6 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Amsterdam at Least Once

There’s no doubt that Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most exciting places to visit. The city is an icon. You’ll never get bored in the Dutch capital whether you want to see all the sights, do all the activities, eat all the food or party all night long. There are countless things that make Amsterdam the greatest place in the world for every kind of traveller, but we’ve got the top 6 things right here. Never been to Amsterdam? Here’s why it needs a spot on your bucket list ASAP.

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Wanna travel somewhere with your best friend? Partner? Friendship group? Even your parents? Amsterdam hits the nail on the head for everybody, whatever your style of travelling is. Culture vultures, history buffs, art lovers, shoppers, foodies, smokers, partiers… The list of the types of people Amsterdam caters for goes on and on. The city is home to some of the most renowned museums and galleries in the world - think the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank’s House. Then there’s the markets and shopping streets, bars and restaurants and, of course, coffeeshops for a Dutch smoke. People from across the world and from all walks of life are bound to fall in love with Amsterdam.

Hopping on a bike and getting that rush of fresh air - isn’t that just the best? In Amsterdam, there are more bikes than people, 30,000 more in fact. Plus, the Rijksmuseum is the one and only museum in the world to have a cycle path running straight through it. Cycling is BIG in Amsterdam, and there are plenty of stunning parks to take one out to and explore without any worry of cars or trams (although the cycle lanes make that pretty easy anyway). Vondelpark is the biggest and most famous of them all, however Westerpark, Oosterpark and Rembrandtpark are a few other beauties that make for a great cycle route.

Europe is packed with some unreal festivals and annual events, and Amsterdam is definitely up there with the top spots for a party. With its giant network of canals and cobbled streets, the city lends itself perfectly to an epic street party. The biggest event on the Dutch calendar is without doubt King’s Day - a celebration of the King of the Netherlands’ birthday on 27th April, when the entire city shuts down and the streets and canals fill with locals and party-goers. Pride is another incredible Amsterdam party, as are the many music festivals that pop up in and around the city. Ahead of any trip to the Netherlands, be sure to do your research into what events may be on while you’re there or you may find yourself in the midst of a giant festival!

The locals in Amsterdam welcome people from across the world with open arms, to the extent where it’s now considered one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. Around 178 nationalities now live in the Dutch capital, a huge percentage of around 85% of them being fluent in 2 or more languages! This means that English is widely spoken around Amsterdam, so there’s no need to feel nervous or intimidated by a language barrier when you land. Plus a multicultural city means incredible diversity in cuisine! Amsterdam is a top city for foodies to sample some local delicacies as well as get a taste of authentic dishes from across the world.

If you’re a beer lover like us, Amsterdam has got to be a priority. You’ll find Dutch pubs and beer bars all over the city as well as a number of craft beer breweries for you to tour around and have a taste of the good stuff. While the Heineken brewery is the most well-known, the real beer obsessed among you will want to check out the more offbeat Brouwerij 't IJ for a brewery tour, or beer bars like Café de Dokter and Café ’t Papeneiland for something a little different to the nation’s pilsner. In the summer, pull up a deckchair and make yourself comfortable in one of Amsterdam’s canalside beach bars. Pllek always has good vibes, up in Amsterdam Noord by the river IJ. Hannekes Boom is another local favourite with great beer and street food stalls set up for summer.

Whatever the season or weather, you know Amsterdam will guarantee a great time. Visit in autumn for evenings in cosy bars, visit in winter for spectacular snowfall, in spring for the famous blooming tulips or in summer for festivals, beach bars and an incredible atmosphere. The city changes throughout the year so whether you’ve already been once, twice or a handful of times, there’s always something new to feast your eyes on in Amsterdam.

Article by Darcy King

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