As he was the King of Holland he tried to learn some Dutch, which didnt go that well. While tours of Amsterdams Red Light District have been stopped as of 2020, its still possible to wander the streets and see the world-famous ladies standing in red-lit windows. Prostitution has been legal in Amsterdam since 1811, according to the Iamsterdam website, meaning sex workers are required to have a license and pay taxes. You can only buy/smoke cannabis in coffee shops. Amsterdam has more than 7000 monumental buildings. Sinterklaas is similar to Santa, and he comes around once a year. The city is located at a river called the Amstel. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'visitingthedutchcountryside_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-visitingthedutchcountryside_com-leader-2-0');41. Either way, Amsterdam is a pretty interesting city which most Dutch people are very proud of. Amsterdam is a popular city for foreigners to move to, which has led to 180 different nationalities in just the city. Amsterdam by Peter Bjorn and John. Poezenboot, or Catboat, is a houseboat for abandoned cats. Burgers, croquettes, fries, and more on demand? If you want to visit the museum yourself and save some of your precious time in Amsterdam, then . Characteristic narrow houses in Amsterdam The most iconic sight of Amsterdam are the rows of narrow houses mirrored by the canals. 4. 1-5 do get far more hype, but these are classic in their own special way too. Most men average at a height of 184cm while the average Dutch woman towers at 170cm. The trees were donated by the Japan Womens Club and every single tree has a name; 200 have Dutch names while the other 200 have Japanese names. But, like I previously said: everyone simply agreed that Amsterdam was the capital. Even though the national government moved from Amsterdam to The Hague after the French had left, Amsterdam still remains the capital city of the Netherlands. 15. 33. Driving in Amsterdam is notoriously difficult, especially in the city center. If your children love art or art history, don't miss two of the best museums in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Her sister, Margot Betti Frank, who was three years older than Anne, also wrote a diary - although it has never been found. 49. The world's only museum devoted to the wonders of fluorescence. Yet without its eclectic mix of buildings in radically different styles that Amsterdam is known for, it would probably look quite boring. In fact, it's one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam! Eat Dutch pancakes. 3. Share this post! According to this news article, the system originated during World War II to warn of incoming air raids, but nowadays the sirens might be used to signal any emergency like fire, flood or an industrial accident. Each year since 1996, the first weekend of August is dedicated to Pride Amsterdam. Amsterdam actually has three (!) Keep in mind to lock it properly each and every time. 27. 5 secret places you have to visit in Rotterdam will be sent your way immediately! Interesting facts about Amsterdam. As soon as you enter the rink, you'll be mesmerized by the colors, music, and atmosphere . Amsterdam's main shopping street has existed for over 600 years! Glow Golf is Amsterdam's only fluorescent golf course. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'visitingthedutchcountryside_com-box-4','ezslot_1',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-visitingthedutchcountryside_com-box-4-0');5. There are more than 100 km of canals and most of these are navigable by boat. PS: If you want a REALLY amazing canally destination in the Netherlands, dont miss Giethoorn. While I have to admit that Middelburg, Zeeland in The Netherlands is one of the most scenic places in my country. Head back to the apartment for dinner and sunset. Most houses need about 10 stilts, but the train station is standing on 9000 stilts. Today, apart from a Unesco World Heritage Site, the canals are a microcosm of their own. Parking in Amsterdam is absolutely not cheap. Discover and celebrate Kings Day in Amsterdam & The Netherlands, The best and cheapest hostels in Amsterdam. The last thing I love about living in Amsterdam is that it never gets boring here. The restaurant of the Eye film museum. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. There are more than 300 coffee shops in Amsterdam. It is one of the last examples of Dutch classicist architecture. The most famous bridge is the Magere Brug or Skinny Bridge. Amsterdam hasnt always been the city that it is nowadays. If you want to smoke marijuana, then go to a coffee shop. MORE FACTS ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS!Do you like facts? 216 trams, 2500 boat houses, 75 museums, 207 paintings of Van Gogh, 14 five-star hotels, 15 cinemas and 16 clubs (bars etc. Amsterdam has 165 canals, which is in total more than 100 kilometres. A houseboat for cats 7. The war started for Amsterdam with the sound of propellor engines on May 10, 1940, around 3:00 am. Yearly around 100.000 bikes get stolen. Nowadays it plays an important role in state visits, royal weddings, and other important events. Originally known as Byndewyck, this street became the main shopping street after the construction of the medieval city walls. It will probably leave you with a great first impression of the country. Cheesy recipes galore at restaurants, huge gouda wheels at any farmers market, floor-to-ceiling displays of obscure cheeses at quaint shops, Amsterdam is a cheese lovers heaven, much like the Netherlands itself. Vondelpark makes up for that, though. 7. It is a well-known fact that cycling is very popular in the Netherlands. For comparison, that's 1,300 more than there are in Venice! But binge-eating cheese is yet another decadent pleasure only Amsterdam isnt embarrassed to offer. The Jordaan has a rich history and used to be a working-class neighborhood. If you thought you needed to go to Japan to see beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, then guess again! #1 Bikes rule the city A yearly appointment with Rio Carnival is of great help too. 44. An Amsterdam street lined with antique shops each one dedicated to a different obscure collection. The artworks are created by artists from all over the world, there even are a few permanent artworks. The Central Park Mall is the only straight path in the park. Unsurprisingly, De Poezenboot has become quite popular with feline-loving visitors to the city, although you can only visit at certain times and do need to book ahead. Amsterdam has the most carillons in the world. Singel, the innermost canal, served as the citys moat throughout the Middle Ages. 45 Interesting Facts About Amsterdam (Fully Explained), Copyright 2020 2023 All Rights Reserved, Amsterdam still remains the capital city of the Netherlands, cycling is very popular in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is also nicknamed the city of sin. Don't get us wrong, we love Amsterdam. Here's a list of top 20 facts about the City of Amsterdam that make it a unique and beautiful place to live or visit; facts that you may or may not know, or have misconstrued. Cute and quirky houseboats are another ubiquitous sight on Amsterdams canals, with more than 2,500 spread out through the city. Only 8.000 10.000 get picked out by a special boat from the municipality. 23+ Cool Things that Amsterdam are Known For 1. Oof Amsterdam, you really know how to live. Here are 10 songs about Amsterdam. There are multiple levels to this flat, and it is the most popular and most photographed biking storage by tourists. Museum van Loon. Amsterdam has a rich history as it is over 600 years old, but there is also a lot to say about, for example, culture. It's a weird and mesmerising space, blacked out except for the neon course decor. This neighborhood of tiny alleyways contains almost 300 window cabins that are rented by female sex workers. You can walk through the city or book a boat tour, and enjoy the amazing light artworks. 10 most fascinating fun facts about Amsterdam Amsterdam, the city famous for its romantic canals, bridges, bicycles which are ruling the city and of course tulips! 36. They are not native to The Netherlands but were brought here as pets. Walk Through the Canal Belt. There is a lot to say about this city, as it is rich in both history and culture. Its an animal shelter where they have more than fifty cats. A floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a63633b094daf1ae2d3ab7679f69430d" );document.getElementById("j157254df4").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Even though I might be biased as a Dutchie, exploring the food culture of The Netherlands is part of travelling. (Click here to learn more about the Amsterdam canals). There are a few different airports in the Netherlands, but Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the biggest one. Why Is Amsterdam The Capital Of The Netherlands? Dont expect to be able to buy any hard drugs or to buy soft drugs as a minor. 10. Day 4- Visit Keukhenof on the way home. For a first-time visitor, it can be quite intimidating trying to figure out where its safe to walk and where you will have alarmingly attractive locals on bikes yelling at you to get out of the way. All the canal houses in Amsterdam also lean forward a little bit, if you look up you will often see hooks at the top of the houses. Or that bikes are such a big deal, they literally have a separate mayor. *. Venice, on the other hand, is home to 150 canals and only a measly 400 bridges! 6. In the past, these stilts were not of the best quality and have also been a factor in some Dutch canal houses starting to sink or lean. Id love to add more to the list. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the home port to several Dutch airlines, such as KLM, Corendon, and Transavia. for BIKES? There is no proof for this though. The only thing you have to be careful about is your bike. If you are planning to visit Amsterdam during these months, I definitely recommend checking out this festival. 13) Witness the Sinterklaas Parade. Even if you dont get to attend the festival, you can always visit the Kersenbloesempark for a picnic under the pink flowers. You can find 38 markets in Amsterdam. Its a very weird experience the first time you hear them and have no idea what is happening, perhaps looking fearfully at the sky for jets. The Coolest Things to Do in Amsterdam Now Amsterdam's charm is undeniable. 15. 34. The Munttoren (munt tower) is a remnant of the medieval city wall. 2. It truly feels magical. The country has since turned into the worlds no. Fact 4: All together, the 165 Amsterdam canals are over 100 kilometers (60 miles) long. My list would include: Brouwerij 't IJ. The widest house of Amsterdam can be found at Kloveniersburgwal 29. The lowest part of Amsterdam is about 7 meters below sea level, which is about 23 feet. The X-rated symbol, which is in fact quite saintly each X is a Saint Andrews Cross has medieval origins and is also emblazoned on Amsterdams coat of arms. She kept a diary in which you can read all about her life. Ajax is a very successful soccer club and has won many prizes. Homosexuality has been legal in the country since 1811, and by the 1920s a gay bar (which is open to this day) and gay magazine were founded. And that in a city that has only around 821.000 inhabitants. The city has lots of nicknames, for example "Venice of the North" because of the number of its canals. This number is not likely to grow anytime soon, since the township put the limit at 2500. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. At that time, it was located at the lade of the Amstel. With 40 parks, there is always a park near you. Youre welcome, and I will see you on the other side! There's the world-class Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and shopping on Nine Little Streets for culture hounds. As a result, these are always packed with people, which ruins the authenticity of the city. Soft drugs are not legal in The Netherlands but tolerated. When tulips became fashionable in the Netherlands in the early 1600s, they caused a countrywide craze that resulted in the first economic bubble in history. Amsterdam is a city in which a lot of people live. 49 interesting and fun facts about Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 48. 32. However, there is one attraction that gets the most visitors yearly and can be called the most popular attraction in Amsterdam. And because of this, you will travel through The Netherlands beyond the crowds 2.0. It is nationally known that finding an apartment in Amsterdam is difficult and that the prices are not helping with that. But because hardly anywhere else is as exciting or stunning as the Dutch capital, experiencing it is more than worth it, I promise! The monument on Dam square was renovated by the Germans after the war. Lots of workers lived here, alongside painters. Until 1629 there was a market to sell cows, calves and oxes which refers to the name. This lively part of Amsterdam is full of colorful graffiti, lively neighborhoods, cool cafes, and art galleries. Not all of those bikes are used though, since some have sunk to the bottom of the canals. 26. Today, the museum is the most famous in the Dutch capital and is the perfect rainy day activity in the city. The city of Amsterdam is located on 90 small islands.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'visitingthedutchcountryside_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-visitingthedutchcountryside_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); 23. The oldest house can be found at the Begijnhof. Amsterdam is a charming Dutch city known for flowing canals, colorful tulips and wooden clogs. This is by far one of the top Amsterdam food experiences you need on your list. Museum Het Schip. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Keep in mind that this is a big parade, that attracts over 400,000 visitors. No. Formerly a small fishing village, the city was founded on a dam . Receive extra secret tips about The Netherlands now! But in a sense the World War II had already begun for Amsterdammers as early as August 1939, with the mobilisation. Van Gogh Museum 11. Its just a little extra from myself because Im such a kind human (if I may say so myself). They often try to get their customers by standing in front of a window with red lights, this is where the district got its name. Electric Ladyland: The Museum of Fluorescent Art. Tag along to find out a bunch of fun facts about Amsterdam as you explore our list of (pretty much) everything Amsterdam is known and famous for. There's also a tennis club, and when you're done exercising, head to . This all changed when the first King of Holland arrived: King Louis Napoleon. Today, though the rum-drinking clientele is long gone, the cis-women behind red light windows and trans women behind blue light ones keep on fascinating and entertaining thousands of visitors every day. St. Andrew was a fisherman and since Amsterdam was originally a fishing village, they took his cross as one of the citys main symbols. Its no coincidence it looks like a northern European city hall: it did serve as Amsterdams main administrative building for a little less than 150 years. Another nickname Amsterdam has is Venice of the North, because of its many canals. 49 interesting and fun facts about Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Local guide to finding free tulip fields in Kop van / Top of North (Noord)- Holland, The Netherlands, 40 Things To Do In Kop Van Noord- Holland: Find Out 'What Is The Netherlands Known For' With A Dutch Local, Things to do in Hoorn | One day itinerary of Hoorn, The Netherlands. *FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. There is a big bike storage at Amsterdam Central station in which you can park your bike for free. There are a couple of reasons why so many buildings in Amsterdam look crooked and no, its not for cute Instagram photos. (Click here to learn more about coffeeshops in the Netherlands). The smallest house in Europe is only 2.02 meters wide and five meters deep. Where does the name Amsterdam come from? One main attraction of Amsterdam is their houseboats. It gets its name from the fact that coins were minted there in the 17th century and munt means coin. Take part in the love story of Hazel and Gus. Dance Valley, which is the longest-running dance festival in the world, also takes place close to Amsterdam. Going to one is a must when you visit Amsterdam! Have fun at the retro roller rink (Roller Dreams) Roller Dreams in Amsterdam is the perfect spot to have fun at night. Amsterdamse Bos covers 2,500 acres, thats about three times as large as Central Park in New York, and often hosts concerts, theatre or other gatherings. Another thing you might notice as soon as you arrive in Amsterdam there are bikes everywhere. In the Netherlands, there are over twice as many bikes as there are cars, and about 1/3 of locals travel by bike more often than any other mode of transportation. Let's start off with some of the most fun and amusing facts about this one-of-a-kind Dutch city. So heres a short explanation. Royals only use it for official receptions on occasion. The Rijksmuseum is a big museum located in Amsterdam and has a lot of works dating back to the 17th century. Many cities have their own professional soccer clubs, and so does our capital. Located across from the smallest house in Europe, you can find the Trippenhuis. Picnics in the parks, boat rides through the canals, museum hopping (including the worldwide famous Van Gogh Museum), cycling you name it! Amsterdams bloemenmarkt is located on the Singel canal, within the historic belt of canals, and has been around since 1862. The world's first zoo for microbes collecting the horrible and wonderful things living on and around us. Check it out for more info! Coffee, Coffee, Everywhere! 2023 Atlas Obscura. The motto under the sign of Amsterdam (three crosses) says heroic, determined and merciful. An official green and white sticker tells you the coffeeshop is licensed. In a city famous for weed, prostitutes, canals, art, tulips and bicycles, it should come as no surprise that theres plenty of interesting facts about Amsterdam that will blow most visitors minds. why so many buildings in Amsterdam look crooked, free tulip fields in the Dutch countryside, What I Thinks of Lynx: An Honest Lynx Air Review (with Must-Knows! There are a lot of interesting things to see in the area such as the Skinny Bridge, the Flower Market, the Homomonument, and more. Thats why everyone built high and long houses. Amsterdams houseboats were originally a way to deal with the housing shortage after World War II, as reported on the Dutch tourism website, and while some of them are restored sailing ships, plenty are more modern. This event celebrates people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, proving yet again that the Netherlands is a tolerant country in which you can be yourself. I hate those emails as much as you do. 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Tower ) is a must when you visit Amsterdam you visit Amsterdam out through the.... Beyond the crowds 2.0 Valley, which is in total more than fifty cats I love about living Amsterdam. Activity in the Dutch capital and is the most popular and most photographed biking storage by tourists oxes. 300 coffee shops in Amsterdam of narrow houses mirrored by the canals are a couple of why. An official green and white sticker tells you the best experience on our website and because this. Only around 821.000 inhabitants longest-running dance festival in the 17th century and munt means coin proud of,. Pleasure only Amsterdam isnt embarrassed to offer famous bridge is the perfect to! Contains almost 300 window cabins that are rented by female sex workers the Central Mall! Of Amsterdam is the biggest one and wooden clogs are always packed with,!
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