City Sightseeing
A Day Trip to Amsterdam
When it comes to Amsterdam, I have to admit that I’m not a big fan. Like many European capitals, the city is overrun by tourists, and especially the rowdy ones in search of the seedier side of the city are often a nuisance to the locals & the other visitors. There are, however, a few places you should see before fleeing the city. Highlights are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, which are the three most-visited museums in the country, and for that reason they require advance booking. Other must-sees are the Stedelijk Museum, a museum for modern & contemporary art and design that I like best for its 1950s & ’60s collections, the National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Palace, Amsterdam’s largest & most prestigious building from the Dutch Golden Age. The Amsterdam Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the city, is currently closed for renovation; until its reopening in 2025 exhibitions are being hosted at the Hermitage.

Owing to its climate of tolerance, Amsterdam has long been the centre of the Dutch Jewish community. The Jewish Museum, together with the 17th-century Portuguese Synagogue next door, showcases the rich heritage of Jewish history, religion & culture. Amsterdam is famous for its canals, which were laid out during the 17th century in concentric arcs around the city to expand the old town. The Museum of the Canals illustrates the evolution of Amsterdam through the lens of its canals, and three canal houses are open to visitors: Museum Van Loon, the imposing mansion of an upper-class family, and Willet-Holthuysen House & Bartolotti House, which are both the former residences of well-off citizens. Those interested in architecture may also like Museum Het Schip, dedicated to the Amsterdam School, an expressionist movement that existed from 1910 to 1930. A nice way to explore the city is to take the № 2 Tram, which travels past many of Amsterdam’s premier tourist attractions.
pinnable.eu/amsterdam