Welcome to Amsterdam, the city famed for many things, including its canals, Red Light District, bikes, windmills, coffee shops, and cheese. This diverse, entertaining, history-rich, and cultural city is loved by tourists around the world – and for good reason.
Let’s explore 15 things that Amsterdam is famous for and why each one is worth mentioning. If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, make sure you book a comprehensive tour of its main highlights so you can have a well-rounded experience in this Dutch gem of a city.
1. Canals
It is famously known that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris. In fact, the city’s canal system is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most iconic images of Amsterdam taken by tourists feature the stunning Dutch canals in the background.
In terms of what Amsterdam is known for, there is nothing more quintessential than the canal rings that make waves throughout the city.
2. The Red Light District
Another feature of Amsterdam that is absolutely synonymous with the city is the Red Light District. This is the part of the city where sex work is famously conducted legally.
The Red Light District is located in the center of the city and it attracts thousands of curious tourists from all around the world every month. The windows of the brothels in the Red Light District are lit in red and display women advertising their services.
Beyond sex work, there are various establishments in the area that offer entertainment options, such as live shows with food and drinks.
3. Anne Frank’s House
Of course, no guide to Amsterdam would be complete without mention of the famous annex in which Anne Frank and her family hid from the occupying Nazi forces during World War II.
The house is located on the picturesque Prinsengracht Canal west of the city center. It is within walking distance of most of the other main attractions in Amsterdam.
A visit to this house illuminates the sheer horror of the time during the 1940s when the Jewish people were being rounded up and shipped to concentration camps.
There is a museum where you can read original letters and view remnants from the time the Franks hid in the house. This is a part of history we need to remind ourselves of so we can learn from the past.
4. Tulips
Once you have had your fill of history and pensive thought, you can brighten up your trip by exploring one of the many tulip markets in Amsterdam. These gorgeous flowers, which grow in various different colors and color combinations, are a symbol of Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole.
You can explore the city on a hop-on-hop-off Amsterdam bus tour and see just how prevalent these flowers are across the city. They are in cafes, shop windows, and restaurants, as well as featured heavily on souvenirs and canal bridges.
5. Cheese
As well as tulips, the Netherlands in general, and Amsterdam specifically, is known for cheese. Particularly traditional Dutch cheeses such as Edam, Gouda, and Leiden are prominent in the city and its cuisine. Don’t miss the Gouda cheese. This is one of the best souvenirs in Amsterdam!
Tourists enjoy visiting the local cheese shops and engaging in cheese tastings while in Amsterdam. There are also cheese markets to explore where you can talk to local vendors about the cheeses and what to pair them with. If you have a savory tooth, the cheese markets are a great place to head for lunch.
6. Wooden Clogs
Something else you are bound to notice in Amsterdam is the presence of many, many pairs of wooden clogs. These shoes are known as “klompen” in Dutch, which is quite easy to remember as it sounds like the noise that wooden clogs make when you walk in them.
Clogs are carved from solid wood, and if you would like to see the process in action, you can visit a clog-making shop or workshop. In fact, some tourists like to try it out themselves. Take a pair of clogs home with you if you would like a quirky, unique pair of shoes to wear around the house.
7. Stroopwafel
Another thing that Amsterdam is famous for is its deserts. Perhaps the most famous of all is the stroopwafel, which is a truly delicious, thin waffle that is crunchy on the outside and filled with a layer of caramel.
If you want to try a bit of stroopwafel, you will find these delicacies in supermarkets and a lot of cafes as well. It is recommended to try a fresh-baked stroopwafel as they are served still warm, which makes them even better. Try one of these Dutch waffles with a coffee to complete the delicious breakfast.
8. Poffertjes
Speaking of super-sweet and delicious desserts, there is not much in this world more pleasing than the poffertjes of Amsterdam. These small, rounded, fluffy pancakes are served hot, usually with syrup, butter, or chocolate chips and powdered sugar on top.
These sweet treats are especially delicious on a cold, rainy Amsterdam day when you need to be warmed up. Add a dash of fruit to make it a (slightly) healthy breakfast!
9. Cycling
To work off some of the delicious sugar you have eaten, you can take part in another classic Amsterdam institution: cycling. It is said that there are more bikes in Amsterdam than there are people, and when you wander along one of the city’s many iconic canals, it is hard to disagree.
With bikers whizzing by left, right, and center, it is not hard to understand that cycling is the main form of transport in Amsterdam. Just be careful not to end up in a canal if you try your hand at cycling in the city center!
10. Windmills
If you do decide to try your hand at cycling in the Netherlands, why not plan a route that takes you past one or more of the country’s famous windmills?
From De Gooyer windmill to Molen van Sloten and Zaanse Schans, a little further from the center, the greater Amsterdam area boasts some great windmills to explore.
Just as with the tulips and clogs, you will find that many Amsterdam souvenir shops will sell items that are windmill-themed, as they are classic symbols of Dutch life.
11. The Dutch Royal Family
The Netherlands still has a royal family, and this is another thing that tourists tend to think of when they plan a trip to Amsterdam. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is one of the primary palaces of the Dutch royal family and it marks the heart of the city.
Located in Dam Square, this 17th-century palace is used by the royals for events and ceremonies, and parts of the building are also open to the public for visits. If you take a walking tour of Amsterdam, your knowledgeable guide will tell you more about the Dutch royals and their role in modern society.
12. “Coffee Shops”
Of course, Amsterdam is also known to be a place that is very liberal in terms of cannabis use. The city is known for its “coffee shops” in which you can buy and smoke weed, in a “semi-legal” capacity. This is one of the main drawing factors for tourists to Amsterdam.
You can enjoy cannabis products in a safe and comfortable environment in Amsterdam, as well as some other products such as mushrooms, with the peace of mind that it is somewhat regulated and you will not get into trouble.
13. Tall, Thin Houses
Another major characteristic of Amsterdam is the tall, slim houses that line the canals. Their narrow facades and varying colors paint a unique and striking picture. Originally built to save space in the city center, these narrow houses have now become an essential feature of the quirky charm of Amsterdam.
You will spot big metal hooks on the fronts of the buildings where furniture can be attached and hauled into apartments via the windows, as the staircases can be too narrow to transport big items inside these skinny buildings.
14. The Van Gogh Museum
Perhaps one of the best museums in the world, the Van Gogh Museum is also synonymous with Amsterdam. This city is known for its Dutch art and Vincent Van Gogh was, of course, Dutch himself. Born in Groot-Zundert, now just over an hour north of Amsterdam by car, Van Gogh has strong connections to this part of the world and his work is immortalized in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Walk the spiraling walls of this museum and read the tragic and impactful story of the troubled artist’s life as you gaze at his most famous works. This is a profound experience.
15. Business and Commerce
Finally, Amsterdam is famous for being a hub for business and commerce. If you are looking for a new place to live and you want to find work in finance, Amsterdam could be the place to be. The city is home to numerous international corporations, banks, and financial institutions.
As you can see, Amsterdam is a city rich in great cuisine, art, history, beauty, and fun. This Dutch gem is famous around the world for the exciting opportunities it boasts, including the chance to run a little wild at night and learn a lot about art and culture by day.
Whether you want to explore the coffee shops, wander the Red Light District, buy tulips, learn about Anne Frank, or gaze at Van Gogh’s “Almond Blossoms”, Amsterdam is the place to be. Book a comprehensive tour or get tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus to ensure you see everything you want to see in Amsterdam.
