Evzonas Travel & Tours

There are many reasons to travel to Amsterdam. It's the capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's most vibrant and colourful cities. Amsterdam offers an unparalleled combination of high culture and decadence.

Look once and it's a pretty European city laced with canals; twice and it becomes a cultural centre with an incredible collection of art and for a third time you see a decadent party town where anything goes.

So which one is the real Amsterdam? The romantics will adore the lazy curves of the city's waterways and enjoy watching from cafés in cobbled streets or picturesque bridges as the mood of the city changes with the weather.

The culture-hungry will soak up the offerings of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums along with hundreds of smaller collections dotted all over the city. Amsterdam satisfies a wide range of tastes and displays include everything from the best Dutch Masters to ultra-modern exhibitions.

Then there are the alternative delights which draw their own crowd - some seeking the pleasure of De Wallen or De Walletjes (the notorious Red Light District) and others attracted by the liberal attitude towards soft drugs sold in the city's "coffeeshops". For those who are curious but not tempted to indulge, a stroll through De Wallen in the evening is still likely to be an illuminating experience albeit a bit seedy.

In truth the city is a kaleidoscopic mixture of all these things, where you can take as much or as little of each to create your own unique experience of Amsterdam.

Canal Tours

What could be more enchanting than discovering Amsterdam by its most famous transport system. Canal tours might not be the quickest way, but are undeniably enjoyable when you want to sit back, relax and enjoy some of Europe’s greatest architectural gems.

Routes vary but most canal tour companies cover Amsterdam's most famous landmarks such as Anne Frank’s House, Rijksmuseum and Centraal Station. Canal Bus offers 3 routes illustrated by a colour coded board at the front of the boat. Operational hours are from 10h00 to 18h00 with the Green Line touring until 19h30. A Canal Bus Day Pass costs EUR18 and is valid until 12h00 the next day.

On a more active note, it is also possible to discover these amazing and sometimes bustling canals with the power of your own legs by renting a pedalo. Cycling at your own pace and making your own itinerary, pedalos are great fun and enable you to catch some sun however it is important to bring back the pedalo on time otherwise extra charges will be applied.

For a self-directed tour, rent a pedalo from Canal Bike, which offers good hourly, daily and weekly rates from its convenient location near the Rijksmuseum.

Weteringschans 26. Open: daily 10h00-18h00. Tel: +31 (0)20-626-5574 +31 (0)20-626-5574 .

Cycling around the city

A great way to see the city and experience it in local fashion is to rent a bike for the length of your stay for a day or even a few hours. Amsterdam is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world and bicycles have sometimes more space on the road than their fellow pavement users.

Usually by ringing the bike’s bell, cyclists charmingly alert pedestrians they are not too far and cohabitation with cars is surprisingly annoyance free. Take note that patience is a virtue when cycling around busy tourist sites.

The importance of cycling in the Dutch way of life is easily noticeable with bicycles on every street corner and some with personalised colours and additional seating, a far cry from the traditional black bike.

There are a few operators around the city. As a rough guide, expect to pay EUR12 per day for a bike rental. For bike hire contact:

MacBike, Mr Visserplein 2 or Weteringschans 2. Tel: +31 (0)20-620-0985 +31 (0)20-620-0985 . Rent-a-Bike, Damstraat 20-22. Tel: +31 (0)20-625-5029 +31 (0)20-625-5029 .

Walking around the city

If Amsterdam is a heaven for cyclists, it's also a great place to discover with your own two feet. From the picturesque Jordaan district where streets are named after flowers to the artistic Westerpark where open-air concerts, theatre and exhibitions take place, Amsterdam abounds with walking tours that combine well with cultural heritage.

Strolling by the canals is a great way to admire Amsterdam's traditional houses. Interior design is very popular as the Dutch tend to spend a lot of time indoors. It's a great way to get novel ideas for your own home just by looking discreetly through the window!

Vondelpark is also very popular and is a great place to be on Queens Day (30th April) when the young entertain to earn some pocket money. Home to the Film Museum and with concerts given at the Openluchttheater in the summer, Vondelpark is an enjoyable green space.

For more information on walking tours, contact the Amsterdam Tourist Office, Stationsplein 10 (opposite Centraal Station). Tel: +31 (0)20-551-2525 +31 (0)20-551-2525 .

Vincent Van Gogh Museum

One of the city's best museums, the excellent Vincent Van Gogh draws a crowd on most weekends - you might be better visiting in the earlier part of the week to try this. The museum has a substantial and definitive collection of more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Van Gogh and his contemporaries. Van Gogh's own work is arranged chronologically in five periods.

Paulus Potterstraat 7. Open: Mon-Sun 10h00-18h00, Fri 10h00-22h00. Admission: EUR10, adults; Free under 12 years old. Tel: +31 (0)20-570-5200 +31 (0)20-570-5200 .

Anne Frank's House

Everyone knows at least the basics of this story. The Dutch girl Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis in a secret annex of a Christian family's house during World War Two. The original building still stands, and now operates as the Anne Frank House Museum.

For many people, a visit to Anne Frank's House is a moving experience and it may also be your most crowded one so go early to beat the rush.

Prinsengracht 2673. Open: daily 09h00-19h00 (until 21h00 Apr-Aug). Admission: EUR7.50, adults; EUR3.50, children. Tel: +31 (0)20-556-7105 +31 (0)20-556-7105 .

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum has by far the best collection of modern art in the country. It concentrates on works from the second half of the 20th century, and there are normally always temporary exhibitions or installations by new artists. The Stedelijk has notable works from Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Mondrian and Chagall, amongst others.

Oosterdokskade 5. Open: daily 10h00-18h00. Admission: EUR9, adults; EUR4.50, children. Tel: +31 (0)20-573-2911 +31 (0)20-573-2911 .

* Please note the Stedelijk Museum located at Paulus Potterstraat (Museumsquare) is undergoing extensive renovation until the end of 2009. In the meantime, the museum has moved to the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Post CS building close to Centraal Station. Unfortunately the classic collection of modern art is not displayed.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is Amsterdam's largest and most popular museum, containing some of the greatest works of art found anywhere in the Netherlands. The central attraction is the collection of 17th-century Dutch Masters, featuring canvases from some of the finest artists in history, including Rembrandt and Vermeer. The rest of the collection ventures further afield and in galleries such as the Print Room and the Asiatic Art room you can see photographs, statuary and all manner of artefacts drawn from art epochs all over the world.

A range of special exhibitions relating to art and history keep the Rijksmuseum's offerings fresh and exciting for repeat visitors. With over a million objects in the entire collection only a fraction is on view at a time but you should still budget several hours for a visit.

Stadhouderskade 42. Open: Sat-Thu 09h00-18h00, Fri 09h00-22h00. Admission: EUR10, adults; free, children. Tel: +31 (0)20-674-7000 +31 (0)20-674-7000 .

*Please note that the Rijksmuseum is undergoing extensive renovation until the end of 2009. Although the most important works from the collection are on display, the main gallery is closed during this period. Access to the temporary collection is from Jan Luijkenstraat 1.

Amsterdam Historical Museum

Housed in an old civic orphanage is the Historical Museum, which chronicles the development of Amsterdam from the Middle Ages to modern times. Although the subject sounds dry you won't regret spending an hour or two in the museum. The exhibitions detail Amsterdam's fascinating growth from small market town to international city of excellence and puts the unique culture into context.

Amsterdams Historisch Museum. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 357/Kalverstraat 92. Open: Mon-Fri 10h00-17h00; Sat-Sun 11h00-17h00. Admission: EUR7, adults; EUR3.50, children. Tel: +31 (0)20-523-1822 +31 (0)20-523-1822 .

Alternative Museums

Amsterdam has hundreds of other museums catering to just about everybody and featuring just about everything you can think of.

As the closest thing the city has to a speciality is diamonds, fascinating pieces are elegantly displayed through permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Diamond Museum (Paulus Potterstraat 8. Tel: +31 (0)20-305-5300 +31 (0)20-305-5300 ).

If you do want to stretch your budget to Amsterdam's most exclusive souvenir, we recommend you head to Coster Diamonds (Paulus Potterstraat 2-8. Tel: +31 (0)20-305-5555 +31 (0)20-305-5555 ), conveniently located near to the Rijksmuseum, where you can see how the diamonds are cut before making your purchase. Click the voucher icon for an exclusive discount.

There is also the Bijbels Museum where art, culture and the Bible meet together; the Foam Photography Museum where young talents have their art exhibited alongside established photographers; the Museum Het Rembranthuis where Rembrant created some of his most famous pieces of art; Theatermuseum, Sex Museum, Cannabis Museum... the list goes on.

Many of these are very small, and some only warrant a half-hour visit but each can be fascinating nevertheless. The best way to discover these little repositories of eccentrica is simply to bump into them while exploring the town.

NEMO - Science Centre

This magnificent building, built to resemble a boat run aground, houses a massive hands-on science and technology centre, which should keep science fans amused for a good couple of hours.

Hundreds of hi-tech workstations let people interact with exhibits through games and experiments. As a result the museum is constantly changing with each visitor's input. Look to see if there are any temporary exhibitions planned when you go, as these can be very impressive and well worth a visit in themselves.

Oosterdok 2. Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-17h00. Admission: EUR11.50. Tel: +31 (0)20-531-3233 +31 (0)20-531-3233 .

Red Light District

Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District is in the very centre of the city, concentrated on two canals (Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal) and the interconnecting streets. It is definitely an eye-opener, the working girls sit or stand in windows beckoning at passers-by. There are also a number of adult shops and entertainment that might be too much for some people.

However, on the other hand there is a refreshing honesty and openess about the whole experience, that means you don't have to feel sleazy wandering here - you can often see family groups wandering through the district, although stag and hen parties form the majority of passers-by. Whatever your feelings on the topic, a walk through De Wallen is likely to be memorable.

Amsterdam is a multi-lingual city, which is especially useful if you want to check out movies or the theatre during your stay. English-language productions in particular are extremely easy to find.

Up-to-date listings can be found in the local papers, Amsterdams Staatsblad, de Telegraaf or Het Parool. Larger productions will be advertised at tourist information offices. Keep an ear and an eye open, too, for the many local festivals - for instance, the International Documentary Film Festival is usually held in late November, and attracts a very high standard of film.

For information on current events you can contact the tourist office at:

Amsterdam Tourist Office Stationsplein 10 Tel: +31 (0)20-551-2525 +31 (0)20-551-2525 Open: daily 09h00-17h00

Music

Amsterdam has a music scene to suit all tastes. The young will love the city's many small venues that play host to up and coming bands as well as international rock and pop groups. For those seeking culture the city's orchestra and concert halls are bound to have something on at any time of year.

Modern

Akhnathon Nieuwezijds Kolk 25 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-3396 +31 (0)20-624-3396

Young, crowded, very hip world music venue/cultural centre.

AMP Studios Azartplein KNSMlaan 37 Tel: +31 (0)20-418-1111 +31 (0)20-418-1111

This is a great place to catch some live jazz and rock acts. Tickets vary from free to inexpensive.

Paradiso Weteringschans 6-8 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-4521 +31 (0)20-626-4521

Recently refurbished and still Amsterdam's top venue for rock and pop acts, Paradiso hosts major dance events during the weekend. Members only, but membership is available very cheaply.

Classical

Het Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-6 Tel: +31 (0)20-671-8345 +31 (0)20-671-8345

With 600-plus recitals a year, this wonderful building is one of the cornerstones of the Amsterdam cultural scene.

Beurs van Berlage Damrak 277 Tel: +31 (0)20-530-4141 +31 (0)20-530-4141

Home of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the Beurs van Berlage features two concert halls and a hectic schedule of performances. Ticket prices vary immensely, with cheaper performances during the year and week for any given event - you would do well to enquire a little ahead of time.

Theatre

Boom Chicago Comedy Theatre Leidseplein, 12 Tel: +31 (0)20-530-0232 +31 (0)20-530-0232

Firmly established comedy venue hosting a variety of quick witted, well written topical shows. Performances are held nightly in Amsterdam as well as at festivals and theatres around the world. Not only are you guaranteed a fun night out but theatre goers can also enjoy a pre-show dinner and cocktails.

Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26 Tel: +31 (0)20-624-2311 +31 (0)20-624-2311

A few separate venues at one address - the Bovenzaal (upper hall) often has English-language productions running. Tickets vary by venue and production.

Melkweg (Milky Way) Lijnbaansgracht 234a Tel: +31 (0)20-531-8181 +31 (0)20-531-8181

An entertainment complex housed in an old dairy, the Melkweg has been a cultural site since the 70s and is still going strong. The centre plays host to an eclectic mix of entertainment including modern dance, serious theatre and loads of touring shows, including British and American acts. Membership required (but very cheap and easily available). Tickets from EUR6.

Opera

Muziektheater (Stopera) Waterlooplein 22 Tel: +31 (0)20-625-5455 +31 (0)20-625-5455

Home of Holland's national ballet and opera companies, putting on the premier opera and ballet events in the country. Tickets vary in price by production, EUR14 and upwards - way upwards.

Cinema

The general practice in the Netherlands is to screen films in their original language with Dutch subtitles.

City Cinema Kleine Gartmanplatsoen 15-19 Tel: 0900-1458 (inside Netherlands)

Standard modern multiplex cinema with all the latest offerings from Hollywood, along with new local and European films.

Filmtheater Rialto Ceintuurbaan 338 Tel: +31 (0)20-676-8700 +31 (0)20-676-8700

The Rialto shows a wide selection of current European cinema, with some golden oldies on offer as well. Near Sarphati Park; take trams 2, 12, 24 or 25.

Nederlandse Filmmuseum Vondelpark 3 Tel: +31 (0)20-589-1400 +31 (0)20-589-1400

The Film Museum, a short walk away from the Rijksmuseum, holds the country's film archives and fortunately for film lovers, they don't just let them gather dust. Presents screenings all week, with special children's matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

Nightclubs

Most bars open in the morning and stay open until 01h00 or 02h00. Other bars only open in the evening then step into the breach, only closing in the early hours of the morning, by which time the earliest of the day bars has already opened its doors for the next day's custom. Nevertheless there are more than a few nightclubs that you can head for to satisfy any cravings for thumping dance tunes.

Amsterdam's gay scene is centred predominantly on and around the Amstel, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Kerkstraat and Warmoestraat, though there are plenty of gay-friendly bars and clubs throughout the city. A couple are listed below, but for more information on what's on during your stay, it's worth visiting the "Pink Point", an information centre on Westermarkt with up-to-date advice on where to go.

Tonight Gravesandestraat 51 Tel: +31 (0)20-850-2400 +31 (0)20-850-2400

A variety of club evenings and entertainment are hosted at Arena. Check local listings for special events, but head down on Saturdays for cheesy tunes from the 60s, 70s and the golden age of pop.

Escape Rembrandtplein 11 Tel: +31 (0)20-622-1111 +31 (0)20-622-1111

The largest of the city's clubs, Escape holds a variety of different events on different days of the week. Saturday is naturally the biggest night when dance music dominates the decks and special guests are more likely to put in an appearance. Salvation, held on the first Friday of the month, is one of the city's top gay nights.

Melkweg (Milky Way) Lijnbaansgracht 234a Tel: +31 (0)20-531-8181 +31 (0)20-531-8181

As well as being a theatre, cinema and cultural centre the Melkweg hosts discos and club nights at the weekend.

COC Rozenstraat 14 Tel: +31 (0)20-626-3087 +31 (0)20-626-3087

Popular weekend gay & lesbian club organised by COC, the national gay rights organisation. Always a fun and lively crowd. Fridays are mixed gay/lesbian, Saturdays lesbian only.

Exit Reguliersdwarsstraat 37 Tel: +31 (0)20-625-8788 +31 (0)20-625-8788

Large gay club spread over two floors playing predominantly dance music. Recently it's become quite popular with heterosexual women, but the crowd is still mainly gay.

Special Events

April

April 30 is Queen's Day when parades, concerts, theatrical events, street entertainment and general revelry honour HM Queen Beatrix.

May

The Oosterparkfestival, held each year in the first week of May, celebrates the spirit of tolerance for which Amsterdam has become famous. The event, held in culturally mixed East Amsterdam, takes place just after Remembrance Day (May 4), which commemorates those who died during World War Two. This free celebration takes place with ethnic music, food and plenty of entertainment.

National Cycling Day takes place on the second Saturday of May when much of the country gets on their bikes and follows one of the 360 routes set up for the occasion. Those who complete the course are presented with a certificate of success.

National Windmill Day in Amsterdam happens on the same date as National Cycling Day. A blue banner signifies that a windmill is open to the public, there are several in the city although once you've seen one you might think you've seen them all.

The Drum Rhythm Festival takes place in late May offering a riot of percussion and alternative lifestyles. Hip-hop, reggae, soul, drum and bass, house and all manner of beats are represented.

June

Mid-June to mid-July is the annual Holland Festival. International performers in theatre, dance, music, opera, media and visual arts join Amsterdam in the largest art event on the Dutch calendar.

August

Amsterdam Pride in early August is one of Europe's biggest gay and lesbian events culminating in the legendary "Canal Parade". The Dance Valley Festival is Holland's largest daytime dance music festival. The idyllic nature reserve venue near Amsterdam makes for an ideal escape from the city.

November

Amsterdam is famous for its canals, tulips, and, undeniably, cannabis. The annual Cannabis Cup is a world famous event attracting growers and consumers from all over the world with various awards being distributed, including one for the city's best coffeeshop.

To and From the Airport

Schiphol Airport

Schiphol airport is located 14km south-west of the city and is conveniently served by train, bus and taxi services.

Trains

The easiest way to get to the centre of Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport, or vice versa, is by train from below Schiphol Plaza (the central hall of the airport). Trains leave for the city every ten minutes during the day and take 15-20 minutes to arrive. Single tickets cost EUR3.60.

Taxis

Can be caught from the front of the airport (follow exit signs), and although more expensive (from approx. EUR39) and slower than the trains, they are far more convenient for people with lots of baggage. Amsterdam city is a half-hour car journey away along the A4/E10 highway.

Another option is to book a shared taxi. It has to be booked at least one day in advance and a zipcode is required to ascertain where the pick up will take place. If travelling from the city centre, expect to pay EUR26 to Schiphol airport and EUR45 return. Tel: +31 (0)38-339-4768 +31 (0)38-339-4768 .

Buses

Several regular bus services run from the airport to the city throughout the day. Bus 370 runs to Amsterdam city centre (Tel: +31 (0)900-9292 +31 (0)900-9292 ). Connexxion also runs a half-hourly shuttle-bus, which goes directly to over one hundred Amsterdam major hotels. All buses run from stop A7 outside Schiphol Airport and operate from 06h00 to 21h00. Tel: +31 (0)38-339-4741 +31 (0)38-339-4741 .

Public Transport

If you don't have access to a I amsterdam Card where public transport is included, the cheapest travel option is to buy a strippenkaart from stations, kiosks, post offices or tourist information points costing from EUR1.60 for two strips to EUR20.10 for 45 strips, with each journey costing a strip plus a strip for each zone you travel in. For example, a zone one trip costs two strips (one for the trip and one for the zone).

A strippenkaart works on all forms of public transport for multiple journeys. Yourself, the driver or conductor must stamp it each time you undertake a journey. It sounds complicated but it is in fact quite an easy system once you're used to it. Once stamped, the ticket remains valid for an hour and allows unlimited changing between each mode of transport. A useful feature of the strippenkaart is that it works in other major cities of the Netherlands.

Single tickets are available on board trams and buses for EUR1.60 (single zone). Alternatively you can buy a day ticket (dagkaarten) for EUR6.40, 48-hour ticket for EUR10.50, 72-hour for EUR13.50 and 96-hour for EUR16.50. This gives unlimited travel over the city transport network for a whole day. Useful maps of the public transport network are available from tourist and transport offices.

The I amsterdam Card gives you free use of public transport, as well as free entry to museums, and is available from tourist offices and participating museums. The card costs for 1 day: EUR33; 2 days: EUR43; 3 days: EUR53.

Trams

Trams are part of the Amsterdam landscape and as soon as you emerge from Centraal Station you'll see them criss-crossing the square. They are an excellent way of getting around the city. With just 17 lines they are easy to navigate on short acquaintance and are excellent for sightseeing.

Tram 20 is a special circle trip for tourists, which passes most of the museums and sights, and travels as far south as the Sarphati Park before looping back to the centre. Ordinary tickets and passes can be used on the tram and are available onboard. If you want to hop on and off, your best bet is to purchase a day ticket (as above).

Buses

You could be forgiven for not noticing the buses in Amsterdam. Most tourists will choose the trams over the bus network and not many attractions require that you take the bus to access them. Should you do so they are rather more complicated than the trams mainly as it is hard sometimes to predict where you should get off until you've gone past your destination. However, they are clean and punctual.

Driving

Amsterdam is a motorist's nightmare - the city is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, sharp corners and tiny bridges. Thankfully nothing is far enough to justify driving.

If you do drive to Amsterdam, parking is available on the streets, in underground public car parks, and at some hotels, but it is expensive. If you are coming in just for a day there are park and ride schemes on the city outskirts, expect to pay EUR5.50 for the day. If parking in the city centre, expect to pay EUR4.40 per hour near Centraal Station.

Points to consider:

You will need to bring your own national driving licence if planning to drive while in the Netherlands. If your licence is not in English it is advisable to hold an International Driving Licence.

The minimum driving age is 18.

Driving is on the right and you must overtake on the left-hand side.

The driver and all passengers in the front and rear of the car must wear seat belts if fitted. Children under 3 years old must travel in a safety seat in the rear of the car, while those aged 3-12 can travel in the front only with a special safety seat.

Be aware that lanes in the centre of two-way streets are reserved for trams and buses, and cyclists are given priority over cars.

The speed limit on highways is 100/120km per hour (70/75mph), on the open road it is 80km per hour (50mph) and in urban areas 50km per hour (30mph).

Taxis

Taxis are expensive and often get caught up in the city's traffic jams making them a slow way to travel around the city centre. It is illegal to hail a taxi in the street (although certainly not unheard of). There are quite a few taxi ranks though, with your best bet being one of the pleins (squares), near any of the city's major attractions, or in front of Centraal Station.

Travel Guide