Find out all about the not-to-miss views, waterways, attractions and more in Amsterdam. From our local expert to you.
Culture
If you're going to visit more than four museums, a
Museumkaart gets you free or discounted access for one year to 400 museums throughout Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Every Friday night until 10pm, the
Van Gogh Museum features a special program with DJs and drinks, and you can get the
Van Goghs almost all to yourself.
Celebrate Rembrandt's birthday (July 15) at the Rijksmuseum with a free breakfast of herring and bread, an enormous birthday cake and free entry this morning. On the first Saturday of November, catch Museum Nacht, where many major museums open late with special performances, concerts and DJs. It's covered under one ticket. Start early and plan your route.
At the Concertgebouw, there's free Wednesday lunchtime concerts at 12.30pm and discounted Sunday morning concerts (except in summer). If you're under 27 and show up 45 minutes before concerts, tickets are €10, and for the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ show up 30 minutes early (the waterside location is fab). At the neighbouring Bimhuis, catch free jazz improvisations sessions every Tuesday night.
City views
Amsterdam (also called "Mokum" by true locals) is flat as a pancake and it's difficult to get a view of the city. Instead of climbing the
Westerkerk Tower, take the lift to the top floor cafe of the
city library, one of Amsterdam's new architectural treasures, and take your cuppa with the view. Check your e-mail for free while you're at it. You can also sip cocktails on the 23rd floor of the swish
Okura Hotel if you fancy booze with views, or have lunch or dinner at
Canvas on the 7th floor of de Volkskrant building then dance the night away.
Waterways
A
Canal Hopper is a fun alternative to the tourist carriers, with smaller boats that you can hop on and off. For something more personal,
St Nicolaas Boat Club, a foundation established to preserve historic canal boats, offers local boat trips for a donation. It's not a guided tour but you can BYO food, drinks and smokes. If you're low on cash, take a free ferry from Central Station across the harbour (IJ), and bring your bike along to explore the new creative hub at
NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam Noord.
Bikes
You can't leave without exploring Amsterdam on a bike (without helmets). Most hire bikes scream "tourist" all over them, so if you want to fit in, hire a shitty-looking Dutch bike from
Frederic's or
Bike City. If you're going to buy a bike from a junkie, all I can say is
karma. For longer stays, it might be an idea to buy a bike and then resell it. Try
Recycled Bikes or
Frans van der Meer (Goudbloemstraat 156; phone +31 20 638 3787).
To respect the locals, keep to the right, don't stop in the middle of the bike lane to read your map and don't ring your bell for fun. Remember your bike lights at night, beware of tram tracks and always lock up your bike properly. Pedestrians, please look out for cyclists. Bike lanes are usually between the footpath and road. Don't stand there to take photos unless you really want to test how your medical insurance works.
Lastly, if you're in Amsterdam for Queen's Day, withdraw cash the day before. The ATMs will most definitely run out of money.
Got any more near the beaten track suggestions? Have your say using the comments form below.
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