Amsterdam Attractions

Amsterdam Attractions.

Amsterdam has a lot to offer the tourist. No matter what your interest is, Amsterdam is sure to have it. Amsterdam has an amazing number of attractions for such a small city.

Below and on the following pages Amsterdam further distractions and Amsterdam things to do when your broke we list the most popular ones as well as others places we know about that do not appear in the many guide books.

The top Amsterdam attractions.

Rijksmuseum (Currently under construction until 2008) Only Phillips wing is open.

The largest and most popular museum in the Netherlands was opened in 1885 and has grown steadily ever since. Today, it includes paintings dating from the 15th century up until 1850, as well as some quite stunning pieces of furniture. Currently all the major works are on display in the Phillips wing here the star painting, Rembrandt’s Nightwatch, hangs alongside several Vermeers and Van Hals. A pamphlet describes all of the museum’s highlights and there are audio tours available. Although part of the Rijksmuseum and included in the price of the museum ticket, the South Wing has its own entrance, at Hobbemastraat 19. Exhibits include 18th- and 19th-century paintings, Oriental objects d’art and a textile and costume section. Most of the place is closed for the next 4 years for a total refit. The Phillips wing remains open which has most of the famous works on display. I hope it is easier to find something after it reopens.

Located at Stadhouderskade 42

Tel: (020) 674 7047. Fax: (020) 674 7001.

E-mail: info@rijksmuseum.nl

Website: www.rijksmuseum.nl

Transport: Trams 2, 5, 6, 7 or 10.

Opening hours: Daily 1000–1700.

Admission: €9 (concessions available).

Anne Frankhuis (Anne Frank House)

The queues are crazy almost all year round at the small but very popular Anne Frank House, which annually attracts roughly half a million people. It is the home where Anne Frank, her family and four other Jewish people hid from the occupying Germans during World War II, after fleeing their native Germany. Finally caught by the Nazis, after two years in hiding, they were taken off to concentration camps, where Anne died. However, surviving members of her family found and published her diary, which has been translated into 50 languages. Basically five empty rooms with a few pictures. 10 Minutes and you have seen everything. Over priced at Euro 7.50

Located at Prinsengracht 263, Westerkerk

Tel: (020) 556 7100. Fax: (020) 620 7999.

E-mail: museumsecretariaat@annefrank.nl

Website: www.annefrank.nl

Transport: Trams 13, 14 or 17.

Opening hours: Daily 0900–1900 (Sep–Mar); daily 0900–2100 (Apr–Aug).

Admission: €6.50 (concessions available).

Van Gogh Museum

This spacious museum houses a permanent display of 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Van Gogh, as well as works by Toulouse-Lautrec and Gauguin. A new wing is being used to display temporary exhibitions. Well worth a visit.

Located at Paulus Potterstraat 7

Tel: (020) 570 5200. Fax: (020) 673 5053.

E-mail: info@vangogh.nl

Website: www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Transport: Trams 2, 3, 5, 12 or 16.

Opening hours: Daily 1000–1800.

Admission: €9 (concessions available).

Museum Het Rembrandthuis / Rembrands House

This museum, a charming three-storey house, built in the early 17th century, is where Rembrandt lived for nearly 20 years. Recently, a museum wing has been added (horrible modern buildings) with more space for a permanent collection of his work. It is home to a comprehensive collection of 250 of the artist’s etchings and self-portraits. The work of Rembrandt’s teachers and students are also on display, which adds depth and dialogue to Rembrandt’s own work.

Located at Jodenbreestraat 4–6

Tel: (020) 520 0400. Fax: (020) 520 0401.

E-mail: museum@rembrandthuis.nl

Website: www.rembrandthuis.nl

Transport: Trams 4, 9 or 14; metro Nieuwmarkt; boat to Waterlooplein or Zwanenburgerwal.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 1000–1700, Sun 1300–1700.

Admission: €7 (concessions available).

Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art

The best collection of modern art in Amsterdam is housed in a neo-Renaissance building, designed by AW Weissmann in 1895 – another wing was added in the 1950s. The permanent collection includes Dutch and international art from the second half of the 19th century onwards, with works by Picasso, Cézanne, Chagall and Monet, as well as photography, video, film and industrial design. Recent Dutch artists on display include Mondrian, De Kooning and Lichtenstein. Frequently changing temporary exhibitions are displayed in the New Wing. The museum has a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the sculpture garden – a lovely place in which to sit, on a sunny day.

LOcated at Paulus Potterstraat 13

Tel: (020) 573 2737. Fax: (020) 573 2789.

E-mail: dir@stedelijk.nl

Website: www.stedelijk.nl

Transport: Trams 2, 3, 5, 12 or 16; bus 63.

Opening hours: Daily 1000–1800 (Apr–Oct); daily 1100–1700 (Nov–Mar).

Admission: €5.

Amsterdams Historisch Museum (Amsterdam Historical Museum)

The Amsterdam Historical Museum shows how this city grew from a small medieval town into a modern city. Housed in a former orphanage that dates back to 1524, the museum is filled with paintings, prints and archaeological finds. One of the most interesting exhibits is an 18th-century coach without wheels. According to council regulations – and to reduce the noise of wheels on the cobbled streets – wealthy Amsterdammers' had to travel by sleigh, even in summer. The entrance fee to the museum includes free entry to the Civic Guards Gallery, a glass-roofed ‘street’ between Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof, which is lined with 15 massive portraits of the Amsterdam Civic Guards, dating from the 17th century. However, the Rijksmuseum has the most famous painting of the Civic Guard – Rembrandt’s Nightwatch (see above). There is also a great cafe / Restaurant here called David & Goliath with open terrace (In Summer) which sells really nice food at good prices.

Worth going in to see the huge statue of David & Goliath alone. It has a high-beamed ceiling and the wooden sculpture of David and Goliath, the latter 5m (16 ft.) high, was carved back in 1650 and was salvaged from a local amusement park that was a feature of Amsterdam's landscape for nearly 250 years until 1862. When the weather's fine in summer, tables are placed outdoors under the shade of courtyard trees. great place to sit and read or have a drink.

Located at Kalverstraat 92 or Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 359

Tel: (020) 523 1822. Fax: (020) 620 7789.

E-mail: info@ahm.nl

Website: www.ahm.nl

Transport: Trams 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 24 or 25.

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 1000–1700, Sat and Sun 1100–1700.

Admission: €6 (concessions available).

Heineken Experience

Voted ‘Best Amsterdam Visitor Attraction’ in 2001, (Reason unknown possibly after the free beers you feel you have had a great experience) anyway the Heineken Experience is a self-guided, multimedia delve into the workings of the world’s largest beer exporter. There is plenty of information on the company’s history and also the ‘Bottle Ride’, where visitors get to feel what it is like to be a beer bottle during the production process (make a right Pratt of yourself). At the end of the tour, there is, of course, the chance to sample the hallowed brew. You get 2 free beers as well as a free Heineken glass. In the old days you actually got to see the beer being brewed now you just see a video of it. Brewing is a thing of the past I guess at Heineken.

Located at Stadhouderskade 78

Tel: (020) 523 9666.

E-mail: info@heinekenexperience.nl

Website: www.heinekenexperience.nl

Transport: Trams 16, 24 or 25.

Opening Hours: Tues–Sun 1000–1800.

Admission: €7.50 (concessions available).

Sub-Culture Museums

Amsterdam is infamous for its Sex Museum but it also boasts the dubious charms of the Hash Museum and the Torture Museum. The extremely tacky Sex Museum, the only one in Europe, is full of erotica – objects d’art, photos, prints, paintings and videos – dating from the Roman era to about 1960, although somehow manages to be totally devoid of eroticism.

The Hash Museum is of interest to those visitors who come to Amsterdam in search of coffee shops and would like to learn a little more about the hallowed weed, while the Torture Museum caters for another sub-group of society altogether. Nevertheless, it is tongue-in-cheek enough to be of interest to all. The three museums are all within walking distance in the city centre.

The latest attraction to arrive in Amsterdam is the Amsterdam Dungeon

The Dungeon can best be described as an indoor theme park with a dash of historical horror.

The Dungeon is not recommended for those of a nervous disposition or very young children and will not admit unaccompanied children. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. In other words if you scare easy or have a bad ticker, best skip this attraction but if you like horror movies and love having the shit scared out of you this attraction is right up your street.

This is what they say about themselves. A unique attraction of fun with history's horrible bits. Live actors, a ride, shows and special effects transport you back to those black bleak times. Are you brave enough?

Located at Rokin 78, 1012 KW, Amsterdam. Just off Dam Square.

Hash Museum

http://www.hashmuseum.com

Since the opening in 1985 of the Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum in Amsterdam, almost a million interested people have visited this permanent exhibition. Each year, some 75,000 people from all parts of the world drop in for a visit. Couple of great plants growing in side and in the window.

Inside is everything you ever wanted to know about the wonderful weed.

Located at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 130

Tel: (020) 623 5961.

Transport: Trams 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 or 25.

Opening hours: Daily 1100–2200.

Admission: €5.70.

Sex Museum

Basically a lot of rubbish. Everything from the naughty monk to a naked women (Blow up) on a bike.

Good way to pass 10 minutes when your totally bored and nothing else to do or if it's raining.

Located at Damrak 18

Tel: (020) 622 8376.

Website: www.sexmuseumamsterdam.com

Transport: A short walk from Central Station.

Opening hours: Daily 1000–2300.

Admission: €2.50.?

Torture Museum

From the Inquisition chair to the Guillotine

Every European town had its pillory in the market place. The infamous marks of punishment were part of everyday life. Have not been here yet so I cannot really comment but judging by there web site it's not up to much. But the entrance looks amazing so maybe worth a visit just to see the entrance.

Located at Singel 449

Tel: (020) 639 2027.

Transport: A short walk from Centraal Station.

Opening hours: Daily 1100–2200.

http://www.torturemuseum.com

Admission: €5.70.

Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace)

The Royal Palace, designed by Jacob van Campen, was built in 1648, as Amsterdam’s city hall. When King Louis Napoleon arrived in Amsterdam, in 1808, he had the city hall turned into a palace. The large collection of Empire-style furniture, chandeliers and clocks date from this period. Although the palace is still the official royal residence, the royal family lives in The Hague. However, Queen Beatrix does host official functions here.

Located at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147

Tel: (020) 620 4060.

E-mail: info@koninklijkhuis.nl

Website: www.koninklijhuis.nl

Transport: Trams 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24 or 25.

Opening hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sun 1230–1700; guided tours need to be booked two weeks in advance.

Admission: €4.50 (concessions available).

NEMO Museum

The funky NEMO Museum is an unmistakable sight on the banks of the IJ. Just a short stroll away from Centraal Station is this museum, which attempts to defy the crusty image of some traditional museums by offering plenty of hands-on exhibits to stimulate young minds and keep them occupied, as well as provide more information on science and technology for older visitors. This bright, relaxed venue is a good antidote to Amsterdam’s other, perhaps more stuffy museums, especially for younger visitors. Great to climb the steps up and back down.

Located at Oosterdok 2

Tel: (900) 919 1100. Fax: (020) 531 3535.

Website: http://www.e-nemo.nl

Transport: Bus 22.

Opening hours: Tues–Sun 1000–1700.

Admission: €10 (concessions available).