Where to find quality apartments and guest rooms in Amsterdam
Cheap accommodation is hard to find in Amsterdam, especially in the historic center. Perhaps an alternative to expensive hotels is finding a room in an apartment.
Wimdu offer a large amount of holiday apartments, rooms and bed and breakfast accommodation in Amsterdam. Wimdu’s range of accommodation are perfect for those interested in low budget travel. Living with a local can also give you a unique insight into life in Amsterdam and they can provide you with invaluable information on how to get the best out of your visit. This is especially useful during the summer where there are large amounts of tourists in the city. There are often large queues to visit some of the city’s top attractions (such as
The Anne Frank Museum), but with the advice of a local you’ll know when the best times to visit these places are. There are many hidden secrets to Amsterdam all within walking distance of the center and Wimdu Hosts will be more than happy to let you know where to go to find the real Amsterdam.
Fun Facts
Amsterdam is built on poles due to the nature of the soil underneath the city.
There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam!
25% of Amsterdam is underwater.
Over 70% of the world’s bacon comes from The Netherlands
The concentric canals of Amsterdam were likened by Camus to the circles of hell in his book ‘The Fall’.
Where to start with a visit to the Dutch capital of
Amsterdam? Located just a short train ride from Schiphol airport, Amsterdam offers visitors an exciting mix of culture, history, hedonism and canals. Amsterdam is truly an international city and you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with people from all over the world. The Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a world famous tourist destination and one that offers plenty to those of all walks of life.
Life in Amsterdam
Going for a walk along one of Amsterdam’s picturesque canals is one of life’s simple pleasures and is highly recommended. The Dutch pride themselves on their high standard of
coffee and it is really worth finding a café on the water. Hiring a bike in Amsterdam is a must – the city was designed with bikes in mind and millions of Amsterdammers use their bikes on a daily basis. Bikes are cheap to rent and you’ll have all the major tourist attractions a short ride away. Amsterdam’s unique architecture is best seen from the water and what better way to do this than by hiring a pedal boat? Amsterdam has a selection of large leafy and parks to choose from when the weather is nice. The best and most accessible of these from the centre is
Vondelpark. Why not live like a Amsterdammer and buy bread, cheese and a beer in the supermarket and head for the park?
The cultural side to Amsterdam
For those interested in museums and culture, Amsterdam’s
Van Gogh Museum is a must-see. It hosts a huge number of works, and you’ll find yourself amazed at Van Gogh’s broad talent and diverse painting styles. The aforementioned
Anne Frank Museum is also worth paying a visit, as is
Madame Tussauds on Amsterdam’s vast
Dam Square. The newly renovated
Rijksmuseum is dedicated to Dutch art and history and is also worth paying a visit too.
The Stedelijk Museum contains a marvelous collection of 20th paintings by artists such as Picasso and Matisse.
Hedonism
Amsterdam is also known as a hedonistic hotspot with world-class party scene. The
Red Light District is perhaps a good place to start and there are many bars and clubs lining the canals of the De Wallen area. There are also specialist
genever bars for those looking to sample Amsterdam’s famous liquor. Amsterdam’s
Sex Museum is where late night hedonism and Dutch culture collide in spectacular fashion. The Dutch export the most beer in the world and there’s a reason for this – it’s very good. In order to live like a Dutchman it’s important to drink like one. This means ordering your beer in small glasses (known as a biertje). The beer is kept fresh because of the smaller quantity you drink it in – what a good idea! For those keen on learning a bit of history before hitting the bars, what better way to combine this than by visiting the
Heineken Museum? Heineken’s long history and stylish marketing campaigns over the years make the visit interesting and informative, and there’ll be much to talk about in the bar after.
Music
Amsterdam has a thriving music scene and many international bands stop there on world tours. Top venues such as the
Heineken Music Hall, the
Melkweg and the
Paradiso have played host to many famous bands over the years. The Paradiso is a converted church and there is something very special about seeing a band perform in front of a stain glass window. There is also a thriving underground scene and many venues strive to maintain Amsterdam’s communal squat scene of the 1970s. The city’s resident Metropole orchestra can often be found playing with international acts at special shows. Amsterdam is beloved by many artists who often come to release new albums or try new ideas in the city.
Getting around Amsterdam and The Netherlands
As we have mentioned, hiring a bike is well worth doing as it makes getting around quick and easy. Everyone cycles in Amsterdam so join the crowds and get on your bike! There is also a tram system running through Amsterdam which links Amsterdam Centraal Station with various areas of the city. The Netherlands has an extremely reliable and fast train system and there are many connections between Amsterdam and other Dutch cities that are worth visiting. Beautiful cities such as Haarlem and Leiden are under 40 minutes from Amsterdam and bustling cities such as The Hague and Rotterdam are less than an hour away. There are fantastic beaches close to The Hague and walking opportunities through the sand dunes.
Amsterdam is your gateway to The Netherlands, one of Europe’s most exciting, pretty and friendly countries. Whether you are looking to party or to do some sightseeing, Amsterdam has everything to offer. When you are planning your trip to the city of clogs and canals, remember Wimdu for affordable apartments and guest houses in Amsterdam.
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