Places to visit in Amsterdam. Secret places in Amsterdam that you won't find in a typical guidebook. How to get from the airport to the center
Itinerary article: find out what you can see in Amsterdam in 1, 2 and 3 days. Opening hours, ticket prices to museums and attractions, how to get there. Each subsequent day complements the previous one - so in three days you will visit everything significant places cities.
What to see in Amsterdam in 1 day
The main starting point of the route is Central station. The city's main attractions - Dam Square, the Red Light District and others - are within walking distance.
Dam Square easily recognized by the snow-white National Monument, it is located at the intersection of Damrak and Rokin streets. IN southeast direction from the square there is the famous red light district, to the west there is the Royal Palace and the New Church. It is better to visit the sin area in the evening, and you don’t have to worry about transport - buses run at night.
During the day it’s a good time to walk around the center of the capital of the Netherlands. Royal Palace- this is the current residence of monarchs, so you can’t always admire the interior decoration. Sometimes the palace is open for visits (from 11 to 17), entrance costs 10 euros. Nearby are the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum(entrance 22 euros) and New Church- a temple in the Gothic style.
It is not difficult to see the historical center of Amsterdam in one day - it is quite compact and can be explored on foot. Fans of cycling can easily find bicycle parking, which is located at every turn.
(Photo © Tambako the Jaguar / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-ND 2.0)
The best souvenirs, fresh flowers, seeds and plant bulbs can be bought at Floating flower market - Bloemenmarket. The market on the Single channel has existed for over 100 years. Previously there were boats with goods there, now all the pavilions are stationary. The market is open on weekdays from 9 to 17:30, and on weekends from 11 am.
Not far from the market is Reypenaer cheese shop, where you can taste and buy real Dutch cheese, the average cost is 5-9 euros.
From the Flower Market it is easy to get to Amsterdam's main shopping street - Kalverstraat. Here you can have lunch and make pleasant purchases. Near the flower market and the eastern part of Kalverstraat is the Coin Square and its main decoration - the Coin Tower.
You won’t be able to see everything in Amsterdam in 1 day, but we recommend that you definitely stop by in the evening red light district- in the De Wallen quarter between the Central Station and the New Church. Here, in red-illuminated windows, priestesses of love present themselves as goods. You are not allowed to take photographs of the ladies; for this, vigilant guards may inflict minor bodily harm.
Young people strive for numerous coffee shops and smart shops, where psychedelic substances are legally sold.
For those especially curious, museums are open: from 9:30 to 23:30 - Museum of Sex(4 euros), from 10 to 22 - Marijuana Museum(9 euros), from 11 am to 1 am - Erotic Museum (7 euros), from 12 to midnight - Museum of Prostitution(10 euros). Opens at 19:00 sex theater Casa Rosso(from 40 euros).
Book hotels in Amsterdam in advance! On our trip to Holland we allowed ourselves to procrastinate, as a result, options for best price have already been dismantled. To find hotels at the best price, use Roomguru - a search engine that compares prices and allows you to find Best offer. If you start looking for housing in advance, you can find good hostels prices start from 21€ per person, and rooms for two people in a hotel in the city center - from 70€.
(Photo © HereIsTom / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Day 2 in Amsterdam: what to see?
If the first day is reserved for the main attractions, then the second day in Amsterdam should be devoted to museums and less touristic places.
From Central Station by tram (No. 12, 11, 5, 2, 3) you can easily reach the famous Museum Square, stop Hobbemastraat. There are four main museums here: State Museum(Rijksmuseum), Van Gogh Museum, Museum contemporary art(Stedelijk) and the Diamond Museum. Opposite the Rijksmuseum there are huge letters "I AMSTERDAM", so a photo shoot can be combined with a cultural program.
Even for a quick tour, you need to allocate at least 1-1.5 hours for each museum. IN Rijksmuseum there are paintings by Dutch artists and the famous “Night Watch” by Rembrandt. IN Van Gogh Museum More than 200 paintings by the genius have been collected. IN Stedelijk Museum- canvases by Picasso, Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Chagall and Kazimir Malevich.
The Rijksmuseum is open from 9 to 17, the Van Gogh Museum - until 18, on Friday until 22, the Stedelijk Museum is open from 10 to 18, on Thursday until 22. There may be queues at the entrance to the museums, so it is better to buy tickets online and with printouts go through a special corridor. Tickets cost 17-20 euros.
Creator diamond museum became the Coster Diamonds company, which fulfilled the British order for polishing the Koh-i-nor diamond. The ticket costs 8.5 euros, people will be able to watch the jewelers' techniques and then admire the stones in the vault.
What else to see in Amsterdam in 2 days? In warm weather take a walk on boats and boats. Usually the simplest cruise takes just over an hour and costs 13-16 euros. From Museum Square you can stroll along the three Grand Canals.
Another option is to visit in Amsterdam Zoo Natura Artis Magistra(Waterlooplein metro stop), where more than 6,000 animals live, take a walk in botanical garden or visit the planetarium and museums. Entrance to the zoo costs 20 euros (for children 3-9 years old - 16.5 euros), open all year round until 18:00. You can buy tickets.
In the evening you can look into Chinatown, it runs parallel to the red light district on Zeedijk street. There are a lot of restaurants with Asian cuisine, where you can dine for 8 euros. There is also a real one here Buddhist temple He Hua Temple.
(Photo © visualpanic / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Day 3 in Amsterdam: what to see?
You can spend your third day in Amsterdam the prestigious Jordaan quarter. To do this, you need to take the metro and get off at the Nieuwmarkt stop. At Sint Antoniesbreestraat 69, there is a public library in the house of the banker Pinto, an ancient building built in 1605.
Close to Jodenbreestraat open Rembrandt House Museum. The furnishings of those times have been restored in the house according to the inventory that was preserved after the sale of the artist’s property at auction. The interior contains engravings by Rembrandt and paintings by his students. Not far from the museum on Waterloo Square is grand flea market And Jewish Museum in 4 synagogues on Nieuwe Amstelstraat. The museum is open from 11 to 17, admission is 15 euros.
If you have time and energy left, you can visit Amsterdam Western Church on the Prinsengracht embankment. From its bell tower it is easy to see the entire city. Entrance from 10 to 15, except Sunday. Installed on the church square monument to Anne Frank, its nearby house museum. The exhibition is dedicated to the life of a Jewish girl during the Nazi occupation. Opening hours vary, entrance fee is 10 euros.
In the evening you can go to Leiden Square, tram stop Leidseplein. On the square there is a city theater and more than 100 restaurants where you can taste any cuisine from the world.
If you didn’t manage to visit everything you wanted to see in Amsterdam in 3 days, then don’t be upset - but there will be a great reason to return to this wonderful city again.
Introductory image source: © megoizzy / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
But even if you are not interested in marine-themed paintings, 17th-century maps, weapons, ancient globes and navigational instruments will certainly not leave you indifferent! Don't miss the pride of the museum - the richest collection of models of sailing and rowing boats. And at the museum docks you can climb aboard the beautiful ship “Amsterdam” (a copy of the East India Company ship) and see with your own eyes how the seafarers of that time lived during their campaigns.
The museum is a 15-minute walk from Central Station and is open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily. Ticket costs €15.
7. Van Gogh Museum
Even if you are not a fan of painting in general and Van Gogh in particular, do not be lazy to visit this famous museum. The bright, rich colors of the famous painter’s paintings will leave few people indifferent. To learn more about the creative path of the great artist and debunk stereotypes, we recommend going on a unique excursion “,” which was developed by a guide based on the works of art historians and psychiatrists. And if you want to understand what attracts art connoisseurs so much in Van Gogh’s paintings, don’t miss the excursion “
There are a lot of interesting places in Amsterdam. It’s simply impossible to get around in a day. I would highlight at least 100 places that are really worth a look.
But first of all, a person who comes to Amster should visit Dam Square, or Dam Square, located a 10-minute walk from the train station. 
This is the heart of the city, where all the streets “flock”, where all the roads lead. The area itself is small, surrounded by dozens of shops, cafes, and restaurants. On the square there is a National Monument in memory of the victims of the war. 
This is a kind of meeting place in Amsterdam, so near the monument you can see hundreds of tourists relaxing on the approach to the monument. Street performers, musicians, and magicians constantly perform on the square; flash mobs and celebrations are also held there. 
Also on the Dam are the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century. 
The palace can be visited throughout the week, except Mondays; the only thing is that the palace is closed on certain holidays. Opening hours are from 12 noon to 5 pm; in July and August, the palace invites tourists from 11 am. A ticket for adults costs €7.5, for children from 5 to 16 years old, as well as students and people over 65 years old - €6.5, children under 5 years old have free admission. From the inside, the palace with its 17 halls amazes with its luxury and grandeur. 
In the palace, tourists have the opportunity to order individual excursion for €60. Or you can take a free audio guide, although it is not provided in Russian, but for those who understand English, German, Italian, French or Spanish, this will be a solution.
Nearby is the Nieuwekerk church, also interesting place. 
The church can be visited daily from 10:00 to 18:00, the ticket costs €10.00. 
Well, the last thing you can see on the square is Madame Tussauds. 
The museum contains about 40 wax figures: world stars, politicians, and many others. 
Fun place! The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost €22 and €18. You can buy tickets online and save €2. By the way, when buying tickets online, you don’t have to specify the date of your visit: the tickets will be valid until the end of the year. After 15:00, tickets become cheaper: adults - € 18, children - € 13. By the way, you can buy a combined ticket and at the same time go to the Amsterdam Dungeon attraction with Madame Tussauds. 
A sort of chamber of horrors that shows heartbreaking moments from the life of old Amsterdam. 
For example, both visits will cost an adult €30 (not €43.00). You can order tickets to the museums here: http://www.madametussauds.com/Amsterdam/en/
By the way, if you intend to visit more than one museum, it would be advisable to purchase a single admission ticket IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass (and the second, in my opinion, is better). 
Purchasing a card allows you to significantly save on visiting museums and galleries in Amsterdam (as well as other cities in the country), plus you can use this card to move around the city by public transport. You can buy the card here: http://www.hollandpass.com/
Next, a place that everyone has heard of. Red Light District, Red Light District or de Wallen. 
It is located behind Dame Square, if you go to the canal. This famous one is located between the Niesel street to the north, the Nieuwmarkt seawall to the east, the Sint Janstraat to the south and the Warmoostraat to the west. During the day the area is unremarkable, but it comes to life with the onset of darkness. Everything sparkles with red lights, more than 300 windows open their curtains, workers of a famous business are waiting for clients (if anyone is interested in the cost, 20 minutes of sex costs 40-50 euros). 
There are streets with Asian, black prostitutes, and even transvestites. 
In addition, this quarter has many sex shops, peep show booths, video rentals with cinemas, coffee shops, and the famous Erotic Museum. 
The museum is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 1 am, on Friday and Saturday until 2 am. Entrance costs €5.
You can experience beauty at the Van Gogh Museum. 
All the paintings of the great artist are collected on 4 floors of the museum. You can take an audio guide at the museum, but in general, all the paintings have captions and a little background history of their creation. All inscriptions are in English and Dutch. This museum is located at Gabriel Metsustraat, 13, and can be reached by tram number 2 or 5. The ticket costs 15 euros (entrance with the IAmsterdam Card or Hollandpass is free), persons under 17 years old have free admission. Be prepared for the fact that there are always long queues at the museum (we, for example, stood for at least half an hour), but those who purchased e-tickets, they are allowed without a queue (you can buy tickets here: http://tourister.amsterdam.ticketbar.eu/en/museums/van-gogh-museum-001/). The museum is open from May to September from 10:00 to 18:00 (and on Friday until 22:00), and from September from 10:00 to 17:00 (on Friday until 22:00).
Next, the oldest church in Amsterdam is the Old Church (Oude Kerk). 
The church is located in the Red Light District. The church itself is a beautiful, unusual building, which emanates the Middle Ages. The floor of the Oude Kerk consists entirely of tombstones (creepy, yes). They also organize concerts in the church, as the acoustics inside are excellent. 
The church is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 to 17, on Sundays from 1 to 17, and is closed during events or holidays. Entrance to the church costs €5 for adults, students, pensioners and groups of more than 10 people will cost €4, children under 13 years old are free.
In general, there are plenty of museums in Amsterdam: visit National Museum Rijksmuseum (dedicated fine arts, Crafts and History Museum at Stadhouderskade 42), NEMO Museum ( science Center with laboratories and various interesting exhibits, Oosterdok, 2), Rembrandt House Museum (the great artist lived and worked there. Address: Jodenbreestraat, 4), Anne Frank House Museum (Prinsengracht, 267), Amsterdam Diamond Museum (Paulus Potterstraat, 8 ), City Museum Stedelijk (Museum of Contemporary Art, Paulus Potterstraat, 13), Museum of Bags (Herengracht, 573), Museum of the Tropics (Anthropological Museum, Linnaeusstraat, 2), Historical Museum Amsterdam (Kalverstraat, 92), the Netherlands Maritime Museum (Kattenburgerplein, 1), the Film Museum (Vondelpk, 3) and many others. You won't be bored! 
The capital of the Netherlands is a wonderful city visited by millions of tourists every year. But many of them end up here for 1-2 days, passing through from one European country to another. And, of course, every guest does not want to waste time. What to see on your own in Amsterdam in 1 day? Let's talk about this in more detail.
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It really is, in a way, the “heart of Amsterdam”. After all, the main flow of tourists is received by the Central Station. Up to 250 thousand passengers arrive here annually. The station began operating in 1889, and many tourists perceive it not just as the starting or ending point of their journey, but also look at the ancient building with curiosity.
Today from Central Station to high speed train you can leave in a row major cities European countries, and the journey will take a few hours, which is very convenient. There is also a bus station here. Flights departing from here connect Amsterdam with other cities in Holland. And finally, ships that travel along large city canals also moor at the Central Station.
Public library
If you find yourself in Amsterdam for 1 day, you are unlikely to stay in the library as a reader. Still, it's worth coming here. The construction of the magnificent complex cost the state 80 million euros. The 10-story building now houses the largest library in Europe, and many Russians can only dream of such amenities.
Of the 1,200 reading places, half are equipped with computers connected to the Internet. Tourists can also visit the Library Museum and go up to the 7th floor. Here is the self-service restaurant V&D La Place, whose terrace is an excellent viewing platform. Here you can drink coffee - after all, your strength will still come in handy, there is a whole journey ahead, and admire the opening view of the city. The library is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
NEMO Museum
Actually, this is a Science Museum - in the full sense of the word. In appearance, it very much resembles a green ship. Since you can stay here for a very long time, it is worth noting that the cafes are located on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors. The 1st also sells souvenirs that you won’t buy anywhere else. They repeat the models presented in the museum.
The first floor is dedicated to the structure of DNA and various chain reactions; here you can watch a half-hour show on this topic. On the second floor there is a ball factory. Children are especially amused by the conveyor belt along which their stream flows. There are also numerous exhibitions telling about the water cycle in nature, the work of electricity, etc. Those interested can watch popular science films.
The third floor is a huge laboratory. You can see how scientific experiments are carried out and even take part in this process. The fourth floor is dedicated to the human brain. Here lectures are given and various types of testing are carried out to assess the functioning of the brain and sensory organs. The fifth floor is a place where you can have a snack and look at the city from observation deck, and little tourists will enjoy spending time in the playroom.
Church of St. Nicholas
This ancient church is especially loved by the townspeople, because St. Nicholas is the patron saint of the city. Moreover, this is a truly “suffering” church. During the Reformation, there could be no question of building new Catholic churches - and the old ones were banned. The Church of St. Nicholas, the construction of which began in 1884, became the “first sign” that announced the easing of persecution of the Catholic faith. It turned out to be very beautiful, embodying two main styles - neo-Baroque and neo-Renaissance.
Two tall towers, crowning the facade, a bas-relief depicting the Savior surrounded by disciples, a sculpture of St. Nicholas - in a word, it is difficult to take your eyes off the basilica. It has one more advantage: excellent acoustics. When the ancient organ sounds, numerous guests gather in the basilica to enjoy the music.
Exchange Berlage
The author of the architectural project is Hendrik Petrus Berlage, and his name is now inextricably linked with his most famous brainchild. Apparent simplicity - this style is called “rationalism” - is deceptive. It is worth paying attention to the decorative clock tower, as well as the statues of Dutch heroes surrounding the stock exchange.
These are the knight Geisbrecht, whose name is covered in legends, Kuhn Jan Pietersoon - thanks to him, Holland began to dominate Indonesia, and the famous philosopher Hugo Grotius. At the end of the 20th century, the exchange ceased to exist within the walls of this building. Now here you can visit a museum that tells how it functioned. Visit the huge Main Hall - the King of the Netherlands was married here in 2002. Visit exhibitions of paintings, including paintings by the famous Van Gogh. One of the best restaurants in the city is also located here.
Dam Square
No, the name of the square is not at all connected with the fair sex. It received this name because a dam was built here in the 13th century. Over time, the dam became so wide that a square arose here, and a city grew around it. Today the square measures 200 x 100 m. If you find yourself here, other attractions will be within walking distance. And among them is the Red Light District. The Royal Palace, the New Church, and the Wax Museum face the square itself with their facades. Lovers of shopping will find the wonderful Bienkorf department store here. There are always a lot of tourists on Dam Square, so if you are looking for compatriots, you will definitely find them here.
Royal Palace
Previously, the palace housed the town hall, now it is a royal residence. The ancient building, built in the mid-17th century, bears the features of ancient Roman architecture; this style is called “Dutch classicism”. On the outside there is the severity of classical lines, and on the inside there are richly decorated interiors - all this also characterizes the Royal Palace. It rests on a powerful foundation made of thousands of wooden piles, and the sandstone from which the walls are built, with its dark shade, only emphasizes the antiquity of the building. The palace is crowned with a weather vane, which the master gave the shape of a ship.
The main room of the town hall - the Central Hall - has impressive dimensions, and its height reaches almost 30 m. And, as if emphasizing the power of the monarch, on the floor, under his feet, there are images of the two hemispheres of the Earth. Since 1808, the palace is no longer used as a town hall. First it belonged to Louis Bonaparte, then to the Royal House of Orange, and only in the 30s of the 20th century it became part of the state. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to see art gallery located in the palace. Works by famous artists, including Rembrandt, are collected here.
New Church
In fact, it is not that new, except perhaps in comparison with other attractions. The Calvinist church was built in the 15th century. It is located next to Royal Palace. Permission to build it was given after the Church of St. Nicholas turned out to be too small for the growing city.
Initially, the New Church was dedicated to two saints - Mary and Catherine. The Middle Ages was an era when fires often occurred in cities. The Church of Saints Mary and Catherine did not escape them either. It burned three times - twice in the 15th century, and once in the mid-17th. After that it was rebuilt, adding Gothic elements. The last reconstruction was carried out in the mid-20th century.
The New Church has been used more than once for royal inaugurations and weddings. Many famous people of the city are also buried here. Today there are no services in the church, but here you can see various exhibitions and listen to organ music concerts.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Everyone has heard about this museum. It is a branch London Museum with the same name. It was located in the building on Dam Square in 1991. Here you can see with your own eyes famous artists - artists, musicians, singers. As well as famous political figures. New figures appear here regularly. Today's viewer has the opportunity to see Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other public idols. The museum is open daily.
Flower market
You will not see such a market anywhere else - it is the only one in the world. This is perhaps the main attraction of the city. The fact is that it is floating. Back in the 17th century, merchants sailed boats along the canals and sold flowers. After the city ditch was filled in at the end of the 19th century, the market moved to the location where it is still located.
Along the city embankment there are barges, and in them there are shops selling flowers. Here you can buy both luxurious bouquets and planting material. For example, tulip bulbs are sold both individually and by weight at a reasonable price. Tourists often come to this market just to admire it, but many also make purchases. It is no coincidence that in Russia the very first, bright red tulips are called “Dutch”.
Leidseplein area
If you are an amateur nightlife, then this is definitely the place for you. Fun is in full swing on Leidseplein until the early morning. Entertainment here is presented for every taste. There are theaters and cinemas, clubs, cafes, and shops. It is impossible not to mention street performers. here you will meet musicians and jugglers, magicians and fakirs. If you yourself have any talents, you can also perform. Grateful viewers are guaranteed. Like concert hall under open air. They also sell amazingly delicious coffee here. You can enjoy it in one of the cafes, or buy ground and take it with you.
Canal Cruise
Many tourists admit that a canal cruise has become the most memorable experience. Such excursions do not last long – an hour and a half. You can start your acquaintance with the capital of the Netherlands with such a trip, or end your trip with it. Often, while listening to the guide's story, tourists pay attention to some attractions and then visit them on their own. In total, about two hundred types of boats and ships ply along the city's canals. You can book a romantic trip with lunch or dinner, or a themed excursion, for example, to places associated with the name of Van Gogh. An hour-long trip costs approximately 15-16 euros.
Red light district
The red light district is known far beyond the country's borders. Amsterdam is one of the few cities in Europe where the hottest entertainment is legalized. However, this was not always the case. In the 16th century, they fought against prostitution in the country; they temporarily turned a blind eye to it in the 19th century; in the 20th, brothels again became illegal. And only in 1988, three years after the first international congress of ladies of easy virtue, prostitution in the Netherlands was recognized as a common profession.
Today the Red Light District is a miniature city. It includes about two dozen streets. It has its own shops, cafes and even museums. About a thousand priestesses and priests of love work here. You are allowed to appear on the panel if you are 21 years old. Guests are attracted by special display windows, behind which you can see girls or boys. If the space is free, through the window you will see everything that is happening in the room. Has a client arrived? The curtain falls.
You can find entertainment in the Red Light District during the day, but the main life here begins at 11 p.m. Prices are quite affordable - approximately 50 euros per visit. Homosexuals will also find partners here. But still, most of the tourists come here not for carnal pleasures, but just to gawk.
How to get from the airport to the center
And one more question that concerns the vast majority of tourists - how to get to the center from the airport? There are several ways to do this. But, if you arrive on your own and no one will meet you, you should familiarize yourself with the city map in advance to know exactly where your hotel is located.
After searching the Internet for guides to Amsterdam, writing to some... and making sure that my efforts were in vain, I went with my son to independently comprehend Amsterdam, its history, heritage, pearls of architecture and the pride of the Dutch.
Therefore, I offer you a 2-day travel program around Amsterdam to the maximum!
Will help you make your trip enjoyable city map"I am Amsredam." You can buy it online and take it on tour. agencies in the city center.
If you have this card in your pocket for 2 days = 65 euros, consider that you have outwitted the royal couple themselves! This card will provide you with free entry to many museums, galleries, cruises and even public transport downtown.
Day 1:
From Amsterdam Central railway station, cross the station square and take a 1-hour cruise along the canals of Amsterdam. There are several companies (they are all listed on the map). But we chose the Lovers Canal Crouise (note: only one canal cruise per card!)
And they didn’t regret it. Comments in different languages, including Russian and good route. The canals are the pride and national treasure of Amsterdam and they are also protected by UNESCO! I recommend starting to get acquainted with the city from the canals. Amsterdam is: 165 canals, 75 museums, more than 1500 bridges and about 90 islands...Impressive, right?!
The cruise begins and ends at the same place.
Then - go on a “free sail” through the old city, 16-17 centuries.
Map of the city from the 16th century.
Old city you will be treated to aromatic cheeses and ornate Renaissance architecture. All the fun is in the back. Therefore, if you go deeper in front of the railway station and “get lost” a little in the area of the streets near Dam Square, you will not regret it.
Just have time to get to the Rembrandt house-museum (open until 18.00). It will be a pleasant end to the day with the pride of the Dutch master. D om-museum. He lived there from 1639-1658. This is the restored apartment of the great artist, where some of his paintings and etchings are now located. The building was restored and opened as a museum by order of Queen Wilhelmina in 1911. Address: Jodenbreestraat 4, Amsterdam - www.rembrandthuis.nl
I would also, of course, recommend that you go to the most ancient temple Amsterdam - Oude Kirk - a pleasant discovery (if you manage to avoid the red fanar district that surrounds this temple...). The Old Church (1370), the largest and oldest. A belfry with 47 bells was added in 1565. This church was originally Catholic, but in 1578 it was taken over by Calvinist Protestants; they devastated it, removing all the statues, decorations and 18 altars. Inside it is empty... Thank God the choirs were left alone.
Day 2.
The Van Gogh Museum houses 200 paintings by the artist, about 500 drawings + letters. The museum leaves a sunny, harmonious feeling.
After viewing Van Gogh’s masterpieces and having lunch in the gallery’s excellent café, I recommend, as we did, to take a tram from the railway station into the outback, to a real, old, working mill and a tender herring (the kind that melts in your mouth).
Tram number 2 from the terminus from the railway station to the other terminus: Neiuw Sloten (from the Oudenaardeplantensin stop, follow the signs for about 8 minutes on foot). But the path is beautiful: crossing the canals, you will still see provincial Holland (the Netherlands).
The cooperage museum (where the barrels were made) is located inside the mill. Barrels were used to store, package and transport various products such as cheese, fish, beer, butter, and soap. Currently, barrels are still used for wine, whiskey and cognac. There, in the small museum, it’s interesting. Very hospitable museum staff!
Mill Sloten maintains water levels for surrounding low-lying lands; it has tiers and was restored in 1847 as an octagon. Windmill pumps water out of the polder through three outlets at different levels. Here you will receive live information about how people at that time tried to subjugate water, to keep water at the desired level. It is here that you will learn the secrets of the appearance and necessity of canals in Amsterdam. The mill is located in the Amsterdam Nieuw-West area, which lies 2 meters below sea level, and it maintains the required water level. When the water level rises due to heavy rainfall, excess water is pumped using a mill into the bypass channel.
The excursion there is free with a map, with a film in Russian. The film will tell you how Rembrandt was connected with this village, why he sought and found his happiness here.
This is what Amsterdam is like - a city on the Amstel river and the dam - "dam".
Two days - maximum! There are, of course, places associated with Peter I. But this is another two-day trip!!
