AmsterdamNetherlands · Ferry Destinations

All About Amsterdam

People often wonder what to do in Amsterdam. The right question to ask, though, is what can you not do in Amsterdam? One of the world’s most fascinating capitals is a city brimming with unmatched sights, risqué escapades, historical buildings, and an omnipresent international atmosphere. As the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam is an essential commercial hub. However, its rightly deserved reputation as a one-of-a-kind tourist destination makes it a compulsory stop during any European vacation. Taking a ferry to Amsterdam is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare companies and book ferry tickets.

Be it the typically Dutch canal houses, the plethora of museums, pretty cafes, or bike and boat tours, it’s hard to imagine the abundance of things to see in Amsterdam. So, come prepared, because you’ll need at least a few days to find and appreciate the city’s most intriguing, often hidden, wonders.
 

Routes and Ferries to Amsterdam

A novel way to reach Amsterdam is via ferry. The city is a popular stop on river cruise itineraries as well. Those who like their journeys to be adventurous should book the overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam through Ferryscanner. The 16-hour voyage is relaxed and luxurious as you get to stay in well-appointed cabins and enjoy delicious meals at the restaurant and bars onboard.

Amsterdam is so well connected since Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is an airline hub with inter and intracontinental flights arriving from the far corners of the planet in the hundreds daily. You can then take a bus, taxi, or train to the city’s main railway station, Amsterdam Centraal, from the airport.

If already in Europe, Amsterdam is reachable by road and through direct train connections from cities like Antwerp, Paris, Brussels, Basel, Vienna, Innsbruck, Frankfurt, and many more.
 

Ports of Amsterdam

Once the base for the Dutch East India Company and operational since the 13th-century, Amsterdam Port is presently the second largest in the Netherlands and one of the busiest in all of Europe. Handling cargo and passengers, the port connects to the sea via the North Sea Canal and consists of 11 harbors. Besides accommodating container ships, Port of Amsterdam welcomes over 140 cruise vessels and 1500 river cruises yearly. Several leisure ships arrive at the main port near the center, but ferries from Newcastle anchor at the Felison Terminal in Ijmuiden. It takes 30 minutes by car or an hour-long bus to reach the central train station from the ferry terminal. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Amsterdam.
 

Best Beaches

Amsterdam is undoubtedly a city destination. However, there are sun-filled days when you just want to leave behind the crowded streets and head to a warm picturesque spot by the water. For moments like these, the beaches in and around Amsterdam provide the perfect escape.

Zandvoort aan Zee

Grab your hats and scarves because Zandvoort can get really windy, no matter the time of the year. Still, this beautiful sandy beach situated 30 minutes away by train from Amsterdam is a local favorite and packed whenever the sun is out. With activities aplenty, you’ll come across couples, children, dog walkers, and topless sunbathers lounging or playing along the water. Food vans selling icecream, sandwiches, coffee, and cold drinks are a common sight. As are the kite and windsurfers who make the most of the beach’s windy nature.

Diemerpark Mini Beach

To the south of the central station, past the Eastern Docklands, is a city beach unknown to most. A tiny stretch, Diemerpark is idyllic for families because of its shallow waters and markers to keep children safe. There aren’t any amenities around here, but its somewhat secluded and uncrowded disposition is perfect for those wanting to avoid the city’s rush.

Bloemendaal aan Zee

A little further north of Zandvoort is the stylish Bloemendaal beach. Known for its perpetual party atmosphere, Bloenmendaal is regularly frequented by trendsetters and fashionistas due to the seven happening beach clubs on the sand. A section in the north of the beach is reserved for nudists. When planning your day here, set aside some time to visit the next-door historic town of Haarlem.

Wijk aan Zee

Spend one hour on the train from Amsterdam, and you’re in the coastal town of Wijk aan Zee. A region dominated by dunes, there’s a unique temperament about Wijk that makes it a dreamy destination for a day out. Bordering the North Sea, the beach is among the widest in the Netherlands and a favorite with surfers. Wijk is an excellent place for beginners to take surfing lessons and there are plenty of shops selling refreshments along the strip’s edge.

Sloterstrand

Set alongside the artificial lake Sloterpas, in the heart of the city, is a tiny beach perfect for a quick swim or a sunbathing session on a pleasant day. Locals often come here during lunch or to have a picnic on the weekends. Visitors can rent a boat, drink at the bar, and play volleyball. Sloterstand is also a popular festival venue, with several music events taking place during summer.
 

Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods in Amsterdam tend to be multifaceted. You can be an art enthusiast, admirer of retro games, interested in museums, or searching for something kitsch; every district has diverse sets of temptations around corners waiting to capture your attention.

De Wallen

What better place to start your Amsterdam tour than in De Wallen? The infamous Red-Light District is a five-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal. Notably, it is considered to be the oldest neighborhood in Amsterdam. Travelers searching for more than a racy adventure and a high time in coffeeshops will find it as amusing as it is exciting. De Wallen has the oldest building in the city, the Oude Kerk, cozy cafes, and is a nice area to walk around by the canal to get a sense of what Amsterdam is all about. For a bit of geeky fun, visit TonTon Club, a video game parlor, and Henk Comics, the best comicbook shop in the Netherlands.

Jordaan

The next stop in your Amsterdam itinerary should be Jordaan. A tourist magnet, the neighborhood is known for its tightly squeezed canalside townhouses. It is one essential Instagram-worthy photo-op you cannot miss in Amsterdam. Just 15 minutes on foot from the train station, Jordaan’s enchantments continue with 9 Street. This attractive borough is home to charming boutiques selling everything from buttons and books to art, bags, and the latest in homegrown Dutch fashion. The neighborhood’s Saturday market, Noordermarkt, is another chance to savor fresh local produce. Museumgoers cannot miss Anne Frank’s House, a historic and humbling experience, to say the least. For something trippy, try the Electric Ladyland, a private museum displaying fluorescent minerals under a blacklight.

De Pijp

Amsterdam’s young neighborhood is the best place to visit for a relaxed lunch or a pulsating night out. Bordering the Amstel River on the east, De Pijp has a dense concentration of international cafes and restaurants. From the exotic Tea Guys and the hipster Avocado Show to the Indian restaurant Tulsi, Japanese En, the Latin inspired Escobar, and Italian Massimo Gelato, you can take a culinary world tour here in minutes. For a pause from all the partying and eating, there’s Sarphati Park, an urban garden located right in the center of De Pijp.

Oud-Zuid

Amsterdam’s “museum quarter” is a must for art lovers. In Oud-Zuid, you’ll come across the world-famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. However, admirers of modern art should step inside the bath-tub shaped building of the Stedelijk Museum or the Moco Museum, which houses notable pieces by Banksy and Salvador Dali. With its open-air theatre, Vondelpark is a pleasant retreat from the crowds and a lovely spot for an afternoon picnic with the family. ZuiderMRKT is the neighborhood’s weekly farmer’s market where you can buy and try delicious Dutch produce and gourmet delicacies.

Buiksloterham

The previously industrial district across the IJ has come up as an exciting cultural center over the past decade. Reachable via ferry from Amsterdam Centraal, Buiksloterham has a hearty mix of engaging attractions, street markets, event spaces, and restaurants. The Amstel Botel in the NDSM-wharf is a floating budget hotel that adds a novelty factor to your stay. This Is Holland 5D flight simulation, Eye Film Museum, and Nxt Museum with its contemporary art installations are all worth your precious time. Thrill-seekers need to stop at A’Dam Lookout for panoramic views and a swing into the air at the height of 100m. Buiksloterham is also the location of IJ-Halle. As Europe’s biggest flea market, it is a treasure-trove packed with second-hand goodies at bargain prices.
 

Transportation Around Amsterdam

Exploring Amsterdam on foot is like giving the city total permission to astonish you. It’s only when you venture into the many side streets and pedestrian areas that the town’s whimsical nature genuinely emerges. Here, you’ll find cute eateries, tiny cinemas, comic book shops, and stores selling all types of eccentric products.

For those not in the mood to walk, Amsterdam has multiple public transportation options. The Hop On Hop Off canal boat is excellent for hitting all the main touristy spots. Riding a bicycle is easy since the city has well-marked bike paths and over 10,000 designated parking spots.

The extensive tram system in Amsterdam lets you sightsee its far corners conveniently. In contrast, the ferries, carrying passengers, cyclists, and mopeds, provide access to the neighborhoods of IJplein, NDSM wharf, and Buiksloterweg, on the opposite side of the IJ.

The entire Netherlands has a commendable railway system, and thus, trains are ideal for travel to the airport and nearby cities. Returning tourists often stay in apartments and budget hotels in Amsterdam’s suburbs, using the train to visit the city daily.

To save money and for ease of transaction, since cash isn’t always accepted, buying the I Amsterdam City Card is highly recommended. You can purchase the card for anywhere from 24 to 120 hours for €65 to €130. The card offers unlimited travel on citywide public transport, a canal cruise, bike rental, admission to 70+ museums, and discounts in restaurants. A more straightforward option is the OV-chip card. Easy to top up, the transport card charges you only for the distance covered and not by the hour, which is the case when paying by credit card.