Amsterdam is an inclusive city with residents hailing from various nations and religions, offering an open environment where individuals with differing lifestyles are welcomed with open arms.
Architecture in Amsterdam reflects its diverse population. Modern structures may draw inspiration from historic styles or challenge established norms, like the Muziekgebouw (Music House).
The Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is one of Amsterdam’s premier attractions, boasting one of the world’s premier collections of Vincent van Gogh paintings and drawings by thousands of drawings and letters written by him himself. Furthermore, this museum underwent an attractive expansion and entrance hall designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa which opened up to the public in 2015. Additionally, two adjacent Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk museums also benefit from new extensions designed by Kisho Kurokawa: Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum are nearby for your enjoyment!
Visitors flock to this museum for its stunning art and captivating narratives that come with each painting in their 200-strong collection of Van Gogh’s works, ranging from his early Dutch landscapes through to more vibrant works from south France. Some must-sees include The Potato Eaters, Wheatfield with Crows and Sunflowers series by Van Gogh.
However, the museum provides more than just art: its detailed exhibition offers an insightful glimpse into how painter David Hockney created his pieces using different methods such as colours and pigments or tools such as the perspective frame.
The museum hosts numerous special exhibitions that explore themes related to Van Gogh’s art or 19th-century art in general. Previous special shows have shown how Van Gogh influenced Munch and Klimt painters such as those mentioned earlier.
Due to its popularity, the Van Gogh Museum can often become congested. To avoid lengthy queues and maximize your visit experience, try visiting in early morning or after 3pm on weekdays; additionally, upgrade your ticket with multilingual audio guide(s), canal cruise(s), or tour of museum at additional cost.
When travelling with children, it’s wise to check the museum website in advance for family-oriented activities that may be available. Temperature can be cold in galleries at certain times of year so dress warmly and bring along a hat and scarf as it can become quite cold inside them. Admission for children aged six or under is free while adults must purchase tickets.
The Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum is an essential destination for contemporary art enthusiasts and boasts one of the world’s premier collections of modern pieces. Its avant-garde interior and non-intuitive curation attract a diverse group of hipsters, intellectuals, Instagrammers, graphic design lovers and Instagrammers.
The Urban Museum houses almost 90,000 works from modern art movements dating back two centuries – such as De Stijl, CoBrA and Pop Art – as well as an iconic historic building dating back to 1895 and an incontestable new wing designed by Dutch architect Mels Crouwel.
Visit this gallery and you’ll discover some of the most significant Dutch and international artists of the last century – Matisse, Picasso, Newman and Van Gogh among them – as well as an exceptional collection of Italian and German modern painting from 1950’s, Dutch furniture design as well as European/American trends from that era.
Cinephiles will love the EYE Filmmuseum at the museum, which houses films in an eye-shaped building. You’ll have access to lectures on film as well as viewing a fascinating selection of movies, posters and memorabilia that illustrates its development over time.
The Stedelijk is located in Museumplein and easily reached by tram or bus, making it an ideal stop on day trips from Amsterdam. Open seven days a week with free entrance for I amsterdam City Card holders; please refer to its website for specific opening hours and events. It is highly recommended for art and design enthusiasts, especially those with an appreciation of experimental and unconventional works, especially those interested in experiencing firsthand how artistic freedom has led to some truly remarkable creations throughout history – it will surely provide an unforgettable experience.
The Anne Frank House
Visits to the Anne Frank House (Anne Frankhuis) in Amsterdam should not be missed as part of any trip there, for it serves as an important place for reflection and reminds visitors of the dangers associated with discrimination and intolerance in today’s society. Located along Prinsengracht canal, this museum has become one of the top tourist spots.
The museum preserves the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and others hid during WWII, and also provides an exhibition space dedicated to all forms of persecution and discrimination. A visit to Anne Frank House can be an emotionally engaging experience that stays with visitors long after returning home – this well-kept museum provides a harrowing journey through Holocaust history.
Annelies Marie Frank, more commonly known by her alias Anne Frank, was a Jewish diarist who hid with her family and four other Jews at 263 Prinsengracht Street for two years during World War II during German occupation of the Netherlands. All five occupants were discovered by Nazi authorities in August 1944, deported and sent directly to extermination camps; Anne’s father managed to survive.
In 1960, a house-museum was established, becoming an internationally acclaimed destination. On display here is Anne Frank’s original diary as well as quotations from her writings, historical films, photographs and personal items from around the world.
The Museum is an attraction for students and school groups, offering educational tours and workshops at the museum as well as permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The museum is open daily and requires online reservations for specific time slots. Visitors are able to use audio guides in multiple languages as well as gift shops and cafeteria services. Children under 12 can visit for free while senior citizens and groups enjoy reduced rates; parking garage is nearby.
The Red Light District
Amsterdam’s Red Light District (or De Wallen in Dutch) is an irresistibly captivating landmark that serves as both an intriguing tourist attraction and reminder of Dutch pragmatism, having evolved from early days as a haven for sailors searching for sexual stimulation into an icon for liberal tolerance and legal prostitution.
Paid sex industry operations are legal in the Netherlands, as long as they take place behind closed doors. One district in particular is known for its salacious windows and sexually explicit imagery meant for adults only, along with various clubs and bars serving cannabis products.
Not surprisingly, this area draws tourists in droves; however, overtourism has led locals to fight back. The city government has implemented initiatives such as Project 1012 (named after its postal code) to close brothels and limit their presence; ultimately reclaiming the area from pimps, human traffickers, money launderers and money launderers and encouraging fashion studios, art galleries and cafes instead.
The city is taking steps to regulate and control alcohol consumption, including restricting the number of bars serving beer on street corners, as well as introducing an entertainment tax that would target pubs that sell drinks in Red Light District pubs. Furthermore, plans include restricting beer bikes on streets while also mandating their owners register them with authorities.
Though the Red Light District is generally safe to visit, visitors are strongly encouraged to be wary when traveling in large groups or visiting during evening rush hours when streets become increasingly congested with tourists and locals alike. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur here; thus it would be prudent for visitors to avoid visiting after dark.
Are You Curious about Red Light District History & Culture? Consider taking an audio walking tour narrated by an old window worker! Alternatively, there is also the Red Light Secrets museum offering more intimate knowledge of its past & present.