Good morning, Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam – the city of art, canals and bicycles. This city has a certain charm (we’re sure there’s a Dutch word for it). Whether it’s art, cozy cafes or romantic strolls you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here.

MORNING

The city’s just about to wake up. Ready to go?

Music to your ears

Start your day right with a bit of local music.

Listen here

Explore with one click

Explore Amsterdam’s various sights with Google Earth.
📍Royal Palace
📍NEMO Science Museum
📍Anne Frank House
📍De Hallen
📍Rijksmuseum

See for yourself

Helicopter tour

Take in the sheer beauty of this city from the sky.

Watch video

AFTERNOON

Sit back and relax, because we’re heading to the heart of the city.

Talk like a local

Dutch is spoken by around 24 million people as a first language and 5 million people as a second language, making up the majority of people in the Netherlands and Belgium (but it’s only one of three official languages).

It’s also an official language of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

Ready for a bit of Dutch?

Start the class here

Greetings

Hallo / Hoi – Hello

Goedemorgen – Good morning

Goedemiddag – Good afternoon

Goedeavond – Good evening

Goedenacht – Good night

Tot ziens / Doei (informal) – Goodbye

Showing courtesy

Alsjeblieft / Alstublieft – Please

Dank je / Dank U – Thank you

Graag gedaan – You’re welcome

Het spijt me – I’m sorry

Gezelligheid

Often equated to cosiness, gezelligheid is so much more than that. Gezelligheid represents equal parts fun, jovial or amicable situations all underlined by a sense of personal comfort and togetherness.

Uitbuiken

After eating a delicious meal Dutch people get uitbuiken, which literally translates as outbellying. Uitbuiken expresses that bellies need time to relax after a particularly hearty feast. This is done by unbuckling belts or loosening tight clothing to allow a healthy digestion. Good thing we’re all wearing sweatpants.

Op Die Fiets

Literally meaning “on that bicycle,” it’s used to express your understanding of something you didn’t understand at first, as in “I now understand how that happened.”

Lunch time

The Dutch love herring, which they call Hollandse Nieuwe or “New Dutch herring.” It’s usually eaten raw on a bun or as a snack with some chopped onions and pickles. It’s both tasty and healthy – what more could you ask for?

Try the recipe

Afternoon at the museum

In love with Vermeer and Rembrandt? At Rijksmuseum you’ll find all the masters of the Dutch Golden Age, and much more

Visit Rijksmuseum

Fun Facts

Amsterdam boasts a whopping 1281 bridges. That’s more than Venice (which “only” has 409). The Magere Brug, also known as the Skinny Bridge, is Amsterdam’s most famous.
There are more than 1 million bicycles in Amsterdam, but only around 821,000 people. Around 100,000 bikes get stolen every year.

Amsterdam City Guide

EVENING

A busy day calls for a relaxing evening. Mix a drink, snack on something delicious and immerse yourself in a bit of Dutch culture.

Happy hour

Genever has a long history in Amsterdam, and though it’s been seen as something older generations might enjoy, it’s been making a comeback. Try mixing it yourself and create a fresh “Fast Running Break” cocktail.

Here’s the recipe

Grab a bite

The Netherlands are known for Dutch chocolate. And, while maybe you can’t have the real thing right now, you can order up a dessert delivery on OpenTable and imagine you’re satisfying your sweet tooth abroad.

Search OpenTable

Cultural encounters

The Dutch culture and history are so rich, that you may just need some time to take it all in.

Movie

This Dutch World War II-period drama film is based on the life of a banker who financed the Dutch resistance during WWII.

Binge-watching
This horror drama series tells the story of a young medical student in Amsterdam who joins an underground society, only to uncover some horrifying secrets.

Book

Follow the story of a retired actor who receives a surprise invitation to play the leading role in a new play.

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