As the capital and largest city in The Netherlands, Amsterdam welcomes over 3.5 million tourists every year, even though her own population is just 1.5 million. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, the red-light district and 'coffee shops' are the main drawcards, although the canals, cobblestones, and postcard-views around every corner are equally attractive.
The Holland Festival (the Netherland’s largest artistic festival), runs from June 1st to June 26th, 2011, and showcases local and international talent across genres. Festival venues are the highlight-buildings of this ancient city, the seat of one of the most powerful civilizations in the world over the last few centuries, and include the Royal Carre Theater, Bellevue Theater, Het Muziektheater and Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam’s Municipal Theater.
One of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht canal. Established as a museum in 1960, the house itself, dating back to 1635, was originally a private residence and later used as a warehouse and stable house. It was purchased by Otto Frank in 1940, and served as a hiding place for his family---including his daughter, Anne---during World War II and the Holocaust. Though the family was found and captured on August 4th, 1944, Anne’s diary and house remain as material testaments of the human spirit. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl was published in 1952, while Anne Frank House draws over one-million people annually.
Prinsengracht concert takes place annually on the third weekend of August. Originally called the Pulitzer Concert, for the Hotel Pulitzer on the canal, this floating performance draws over 80,000 spectators yearly. The concert is the highlight of the Grachtenfestival, a music festival featuring local and regional musicians.
As well as the more cultured musical elements, Amsterdam and surrounds (bearing in mind that as the whole country is only 200km at its widest point, pretty much everything is close to Amsterdam!) also play host to a fair number of pop culture days-out. The Indian Summer Festival is an annual one-day dance festival that draw local and international names like Felix Da Housecat and Feddie Le Grand. Tickets retail for a little under €50 each and this year will be held on June 18.
Amsterdam is famous for its red-light district. The red light district is pretty safe, and oddly there are plenty of families wandering the alleyways, taking a peek at the barely-clad women sitting in windows, advertising their wares. Leave the camera at home though, as anyone spotted taking pictures will be quickly dealt with by some of the overly large bouncers (the Dutch are the tallest – and broadest – people in the world).
Accommodation in Amsterdam is varied, but not cheap. Even the hostel/backpacker-style digs start at €20 per night, while places like the Hotel Pulitzer offers Deluxe, Executive and Suite accommodations, beginning at €279 per night.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/Lya_Cattel)
