Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Amazing Things To Do In Amsterdam


Amazing Things To Do In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is probably my most travelled to location. It's one of those cities that has so much to offer and so much to bring you back, and it perfect for a little weekend city getaway. The cities world renowned tram system is an easy way to travel from place to place, such as the busy night life and restaurant area of Leidseplein, to the serene atmosphere surrounding the museums in Museumplein. Listed are my current favourite things I have experienced in Amsterdam.


Amsterdam Dungeons

One of the first places I went to in Amsterdam was the Amsterdam Dungeons. Prior to my first visit, I had never been to any branch of the attraction, so I wasn't completely sure what I was in for. I can be quite a wimp when it comes to jump scares and such, and it took a lot of convincing to get me into the building, however it was definitely worth it.

I would say that this is an attraction that anyone who isn't uncomfortable with some scares and mild horror could enjoy and have fun at. The company does recommend an age of 12+, however, many go with their own judgement. The 80 minute show offers an insight to Amsterdam's history, but puts an exciting twist on it to keep you immersed throughout, rather than having a boring history lesson.

In total, I've visited the Amsterdam branch twice, with a few years gap in between, and the show has retained the amazing quality. Unfortunately, I discovered that they have removed the roller-coaster ride that was featured at the end of the show which guided you out to the gift shop and exit. This was quite a disappointment for me as I really enjoyed it the first time because, like all of The Dungeon's rides, it still had a story with it. 





Van Gogh Museum

I'm quite an artistic person, so naturally I'm drawn to art museums. I love spending hours just slowly admiring beautiful works of art. While art isn't always everyone's taste, I think everyone can definitely appreciate masterpieces.

Van Gogh is probably by far my favourite artist. He was extremely talented and very underrated during his time. Going to the Van Gogh museum was a big dream of mine and it was quite extraordinary seeing pieces, like the Sunflower series, in person. You can also learn about Van Gogh's life through the years on each floor of the museum.

One thing I really love about museums, especially art museums, is that the featured collection will change, so you can return and experience seeing different pieces. I've been to the Van Gogh museum twice and during the second time I visited, I was lucky enough to see in person the most recent discovery; Sunset at Montmajour.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this museum both times I have visited and would recommend it to not only big Van Gogh fans, but anyone, even someone with minimal knowledge of Van Gogh.




Rijksmuseum

Located in Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum's grand exterior is enough to intrigue many travellers to enter through its doors and explore. Offering a variety of exhibits, from portraits and sculptures, to fashion and furniture, there's something everyone could be interested in.

My personal favourite exhibit in the museum is The Night's Watch by Rembrandt. The sheer scale of the piece is amazing, on top of the attention to detail Rembrandt had when painting it.

The museum has so much to offer and is a good way to spend an afternoon on holiday, however, you definitely need to take a couple of breaks to sit down. With as many exhibits as it displays, the museum has 3 floors which are quite large with a lot to see, so you'll definitely be darting from room to room to see everything.




Flower Market

Holland is known for its tulips, and what better way to view flowers than Amsterdam's floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt. Founded in 1862, it is the worlds only flower market and includes 15 florists and garden shops, as well as souvenir shops.

Flowers are one of natures most beautiful creations. Walking alongside the market, smelling the gorgeous scents and looking at the vibrant colours is a wonderful little treat if you're passing by the area. 




Boat Tours

Amsterdam offers a variety of boat tours, guaranteeing you will see the beauty of the whole central city, including areas you might not want to walk to on foot. Most tours are 1hr+ to ensure that you see all the sights, such as the Anne Frank House, the Magere Brug, and even the replica VOC ship Amsterdam from the city's seafaring times.

A boat tour is certainly a good way to be able to see a variety of beautiful sights and can hep you scout out where you want to visit next in the city. You can take beautiful pictures from the boats as they are a smooth ride and have a clear view.






Simply Walking Around


Of course, there is no better way to experience a city than walking around it yourself. Strolling through the many streets and back roads, discovering little hidden treasures, or popular sites, is a great way to see the city in full. If walking isn't your favourite thing, you can also hire bikes from stands located all over the city and take a leisurely bike ride through the streets.


In this post, I have only mentioned a few of the many sites out there. I personally have never been to the Anne Frank House or Madame Tussauds (however I will one day), meaning I couldn't comment on how good they are to experience. I have visited the Stedelijk museum, however I am not a large fan of modern art. I would recommend visiting if you are into modern art, however, as the museum offers a good variety of exhibitions and a quaint cafe.


All images are sourced from Google Images and all credit given to the owners/creators of the images.

No comments:

Post a Comment