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Just to make sure that everyone understands where Amsterdam is located, note that the Netherlands are also known by a number of names, ie; Holland, Dutch, the Low Country, etc. The official name of the northwestern European land of tulips and windmills is "Koninkrijk der Nederlanden," or Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This was our fourth stop on a trip that we called Fjords, Windmills, Mountains & Lakes where we visited seven countries in three weeks.

Amsterdam was on our "trip planning list" because we wanted to experience the Netherlands, the city’s canals, museums, history, culture and learn more about the Dutch world renowned water management skills.

We did the touristy things; took a canal tour, visited the Van Gogh museum, took a Windmill tour and walked the city and... yes... we visited one of the infamous coffee shops… what happens in Amsterdam, stays in Amsterdam.

We were amazed at their ability to manage waterways and learned a lot about it on a day trip we took to Zaanse Schans. We found the food varied and wonderful with different ethnic choices and some touristy favorites. We ate Portuguese food and sampled the apple pie at the famous Cafe Winkel 43. We couldn’t pass up the stroopwafels during a day trip excursion. We tried to experience all we could in the few days that we had.

There are a number of ways to get around the city, ie; walking, tram cars, buses, canal boat taxi or canal boat "hop on/hop off" boats and, of course, bicycling. Bicycling is a way of life in the Netherlands and bike rentals can be found all over the city. We combined walking with the tram car system because it allowed us to fully explore the city at our leisure (we could sit or explore any time we felt like it) and nothing in Amsterdam is very far from either a tram car or a canal boat!

Consider Obtaining an Amsterdam Pass 

Amsterdam Coat of Arms
Amsterdam Coat of Arms Image is the property of Wikimedia Commons

If this is your first time to Amsterdam, you can save money by using any of these City Passes like this. Take a look at what is available. Here is a Google Search Results list link that will give you more information about what passes are currently available.

Some Interesting Amsterdam Facts   Map

  • Amsterdam is the capital city and most populous municipality of the Netherlands. Its status as the capital is mandated by the Constitution of the Netherlands, although it is not the seat of the government, which is The Hague.
  • Amsterdam has a population of 851,373 within the city proper, 351,587 in the urban area and 2,410,960 in the metropolitan area.
  • Amsterdam is much younger than other Dutch cities such as Nijmegen, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. In October 2008, historical geographer Chris de Bont suggested that the land around Amsterdam was being reclaimed as early as the late 10th century.
  • Amsterdam was granted city rights in either 1300 or 1306. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely from trade with the Hanseatic League.
  • The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's Golden Age, during which it became the wealthiest city in the western world.
  • In the early years of the 21st century, the Amsterdam city centre has attracted large numbers of tourists: between 2012 and 2015, the annual number of visitors rose from 10 million to 17 million.
  • The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world and is located in the city center.
  • Amsterdam is one of the world's most multicultural cities, with at least 177 nationalities represented.
  • A land of giants, the Netherlands is the loftiest nation on Earth: the average height of a Dutch man is 182.5cm; a Dutch woman 168.7cm. By comparison their American counterparts measure 177.1cm and 163.5cm respectively.

Amsterdam Central Train Station   Map

Section Banner Image

Catching a train into the city from Schiphol is extremely simple, as the Schiphol Airport Train Station is actually underneath the main airport terminal. You collect your luggage, walk into the main hall and look for the train signs, and go downstairs. The train requires approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the Amsterdam Central Station.

Since this was our initial view of the City of Amsterdam, we took a look around the station. Construction started in 1882 and the station opened in 1889. New underground construction has been in progress since 1997; new underground passages, metro station and various renovations to accommodate the new North-South line which will open in 2018.

Once we arrived at Amsterdam Central Station, we had multiple options for transportation; other trains to other destinations, trams and buses are found in front of the station, etc. All we had to do was walk to the front of the Station and we could see the trams & buses area in front of the building. We knew that we could take either the #4 or #9 tram car to where our VRBO rental was located.

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Our Amsterdam Walking Route

Amsterdam is a very walkable city, and this map provides you with one of the routes that we followed to visit the locations talked about on this page. This route is only 7.2 kilometers (approximately 4.3 miles) in length, all on city sidewalks, through some beautiful parks and crossing some of the city canals.

The Prinsengracht is the fourth and longest of the main canals in Amsterdam, and we walked north along it from the Anne Frank House to Winkel 43 and then south alongside it while we walked to the Van Gogh Museum at the Museumplein. This is the kind of walk that really provides you with the full flavor of Amsterdam; bicyclists, shoppers, tourists, pedestrians, canals, canal boats, and on the day we were there - some beautiful weather.

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The Train Station Image is the property of  Slaunger  via Wikipedia. All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.

 

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 Don't take an expensive taxi from Schipol Airport into Amsterdam, the airport is immediately above a train station where you can catch an express train to the Main Amsterdam Train Station. Once you arrive at the Main Train Station, you have a choice of Trams, Buses or Taxis.

Where to stay in Amsterdam   Map

As of 9/7/2024 Google says there are 1,182 hotels in Amsterdam and if you are so inclined, you could search through the Google Search Results list here. Perhaps the first thing you are going to observe in this list, is that there are a number of very expensive hotels, as well as a number of 4 and 5 star hotels. We are going to provide you with a list of the top five "guest ratings" hotels, and disregard price.

  1. Hotel Estherea: A 4 star hotel, free breakfast, bar, restaurant and popular with American tourists. (4.7 guest rating)
  2. Mr Jordaan Hotel: On a tree-lined street along the Bloemgracht canal, this hip hotel in an enduring building from 1896 is a 3-minute walk from the nearest tram stop, a 6-minute walk from the Anne Frank House and 2 km from Rijksmuseum. (4.7 guest rating)
  3. BUNK Hotel Amsterdam: In the trendy Noord neighborhood, this cool hotel in a converted 1921 church is a 7-minute walk from Noorderpark metro station and 7 km from the Anne Frank House. Hotel provides a restaurant. (4.5 guest rating)
  4. Maison ELLE Amsterdam: Stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam, offering a blend of Parisian elegance and modern comfort. Situated near key attractions such as the Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, and the Van Gogh Museum, it provides convenient access to the city's cultural and historical highlights. (4.5 guest rating)
  5. Monet Garden Hotel Amsterdam: A 4 star hotel on the banks of the Uilenburger Canal, this elegant hotel is a 6-minute walk from the Rembrandt House Museum, a 15-minute walk from the lively Dam Square and 2 km from Amsterdam Centraal train station. (4.6 guest rating)

For our visit, we used VRBO to rent an apartment at Rembrandt Square in Amsterdam, which required us to exit the train station, and catch a #9 tram south. If you are interested, here is a link to search VRBO for rentals in Amsterdam.

Rembrandt Square's central location provided us excellent connectivity with trams and buses, offering easy access to other parts of the city. Rembrandt Square is also a short walk from the iconic canals and charming neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp.

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

We were a little worried when we first arrived because the apartment was located directly above 2 bars. We weren’t sure what to expect at night but we were pleasantly surprised. The apartment was bright and comfortable and the noise from the bars was tolerable… even the occasional smell of marijuana made for a pleasant evening. We were in Amsterdam afterall.

Image # 1 is of a statue dedicated to Rembrandt in the square, and although you cannot quite see it, the local Starbucks is right behind the statue.

Although not visible in image # 2, our VRBO rental was just to the right of those buildings on the right side of that picture, and 1/2 block away from Rembrandt Square on Thorbeckeplein. Image # 2 displays some of the pubs and "smoke shops" on the south side of the square. Yes "smoke shop" is probably everything you've heard about Amsterdam - and most of what you have heard is very true.

Image # 3 is the famous "Night Watch" statues in the square, created by Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov. This bronze-cast representation of the famous painting was on display for three-years before traveling to New York City, Moscow and Oranienbaum, Russia. In 2012, the bronze Night Watch sculptures returned to Rembrandt Square where they served as a magnet for visitors. In January 2013, the Rembrandtplein Entrepreneurs Foundation began a fundraiser to keep the sculptures in the square throughout the year. The statues were removed on February 12, 2020. Rembrandtplein business association was unable to reach an agreement with the artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov.

More Info for Rembrandt Square

Image Credits:

  • Image # 3 is the property of Hippolyte via Wikipedia Commons.
  • All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.

Things to see and do in Amsterdam 

Amsterdam is a vibrant city full of history, culture, and unique experiences. Here are some top things to see and do when visiting:

  • Explore the Canals: Amsterdam is famous for its network of canals, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can explore them by taking a boat tour, renting a private boat, or simply walking along the scenic canals, especially in areas like the Jordaan district. There are canal boat companies that provide "hop-on/hop-off" tours or taxi services.
  • Visit the Anne Frank House: This historic house is where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. It has been preserved as a museum, providing a powerful and moving insight into the life of Anne Frank and the impact of the Holocaust. See our Anne Frank House section below.
  • Rijksmuseum: One of the most famous museums in the world, the Rijksmuseum houses an extensive collection of Dutch art, including masterpieces like Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The museum’s architecture and gardens are also worth exploring.
  • Van Gogh Museum: Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh, this museum showcases the largest collection of his paintings, drawings, and letters, offering insight into the artist’s life and work. Notable works include Sunflowers and The Bedroom. This museum is the world's largest collection of Van Gogh works. Click to view our Van Gogh Museum section
  • Stroll Through Vondelpark: Amsterdam’s largest park, Vondelpark, is a green oasis where you can relax, bike, picnic, or visit an open-air theater in the summer. It's perfect for taking a break from the busy city.
  • Dam Square: The heart of the city, Dam Square is surrounded by iconic buildings like the Royal Palace and the National Monument. It’s a bustling area with street performers, shops, and cafes, making it a great spot to people-watch.
  • The Jordaan District: This trendy neighborhood is known for its narrow streets, charming cafes, and independent shops. It's a great area to explore on foot, full of art galleries, boutiques, and cozy restaurants.
  • Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market): The world’s only floating flower market is a colorful spectacle of tulips, plants, and Dutch souvenirs. Even if you're not buying, the experience of seeing the vibrant displays of flowers is worth a visit.
  • Red Light District: While controversial, the Red Light District is one of Amsterdam’s most famous areas. It offers a unique look at the city’s liberal attitudes towards sex work. There's also a museum about prostitution that gives insight into this world.
  • Amsterdam Museum: For an overview of the city’s history, from its founding in the Middle Ages to modern times, the Amsterdam Museum offers a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits about the city’s development.
  • Day Trip to Zaanse Schans: Just a short trip from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is a picturesque village known for its traditional windmills, wooden houses, and clog-making demonstrations. It’s a great way to experience Dutch heritage.
  • Museumplein: This cultural hub is home to the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk Museum. It’s a beautiful square where you can relax or take photos by the famous "I Amsterdam" sign (though it has been removed, temporary installations appear). Click to view our Museumplein section

Keep in mind that Amsterdam is a very walkable city, most of the canals have broad walkways on both sides of the canal and the city is easily navigated with plentiful signs. The city is designed with pedestrians in mind. There are wide sidewalks, plenty of pedestrian crossings, and many car-free zones, especially in the historic center. The entire city is built on flat land, so walking is easy and not physically challenging. There are no hills, which makes it ideal for casual strolls and accessible for people of all ages.

Prinsengracht Canal 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

This is the Prinsengracht canal in front of the Anne Frank House Museum.

Walking the Prinsengracht canal from the Anne Frank Museum, you can see how popular bicycle riding is here, and since it was a beautiful day, a lot of people were riding and enjoying the weather.

The Prinsengracht canal area in Amsterdam is a captivating district that encapsulates the city's charm and history. Lined with picturesque 17th-century houses, this UNESCO-listed canal is the longest and one of the most scenic in the city. Along Prinsengracht, you'll discover cultural gems such as the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk. Quaint cafes, boutiques, and art galleries dot the waterside, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Whether strolling along the canal banks or cruising on a boat, visitors are treated to iconic views of Amsterdam's architecture and canal culture. Prinsengracht is a must-visit destination, offering a quintessential Amsterdam experience.

Amsterdam has more than one hundred kilometers of grachten (canals), about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht), were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel.

More Info for Prinsengracht Canal

  • Prinsengracht Canal Wikipedia Article:
  • Prinsengracht Canal Google Images Set:
  • Google Reviews: for the Prinsengracht Canal

Image Credits:

  • Image # 2 above is the property of Diliff.
  • All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.

Anne Frank House 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

The Anne Frank Museum gets very busy during the day. We ended up not being able to visit because we didn’t plan ahead. If you want to see it get your tickets at least a few weeks in advance. To acquire online tickets click here to get your own tickets

During World War II, Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms at the rear of this 17th-century canal house (image # 1 - left side), known as the Secret Annex (Dutch: Achterhuis). Anne Frank did not survive the war but in 1947, her wartime diary was published. In 1957, the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the property from developers who wanted to demolish the block.

NOTE: There have been a number of movies, several books and among those books is the one her father first published based upon Anne Frank's diary (Amazon search for Anne Frank media) it is ultimately a heart breaking story, but is something we should all read lest such a tragedy happen again in the world.

More Info for the Anne Frank Museum

Image Credits:

  • Image Credits: Image # 2 above is the property of Massimo Catarinella via Wikipedia Commons.
  • All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.
 
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Tickets are available up to six weeks in advance - you are required to select a date & time. You should go to the Anne Frank House Website Page for additional information and to create your advance reservation.

 

Amsterdam Canal Boat Tour 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

We took a canal boat tour around the city, so we could see Amsterdam from the "canal perspective". Although this is touristy, if this is your first trip to Amsterdam then a boat tour is worth doing. The canal boat tours are an informative and scenic way to see Amsterdam in a unique way and to learn a lot about the city before you tackle it on foot or bicycle (and some of the canal boat tours allow "get on & get off", you have to read their information).

Amsterdam Canal Boat Tours offer an enchanting way to explore the city's iconic waterways and historic sites. Navigating the UNESCO-listed canals, these tours provide a unique perspective of Amsterdam's charming architecture, including the iconic 17th-century houses and picturesque bridges. Visitors can choose from various tour options, including daytime and evening cruises, each offering a different ambiance. Knowledgeable guides share fascinating insights into the city's history, culture, and landmarks. Whether opting for a private boat or a group tour, Amsterdam Canal Boat Tours promise a memorable experience, combining leisurely sightseeing with the rich tapestry of Dutch heritage.

More Info for Amsterdam Canal Boats

  • Canal Boat Tour Companies:
  • Amsterdam Canals Wikipedia Article:
  • Google Images Set for Amsterdam Canals:

Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Image # 1 (left side): The Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant is a 3-story floating pagoda-style restaurant on Lake IJ serving Cantonese, Sichuan & Beijing dishes.

Image # 2 (right side) is looking west past the Sea Palace Restaurant, that is the Central Train Station off in the distance on the left side of that image.

Even though Amsterdam is a very walkable city, the water taxis can be utilized as an "on again/off again" system to get about the city easily. Most of the more interesting city sites & buildings are generally close to a canal, so you can plan your day around how you want to get to each location.

The Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant in Amsterdam is a culinary gem, renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine and iconic floating location. Situated on the Oosterdok, this traditional pagoda-style restaurant offers panoramic views of the city's skyline. Boasting an extensive menu featuring Cantonese and Szechuan specialties, Sea Palace delivers a delightful dining experience. The restaurant's elegant ambiance and attentive service make it a favorite for both locals and visitors. Whether enjoying dim sum, Peking duck, or other delectable dishes, Sea Palace exemplifies the fusion of exquisite flavors with a unique dining setting, making it a must-visit destination in Amsterdam.

NOTE: This is the largest floating Restaurant in Europe.

More Info for the Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant

  • Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant Website:
  • Google Images for the Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant:
  • Google Reviews: for the Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant

Image Credits:

All the above images (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.

Scenes from an Amsterdam Canal Boat Tour 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Maritime Museum

This museum displays how shipping has shaped Dutch culture. There are over 500 years worth of Dutch maritime history in various interactive exhibitions. You can even visit a real VOC (Dutch East India Company) ship or make a trip on the famous icebreaker the Christiaan Brunings.

Click here to go to the Maritime Museum Website to go to their website.
Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

A 5 star hotel directly across the harbor from the Sea Palace Restaurant at Prins Hendrikkade 108, 1011 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Click here to view their website

The Leaning Houses of Amsterdam 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

See how far that house is tilting? This is due to the high water table near the canals. Any building in Amsterdam has water table problems, but the closer you are to a canal, the worse the problem becomes.

The water table is a constant engineering challenge in Amsterdam, impacting not only building construction, but also impacting the metro subway construction. For example, to minimize impacts on surface buildings, many of the Amsterdam metro lines are built directly underneath canals.

Quick Water Table Info: The water table under Amsterdam is high. If you were to dig a hole anywhere in Amsterdam, it will fill up with water pretty quickly. The soil itself is simply too soft to support a building, let alone transportation infrastructure. Even the first small, wooden houses built along the Amstel kept sinking into the boggy ground.

In Amsterdam, you need to dig down 400 meters to hit rock. On the way down, there are alternating layers of clay, peat and sand. As any engineer will tell you, clay and peat cannot support the weight of a building.

The Amsterdam solution? Wooden piles (beams of timber driven into the earth). The foundations of most buildings in Amsterdam are supported on piles 12 meters deep that are anchored in the first layer of sand. The piles of larger buildings are even deeper, reaching to the second layer of sand at 20 meters or to the third at 50 meters deep. Altogether, there are more than a million piles under Amsterdam.

Click here to read the complete article on the "medium.com" website. This is a good article about the construction difficulties that Amsterdam has faced, describes the history of the Amsterdam Metro System, etc.

The Westerkerk Church   3D Map

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

This large church is only 65 meters away from the Anne Frank House (click the above map link). The bells of the Westerkerk church provided Anne Frank with a sense of comfort and connection to the outside world during her time in hiding. In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne wrote about the clock tower and its bells, noting how she found solace in their regular chimes. The familiar sound helped her maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the fear and isolation she experienced in the Secret Annex.

A memorial statue of Anne Frank is located outside the church at Westermarkt. Take a look at the Wikipedia Article link below to read more about this church and Anne Frank.

More Info for the Westerkerk Church

  • Westerkerk Church Wikipedia Article: Here is the link to that page.
  • Google Images Set for the Westerkerk Church: Here is the link to the Images Set.
  • Google Reviews for the Westerkerk Church

Image Credits:

  • Image # 1 is the property of Kamanasish Debnath via Wikimedia Commons
  • Image # 2 is the property of XRay via Wikimedia Commons using a Creative Commons license.
  • All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.

Rembrandt's Original House 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

In image # 1 the second building from the right is Rembrandt's original house, he would create various works of art here and he also taught art classes here. He taught classes because his art works were not yet as famous as they are today.

The Rembrandt House is maintained as it would have appeared when he was still living there. In fact, he lived in this house for nearly 20 years, between 1639 and 1656. Rembrandt went bankrupt in 1656 and all of his possessions (including the house), were sold to satisfy his debts. You have to keep in mind that he was not as famous then as he is today, and so his income was barely sufficient to make ends meet.

Rembrandt spent the last years of his life in the Jordaan district, on the Rozengracht canal. He was buried in the Westerkerk church.

More Info for Rembrandt's Original House

  • Rembrandt's Original House Museum Wikipedia Article: Here is the link to that page.
  • Google Images Set for Rembrandt's Original House: Here is the link to the Images Set.
  • Google Reviews for Rembrandt's Original House

Image Credits:

  • Image # 2 above is the property of Spider via WikiMedia Commons, all other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
  • Image # 3 is the property of the Wikipedia Website via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 3.0 License
  • All other images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.

Canals of Amsterdam 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm
Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm
Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) of grachten (canals), about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht), were all constructed in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1,550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2010, contributing to Amsterdam's fame as the "Venice of the North".

More Info for Amsterdam's Canals

  • Amsterdam's Canals Wikipedia Article:
  • Google Images Set for Amsterdam's Canals:
  • The History of Amsterdam's Canals:
  • Google Reviews: for Amsterdam's Canals

Image Credits

  • All the above images, unless otherwise noted, are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.

Van Gogh Museum 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

The Museum website has a great set of images & video showing a lot of the Van Gogh art. And by the way, this is the world's largest collection of Van Gogh works!

Click here to see how the museum is located within the Museumplein complex, which contains several other museums and a very nice park.

Quick Facts: The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums in the world, attracting visitors from every corner of the globe. Naturally, this is in large part due to it housing the largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh – more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 of his letters. Having originally opened on the Museumplein in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum has been expanded and modernised over the years, ensuring it's a truly cutting-edge exhibition and visitor space.

You can see how large the crowd was, we were glad that we had already obtained entry passes online! The crowds here can easily be large enough to where you might not even be able to enter. Get your museum passes online and you will be able to bypass the crowds!

More Info for the Van Gogh Museum

  • the Van Gogh Museum Wikipedia Article: Here is the link to that page.
  • Van Gogh Museum Website: Here is the link to that page.
  • Google Images Set for the Van Gogh Museum: Here is the link to the Images Set.
  • Google Reviews: for the Van Gogh Museum

Image Credits:

  • All images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.
 
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You are required to select a date & time. You should go to the Van Gogh Museum Website Page for additional information and to create your advance reservation. Adult prices are currently 22 Euros per person.

 

Amsterdam Hermitage Museum 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

We rode a water taxi to the Hermitage Museum, mostly because the museum is adjacent to the Amstel River (and a number of canals intersect the river) and also because we wanted to experience a water taxi ride. This is not a huge museum, but it has a nice layout and some interesting exhibits. The exhibits change occasionally, so you have to look at their website to see what is currently being displayed.

Amsterdam Hermitage Museum Quick Facts: The Hermitage Amsterdam is a branch museum of the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, Russia, located on the banks of the Amstel river in Amsterdam. The museum is located in the former Amstelhof, a classical style building from 1681. The dependency displayed small exhibitions in the adjacent Neerlandia Building from 24 February 2004 until the main museum opened on 19 June 2009.

Why is the Hermitage Museum Important?

It is the largest art museum in the world by gallery space. It was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

More Info for the Hermitage Museum Amsterdam

Image Credits:

  • All images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC, unless otherwise noted.

The Good Ship "Amsterdam" 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Replica of an East Indiaman of the Dutch East India Company/United East Indies Company. This ship (named "Amsterdam") is in the Amsterdam Harbor area. We were on a canal boat tour when we passed by this ship.

Quick Ship Facts: The Amsterdam was an 18th-century cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company. The ship started its maiden voyage from Texel to Batavia on 8 January 1749, but was wrecked in a storm on the English Channel on 26 January 1749. The shipwreck was discovered in 1969 in the bay of Bulverhythe, United Kingdom, and is sometimes visible during low tides. The wreck site is protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act since 1974. Some of the findings from the site are in The Shipwreck Museum in Hastings, England.

More Info for the Good Ship "Amsterdam"

  • Wikipedia Article for the "Amsterdam":
  • Google Images set for "Amsterdam":
  • Google Reviews for the "Amsterdam" Replica

Image Credits:

  • All the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.

Museumplein Area 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

This is the Museumplein area, where the Van Gogh Museum is located. A beautiful park setting with frisbee players, fountains, people having a picnic, etc.

Quick Facts The Museumplein is a large public space in the Museumkwartier neighbourhood of the Amsterdam-Zuid borough in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Located at the Museumplein are three major museums – the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum – and the concert hall Concertgebouw. This data extracted from Wikipedia, click here to view the complete Wikipedia Article.

More Info for The Museumplein Area

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Day Trip to Zaanse Schans   3D Map

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Click image to view a larger Google Map

Our next day's adventure was a tour bus trip to Volendam, a small village northeast of Amsterdam because we found that this tour also would take us to Zaanse Schans where the famous windmills could be seen.

We used a bus tour from Amsterdam City Tours (NOTE: They no longer seem to be in business, try the Viator Website). Their tour buses pickup the tour groups near the Amsterdam Central Train station, which made it simple for us to take a #9 Tram car there. The tour bus method allowed us to continue to avoid a rental car until later in this trip, plus we could then enjoy the drive without having to worry about traffic, directions & parking!

Zaanse Schans Village, located near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, is a charming open-air museum that offers a glimpse into Dutch life in the 18th and 19th centuries. This historic village is famous for its well-preserved windmills, wooden houses, and artisanal workshops. Visitors can explore traditional Dutch crafts such as wooden shoe making, cheese production, and chocolate making. The village also features museums dedicated to Dutch industrial heritage, including a sawmill and a bakery. With its picturesque setting along the banks of the Zaan River, Zaanse Schans Village provides a delightful opportunity to experience authentic Dutch culture and architecture.

Zaanse Schans - The Windmill City 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Just 20 kilometers from Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans Windmills are an interesting day trip to something of a living museum area. Besides the windmills, there is a cheese factory, various shops and a pewter foundary.

Zaanse Schans is best known for its collection of windmills and wooden houses that were relocated here from the wider region north of Amsterdam for preservation. From 1961 to 1974, old buildings from all over the region known as the Zaanstreek were relocated using lowboy trailers to the Zaanse Schans. This is an interesting story, click here to read the Wikipedia article about this area.

Zaanse Schans Village 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Touristy? Yes of course it is, but if you want to visit some "real" windmills and learn how they function then you are going to have to visit this kind of place. Our point of view is always based upon "lets really learn" about an area, see as much as possible, and have all the fun we can generate on every day of our trips!

What do Windmills do? 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Have you ever wondered what a windmill's purpose is? If so, this is the kind of tour you will enjoy, because you get an "up close & personal" introduction to how windmills work, how they grind, etc.

Turns out that the windmill is the "engine" for a mill grinder inside the building that houses the windmill. During the tour, we were given an exhibition of how the windmill is used to grind various local crops.

Volendam Village Main Street 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

The tour bus then took us to Volendam. It is a Dutch town on the Markermeer Lake, northeast of Amsterdam. It’s known for its colorful wooden houses and the old fishing boats in its harbor, which is lined with seafood vendors.

This is the Noordeinde Street, which parallels the village on one side and the Markemeer Lake on the other side.

Volendam Quick History Lesson: Originally, Volendam was the location of the harbor of the nearby Edam, which was situated at the mouth of the IJ bay. In 1357, the inhabitants of Edam dug a shorter canal to the Zuiderzee with its own separate harbor. This removed the need for the original harbor, which was then dammed and used for land reclamation. Farmers and local fishermen settled there, forming the new community of Vollendam, which literally meant something like 'Filled dam'. In the early part of the 20th century it became something of an artists' retreat, with both Picasso and Renoir spending time here. The majority of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, which is deeply connected to the village culture. Historically, many missionaries and bishops grew up in Volendam. Today there is the chapel of Our Lady of the Water, which is located in a village park.

The above data extracted from Wikipedia, Click here to view the Wikipedia Article.

Volendam Harbor 

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

We took a walk down along the street in front of where the big boats tie up. You can see what a very pretty little village this is, with a row of restaurants & pubs facing the Markemeer. The businesses that line the street are all adjacent to the harbor, adding a nautical feel to the entire village.

We had time to spare for lunch, so we ate at the Restaurant Cafe de Dijk and had an enjoyable meal.

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Image # 2 (right side) is the property of Hullie via Wikipedia. All other images (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.

After lunch we went to Woltjes Winkel and had a stroopwafel - incredibly good and we highly recommend trying it if you are in Volendam (stroopwafels can also be found in Amsterdam)

On to Marken 

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After a good lunch in Volendam, the next stop on the day trip was Marken, it is a peninsula in the IJsselmeer, in the Netherlands and a former island in the Zuiderzee, located in the municipality Waterland in the province North Holland. It is the namesake of the Markermeer, the body of water which surrounds it - and - it was only a short boat ride from Volendam.

Marken Wooden Shoe Shop 

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They had "try on shoes" for many sizes of feet, and if you liked how they fit, they would gladly sell you a pair! This wooden shoe shop was an interesting stop, as they demonstrated how wooden shoes are constructed, the shop technician actually made a wooden shoe as we watched.

Before I complete this part of our blog, I have to point out that we had the good fortune to visit three really good restaurants while in Amsterdam.

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Cafe Winkel 43

Click here for their website; located just about 1/2 mile down the canal from the Anne Frank House. We had read about the apple pie here, and decided that we would have apple pie & cappuccino for our lunch, before walking to the Van Gogh Museum. By the way, everything we read was true! Take a look at this Google Images page for more pictures of Winkel 43 and their food offerings.

Just for the record, we've read some ugly statements people have made about Cafe Winkel, about how they felt the apple pie was "ordinary" and that the price was too high. We found the apple pie to be quite good and the prices were in line with what we had seen at other Amsterdam restaurants. Your mileage may vary, but we liked the place.

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Black and Blue Restaurant

Click here for their website; also a block from the Anne Frank House and we were lucky enough to be in the area and walked right past it. Turned around and came back after we got a whiff of the good smells coming from this restaurant.

We were very glad we gave this restaurant a try, the food was very good, good wine list and a comfortable dining area.

Click here to view a Google Images set for this restaurant.

Canals, Museums & Windmills - Explore Amsterdam's Charm

Restaurant Portugalia

Click here for their website. This restaurant is owned by a Portuguese family and the food and service were top notch. The owner's mother is the chef, so the Portuguese dishes were authentic, the wine list was fantastic and even though they were out of Douro, they offered to have a new bottle brought to the restaurant.

They are located very near to Rembrandt Square where we were staying, so getting here was very easy. Check out the restaurant pictures on a Google Images Page.

 

Central Amsterdam Train Station - Next Stop Belgium 

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As is the case with all good visits, our final day in Amsterdam came around far too quickly. We had decided that we would take a train from Amsterdam to Bruges, Belgium. We did this because European trains are very comfortable, they are very fast, and they are relatively inexpensive as compared to auto travel.

We arrived at the Amsterdam Central Train Station a few minutes early, and had to wait for the Thalys Train to arrive.

The Thalys TGV took us to Antwerp, where we changed to a "local area train" that took us to the Bruges Train Station. The train trip required 2 hours and 45 minutes, 253 kilometers in length.

Suggested links for more Amsterdam Information 

Amsterdam is an interesting place to visit, however it is important to plan your trip there in order to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. Here are some informative links for you to perhaps utilize while you are planning;

  • Amsterdam Article on the I am Amsterdam Site
  • History of Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam Article at the Holland Site
  • 50 Best Things to do in Amsterdam from the Tourism Netherlands Site
  • Amsterdam Article on the Rick Steves Site
  • 29 Fun Things to Do in Amsterdam on Hostel Geeks Site
  • The Amsterdam Bucket List on the Thrill List Site
  • Amazon Search Results List for "books about Amsterdam"
  • Youtube Search Results List for Amsterdam
  • Private Custom Tour of Amsterdam on the "Get Your Guide" Site
  • Unusual Attractions in Amsterdam on the Atlas Obscura Site
  • Google Search Results List for "accommodations in Amsterdam"
  • Google Search Results List for "restaurants in Amsterdam"
  • Google Search Results List for "Fun Things to do and see in Amsterdam"
  • Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
  • Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
  • Amsterdam City Card
  • Wikipedia List of Museums in Amsterdam
  • Visit our Youtube Channel
  • Our Image Gallery for Amsterdam
  • Wikipedia Article for Amsterdam
  • Google Image Gallery for Amsterdam
  • Walking Tour of Amsterdam from the "Get Your Guide" site
  • Google Reviews for Amsterdam
Trip Overview
Copenhagen, Denmark
Oslo, Norway
Norway in a Nutshell Tour
Bergen, Norway
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bruges, Belgium
Lake Hallstatt, Austria
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Susten Pass, Switzerland
Lake Como, Italy

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