Fast Facts:
- Country: Netherlands
- Capital: Amsterdam
- Location: Located in Western Europe, The Netherlands is bordered by Belgium in the south, Germany in the east and the North Sea in its north and west.
- Language: Dutch
- Currency: Euro
For this trip:
- Month of Travel: November
- Weather: 9 to 12 deg C
- What to Wear: This really depends on your resistance to cold. We’d say it’s safe to have minimum three layers of clothing, ideally including thermals. And always carry extra items that can keep you warmer if it gets windy.
This city built around a dam in the Amstel River is refined and graceful in daylight, and can get carefree and even crazy after sunset. This split personality is not a disorder; it’s a gift that continues to fascinate the rest of the world.
Gallery:
Happening in the morning
Known as the Venice of the North, a canal cruise is a great introduction to Amsterdam. With a dominant marshland, houses had to be built on poles, anchored deep below the surface. To further separate the dry pieces of land, they constructed the canals to control the flow of water. The canals subsequently played a vital role in water traffic and trade.
The population grew but the space remained limited. The government then granted narrow pieces of land to ensure there are as many houses as possible facing the canal. The properties doubled up as a place for business. Today, these gabled townhouses are among the most attractive features of the compact city. Some of them still have the hooks used to move goods up and down from the canals.
For art enthusiasts, there are plenty of museums to visit with The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House and the Stedelijk Museum being the most popular options.
Foodies shouldn’t miss (our favorites) stroopwafel, poffertjes, and bitterballen.
Bikes rule Amsterdam roads. Branded as the cycling capital of the world, it would be fun exploring the city using a bike. Just familiarize yourself with the sophisticated rules of the road before pedaling away.
Also check out some notable squares – Leidseplein (Leiden Square), the city’s transport hub and entertainment square; and the Dam Square, Amsterdam’s biggest square with the Royal Palace, former home of the Dutch Royal family, at its heart. Here, you’ll also find the National Memorial Statue, a reminder of the Dutch soldiers the country lost in World War II.
Hot-blooded in the evening
Amsterdam has a liberal (sometimes even hedonistic) reputation. In other cities, this sounds like a recipe for danger, but in this side, it’s organized chaos.
Apart from the Red Light District and the coffee shops, the rest of the city feels more alive in the evening. People line up in the cold for hot patatjes. Quirky shops and restaurants open. Shopping is more fun. The squares are crowded.
We think no city does happening in the morning and hot-blooded in the evening better than Amsterdam.
Gallery:
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