Amsterdam - the Netherlands

The Amsterdam cruise dock is called the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal. Cruise ships can dock fairly close to the city center of Amsterdam. The cruise terminal offers many facilities and services. Read the full Amsterdam cruise port guide here.

One of the nicest ways to see the city of Amsterdam is from the comfort of a canal cruise. One of the mayor departure points of canal cruises is at the Central Station. Find out which canal cruise best fits your needs and hop on. It truly is a great way to get a different perspective on the city.

Tugged away on Spui square you will find a little portal that goes into the Begijnhof. It is a 14th century courtyard with a small church and little houses. It was build as a home for the Beguines nuns. Pay a visit here to enjoy one of the prettiest and quietest corners of the city centre. Open from 8am-5pm. Visit Begijnhof by taking tram 1, 2 or 5 from central station to Spui.

Anne Frank is one of the 100.000 Dutch jews who died during World War II. In the middle of the city centre of Amsterdam, at Prinsengracht 263, you will find the actual house where she and her family lived for 2 years during the war. This is also where she wrote in her diary that later would go all over the world and be a source of inspiration to many, including Nelson Mandela and Primo Levi. The rooms where the Franks lived in have been left much the same as they were in the 1940’s. Expect long queues at the museum. Avoid long lines by buying your ticket online: http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/ Take tram 13 or 17 from central station to Westermarkt.

The hottest neighbourhood in town right now is the 9 startles or 9 street. Find beautiful little boutiques, vintage shops and charming lunch places in one of the cutest areas of Amsterdam.

Close to the Passenger terminal you will find the Maritime museum. The Dutch are famous for their voyages and discoveries around the world especially during the 17th and 18th century. See the detailed models of the clippers of the East India Company, then the fastest ships in the world. Also find an actual clipper at the doorstep of the museum. You will find many nautical paintings, navigational equipment and examples of early atlases that tell you the story how the Dutch became one of the most powerful empires in the world.

Amsterdam is a great place to go shopping. The largest shopping street in town is the Kalverstraat. The best place to start your shopping is at Dam square. Take any tram from Central Station (except tram 26) to stop “Dam”.

The Amsterdam China Town is the oldest Chinese neighbourhood on mainland Europe. It was established in 1911. Roam de Zeedijk (street) where you can visit the temple or on of the many Chinese restaurants. Find China town on “Zeedijk”. This is a 5 minute walk from Central Station.

This 13th century building is the oldest building in Amsterdam. It’s a remarkable piece of architecture with its Estonian planks, 2500 graves, unique stained glass windows and much more.

Dam square is the closest square to Central Station. It is the beating heart of the city that has many of the most important monuments of the city on it. Find the Royal Palace and WWII monument as the two prominent monuments here. Dam square is about 10 minutes walk from the Central station, you can also take any tram (except tram 26) leaving at Central Station to Dam Square.

This high rated attraction in Amsterdam is not for the faint-hearted. Step inside to experience 500 years of Dutch history. Learn and experience the black plague, the secrets of Rembrandt and the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition. Take tram 9, 16 or 24 from Central Station to Rokin.

The former Heineken brewery is now occupied by the Heineken experience. It displays the history of beer-making in general and Heineken in particular. You will see the old brewing facilities and other attractions like what it’s like to be a beer bottle and a virtual reality tour of Amsterdam. Take tram 16 or 24 from Central Station to Stadhouderskade.