visits to the city's many museums are always worthwhile
The driest month is February with 16 rainy days, in November and December it rains on 23 days.
The most famous shopping street is the Kalverstraat. Around 100,000 visitors throng along here every day.
Amsterdam has more canals than Venice - 165.
Amsterdam also has more bridges than Paris - 1281 to be exact.
We were immediately overwhelmed by Amsterdam. The old town with its old canals and churches invites you to shop and stroll. In the evening, it gets really lively here. When the weather is good, people sit outside on the street in cafés and restaurants and simply enjoy life.
If you're looking for more action, stroll a little on foot through the city's red light districts. Beautiful places like Trompettersteeg are a must-see here. For us, the NDSM shipyard was also an absolute highlight. But culture is not neglected either. Museums like the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum are unique in the world. Amsterdam, we'll be back!
