Amsterdam is the perfect short break destination
Amsterdam is the perfect short break destination
Thanks in part to increased routes from low-cost air travel providers, and also due to the city's seemingly never-ending list of things to see and do, Amsterdam has quickly been creeping up the list of top city break destinations in Europe. Its relatively central location means that you can fly there within a couple of hours from most of mainland Europe, and because there is so much to do there, many people are. Whether you're just stopping off en-route elsewhere or plan on spending a whole weekend in the Netherlands' capital, here are some tips on how to enjoy a weekend in Amsterdam.
Most people's first view of this flat and easily walkable city is the inside of Amsterdam Central Station, as this is not only the main train terminal but it is also where the shuttle trains arrive every fifteen minutes from nearby Schipol Airport. Right across the road from it is a tourist information office, so grab a map and make a guesthouse booking from here if need be. Just along the street is Amsterdam's first big attraction: Dam Square. No other part of the city captures the caf culture and people watching opportunities quite as well as this vast public square. It was once the site of the Amstel River Dam in 1270 too, hence how the city got its name. From here you can walk, or hire a bike for as little as 5 Euros, to one of the city's most popular and poignant sites, the Anne Frank House, found just off Westermarkt. This small, compact house acts as a memorial and museum to where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Afterwards, brighten up your day a little by heading north along Rokin onto the Singel Canal, where you will find the famous Bloemenmarkt flower market.
In the mornings, you can wake up with breakfast from one of the hundreds of bakeries and head to the famous museum district known as Museumplein. This is the one of the most amazing cultural hubs in the world, as four incredible museums and galleries sit within close proximity. Visit the Van Gogh Museum and then see some contemporary art at the Diamond, before enjoying a picnic lunch on the grass of nearby Vondel Park.
No trip is complete without a cruise along the city's many canals or, for beer lovers, head to the Heineken Experience on Nicolaas Witsenkade. As night draws in again, take to your feet and just soak up the city's totally unique atmosphere, architecture and the overall laid back and welcoming attitude of the locals. With regular cheap flights to Amsterdam , there's little excuse not to go.
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