What to see in Amsterdam? – Part I

Today we will discuss the capital’s coolest Europe, Amsterdam. A city characterized by its tolerance and its multi culture where millions of visitors each year. As we all know the hot spot is the red light district, where they mix sex and drugs (both legally) but we will see that Amsterdam is much more than vice. In this series we will try to visit all those places that appear in tourist guides while the ultimate goal is to be discovered by yourself.

Photography by  pumicehead

Parking in Amsterdam

If you go by car the first thing to know is to park in the city is extremely expensive, almost as If you did in front of an airport terminal. The day ticket costs about 27 euros to which we must add 5 to 18 euros if the site continues beyond seven in the evening. If you want to save permission to 24 hours is «only» 40 euros and 160 days. The private parking go above 3 euros per hour. Being a good economic alternative to leave the car at the Park and Ride (P + R) on the outskirts. Another alternative is Transferium buna P + R which is under the Amsterdam Arena, the field where he plays for Ajax Amsterdam. For 6 euros get 24 hours of parking and round trip tickets to the nearby train that takes you to downtown within 10 minutes.

Amsterdam Arena:

For the very football fans have the Ajax Museum in the basement of the stadium. This exhibition includes a tour of the history of this club centenary and a guided tour of the Amsterdam Arena. For those who do not like football and have been left out can make time in shopping malls in the area. After the walking tour is only two hundred meters between the train station from the stadium and go to the city.

If we choose as a transport aircraft land at Schiphol, one of the busiest international airports in Europe. Schiphol Airport has connections with the city of Amsterdam which are numerous but we suggest you take the train. For 4 euros you get to the Centraal Station in just 20 minutes and for those who want to visit the football stadium just wait 14 minutes and get off at Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.

Photography by mjohn2101

Amsterdam Central Station was opened in 1889 and eventually raised a huge controversy because the closed construction of an old pier. To support the structure was necessary to fill three islands and 8700 placed piles of wood, something that the Dutch are masters. We just opposite the tourist office in Amsterdam to buy a map is a good collection.

Lowering the Amsterdam Central Station is close enough to get to know the heart of the city, where the Dam Square is ground zero in Amsterdam. This is where everyone meets. The western part is dominated by the Royal Palace which was the City Council from 1655 until its conversion into a royal residence in 1808. Its facade is very modest compared with a bombastic interior made of marble and decorated with works by famous painters such as Rembrandt. Stresses the Burgerzaal, a long room was used as a meeting place for the citizens of Amsterdam. Today the palace is used for official receptions and events of state.

Photography by ednl

Arriving at the Royal Palace right next to see the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) XV century and behind the former Central Bureau of Posts, a late nineteenth-century building was reopened in 1992 as the Magna Plaza shopping center after a deep reform. Nearby is the Dam Square, is a bustling place in which they are running around the street artists out there we will find a large stone monolith. This is the «National Monument» (1956) erected in memory of victims of the Second World War.

Come back … What to see in Amsterdam? – Part II