Amsterdam Light Festival Cruises
Gaze at the Amsterdam Light Show from the water
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(483 reviews)
Gaze at the Amsterdam Light Show from the water
The National Museum of the Netherlands, or the Rijksmuseum, has been housed on this location since 1885. It recently underwent a ten-year, €375 million renovation. The Rijksmuseum has over 5,000 paintings (including Rembrandt's Night Watch) and has an emphasis on the Dutch Golden Age. But it's not just paintings – there are sculptures, antiques, collections of clothing and weapons, and one of the finest actively-used libraries you'll ever see. The Dutch architect P.J.H. Cuypers designed this elegant building, and even put himself in the design as one of the statues on the roof.
See art come to life at the largest digital art center in the Netherlands
Snag tickets to a winter wonderland at Winter Paradise
Explore Amsterdam on a scooter and make the most of the city on 2 wheels
Immerse yourself in Van Gogh's vivid colors, textured brushstrokes, and poignant expressions
The best way to enjoy Amsterdam is through its most unique feature – the canals. Choose from an array of Amsterdam canal cruises and soak up the city's history, architecture, and fascinating views! Amsterdam boat tours offer a range of experiences for guests of all ages and interests. Choose from a morning canal cruise served with breakfast, or a leisurely day tour with your choice of pizza, BBQ, or Gouda cheese tasting. Let the captain do the steering while you enjoy a drink (or two) on a booze cruise, or book a romantic evening excursion instead. There are plenty of options! Get to know Amsterdam with an expert guide to point out historic points of interest, showcase classic photography opportunities, and share fun facts about the city. Canal tours are available in several languages and most offer audio guides. Rain or shine, these semi-covered tour boats are your ticket to experience this iconic city in true Dutch fashion.
The tulip is one of the most iconic symbols of the Netherlands – and nowhere are they worshipped more whole-heartedly than at the Keukenhof. Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof has fields of more than seven million tulips spread out over 32 hectares. The focus is on the mighty tulip, but roses, gerberas, daffodils, orchids, and more all get their time to shine here. There are English and Japanese gardens, a playground, petting zoo, maze and much more to explore. It's open for just eight weeks each spring.
The Heineken Experience is located in the original Heineken Brewery. Gerard Adriaan Heineken bought this building back in 1863 when it was the De Hooiberg brewery. He then turned it towards the production of his eponymous beer. The building remained a brewery all the way up to 1988. It was then that it became a museum (and hotspot for Heineken consumption). Located in the vibrant neighborhood of De Pijp, the Heineken Experience is ideally situated for a canal cruise, and some city exploration that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Dam Square. Since 2001, it's been the world-famous Heineken Experience. After a year-long update and redesign in 2008, the Heineken Experience is more Heineken-y and Experience-y than ever before.
The Modern Contemporary (Moco) Museum Amsterdam is housed inside Villa Alsberg, a 1904 townhouse in the middle of Amsterdam Museumplein. High-profile guest curators and exhibitions highlight some of the modern world's best contributors to the art world. Eduard Cuypers, cousin of Rijksmuseum designer Pierre Cuypers, designed the townhouse, making it a sight to see in itself. But the work inside is absolutely phenomenal; two current attractions showcase the work of street art activist Banksy, and pop artist extraordinaire, Andy Warhol.
Combine Amsterdam favorites. Some things are better together.
+ 1 other top thing to do
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of 2 must sees
Experience the beauty of Amsterdam through its most unique feature - the canals. Take an Amsterdam canal cruise to learn about its history, architecture, and fascinating views!
Tick off your ‘Amsterdam: Places to Visit’ list with the Rijksmuseum, or maybe the Van Gogh Museum. Walk around the flower-scented Jordaan, or pop into its beautiful boutique stores and grab something tasty from a cafe? Whatever you want from your weekend trip to Amsterdam, you can guarantee this Dutch city will deliver.
Welcome to your 24 hours in Amsterdam Itinerary! Amsterdam will win you over with its charm in just one day. You'll love biking through the city, discovering hidden gems, and tasting delicious local delights
The Dutch capital may be on the smaller side of European capital cities, but it still can pack a punch! Make sure you budget plenty of time to experience some of the best things to do in Amsterdam.
There's a reason an Amsterdam canal cruise was ranked number one by TripAdvisor in 2022.
A relaxing cruise along the Dutch canals gets you a little bit of everything – history, architecture, sightseeing, and even wine and cheese onboard. What more can you ask for?
Uncover the darker moments of Amsterdam's history with a visit to the Anne Frank House. Once the hiding place of two Jewish families during the Nazi occupation in WWII, the Anne Frank House preserves the moment they were taken to a concentration camp and eventually perished.
The Anne Frank House serves to educate visitors about the atrocities of the Holocaust and advocates for social justice worldwide.
Take a peek behind the canvas with tickets to Rembrandt House Museum in the heart of the city.
See the home where 17th-century Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn lived and worked and several of his masterpieces on display.
When you think of Dutch artists, Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh should come to mind! See the masterpieces of these great artists plus historical and cultural museums in Amsterdam.
Art museums in Amsterdam:
Spot your favorite 17th-century Dutch painters with tickets to the Rijksmuseum, the largest art collection in the Netherlands. See Vermeer's The Milkmaid and Rembrandt's Night Watch with your own eyes.
Known for his impressionist brushstrokes, Vincent Van Gogh is one of the greatest modern artists of our time. With your tickets to the Van Gogh Museum, you'll discover the life and works of Van Gogh, and see masterpieces like Sunflowers up close.
Other museums in Amsterdam:
Have you wondered what it's like to be on a 17th-century vessel? Get your chance with tickets to the National Maritime Museum, featuring a life-size replica ship from time of the Dutch East India Company.
Because of its size, it's easy to explore Amsterdam if you've only got one or two days to spare.
Experience a traditional European market at the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam. Browse a selection of fresh produce, artisan crafts, delicious bread and sweets, and local cheese.
Entrance is free, and vendors are open Monday – Saturday, all year-round (rain or shine!).
If you're a gin fan, it's worth checking out the Dutch version – genever.
Learn the history of this Dutch spirit, from its consumption on Dutch East India Company voyages to modern cocktails of today at House of Bols.
Pop the top of the famous green Heineken bottle and see what's in store at the Heineken Experience.
Take a brief tour of the factory and enjoy a freshly-poured Heineken (or two) as you participate in numerous immersive activities, like becoming a bottle on the production line!
Amsterdam is an evergreen destination – it is beautiful all year-round!
Like many European cities, the city is at its tourist peak between May and August – the canals transform into patios to enjoy drinks and snacks in the heat of the summer.
If you want to catch the beautiful tulips in and around Amsterdam, then plan your visit between March and May for optimal blooms.
For less crowds, plan your trip on the off-season during the fall and winter. You'll get the city (and all of its canals and beautiful Dutch-style architecture) all to yourself. Just remember to bundle up!
Rent a boat and cruise through the idyllic canals of Giethoorn. You'll feel as if you've fallen into a classic fairytale even though you are only about 90 minutes from Amsterdam.
The months of March, April, and May are absolutely magical in the Netherlands.
Hop on a bus and take a quick trip to Keukenhof during the spring season to see over 7 million tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in bloom.
Get a heavy dose of Dutch culture with tickets for a day trip to Zannse Schans from Amsterdam. Windmills, cheese tastings, and a clog-making demonstration showcase the best of the Netherlands.
Springtime in the Netherlands is the best time of year! The Dutch countryside bursts into a rainbow of color when the tulip bulbs bloom.
But this floral display only lasts a few months out of the year, so make sure to plan your trip between March and May for the best views of the tulip fields.
Here are some of the best ways to experience the Dutch tulips:
The Keukenhof gardens host one of the most beautiful displays of tulips in the country, with 7 million bulbs in bloom from March until May. Snag an [entry ticket with transport from several cities in the Netherlands] (https://www.tiqets.com/en/lisse-attractions-c260931/tickets-for-keukenhof-entrance-and-transport-p1011368/).
Take your time cruising through the flower fields and rent a bike near Keukenhof. You'll be able to stop and literally smell the flowers as often as you want!
Get two Dutch experiences in one with a canal cruise around the flower fields of Lisse, and entry to Keukenhof gardens.
Amsterdam is full of contrasts, and none represents this juxtaposition better than in its storied red-light district. Entertainment, spirituality, and indulgence converge around every corner.
Go behind the scenes of the world's oldest profession with tickets to Red Light Secrets - Museum of Prostitution. You'll find out what happens behind the windows (and pose for a picture or two).
Nestled in the middle of Amsterdam's red light district is an unassuming canal house with a secret. During the Protestant Reformation, Catholics worshipped in secret, and the museum of Our Lord in the Attic is one of the only surviving house-churches in the city.
This horror theater show brings 500+ years of Dutch history to life. Journey under the red light district and listen to tales of torture and treason with tickets to Amsterdam Dungeons.
