Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands enchants everyone with is beautiful canals and attracts a multitude of tourists to its coffee shops, its museums and its red-light district.
The things to see in this “Venice of the North” are not limited to the items listed above. Here are some other attractions which you should be sure not to miss.
Anne Frank’s House
This is a uniquely emotional experience. On entering the house which overlooks the canals of this European capital, to be precise, Prinsengracht (the Prince’s Canal) number 263-265 you can cross the threshold into the room which was hidden by bookshelves and which gives access to the hiding place that was used by Anne and others who were also endeavouring to avoid capture and deportation by the Gestapo.
The house has now been transformed into a museum in which you can also view the original manuscript of her diary.
The courtyard of the Beguines
The Begijnhof, or “the Beguine quarter” is a real oasis of calm just a stone’s throw from the busy shopping centre of the Dutch capital in Kalverstraat.
Founded in the fourteenth century by a community of religious known as beguines, a type of lay sisters, the complex has retained its charm intact and still today, is only inhabited by women.
Inside the Begijnhof you will see the oldest house in Amsterdam which dates back to around 1420.
The floating flower market
The famous Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in Europe, floats on one of the main canals in the Dutch capital, the Singel canal which lies between Muntplein and Koningsplein.
Founded in the 19th century, it is also known as “the tulip market,” (actually, here you can find an extraordinarily wide range of tulips, including some very rare ones) but there is also the possibility to buy other types of flowers, bonsai trees and even dried flowers or flowers made out of wood.
The Brown Cafes
Their name, (in Dutch these are called “bruine kroeg”) refers to the dark wooden panels and smoky walls that characterise them, but you shouldn’t worry that this makes for a gloomy atmosphere – on the contrary.
The brown cafes are the places where the Dutch go to hang out with friends and relax after work or at the weekends.
Some of them date back to the 17th century and stepping in to one of these will provide you not just with a snapshot of the customs of today’s inhabitants of the Dutch capital but also, a glimpse into the past.
The A’DAM Tower
In addition to just admiring the A’Dam Tower itself, it is also wonderful to see the panoramic views of the city from the tower’s observation platform which is located on the roof and known as The Lookout.
Opened in 2016, this terrace is considered to be one of the newest attractions in Amsterdam.
From the top, you can look out over the Dutch capital and its beautiful canals from a height of 100 metres with a panorama of 360 degrees.
For those who are really brave, it is possible to hang off the platform on a sensational swing.
The address? Overhoeksplein 5.
