Amsterdam
Destination Fact File
Amsterdam is often referred to as one of the most colourful cities in the world. And rightly so! Where else would you find so many places of interest, famous museums, cozy pubs and fun shops and (flower) markets. Amsterdam is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: culture, entertainment, international restaurants, good transport, but is relatively small, quiet, and largely thanks to its Canals, has little road traffic. In Amsterdam your destination is never far away.
Food and Drink
A wide range of both local and international cuisine is on offer in Amsterdam, from elegant 17th century dining rooms to cosy canal side bistros there is something to suit all budgets. There is plenty of good restaurants and bars to relax and enjoy a drink while you enjoy street musicians, jugglers and fire eaters entertaining the square. Make sure you visit the traditional brown cafes of Amsterdam, sit yourself down amongst the smoke stained walls for a beer or a jenever (gin) and you will soon find yourself chatting with an amiable Amsterdammer.
Nightlife
As the evening falls, Amsterdam really starts to sparkle, especially on nice summer days. Around Leidseplein you will find the Stadsschouwburg (city centre) and other theatres, lots of cafes, restaurants, cinemas, the casino, the Lido theatre with live entertainment and those famed cultural and music centres, Paradiso and Melkeg. Both Paradiso, and De Melkweg offer an extremely varied music programme, rock, pop, dance, rap and world music, including big name bands. For the liberal minded individuals who are not easily offended Amsterdams famous Red Light District is well worth visiting.
Shopping
Amsterdam is one of the shopping capitals of Europe. The major shopping streets are Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat, Pc Hoofstraat, Nieuwendijk. Its outlets range from the Bijenkorf department store in Dam square and the Magna Plaza to tiny boutiques selling all sorts of things. The best place to browse is in the newly named Nine Streets district, the throughfares of which run perpendicular to the main canals. You can walk along the chic Pc Hoofstraat, the most exclusive shopping street of Amsterdam (with all the most famous designer labels), across the Max Euweplein, to the Leidsetraat, from where you can find shops all the way to the central railway station. The Max Euweplein has not only beautiful shops, but also lunchrooms and Holland casino, a perfect opportunity for an evening out. Many antique shops are in another street, the Spiegelstraat. Then you can visit the floating flower market, the flea market (waterloo plein) and the largest street market in Amsterdam, Albert Cuyp market. Amsterdam has a lot to offer for shopping enthusiasts.
Things to See & Do
The exciting, cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam is one of Europe's top tourist destinations and offers a huge variety of attractions for visitors to explore. Famed for its canals, coffee shops, art galleries, architecture, museums and large red light district, this city is a thriving metropolis which retains a relaxed, easy going charm.
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Take a boat tour on Amsterdams picturesque canals, passing scenic bridges and some stunning architecture.
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Visit Anne Franks House where the young jewish girl hid from the occupying Nazis for 25 months and wrote her famous diary.
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Enjoy the wonderful art on display at Amsterdams famous galleries and art museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gough Museum, the Stadelijk Museum and Rembrant House.
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Try your luck at the Holland Casino in Amsterdam, one of the biggest Casinos in Europe.
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Stroll around the beautiful Hortus Botanticas (Botanical Gardens), which contain different kinds of plants from all over the world.
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Step back in time with a visit to one of Amsterdams many superb museums, such as the Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam Historical Museum, Erotic Museum, Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum and others.
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See the thousand of animals on display at Artis Zoo. A Zoological museum and a geological museum can also be found on the site.
Language : Dutch
Currency : Euro
Flights : Norwich - Amsterdam. Daily
