Netherlands, the name sounds as beautiful as its beautiful scenes, giving people a sense that once you step into this land, you will never leave. The weather has become warmer as April is coming and the tulips in Netherlands have made this kingdom a colorful world. And its capital, Amsterdam, has been known as a heaven of flowers, bicycles and sex for a long time.
If you just want have a short holiday, why not go to the capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam? Here I list ten things you must do if you are in Amsterdam.
1. Explore Amsterdam museums
Talking about Amsterdam, I will first tell you: do go to visit the museums, or you will regret. There are loads of excellent museums in Amsterdam located in the museum square.
After a decade renovation, the Rijksmuseum has been the most popular museum in Netherlands. Thousands of famous works from great artists such as Rembrant, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer are displayed in this museum. Also, it collects a lot of historical stuffs. So if you want to learn more about Netherlands, you will never miss Rijksmuseum. And you should go there earlier because possibly you will spend a day there.
The Van Gogh museum is so popular that a long long queue is outside the door. Maybe you should wait for more than one hour for waiting.
The Stedelijk Museum contains different contemporary art works. During the Easter holiday 2014, visitors can see splendid design works from artist marcel wanders. All of them are amazing! And if you are a student, you can get 50% discount to enter the Stedelijk Museum by showing your student identification.
Apart from three big museums above, you can also visit other interesting museums in Amsterdam such as Anne Frank House, Rembrant House Museum, Amsterdam Museum, Tulips Museum, etc.
2. Visit the Red Light District
Known as a heaven for sex, how can you miss the most important view in Amsterdam?
The best time to go to the Red Light District is nine or ten at night. At that time, the street was filled with visitors just as in the daytime. Shops are still opened and hookers’ business is good this time. In this famous Red Light District, interesting sex shops are everywhere and you can even find a sex museum and a gay sex shop in this street. Also a special condom shop sits in this street as well. People walks in and out but most of them are just visitors. Of course, the most popular scenes is the hookers in front of window. They dress only sexy underwear, work to attract their customers
3. Cycle around the city
You can see bicycles everywhere you go. A local person said almost every Amsterdam citizen will have one or more bicycles because it is the most effective and convenient way to go out. Dutch people are proud of having the most straight and flat road in the world and that makes cycling more adorable.
Rental bicycles can be easily found in the town.
4. Take a Canal Cruise
Netherlands used to be an emperor of sea. And the canals in Amsterdam were recognized as a UNESCO monument in 2010. By floating down on a boat in Amsterdam canals, you will have an memorable Amsterdam tour because you will see more different places during the tour.
5. Appreciate the tulips
During the Easter holiday, flowers can be seen everywhere. Their period is only a month, that means, there is only one chance to see flowers a year.
When you take a train to other place, the old elegant lady sitting opposite you will knock on your knee and tell you to look out of the window. And when you open your sleepy eyes, you will get shock about the colorful flower sea! They are red, yellow, green, blue, and even gray and black. In Amsterdam, you can go to the Kennuokef Garden to appreciate the tulips.
6. Taste traditional Holland food
When you go to a place, the most entertaining way is to enjoy traditional fish there. You cannot believe that Netherlands people used to eat a whole raw fish as their daily meal. And they think it is delicious! Also, people in Amsterdam like eating bread with chocolate sticks, chips with Mayonnaise., etc.
Only after you have a taste in standard Dutch food, you can realize how delicious food is in your country.
7. Have a look at Dutch windmills
The first windmill was invented by Greek people. But when people talk about windmill, the first place they come up with will be Netherlands. There are eight windmills in Amsterdam but you can find more in Zaanse Schans, a town near Amsterdam. Holland people use this “mushrooms” to turn the energy of wind into rotational energy and meet industrial and argricultural needs.
8. Visit the Coffee Shop
It is illegal to buy good quality weed and hash in coffee shop Amsterdam. And most travellers go to Amsterdam for its tolerant drug sales.
There is a street that near Red Light District, and three coffee shops are located there. Why famous? Because the old police station used to be here. When it moved, the drug businessman who hate police very much buy this street and turn them into coffee shop street.
9. Sit on Dam Square
One will have a good mood when he comes to Dam Square because Dam Square is a pleasure paradise with many entertainment facilities. You can hear people screaming, laughing, and talking loudly in the square. Opposite to the pleasure place, there is a monument. People like sitting and enjoy sunshine there with their friends and smile to each visitor passed by. Lots of doves fly around them with no fear.
Tips:
There are two free tours in the Dam Square every day. One is day tour, and people usually gather in the Dam Square at one o’clock. Another is night tour at eight o’clock. Both of them are free, but you can give tour guides tips after they show you around. They are all experienced guide and they know where the best places is to have a true Holland experience. Furthermore, they will tell you a lot of interesting historical stories tourists don’t during the tour.
10. Enjoy a free concert in New Market
New Market is at the center of China Town. Never judge a place according to what it looks like. Compare to Dam Square, New Market is old and a little bit broken. But if you go there at evening during Easter holiday, there will always be a free old Dutch song concert, where you can hear songs from local community, or a popular rock singer singing with a guitar.
What’s more, If you have tasted the Netherlands traditional food and have been tired of the western food, China town is really a right place for you to go. Not only Chinese food is served here, but all delicious food from Southeastern countries.
Tips:
If you stay in Netherlands for more than three days, you can buy a Holland pass. It is a set of different tickets and it will save you a lot of money and time to buy tickets.