Amsterdam: A Living City

A Living City: Amsterdam Amsterdam greets you upon entering the city with warm people; stone streets with canals running through them. The touristy and cold city atmosphere of European capitals does not exist in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. This is a living, vibrant and colorful city. Amsterdam's social life is a city that immediately draws you in, which is why you easily blend into life here while exploring. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, was founded in the 12th century as a fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River. As the city developed over time, it now stands as the most culturally and demographically rich city in the Netherlands. People of many nationalities live together freely in the city. According to research conducted, racism is quite rare in the Netherlands, which may be why people do not hesitate to express themselves. Amsterdam has as many bicycles as it does people. Since it is a flat city, most people get around by bicycle. Just like there are traffic lights for cars on the roads, there are also traffic lights for bicycles. When walking as a pedestrian, you need to pay special attention to these lights. Renting a bicycle and exploring the city is also very enjoyable. It is fair to call Amsterdam a green city, with its parks, tree-lined streets and rampless streets making it bicycle-friendly. One way to get to know Amsterdam is to take a canal tour on the canals that cut through the stone streets. The city has exactly 165 canals. You can take a tourist boat tour on these canals or rent an electric punt by the hour or day. You can bring everything you need and spend part of your day on Amsterdam's canals.

Places to Visit in Amsterdam

Dam Square: Amsterdam's most famous square. You could call Dam Square the center of the city. The square, which includes the Royal Palace, has numerous cafes and shops. The New Church and Madame Tussauds Museum are also located at Dam Square. Van Gogh Museum: This museum, where the works of the famous painter Van Gogh are displayed, is quite well-known. Seeing the originals of works we are familiar with and learning about Van Gogh's life is very impressive. The museum displays more than 200 paintings, over 500 drawings and over 700 letters belonging to the famous painter. The works of Van Gogh are displayed chronologically in the museum and you can see paintings that depict the troubled emotional state of the famous painter. In my opinion, the Van Gogh Museum ranks first among the museums that must be visited on an Amsterdam trip. Rijksmuseum: The museum has served as the city's most important art gallery for 800 years and holds the title of "State Museum." Built in 1876, the Rijksmuseum opened to visitors in 1885 as 'the largest museum in the Netherlands.' The museum displays quite important works by Dutch artists. In this museum, you can see the originals of many famous works. The museum is located in Museumplein, right next to Voldelpark. Moco Museum Amsterdam: This museum is like a gateway to modern and contemporary art. Works by many artists such as Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, JR, KAWS, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, and Andy Warhol are displayed in this museum. Tickets must be purchased from the website to enter the museum. In the museum located at Museumplein, you can see ironic and humorous works that reflect modern society. Anne Frank's House: I can say it is one of the most impressive museums I have visited. Anne Frank, because she was Jewish during World War II, took refuge in this house with her father and 6 others to escape Nazi occupation. Anne Frank, who was 11-12 years old at the time, spent the years 1940-1942 hiding in this house and kept a diary during this period. After these two years, they were captured by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. Of these 8 people, only Anne Frank's father, Otto Frank, survived and turned his daughter's diary into a book. In 1960, the house where they lived was turned into a museum. In this house, you can see photographs and Anne Frank's diaries. Vondelpark: Vondelpark is Amsterdam's largest and the Netherlands' most famous city park. The park is lush green and has ponds within it. It is not possible to explore the entire park as it is quite large. However, when you are tired from exploring the city, it is quite enjoyable to bring some food and have a lunch or dinner in this park. Since it is close to the city center, it is also a perfect spot for a quick breather. Flower Market: The Netherlands is a country synonymous with tulips. Bloemenmarket (Flower Market) has been held since 1862 and is known as the world's largest floating flower market. Exploring the market, which is now on land, is truly delightful; Bloemenmarket affects you with its colors and the scents emanating from the flowers. You can buy seeds here and grow plants at home. It can be a beautiful memory to remind you of your Amsterdam visit. Waterlooplein Flea Market: Waterlooplein is the name of a square in Amsterdam. A flea market has been held in this square since 1882. At this market, you can find many things you might think of, from antique items to secondhand clothing and various accessories. It is quite enjoyable to explore this market while snacking on something. At this flea market, you can find vintage products of even very famous brands at half price. De Negen Straatjes Neighborhood: One of the city's most popular shopping destinations. In the neighborhood consisting of 9 small streets, you can browse specially designed shops. This neighborhood, where the heart of fashion beats, is a beautiful route for exploring Amsterdam boutiques. The local population mostly shops in this area. Jordaan Neighborhood: It can also be called Amsterdam's most famous district. In the 17th century, this neighborhood in the city center was home to working-class people and migrants, and today it is a popular tourist destination. With its fine restaurants, luxury art galleries and elegant houses, it is definitely a place worth visiting. Since it is located in the center, your path will definitely intersect with this neighborhood when walking around Amsterdam's streets.

Dining and Drinking in Amsterdam

I should mention that people here place importance on healthy living. It is possible to see cafes selling healthy fruit juices at almost every corner and healthy food options. There are also quite a few vegan options. I recommend that you definitely eat crepes in Amsterdam. There are many famous creperies with both savory and sweet options available. It can be preferred for breakfast. Pancakes Amsterdam is among the most popular venues. The only issue is that some branches only accept credit cards. Similarly, Creppes and Waffles is also quite good. Amsterdam is a city that contains many cultures. For this reason, there are also options related to the cuisines of various countries. The cuisine of Surinam, one of the Netherlands' oldest colonies, is also among the cuisines you can experience in Amsterdam. Waterkant restaurant is a fine establishment where you can experience Surinamese cuisine. It is a quite famous place, which is why reservations should be made in advance. Amsterdam, with its diverse people, friendly population and lively streets, is truly a city that will occupy a place in your heart. One cannot help but dream of living in this city while exploring it. Amsterdam's residents' harmonious life with one another draws you in. Prepared by: Nilsu Kotil