Amsterdam

💕 Amsterdam 💕

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike path. 

When is the best time to go to Amsterdam

Best time of year to visit Amsterdam. Dutch capital is great all year round, but April to May and September to November are the best time to visit Amsterdam. Just imagine balmy weather during canal cruising or a trip to the tulip fields of Keukenhof in spring!

The best things you need to do in Amsterdam

 There are over 800,000 bicycles in Amsterdam. That’s more bikes than people! Cycling in Amsterdam is a way of life, made easier by the city’s unbeatable network of cycle routes and flat landscape. Amsterdam regularly comes out on top in lists of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities, and there’s no finer way to explore the city’s streets, canals and attractions than by pedal power. Cycling in Amsterdam is safe, enjoyable and invigorating - so join the locals and hop on your bike. Find out more about cycling and bike hire in Amsterdam.

Soak up some culture in Museumplein

Home to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, Museumplein is the cultural beating heart of Amsterdam. Having recently been renovated to a world class standard, the leafy 19th century district of Oud-Zuid is an art lover’s utopia, and the open square between the buildings pulses with activity all day; with open-air exhibitions, markets and a large paddling pool to dip your toes into on warmer days. In the winter months, the square transforms with a vast outdoor ice rink.   

Discover the relaxing parks 

With over 30 parks to choose from, you’ll never be short of a picnic spot in Amsterdam. More than just leafy escapes from the urban hustle, parks are at the heart of Amsterdam culture – and every time the sun rears its head you’ll see locals packing up the disposable barbecue and bunting and heading down to their nearest garden. The 47 acre Vondelpark is the largest; housing an outdoor theatre with live concerts in summer, three bars and restaurants and a range of other attractions. Other notable parks are the cultural hub of Westerpark, Sarphatipark in De Pijp and Rembrandtpark in the West – home to the oldest petting zoo in the city.

The tall and narrow houses in Amsterdam 

One of the first things you will notice in Amsterdam is the unique and rather amazing architecture. Amazing, because when you are looking at some of the buildings, you are wondering “How are they still standing?”. Amsterdam has some of the most skewed houses I have ever seen, they are leaning in all sorts of directions, but it doesn’t appear to stop people from living there.

Most of the buildings are very narrow and tall, with lots of large, beautiful windows. The buildings haven’t been designed this way just because it looks pretty, but also because of several important factors that have shaped Amsterdam’s architecture.

More windows, rather than walls, make a building lighter. They need to be as light as possible, because Amsterdam has major foundation problems. Most of the older buildings have been built on wooden poles, which over time have become less sturdy. Combined with the wet conditions of the soil, the houses are simply sinking over time. Most of the houses are attached to each other, so it looks like they sort of lean on each other and keep their balance together. However if there is a house built with no support from other buildings on one side, the leaning is even more noticeable.

Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit and mysterious, if you would like to view some more pictures I have taken, visit my Facebook personal profile 

If you would like to see more places to travel such as : Greece, Albania or Italy click on the names and find some more fascinating places to visit.