Amsterdam It is the capital of Holland, a place that concentrates many interesting things to see and do, after all it already has nothing more and nothing less than 17 centuries of existence. It is a city famous for its canals, its bike rides, its bars and pubs, its museums and, of course, its Red Light District.
But it also offers a rich gastronomy, lots of beer, accommodation for all tastes and pockets and, depending on the time of year, many cultural activities. But today let's see what can we do in 3 days in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam in three days
Three days is usually the time that one spends in a city that he visits for the first time on a major journey. Much more when it comes to visiting Europe, if you come from America, and your plan is to visit several cities in fifteen or twenty days.
So, we start with the day 1. There is a very classic postcard from Amsterdam that has to do with the tall, narrow, multi-story houses that seem to be gingerbread houses and they look at the Danmark. The usual thing is to stop in front, at the pier, and take good photos, as well as you can see them from any boat trip. These houses have a pulley on the roof because that is how the furniture was raised, with a rope and even the windows. There are more of these colorful little houses on the Nieuwebrugsteeg.
In the good view of the city you have to climb, so you can climb to the top of the Old church which is next to the Red Light District and from which you have a great view of the old town. The church is in the Gothic style and being from 1213 it is the oldest building in the city. Admission is free if you have the tourist discount card, iAmsterdam City Card. Otherwise, 10 euros are paid. Open weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm.
Another good vantage point is from the Cafe Blue Amsterdam, reached from the Kalvertoren shopping center. It's on the third floor, quite hidden, and has a simple menu of sandwiches and burgers.
Since you are in the area you have to walk through these old streets and explore the cathedral square. This is where the New Church, the National Monument and the Royal Palace.There is also the Madame Tussauds museum and the luxury shopping center De Bijenkorf. The main shopping streets, the Kalverstraat and the Nieuwendijk, are connected by the heart of the city and make up a nice shopping promenade. On Thursdays, to point out, the shops in the city close later, after the usual 6 pm.
If you are tired of walking and want to rest outdoors you can take advantage and go to the Begijnhof Garden. It dates from the middle ages and is close to Spui square, in turn with many cafes and shops. The garden is secluded and surrounded by private houses that were built to house religious women. So the visit should be quiet and respectful.
El Flower market It is a very popular place in Amsterdam, the best place to take photos of tulips, for example, but you have to know that it is not worth staying long. Ideally, take a turn and then head towards the Munt Tower, the site where the coins used to be minted. It was destroyed by fire in the Middle Ages but rebuilt. Not far away is the Rembrandt Square, which you reach by walking down the Reguliersbreestraat.
You are going to go through a very picturesque cinema, the Tuschinski Theater, until reaching the square. Here is a statue based on a work by the artist, The Night Watchman, and around several cafes and small stalls. At this point, do you feel like giving a boat ride through the canals? No matter the season of the year, there are walks and a lot of offer. Here you can take advantage of the iAmsterdam Card, but for larger boat rides. If you want something more intimate, smaller boats are convenient for you that do not have discounts with the card.
Day 2 in Amsterdam. The first day was intense, I know, but being the city not very big and the desire to know many, it is possible. On day two it is worth rent a bike and you have to be agile because there is a lot of traffic. The basic rules are to circulate on the right and warn with the hand which direction we will take when turning. By bike you can reach another popular market, the Albert Cuypstraat Market, is popular with the people of Amsterdam themselves.
But there is everything, food, souvenirs and typical food of all kinds. A good snack is the Goudsche Stroowafels, a thin waffle with caramel. Worse there is more. again on the bike you can go to Museumplein, museum area classical. If you like them, of course, there is the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Even if you don't like museums, these two are the most visited and popular. Be careful, the visit should be decided in advance because there are many people. It is another way to take advantage of the iAmsterdam Card.
Vondelpark it is the largest park in the city and is in the center of it. You have to walk around here and you can do it by bike because there is plenty of space. So if you bought food in the market and you did not get into the museums here you can stop for lunch. Maybe you don't like museums but you do like horses? Then take a walk around the Holland Equestrian School and Museum.
It is a very old school that is open and in which you can take a class or walk or enjoy demonstrations of the riders while enjoying a tea with cake. The tea service, the entire experience, costs about 25 euros per person but you should also book. If you are not interested in this place and you are still hungry or the afternoon has come and it is time to load calories again, the option is the food hall, a very large space that is on Bellamyplein street and that offers food from all over the world.
We can spend the night in it Oud - West neighborhood which is where the locals usually hang out. Of course, to sleep early that we still have a whole day left. The day 3 in Amsterdam It should start early but what you do will depend on when you should leave. On the last day I don't usually do much, maybe more than anything to relax, go back to some place that I liked, walk a little more ...
Places always remain in the pipeline: the zoo, NEMO Science Museum, Hermitage Museum branch, Heineken Experience or, somewhat smaller, the brewery that operates under a huge old mill on the Funenkade. You can see how beer is made, get to know a 3th century mill and taste. The ticket must be purchased the same day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 30pm). If you are interested, you have to hurry because only groups of no more than 20 people enter.
Finally, if you leave Amsterdam at night you can take advantage of and cross to the other side of town by ferry to enjoy lunch at the Panoramic Point A'DAM. The ferry leaves every 10 minutes from the Central Station. And voila, your three days in Amsterdam are over. The purchase of the tourist card is always an option that will depend on how many specific places you are going to visit.