Location: Amsterdam
Top Things to do in Amsterdam
Top 10 Historic Sites in Amsterdam, North Holland Province
This city, full of colorful homes, canals and bridges, is one of Europe's most picturesque capitals. Must-sees on any visitor's itinerary include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the world's only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals navigating Amsterdam's labyrinthine streets, or just take in the sights on foot. For an unusual and memorable alternative to hotels, consider staying in a houseboat.
Restaurants in Amsterdam
1. Holocaust Memorial Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Walk with a historian through the old Jewish Quarter. I will show you more than 15 sites that tell us part of the tragic story of the Holocaust. Among them the headquarters of the Jewish Council, Anne Frank's high school and the theatre that served as a deportation centre. Different monuments, buildings, squares and parks show us different aspects of the darkest page in the otherwise glorious history of beautiful Amsterdam. Let me take you on a walk and show them to you. Our starting point will be in front of the building at Weesperplein 1, with the letters GGD written on it. We will walk along the Amstel River, some beautiful canals and our tour will end in the Plantage Quarter, next to Amsterdam zoo Artis.
Reviewed By GerryP666 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Our tour guide Alex was really knowledgable and went further back in Amsterdam’s history to explain the context. He was really interesting and thought provoking but also had a good sense of humour. 2.5 hours went by quickly and we saw a lot of the city not on the normal tourist footpath. Great value for money and highly recommended.
2. Willet-Holthuysen Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
Visitors can tour this 17th-century canal-side house in Amsterdam, which is filled with furnished period rooms and works of art that were donated by the owner Louisa Willet-Holthuysen to the city in 1895.
Reviewed By alicebenjipietro
This house is beautiful and I was in the mood for a small museum instead of one of the larger and more overwhelming ones. It consists of three floors with an audio guide and takes about an hour, and there is a lovely garden in the back. The paintings (especially of dogs) and art collection is quite impressive for the couples house. I was really amazed on how beautiful and intricate the details were - I would highly recommend giving this house a visit. Each room is so specifically designed and carefully thought through. The staff are also quite friendly. Another plus - there is a bathroom located on each floor. This is a place I would consider holding a private event. Loved it.
3. Anne Frank House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62,301 reviews
The Anne Frank House (Dutch: Anne Frank Huis) is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. As a visitor, you experience this story through a audio tour, quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The Anne Frank House can only be visited with an online ticket for a specific date and time.
Reviewed By Skiforever1223 - Salt Lake City, United States
This is a very special museum for many reasons but I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully the museum created the narrative and the spaces they created. My two teenage daughters and I will never forget this experience. I loved the amazing artwork at the end portraying scenes recreated from the hiding place and also recommend taking time to watch the touching tributes video at the end where you hear visitors’ experiences and guest book comments from Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg and more. Read or re-read Anne Frank’s diary prior to visiting to really feel the spirit of this young reminder of so many tragically lost. You do have to reserve tickets online. Per the website: 80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at 12:00* hours noon, 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00* hours, the tickets for the day are made available on this site. (*Amsterdam time). The museum recommends this for children 10 and older. I would recommend 11 yrs. for a well-prepared child. It is a quiet, sober tour and there is one brief concentration camp scene that is graphic. Bag check and audio guides included with your ticket and there is a cafe and shop for after your tour. No photography. You line up outside at your assigned time slot until it’s time for your group to go in and it’s best to take a picture of your ticket rather than try to pull it up in your email because connectivity is spotty. The actual house/store is encased and preserved by the museum surround on Prinsengracht street. We booked an evening visit which also added to the poignancy as you leave the museum and see the canals lit by street lights. Highly recommend.
4. Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,800 reviews
Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639 to 1658 in this 17th-century house, which today is a museum that pays tribute to the artist's life and career.
Reviewed By Fitz48 - Aurora, United States
We visited the Rembrandt House in late April and got in for free with the I Amsterdam card. There were no lines and the museum was not crowded. They have excellent free audio tours in multiple languages including English, Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Russian. We noted that they also had a children's audio tour in English in Dutch; however, I think most but not all children would find this museum to be boring. Since Rembrandt both lived here, ran and art school and worked here for 20 years and because of the inventory that was conducted when he went bankrupt is still in existence, the curators have been able to accurately refurbish the home with objects of the period. For those with mobility issues or claustrophobia, it is important to understand that the spiral staircases are steep and narrow. While there were many interesting exhibits in the museum, three stood out for me as especially interesting. First was the entrance where a chair was kept on an elevated platform for people watching on the street. Second, the beds, especially the maid's box bed in the kitchen clearly shows that the occupants slept sitting up (for their health). Finally, the highlight of the museum was the 20-30 explanation and demonstration as to how artists made their paints during the age of Rembrandt. This helps you see the paintings in the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, Hermitage and other museums that you will see in the Netherlands.
5. Portuguese Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,452 reviews
6. Begijnhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,570 reviews
Tucked away just off Spui, this delightful collection of houses arranged around an open court is well worth searching out.
Reviewed By EileenMtShasta - Mount Shasta, United States
Definitely worth a quick visit, such a nice and peaceful place with two churches and the oldest house in Amsterdam, from the 1400s (it is the black house right in front of the statue of the Begijn lady). I went as part of Rick Steves free "Amsterdam City Walk" audio guide. Do a search online and download it for free!
7. Scheepvaarthuis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By denewton - Manchester, United Kingdom
Literally, the Shipping House, is now a super hotel though the receptions staff are happy to allow you to wander through the reception area with its stunning stairs and windowed ceiling. Hint: take the vintage elevator on the left side of the main hallway to the top & stroll down.
