Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands. The population is 750,000 people. The city is also the most popular tourist attraction in the Netherlands with over 3.5 million foreign visitors per year.
The weather in Amsterdam is never really extreme, but the busiest tourist season is during July and August when the temperatures are between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer off-season travel, you can enjoy Amsterdam when it is less crowded and benefit from the lower airline and restaurant prices.
Things to Do and See
When visiting Amsterdam, there is a variety of things to do and see. Many people start their visit with a tour of the canals. Amsterdam has hundreds of canals and a tour around the city center from the Amstel River could be extremely satisfying. If you decide to take a walk, the canals are flanked by beautiful small shops and eateries.
Amsterdam has several world class museums which include:
The Anne Frank House: The three floors of the house on the Prinsengracht present a chronological journey of the three years Anne Frank spent hiding from the Nazi’s.
The Rijks museum: This is an art museum that displays masterpieces from artist such as Rembrandt and Vermeer.
If you have heard about Amsterdam, you who have probably heard about its famous Red Light District. From brothels to sex shops to museums, the Red Light District leaves nothing to the imagination. In recent years, however, the district has been cleaned up and now offers some chic eateries and superb restaurants. While in the Red Light District, you will notice the beauty of the old world architecture and the tree lined canals.
Places to Eat
When the sightseeing is over, and it is time to enjoy a good meal visitors have a wide choice of places they can pick. Below are the names of just a few.
Brasserie
White tablecloths and Mediterranean-blue china dress up this contemporary French restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Classic dishes like steak fries and tuna niçoise salad are your best bets for dinner; chocolate croissants paired with piping hot cups of cafe au lait are smart breakfast picks.
Envy
This restaurant recently opened on one of the city’s most stately canals, and bills itself as a wine bar/deli. It is one of the coolest places that you could go to eat.
Popular Amsterdam Hotels in the City
Hotel Casa 400 Amsterdam
Hotel Casa 400 is located near the city center. It is a 3-star hotel that offers spacious rooms that are equipped with a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
Rates start at €75.52 per night.
Movenpick Hotel
The Movenpick Hotel is a 4-star hotel located near the Amsterdam, city center.
It is located within walking distance of the Anne Frank House and the Royal Palace. Rates start at €168.99 per night.
Nh Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky
The Nh Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam.
The rooms offer a mini bar Cable/Satellite TV and many other amenities. Rates start at €232.06 per night.