Amsterdam Holidays
Your Amsterdam holiday
Amsterdam emerged as a fishing town in the late 12th century – its name taken due to its proximity to a dam on the river Amstel.
During the 15th century, the town saw rapid development and trade innovation, paving the way for the Dutch Golden Age from 1585 to 1672. In this period Amsterdam was a financial hub with the strongest market in the world. The first multinational corporation, The Dutch East India Company, was created in 1602 and soon had a far-reaching geopolitical power.
While Amsterdam was the wealthiest city in the world, the cityscape expanded and changed, and some of the most important buildings were erected, including many of the beautiful canal homes and the former town hall and current Royal Palace in Dam Square. Immigration increased during the 17th century, leading to a deliberate city plan that involved the creation of four major canals that emerged at Amsterdam’s waterfront, the IJ Bay.
Holland’s modern history is marked by the German invasion of the country in May 1940 and the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. The city’s entire Jewish community was nearly wiped out, and with it the city’s historic diamond trade that was mostly controlled by Jewish businessmen.
The cultural openness of the city has roots in Amsterdam’s central role in the 1960s and 1970s as a hippie hub. The 1970s also saw a spike in immigration from Suriname (a former Dutch colony), Morocco, and Turkey.
Holidays Deals
Amsterdam Holidays
Dutch Design Artemis Hotel Amsterdam
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NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
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Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam
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Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre
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Memphis Hotel Amsterdam
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Hampshire Hotel - Lancaster Amsterdam
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Arena Hotel Amsterdam
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Bilderberg Jan Luyken Hotel Amsterdam
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Renaissance Hotel Amsterdam
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Swissotel Amsterdam
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Hotels
Amsterdam Hotels
Dutch Design Artemis Hotel Amsterdam
NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre
Memphis Hotel Amsterdam
Flights
Flights to Amsterdam
| Departure | Arrival | Travel dates | Round-trip fares |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Amsterdam | Wed 24 Jul - Wed 31 Jul | €141 |
| Athens | Amsterdam | Wed 12 Jun - Sun 16 Jun | €322 |
| London | Amsterdam | Mon 8 Jul - Sat 13 Jul | €95 |
| Geneva | Amsterdam | Thu 4 Jul - Sun 7 Jul | €166 |
| Helsinki | Amsterdam | Wed 10 Jul - Sat 13 Jul | €277 |
| Rome | Amsterdam | Sat 1 Jun - Sat 8 Jun | Check rates |
| Vienna | Amsterdam | Wed 3 Jul - Thu 11 Jul | €226 |
| Paris | Amsterdam | Sat 1 Jun - Sat 8 Jun | Check rates |
| Madrid | Amsterdam | Sat 1 Jun - Sat 8 Jun | Check rates |
| Lisbon | Amsterdam | Sat 6 Jul - Wed 10 Jul | €218 |
| Birmingham | Amsterdam | Fri 14 Jun - Mon 17 Jun | €178 |
| Barcelona | Amsterdam | Fri 12 Jul - Sun 14 Jul | €191 |
Best time to take a holiday to Amsterdam
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Amsterdam has an oceanic climate, which means winters are mild. The best time to travel to Amsterdam is between April and September, when the weather is mild and comfortable. The summer months have an average temperature of 20°C. Spring has an average temperature of 10°C. The winter months have an average temperature of 4°C, while fall has an average temperature of 8°C.
Amsterdam holiday travel tips
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Climate
Amsterdam generally has a cool climate with warm summers. Best time to visit is flower season, April and May, or in the warmer months, June to September.
Getting Around
Best bets for transportation are to go on foot, by public transport, or by bike. Driving is discouraged in the city centre as many streets are for pedestrians and bikes only.
Public transport consists of the GV bus, metro, and tramlines. To ride any and all of them, purchase an OV-chipcard at a station or supermarket.
Trams run regularly until 12:15 a.m., night buses from midnight to 7 a.m., and the small blue Stop/Go bus from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (it runs through Old City and makes all requested stops).
Cruises, electric boats, water taxis, and buses traverse the canals, and there are three free ferries that take pedestrians and cyclists over to Amsterdam-Noord across the IJ waterway.
Think about car hire in Amsterdam if you want to explore the environs of the city. Head out to Volendam, a magnificent little village a few dozen kilometres outside of town.
From The Airport
From the Schiphol International Airport, there is a Direct Rail Link that runs every 10 minutes to Amsterdam’s central station for under €5. Purchase tickets before boarding the train to avoid a €40 fine. There are also Connexxion airport shuttles leaving every 10 minutes that service a number of major hotels.
Dialing code: 00 31 (20) for Amsterdam.
Insider tips for Amsterdam travel
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Concertgebouw
Visit this popular historic concert venue to hear the world's most beautiful orchestra concerts and acoustic bands.
Brasserie Vlaming-Amsterdam
This casual restaurant that locals patronize regularly serves home-style Dutch fare.
Gartine
This top-rated restaurant serves authentic Dutch cuisine. Everything is fresh and prepared to order.
Greetje
Greetje serves high-end Dutch cuisine in an exceptionally classic atmosphere. Book ahead of time to reserve a table.
Alto Jazz Cafe
Enjoy live jazz at this popular bar.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
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Old Centre & Central Station
The Avenue hotel offers both comfort and design with its nine historic buildings featuring unique decoration in every room. Less than half a mile from the city centre, the hotel is complete with wireless Internet access and its own café.
The newly redesigned Renaissance Hotel, just a short walk from Central Station, welcomes you in after a day of sightseeing with its brand-new lobby, Renaissance Bedding, and HDTV. Enjoy a delicious Mediterranean dinner at the restaurant Scossa, or have a drink at the hotel’s lounge bar, 2B. The Renaissance also hosts catered business events and offers luxury suites and club rooms.
Canal Belt
The four-star Albus hotel is a smaller, stylish boutique hotel with spacious rooms and queen-sized beds. Centrally located and easily accessible by trams and trains, the Albus offers a selection of luxury suites complete with a Phillips 32-inch flatscreen, a Nespresso coffee machine, high-speed Internet, and a state-of-the-art Sensiq communication system.
Vondelpark
The Bilderberg Garden hotel, steps from the city’s best museums and Vondelpark offers luxury, taste, and an intimate, friendly atmosphere during your time in Amsterdam. Rooms are complete with air-conditioning, robes, slippers, and a mini-bar. The hotel also features the famous French-Mediterranean–style restaurant De Kersentuin, serving both lunch and dinner.
If you need more choice, check out our Amsterdam hotel offers.
Amsterdam restaurants
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While frites are more a staple of Holland’s neighbour Belgium, those served at Vlaams Friteshuis (Voetboogstraat 33) have been a favourite in town since 1887. Smothered in mayonnaise, mustard, or a whole host of other special sauces, these freshly made crunchy frites give American French fries and English chips a run for their money.
As you stroll through Old Town, make sure to pause at De Bakkerswinkel (Warmoesstraat 69). This renowned cafe and bakery is known for its delicious bread, scones, pan au chocolat, and excellent coffee and tea. Serving sandwiches, quiche, and soup in addition to its baked goods, De Bakkerswinkel is a good place for a light lunch on your way to the next sight.
Located near the hip neighbourhood of Leidseplein is Blue Pepper (Nassaukade 366), a trendy and intimate restaurant featuring modern Indonesian cuisine. Choose from three menus of the day or order a la carte and enjoy such dishes as lamb satay, grilled scallops with black bean sauce, chili dumplings, or banana and caramel fritters.
This down-to-earth and affordable Dutch-French bar/restaurant is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Located across a canal from the Anne Frank House, Cafe De Prins is known for its no-frills, friendly atmosphere and quality pub food that goes well with one of the local beers on tap. Try the cheese fondue and, during the summer months, see if you can get a table outside to enjoy a great view of the canals. Though small and often crowded, this local gem is worth the wait.
Health & Safety
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Health
The health infrastructure of Holland is excellent, and should you be in need of assistance, you are sure to receive it. Pharmacies are well stocked and open seven days a week. If possible, try and obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before departing home. There are also a number of clinics and public hospitals, and nearly all practitioners speak English.
Useful Numbers
Fire or Police Department: Dial 112
Medical Emergency: Dial (020) 555 55 55
Amsterdam Foreigners’ Police: (020) 559 63 00 (8:30am to 4pm)
Clinics and Hospitals: AMC Hospital, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam Zuidoost, (020) 566 91 11. Slotervaartziekenhuis Hospital, Louwesweg 6, Amsterdam, (020) 512 93 33. VU Hospital, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, (020) 444 44 44.Safety
Amsterdam is a relatively safe city, though caution is necessary in the Red Light District and near Central Station. Keep an eye out for pickpockets and avoid walking alone after dark.. In case of emergency, keep a copy of your travel documents on your person at all time.
Drugs
Soft drugs, such as cannabis, are legal for “personal use” in the country. But selling or carrying more than five grams of cannabis can result in fines, and large quantities (over 30 grams) in prison sentences. Hard drugs (LSD, cocaine, and heroin) are strictly forbidden.