Tags
Amstelkring, Amsterdam, Anne Frank, Anne Frank House, Attractions, Begijnhof, churches, city break, galleries, Guide, Histormuseum, Holland, jordaan, Magere Brug, museums, niewekerk, Niewmarkt, Oudekerk, Red Light District, Rembrandt, Rembrandthuis, Rijksmuseum, sightseeing, Stedelijk, Van Gogh, Van Gogh Museum, westerkerk, Willet Holthuysen
In August my mum and I went to Amsterdam for two nights. My friends had all gone a couple of years earlier when I had had to work, but to be honest I was happier going with my lovely mother as she and I are both equally obsessed with museums, churches and all things old and beautiful – we won’t rest until we have ticked off every item on our to-see list. My friends were a little more interested in the ‘other’ side of Amsterdam, and I’m not sure a certain baked good served in certain coffeehouses lends itself to proactive sightseeing…
I warn you, you either need a lot of stamina or an obsession with arts and culture sightseeing to get through all this in three days.
We stayed at: Rho Hotel http://www.rhohotel.com/
Location: Dam Square
Review: 3-star hotel in a great location in the city centre just off Dam Square (which houses the Palace and New Church) and about a 15 minute walk from Central Station. Gorgeous 1908 art deco reception and lobby with high ceilings, which apparently was once a theatre! Our room was quite small but perfectly adequate, with a TV, fridge and ensuite, though we didn’t get a view over the square as it was Gay Pride Weekend and we were told it would get rather noisy! Also, the buffet breakfast was SO GOOD.
Top Tip: If you plan to see the majority of the big sights, I definitely advise purchasing a MuseumKaart – I think it cost about 50 euros and is valid for a year, but for us it worked out cheaper than buying the 3 day Amsterdam Card! You save at least half the amount you would spend without it. You can buy it from most of the major museums and churches.
Top Tip 2: Make sure to go to a pancake house to gorge yourself on pancakes and poffertjes (mini pancakes) – I advise getting them with ice cream, cream, icing sugar and strawberries. YUM. Oh, also there is lots of good cheese.
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DAY ONE
Dam Square – we walked through the large square on the way to our hotel from the station. It has a nice monument and comes alive at night!
Niewe Kerk (New Church) – a 15th Century church which houses an exhibition of Amsterdam’s royalty and its history. Rebuilt after a fire in 1645 in the Gothic style.