Amsterdam Travel Guide

The Hippo's guide to Amsterdam, the open-minded Dutch capital

The Dutch capital city Amsterdam is a lively and relaxed city intertwined by 165 canals and a rich mix of people and places to see.

Amsterdam is an easy city to walk around, or the city has a tram system that contributes to one of the finest public transport systems in the world - it is just so easy to use. Most locals use bikes as their preferred method of transport, and if this takes your fancy there are many bike hire shops. A cruise on one of the many canal boats it another great way to see the city.

For things to see and do Amsterdam is certainly diverse. You can sit in one of its many café bars, or stroll down some of its stunningly landscaped Parks, such as Veondelpark. For some local history and culture visit the Anne Frank house, the Rembrant house or one of the many other museums dotted around the city. There is also some interesting shopping to be had.

In the evening Amsterdam is an interesting place to be, restaurants, cafes, lively bars and steak houses. For the more adventurous traveller the relaxed laws on soft drugs means that you can visit one of the local "coffeeshops", where you can buy soft drinks and limited amounts of marijuana and hashish. Amsterdam is certainly a city that can shock and surpise - going to the red light district will present an interesting mix of adult shops and more adult entertainment in the form of live sex shows and people practicing the worlds oldest profession.

If you walk out of the city for ten minutes you may come across Leidesplein, Amsterdam's famous party district - and in a city like Amsterdam, that's quite a title! With so much to experience, it truly is a magical place to explore.

Amsterdam has to be visited to be believed and is a real melting pot of cultures and people all in one city.

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