List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, one of Europe's capitals, has many attractions for visitors. The city's most famous sight is the 17th-century canals of Amsterdam (in Dutch: grachtengordel), located in the heart of Amsterdam, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Museums

Religious sites

Bridges

  • The Magere Brug is probably the most famous drawbridge in Amsterdam.
  • The Blauwbrug, which connects the Rembrandtplein area with the Waterlooplein area.
  • The Python Bridge, bridge connects Sporenburg to Borneo Island and won the International Footbridge Award 2002.

Buildings

  • Johan Cruyff Arena, a football stadium, home to Ajax football club.
  • A'dam Tower, a 100-meter-high lookout near the IJ river.
  • Begijnhof, one of the oldest inner courts in Amsterdam.
  • Portuguese Synagogue, impressive building founded by the Sephardic Jewish community in 1670.
  • El Tawheed Mosque, a mosque founded in 1986.
  • Homomonument, a memorial in the centre of Amsterdam commemorating all gay men and lesbians who have been subjected to persecution because of their sexual orientation.
  • Millennium Tower, a 97.5-metre, 24-floor office building.
  • Olympic Stadium, built as the main stadium for the 1928 Summer Olympics. It was designed by the architect Jan Wils.
  • The Amsterdam Metro, a metro system with five lines.
  • Public Library by architect J. Coenen on Oosterdokseiland, near Central Station. Has a wonderful view over the city.
  • Shan He Hua Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Europe built in the traditional Chinese style.
  • The Smallest House in Amsterdam, only 2.02 meters (6 ft., 7.5 in.) in width and 5 meters (16 ft. 4.0 in.) in depth.

Concert halls

Diamond factories

  • Coster Diamonds, one of the oldest diamond polishing factories in the Netherlands

Red-light districts

Squares

There are many squares (suffixed with plein) in Amsterdam. Here is a partial list of some of the better-known ones:

Open-air markets

Breweries

Zoos

  • Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands.

Periodic events

  • January - National Tulip Day, opening of the tulip season on Dam Square.
  • April - (till 2013) Koninginnedag, Queen's day, 30 April, former Queen Juliana's birthday, also the day Juliana transferred her title to her daughter Beatrix.
  • April - (from 2014) Koningsdag King's day, 27 April, King Willem Alexander's birthday.
  • June - The Amsterdam Roots Festival, last week of June, an international music festival.
  • June - Holland Festival is an international festival for theater, music, dance, opera, film, and art, throughout the month of June.
  • August - Amsterdam Pride, the first weekend of August, gay pride weekend.
  • August - Hartjesdag, 3rd weekend in August.
  • August - Uitmarkt, last weekend in August, the start of the cultural season.
  • August - Amsterdam Tournament, late August, International Football tournament hosted by AFC Ajax.
  • August - Sail Amsterdam, a five-yearly event, when tall ships from all over the world can be visited; next event 2025.
  • October - Amsterdam Marathon, mid-October.
  • October - Amsterdam Dance Event, world's biggest electronic music conference and club festival, mid-October.
  • October – The Bock Beer Festival in the Beurs van Berlage (Old Stock Exchange).
  • October – Grachtenrace (Canal Race), 25 km rowing race, 2nd Saturday in October.
  • November - Shadow Festival of Documentary Film.
  • November – December The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).
  • November - Cannabis Cup, mid-November annual cannabis competition, hosted by High Times.
  • December - 1 December 2012. Amsterdam Showcase, International Art Fair at De Oude Kerk, Oudekerkseplein 23.

Parks

See also

References