A trip to Amsterdam is always a moment rich in discoveries. Its canals, its monuments, its brick houses, the city has a certain charm and the strolls through its neighborhoods allow to soak up its soul. As a city of culture, we don't forget to stroll in the alleys of the museums. Amsterdam is the perfect cocktail for a multi-faceted city trip, and we also appreciate the long shopping sessions, before stopping for a beer or a hot drink in a café. Wondering what to visit in the historic center of the Dutch capital for your next trip? Here are some ideas to include in your program.
Heritage, museums, canals, the pleasure of strolling in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a European city rich in exceptional monuments and much more. From admiring its heritage to shopping at Bijenkorf, it is a capital of all pleasures that awaits travelers, and on a human scale. Once the suitcase has been placed in the hotel, you can start by visiting the Central Station, a superb neo-Renaissance building built at the end of the 19th century. Then you have to go to the Dam Square to photograph and visit the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Built in the 17th century, you can discover the richness of its furniture, period paintings and other sculptures in its various rooms. The Nieuwe Kerk or "new church", in Gothic style, is also located on this square. Other architectural sights not to be missed during a weekend or vacation in Amsterdam include the Oude Kerk, the oldest church in the city. In a completely different style, the Buddhist temple in Chinatown also catches the eye.
In fact, the whole of Amsterdam's historic center seems to be an open-air museum, and a holiday is an opportunity to rent a bicycle to go from one neighborhood to another and open your eyes wide. In the Jordaan district, you can enjoy the picturesque atmosphere, marvel at the red-brick houses, spend time in beautiful stores and stop at a brown cafe for a well-deserved break. The facades of the Pijp district are also resplendent. Formerly a working class neighborhood, it is now one of the trendiest areas of the Dutch capital. And then there's nothing like a stroll along Amsterdam's concentric canals, where the setting of waterways, stores, museums and bars is a condensation of the city's architecture and atmosphere, simply romantic and timeless.
Amsterdam is also an ideal destination to learn and contemplate art. The Amsterdam Museum traces seven centuries of history, from the birth of the city to the present day. The Rijksmuseum is one of the most interesting art museums in the world, with an exceptional collection of paintings, cultural objects, prints and classical photographs. And you can't go to Amsterdam without visiting the museum that displays some of the works of one of the world's most famous local artists: Vincent Van Gogh.
Shopping sprees in central Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a great place to enjoy long shopping sprees in its neighborhoods. Antiques, books, clothing and trendy items are all available. Classic, bohemian, luxury brands, thrift stores, there is something for everyone. It is impossible to store in Amsterdam without taking the pedestrian and shopping streets of Warmoesstraat and Kalverstraat. Around the Dam are all the big international brands, while the museum district reveals beautiful luxury boutiques, especially in the very chic Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat.
The Pijp and Jordaan districts are rich in bohemian and underground stores. There are concept stores that focus on trendy, even eco-responsible objects. Better consumption is also an element dear to the Bijenkorf department store, another must-see place in the center of Amsterdam to treat yourself. Bijenkorf, a Dutch institution, is committed to sustainability. By 2025, de Bijenkorf will offer only sustainable brands and is already committed to the Science Based Targets initiative to reduce itsCO2 emissions by 29.4% by 2025 and 50.4% by 2030. It is also working to preserve bees. So many good reasons to go and discover its ready-to-wear collections for men, women and children, its cosmetics and its products that allow you to enjoy a comfortable and elegant interior
