Five things to do in Amsterdam this summer, from boat trip to beer drinking to a bug museum
With canalside concerts, Dutch delicacies and some intriguing museums, wandering the concentric canals of the Netherlands’ cultural capital, and seeing it by boat, offers some unforgettable experiences
Despite a recent surge in tourist numbers, Amsterdam, a city of 17th-century waterways and narrow town houses, still deserves a place on any European itinerary. It is a city at its best in summer, when locals unashamedly put a chair on the street to soak up the late afternoon sun.
Amsterdam is an expensive city, but an I amsterdam City Card (iamsterdam.com) can help. As well as dozens of museums and attractions, it gives you tap-in, tap-out access to the city's trams, plus one canal cruise. It's sold for 24, 48 or 72 hours, with prices ranging from €39 (US$45) to €59, but it only really saves you money if you buy a two- or three-day pass.
1. Take to the water
It may be touristy, but seeing Amsterdam from the water is a must. An hour's cruise down Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal), Herengracht (Lords' Canal) and Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) is a good way to get your bearings, and besides, the city’s tall narrow townhouses can be seen most easily from the water.
At a specific point on Reguliersgracht canal you can get the famed “Seven Bridges Amsterdam” view, where each bridge is framed by one in front. Close by is the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), a typically Dutch drawbridge that looks particularly beautiful when lit up at night. Most cruises depart from the Centraal Station, and cost around €18.
