Best Seven Reasons to Visit Amsterdam

With less than a million inhabitants, Amsterdam is comparatively small next to other sprawling European capital cities like London or Paris. For visitors, this means that you can manage to see most of the city easily. If you are considering traveling to the Dutch capital, these are some of the best reasons to visit Amsterdam.

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1. Canals and Bridges

Also known as the Venice of the North, there are more canals in Amsterdam than in Venice. Covering more than 100 kilometers (62 miles), the canals are one of the defining features of the city. The 17th century canals are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are visiting Amsterdam, a canal cruise is a must. Plus, there are over 1200 bridges in the city. Impressive, isn’t it?

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2. World-class Museums

One of its main attractions, the museums of Amsterdam are impressive and cover many tastes. The most popular are the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank Huis, and NEMO. But there are also some unusual museums like the Houseboat Museum, the Museum of Bags and Purses, and the Our Lord in the Attic Museum. With over 50 museums, there is something to see for everyone.

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3. Beautiful Parks

With over 30 parks within the city’s limits, Amsterdam is one of the greenest cities you can visit in Europe. Its biggest park, Vondelpark, covers 48 hectares and receives about 10 million visitors every year. No matter when you visit, the parks in Amsterdam are a great place to chill out and take a break from sightseeing and shopping.

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4. Bicycle Culture

Everyone in Amsterdam seems to get around by bike. In fact, the Dutch capital is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. With more bikes than people, it’s no wonder. When you visit, you should definitely rent a bike. It’s the best way to explore the city.

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5. Its People

Amsterdammers are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet. And most of them speak fluent English or more languages, so it’s very easy to get around without speaking Dutch. Also, Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world.

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6. Amazing Nightlife

Amsterdam’s reputation of a party city is well-deserved. There is always something going on. And with hundreds of bars and clubs to choose from, you are almost guaranteed to find something to suit your style and budget. From student bars to trendy lounges, Amsterdam has it all.

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7. Tasty Beer

The Netherlands exports more beer than any other country in the world. Home to Heineken, Amsterdam has a rich beer culture. Beer fanatics will surely enjoy touring the Heineken factory and visiting some of the smaller local breweries for a taste of craft beers.

Amsterdam is a city full of possibilities to explore and experience. These are just a few of the reasons why you should visit, but there is more to it than that. If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam and are looking for an affordable place to stay, you should check out Hipmunk’s Amsterdam hotels guide.

This post is part of the #HipmunkCityLove series.