Last Updated: May 2025
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city steeped in history, culture and vibrant modern life. Originally a small fishing village in the 12th century, Amsterdam rapidly grew into a major port and commercial hub during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, becoming one of the world’s foremost centers for finance, trade and art. Its’ iconic canal ring was largely constructed during this period, shaping the city’s distinctive layout and charm.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is renowned for its cultural diversity and tolerance. Historically, it became a refuge for persecuted religious groups, including Sephardic Jews, Huguenots and Armenians, who contributed to the city’s rich cultural fabric and economic prosperity. This spirit of openness continues today, with a multicultural population and progressive social policies including regulated sex work and soft drug use.
Amsterdam also boasts a lively arts scene with theaters, music venues and festivals reflecting its historical and contemporary creativity. This was a holographic image in a shop window that changed as you walked past, necessitating a double take. You have to appreciate the Dutch humor.
The city’s architecture ranges from historic canal houses to modern designs, offering a picturesque yet dynamic urban experience.
Amsterdam’s economy historically thrived on trade, particularly in goods like beer and herring, and later expanded into finance and art markets during its Golden Age.
Today, it remains an important European financial center while also being a major tourist destination celebrated for its canals, museums, and vibrant neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp.
Amsterdam is a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly. It’s a unique and enchanting destination for visitors from around the world. You have to be very aware of the bicycles because they have the right of way and don’t stop for tourists. It can be downright frightening.
Rijksmuseum
The city’s cultural scene is world-class, home to numerous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House, which attract millions of visitors annually.
Located at the Museumplein in Amsterdam South, the Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch art and history. It houses an impressive collection of about 8,000 objects on display from a total of nearly one million items, spanning from the year 1200 to 2000. The museum’s highlights include masterpieces by legendary Dutch painters such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals, making it a cornerstone for understanding the Dutch Golden Age of art.
The museum’s current main building, designed by Pierre Cuypers, opened in 1885 and underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2013 at a cost of €375 million. This restoration preserved the stunning Gothic interiors and enhanced the visitor experience. The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and tickets cost around €20. Booking a time slot in advance is recommended to avoid long waits, but once inside, visitors can explore at their own pace and typically spend 2-3 hours soaking in the art and history. The restaurant was delicious.
They have a free app that downloads to the phone and explains the history behind every piece of artwork.
You could spend a lot of time just in this one museum.
NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market
We chose this hotel because it was well rated and easy walking distance to the Rijksmuseum and some of the major sites we wanted to see around Amsterdam. The room was comfortable with a nice view of the city. Their morning buffet was abundant and delicious.
Next door to the hotel is the flower market.
Visitor Information
Getting There: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is one of Europe’s busiest international hubs, with direct flights from many North American and global cities. We flew from San Diego to London Heathrow, then connected onward to Amsterdam — a straightforward routing with many airline options available.
Getting Around: Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most walkable cities, with most major attractions clustered within comfortable walking distance of one another. Trams, buses, and metro lines fill the gaps efficiently. Cycling is the dominant local mode of transport — bike rentals are widely available — but as a pedestrian, stay alert at all times: cyclists have absolute right of way and move fast.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April–May) is peak tulip season with the most vibrant colors, though it brings significant crowds. The famous Keukenhof tulip gardens outside the city are open only mid-March through mid-May. Visiting in late April or early May may mean some fields are past peak, but Amsterdam’s markets and streets remain full of color. Summer offers warm long days; autumn brings fewer tourists and a quieter experience.
Currency & Language: The Euro (€) is the local currency; ATMs and card payments are universally accepted. English is very widely spoken throughout Amsterdam, making it one of the most accessible European cities for English-speaking visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amsterdam best known for?
Amsterdam is famous for its UNESCO-listed canal ring, world-class museums — particularly the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House — its vibrant tulip culture, historic Golden Age architecture, and a centuries-long tradition of tolerance and cultural diversity.
Do I need to book Rijksmuseum tickets in advance?
Yes, absolutely. Book a timed entry slot online before you arrive, especially in spring and summer when walk-up queues can stretch an hour or more. Tickets cost approximately €20 per person. Once inside, you explore at your own pace — most visitors spend two to three hours. Download the museum’s free app before you go for audio commentary on every major artwork.
Is the Amsterdam Flower Market worth visiting?
Definitely. The Bloemenmarkt — the world’s only floating flower market — sits on the Singel canal and is free to browse. Even toward the tail end of tulip season it overflows with cut flowers, potted plants, and bulbs to take home. Dutch souvenirs are plentiful, and the central location makes it easy to combine with a canal walk.
When is tulip season in Amsterdam?
Tulip season in the Netherlands runs approximately mid-March through mid-May, with peak bloom typically around mid-April. If you visit in late April or early May, the famous countryside fields may be past their best, but Amsterdam itself — particularly the flower markets — stays colorful. The Keukenhof gardens near Lisse are open only during this window, so if that’s a priority, plan your timing carefully.
Is Amsterdam safe for tourists?
Amsterdam is generally a very safe city for tourists. The main practical hazard is bicycles — they have right of way over pedestrians everywhere and travel faster than you’d expect. Stay on sidewalks and look carefully in both directions before crossing any road or bike lane. Standard urban precautions against pickpocketing apply in crowded tourist areas.
How much time do you need in Amsterdam?
Two to three days covers the main highlights comfortably — the Rijksmuseum, a canal walk, the flower market, and neighborhoods like the Jordaan. Adding the Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House warrants a third day. We had only a partial day before boarding our Uniworld riverboat, but even that brief time left a strong impression of what a remarkable city Amsterdam is.
Is the NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market Hotel a good choice?
We found it excellent. Well-rated, centrally located within easy walking distance of the Rijksmuseum and the canal district, with comfortable rooms and pleasant city views, and a generous morning buffet. Being right next door to the actual Bloemenmarkt makes it a particularly memorable place to stay in Amsterdam.
Practical Tips for Visiting Amsterdam
Watch out for bicycles — this is the single most important survival tip in Amsterdam. Cyclists have absolute right of way over pedestrians everywhere in the city. They move fast and will not stop for you. Bike lanes can look deceptively like sidewalks. Always look in both directions before stepping off any curb.
Download the Rijksmuseum’s free app before your visit. It provides audio commentary on virtually every significant work in the collection and greatly enriches the experience. Book your entry tickets online in advance to skip the queue entirely.
If seeing the famous tulip fields is a priority, research bloom timing before booking your trip and reserve Keukenhof excursion tickets early — the gardens sell out and are open only mid-March through mid-May. We arrived at the tail end of the season and made the call to stay in the city rather than risk finding the fields already past peak.
The Bloemenmarkt sells tulip bulbs to take home as a souvenir — but check your home country’s customs and agricultural import rules before purchasing, as some countries restrict bringing plant material across borders.
Amsterdam’s tram network is efficient and easy to navigate. You can pay by tapping a contactless credit card directly, or pick up an OV-chipkaart for transit throughout the city and beyond.
It was tulip season, so there were tulips everywhere. From here we boarded our Uniworld riverboat, The River Duchess, for our 3 week cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers traveling through 6 countries eventually taking us to Bucharest, Romania.
