5 Great Coffee Houses and Cafes in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a fantastic, vibrant city and is also the capital of the Netherlands. While it has gained notoriety for its marijuana cafes and lax stance on prostitution, it is also one of the oldest cities in Europe and boasts a huge amount of culture. One of the best things you can do while there is head on down to one or two of the famous coffee houses for a hit of culture, great food and drink and people watching.
Abraxis
Hidden in a tiny alley near the Dam Square, this coffee house has three gorgeous wood-paneled floors to hang out in. If you head up to the top small, you will find it decorated with live marijuana plants, which can be a thrill to newcomers. The ambiance is lovely and the view from the top is wonderful. If you're not afraid of heights, skip up to the top floor and look down through the glass partition all the way down to the ground floor!
Barney' Breakfast Bar
This is one is great for early risers, since it opens earlier than most coffee houses and also serves (as one would assume from the name) fantastic breakfasts. Also, since they're up near the train station, Barney's is a good place to go when you first hit town and nothing else has opened yet.
La Canna
A large, impressive coffee house boasting three floors, a billiards room, restaurant and even rooms to rent! The service is particularly good and this is a great place for people watching: just find yourself a seat by the second-floor windows for a great view out over the busy streets.
Popeye's
Famous not for its food nor its ambiance, but rather for its owner, Popeye's is something different! Popeye himself is the owner - a jovial, chatty guy who loves nothing better than chatting with his customers, hanging around and greeting and welcoming everybody. Great if you're feeling a little disillusioned!
Rokerij
Part of a small chain with four locations in the city. The original location is probably the best, boasting great service, wonderful food and drinks and a classy, Indian-themed atmosphere. Just pay attention when looking for it, or you might miss it!
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Visit to Amsterdam Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital city, the financial and cultural capital as well as the largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. The city has a population of around 1 million,including the suburbs. Its name is derived from Amstel dam, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel where the Dam Square is today. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. The city was the leading center for finance and diamonds during that time. Amsterdam expanded and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The attractions
The city attracts more than 4 million tourist annually with its main attractions being the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, its red-light district and its many cannabis coffee shops and many others.
Amsterdam's Climate
Amsterdam enjoys a cool temperate climate, strongly influenced by its proximity to the North Sea to the west and winter temperatures are mild, seldom below 0°C. Amsterdam nights rarely fall below -5°C because it is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides and enjoys a significant heat island effect. Summers are moderately warm but rarely hot. The average daily high in August is 22°C, and 30°C or higher is only measured on average on 3 days.Amsterdam has an average annual precipitation of less than 760mm. It is in the form of protracted drizzle or light rain, making cloudy and damp days common during the cooler months, October through March. Only the occasional European windstorm brings significant rain in a short period of time, requiring it to be pumped out to higher ground or to the seas around the city.
The Architecture of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for its rich architectural history. The oldest building in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerk (Old Church), at the heart of the Wallen, consecrated in 1306. Amsterdam had a variety of architectural styles influencing their buildings. The focal point of all the architectural styles before the end of the 19th century is the old city center. Most historic buildings in the city center and nearby are houses, such as the famous merchant's houses lining the canals.
Tourism in Amsterdam
Shopping Shops in Amsterdam range from small specialty shops to large department stores such as De Bijenkorf and Maison de Bonneterie, a Parisian style store. In Vondelpark you will find Cornelisz Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat where most of Amsterdam's high-end shops are located.Another shopping area is the Negen Straatjes and it differ from other shopping districts because of the presence of a large diversity of privately owned shops. Open-air markets are also widely spread throughout the city, icluding the Albert Cuypmarkt, Westermarkt, Ten Katemarkt, and Dappermarkt.
Transportation in Amsterdam
Bicycles Amsterdam is a bicycle-friendly city and is the center of bicycle culture with many good facilities for cyclists such bike paths and bike racks pervading the city. Bicycle traffic and traffic in general is relatively safe, with only 18 traffic deaths in total for 2007.
Cars In the city center, driving a car is discouraged. Parking fees are expensive, and many streets are closed to cars or are one-way.
Public Transport Public transport in Amsterdam mainly consists of bus and tram lines. Pedestrians and cyclists can take one of the three free ferries to go across the IJ to Amsterdam-Noord or a fare charging ferry to go from the east to the west along the harbor.You can also be transported along Amsterdam's waterways by means of water taxis, a water bus, a boat sharing operation, electric rental boats and canal cruises.
Amsterdam's Culture and Entertainment
Museums The most important museums of Amsterdam are located on het Museumplein (Museum Square), located at the southern side of the Rijksmuseum.
The Rijksmuseum possesses the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art.With a collection of nearly one million objects.
In front of the Rijksmuseum on the square itself is a long, rectangular, pond that is transformed into an ice rink in winter time. You will also find the the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience and Coster Diamonds at the Museum Square. The square is almost entirely covered by a lawn, making it the most prominent site in Amsterdam for festivals and outdoor concerts, especially in the summer. Amsterdam contains many other museums throughout the city. They range from small museums such as the Verzetsmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and the Rembrandthuis, to the very large, like the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdams Historisch Museum, and Joods Historisch Museum.
Festivals In the 2008 there were 140 festivals in Amsterdam. The most famous festivals are Koninginnedag (Queen's Day), Amsterdam Gay Pride and the Uitmarkt. Hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam on Koninginnedag to celebrate with the residents of the city. The entire city becomes overcrowded with people buying products from the freemarket or visiting one of the many music concerts. This festival takes place on the 30th of April each year. During Gay Pride, there is a long parade of boats with floating down Amsterdam's canals, and curious events taking place throughout the city.The Gay Pride annually takes place on the first Saturday in August. The Uitmarkt lasts for three days and it's a cultural event. It consists of many podia with a lot of different artist on them, such as musicians and poets and is held in late August.
Chris du Toit is the owner of bestflights.co.za, a flight comparison site for South African travelers where they can search and book the cheapest flight to Amsterdam online.
Best Amsterdam Hotels and Apartments
Vondelpark, which is 120 acres of gardens and covered by the footpaths & watercourses, is place where you may find magicians, tarot readers, fire-eaters, arty performers, and some other comedians, which will entertain you. In addition, you can enjoy performances in small amphitheatre on an island near park center. There are lots of places where you can go and enjoy you stay and it full of fun.
For first time traveler, finding top-notch accommodation becomes crucible task, particularly if you are operating on the limited budget or else scheduling the extended stay. Best method to proceed is carefully planning entire visit from the hotel to sightseeing, transport, or leisure time. You should always do some kind of research before you go ahead with things so that you have no regrets later in anyway.
Amsterdam is the place for an unlimited outdoor activity and actions that are more cerebral. It also helps to ask travel agents, the city brochures, as well as hotel sites for some cheap hotels that are located in a center of city and close to few major attractions offer practical facilities or service. Cheap here does not mean colorless décor or else mucky washrooms but sleep able beds or useable bathrooms with and without breakfast. These hotels are very popular with the tourists on the "shoe string" budgets that are reasonable for them. The price for these is not very high and people with all kinds of budgets have some place to stay in.
Amsterdam has very good supply of cheap and expensive hotels in this list some meters away from Leidseplein, Amsterdam's holiday area that includes Van Gogh Museum & Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum Park, all in walk able distance. Famous "Red Light" area, flower market, coffee shops, shopping malls, as well as Rembrandt Square are all approachable by train services and waterways. There are amazing things that come up each day and some thing new for the tourist.
Most of the cheap hotels are been used to sleep or else spend some leisurely hours in sightseeing or else business. In case you are not particular about privacy, and if you are traveling all alone, then you may look at the hotels with arrangements of two, three and five beds. The studio apartments or else rentals in the old houses might as well be available. Few hotels date back to 1660s & Napoleon's house cleaner is supposed to have lived in one of this hotels and a lovely place to stay in.
Amsterdam Hotels Apartments WorldEscape Amsterdam Apartments with hotel service.
Amsterdam Art and Culture
Amsterdam is a city of less than one million residents but has over 50 theatres and movie houses, two ballet troupes, a symphony orchestra, and numerous museums.
The Leidesplein is the theatre district of Amsterdam. Many of the numerous theater cinemas are themed in that each carries a certain type of film - art house, film noir, English only, new, etc. The Dutch run the film in it's original language with the sub-titles in Dutch dialogue; as a result, visitors can often find a film in their native tongue; especially English.
The various theatres carry the best and latest in operas, symphonies, dances, and various other concerts. It is not uncommon to find a theatrical production being played out in a plaza or park. There is even a theatre that specializes in programs for the younger generation.
The Dutch art scene covers everything from graffiti to works by the masters; both inside the museums and galleries and out on the streets.
Some 50 of the over 400 museums in The Netherlands are located within the city of Amsterdam and are among the city's most popular tourist attractions. Besides the typical works of the masters, modern art, film, and photography; some of the museums that can be found in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, a Botanical Museum, a museum dedicated to the Dutch resistance during World War II, the Heineken Experience, the Ajax Museum (Dutch football team), a houseboat museum, a torture museum, museums dedicated to sex and erotica, NEMO a hands on science museum for the children that is housed in a boat shaped building, the shipping museum, a Biblical Museum, the tropical museum and the Jewish museum. There are also several art galleries within the city.
The largest of the museums is the Rijksmuseum, which houses Dutch art dating as far back as some early religious works, and of course; the masters.
Located in the middle of the city is the Anne Frank House, where the young teen wrote her diary while hiding from the Nazi's with her family. The original diary is on display at the house.
The Houseboat Museum is an actual houseboat similar to those used by some residents of Amsterdam. The boat is set up as if the family where merely out running errands or at the cinema and will return at any moment.
Across from the Anne Frank House is the tulip museum. The small museum offers a multimedia presentation of the famous flower including its history.
For those interested in the art of the adult beverage there is the Heineken Experience which provides everything about the famous beer. And there is the Vodka museum that not only gives a history of the alcoholic potato and a display of unusual vodka bottles, but a bar where visitors can sample the famous Russian concoction. There is also a coffee and tea museum for the coffee and tea lover.
The Jewish Museum tells of the history of Dutch Jews and is housed in four synagogues some dating back to the sixteen hundreds.
Located on the edge of the Red Light District is the Museum Amstelkring which houses religious artifacts and art.
Visitors to St. Petersburg, Russia can see a few of the works housed in the Hermitage along the Neva River; but it is nearly impossible to see everything housed within the palace walls. However, visitors to Amsterdam can visit the Hermitage in Amsterdam which features two exhibits each year.
The TIN-Theater Museum features the history of the theater back to the Middle Ages. And the Film museum features a history on cinema history. The FOAM specializes in photography.
And for those who have an interest in things ancient and archeological is the Allard Pierson Museum.
And of course; the old city would not be complete without a historical museum of Amsterdam itself and the maritime museum Nederlands Scheepvaart Museum.
The tropical museum features exhibits on the tropical areas around the world.
There are museums dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt and writer Theo Thijssen.
Madame Tussauds offers visitors the chance to see Rembrandt at work, see Kylie Minogue, Bono, Bob Marley or hold court with Princess Maxima.
The Tassen Museum Hendrikje is dedicated to the great designers of women's purses and handbags offering thousands of the women's accessories for visitors to view. The Brilmuseum features eyeglasses.
For the musically inclined there is a small museum featuring player pianos and thousands of the paper rolls used in creating the music. Sir Elton John has nothing on this small museum which offers s glimpse into the history of eyewear.
With the wide variety of exhibits offered by the museums and the variety of cultural events there is something for almost any interest for the visitors and residents in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam - a city sometimes called the Venice of the north - is a city surrounded by water. Holland is a small country located between Germany and England across the sea. Whether it be along the North Sea or one of the many canals and rivers throughout the city, finding a place to stay with a waterfront view is an easy task. This modernized city with an old world charm offers a variety of places for visitors to stay from the finest international chain hotels to an intimate inn and even a houseboat. For a relatively small city Amsterdam contains nearly 300 hotels and that does not include the 100 plus guesthouses, the hostels, cottages, houseboats, and even some apartments for extended stays. But even with all of these available hotel rooms and other places to stay, finding lodgings during the tourist season can be very difficult. As a result, it is recommended for tourists to book a room or other lodging in advance. By booking ahead guests will be ensured that not only will they get the room that they want but at a price they desire as well. There are websites that list these hotels and similar accommodations in the city by category - large, number of stars, small, etc. - there are even listings those places that are suitable for families, are pet friendly, wheelchair accessible, and even the ones that are gay/lesbian friendly.
For the adventurous tourists and travelers Amsterdam also offers campgrounds just outside the city. In winter it gets very cold in Amsterdam - cold enough to freeze the waterways - so for the avid camper, summer is the best time to visit. Residents of Amsterdam even skate along the waterways during the winter for pleasure and as a way to get from one place to another.
Like many European cities Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination but the city does not offer a lot in the way of parking; as a result, it is best to make use of the extensive public transportation services offered by the country of The Netherlands. Bicycle riding is also very popular in this small country. Visitors can easily rent bikes and even take them on the trains. The Netherlands' transit system includes buses, trams, subways, and a train service that operates over 100 trips each day. There is even a train that runs right under Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for easy access into the city so there is no need to pay those high taxi fees to get into the city or to the hotel. It is even possible to take a trip across the country on the train and return to Amsterdam in the same day.
For those visitors who insist upon driving, they must pay close attention to any and all traffic laws. The Netherlands may be liberal in some areas of the law but it has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to traffic violations and tickets with heavy fines are given out even for first offenses and with no warning. If the ticket is not paid within a 24 hour period then the vehicle is towed.
Since the city of Amsterdam is considered small, walking from place to place is also a relatively simple task.
Bicycle and walking tours around the city of Amsterdam are among the items offered to visitors to the city.
Getting to Amsterdam as a tourist destination is even easier than getting around in the city once visitors have arrived. Schiphol Airport serves some 40 million visitors each year with approximately 90 different airline services from every corner of the globe.
The trains that run all through the country also offer trains to the neighboring countries of Germany, France, Belgium, and beyond. Many Hollanders speak English and offer informational kiosks throughout the train stations and airport making it easier for visitors find what they want and to get around the city.
Besides the windmills, wooden shoes, chocolates, and tulips for which Amsterdam and The Netherlands are best known; Amsterdam is the home of the artist Rembrandt and oddities like leaning houses.
Among the other rather unusual things that can be found in The Netherlands and Amsterdam are targeted for adults - that of the coffeehouse where Cannabis is smoked and the Red Light District where the ladies are displayed in shop windows. In the Red Light District a man literally shops for the companion he wants. Beware: no photos are allowed when visiting the area.
Football fans can watch the two time World Cup Champions the Amsterdam Ajax play. One of the biggest teams in Europe the Ajax have been a part of Amsterdam and football for over 100 years.
Since Rembrandt lived, worked, and died in Amsterdam there are a number of museums and art galleries some of which are dedicated to the great artist; as well as, the other great masters in art.
Amsterdam Attractions
When many people hear the words Holland, The Netherlands, or Amsterdam the first things that comes to mind are wooden shoes, windmills, chocolate, and tulips. But the country of The Netherlands and Amsterdam have a lot more to offer its millions of visitors each year. This small country in western Europe is located west of Germany with England to the east located across the sea.
Amsterdam is a city located on the North Sea and while storms can be fierce the summer weather is pleasant. There are four beaches in the Amsterdam area for residents and visitors to enjoy the warm sun. Some of these beaches even permit swimming.
Like Venice and St. Petersburg, two cities surrounded by water, boat traffic is numerous and tourists can find rides along the waterways in the form of a taxi or a structured ride.
Amsterdam offers the golfer a number of choices to get in a few holes while on holiday.
Since bicycle riding is more than just a popular pastime in The Netherlands, it is also a form of transportation instead of the motor vehicle; bike riding tours are available during the non-winter months. A combination bike and boat ride is also offered during the summer months of June, July, and August. These bicycle tours wind through the Dutch countryside offering tourists a glimpse into the "real" Holland with trips through the countryside, cheese farms, and clog factories. While on the tour visitors can see windmills, get a bit of history, and learn a bit about how the Dutch have reclaimed some of their country back from the sea - The Netherlands is a country at or below sea level which floods easily.
And of course; there are the numerous gardens located all over the country showing off the tulips the country of The Netherlands is so famous for. While there are many small gardens hidden behind the walls of private homes, there are also large public gardens with thousands upon thousands of flowers in a rainbow of colour.
For visitors who wish to view the city in a more pedestrian manner, there are several walking tours of Amsterdam. The most well known is the The WOW or Walking Over Water Tour. During this 3 hour and a half tour visitors can see the old Amsterdam City Center, leaning houses, sea dikes, lost city walls, hidden monasteries, sites of former executions and spectacular murders, and the famous Red Light District where the girls are on display in shop windows; but beware taking photographs is prohibited.
The second walking tour takes about 2 hours and is called The Red Light District walks. As the name implies this tour focuses on the Red Light district. The Red Light tour visits the spots where the women offer their services to men and educates the people with a visit to the PIC or Prostitute Information Centre.
The walking tours are conducted in English year round. The residents of Amsterdam and The Netherlands are a cultured and sophisticated people and their festivals reflect such culture. Besides the various festivals for various holidays there are art festivals, literary festivals, and festivals for film and theatre; as well as, music festivals and concerts. There is some kind of festival taking place nearly every month of the year in Amsterdam. The Dutch even put on a festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
What began as a country wide celebration of the Queen Mother's birthday has evolved into a massive outdoor party each April 30. All of Holland comes out dressed in orange to enjoy a giant birthday party and celebrate out among the blooming flowers and warming weather. The holiday is more than just a big party; marketing is strictly regulated as everything imaginable is available for sale; even the children get involved and show off their business skills.
Among the more unusual festivals happens in November when the various coffeehouses in the city hold the High Times Cannabis Cup; a six day festival that includes musical events and tasting parties. In The Netherlands it is legal to buy and smoke cannabis. It is illegal however to carry more than 5 gram of the drug.
December is the month that all the children wait for; on December 5 St. Nicholas arrives but not is a sleigh, but in a boat. The arrival of St. Nick is accompanied by a parade and festival. The Dutch do not celebrate the traditional Christmas of December 25 as the jolly one's arrival so for many Dutch it is a normal day with businesses and museums open to the public.
The year ends with a bang - literally - on December 31 with bars and nightclubs opening late, early evening is for families, and a big fireworks display.
Summer may be the time when most of the tourists come to visit but The Netherlands offers something for residents and visitors any time of the year.
Amsterdam Walking Tours and Canal Cruises, book all your excursions in Holland Online with AmsterdamCityTours.