Go on a city-trip to Amsterdam
Travelling to the Netherlands, and in particular to Amsterdam, on a long weekend is a great idea! If this is your first visit or if you have already been to the capital but didn't really know what to see, this article is for you! We have put together a list of 10 places you should not miss during your stay in Amsterdam. A trip that promises to be memorable 😉
1. Walloon Church
This is a Protestant church, which at one time was a refuge for French Protestants. It has been a national monument since 1970 and now houses the cultural centre of the French Institute of the Netherlands. Every Sunday at 11 a.m. you can attend a service in French! The choir rehearses every Monday if you are interested ;-)
2. Bushuis - Oost-Indisch Huis
First built in the 1550s, the Bushuis is a very important site in Amsterdam. It was the seat of the Amsterdam chamber of the Dutch East India Company. Today it is the library of the science faculty of the University of Amsterdam. You can access it from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday and from 8am to 7.30pm on Friday.
3. Spinhuis
The Spinhuis or "Spinning House", built in 1597, was a kind of house of correction, where you could find prostitutes, poor women who wandered the streets, alcoholics, in short, women who needed to be put "on the right track". They had to do spinning and sewing work. The male equivalent is called the Rasphuis. Since 2016, the Meertens Institute and the Huygens Institute for Dutch History have been located there.
4. Munttoren
The Munttoren is a landmark building in Amsterdam, located on the square of the same name (Muntplein) on the Singel Canal. It was built at the end of 1400, and you can still see the tower's bell intact! The other tower was destroyed by fire. It was once one of the three city gates. It was later used to house the administration in charge of minting money, hence its current name. You can't visit it, but you can admire it from all angles from below!
5. Rembrandtplein
This is a very famous square in Amsterdam! It is a concentration of many nice establishments where you can have a drink, a bite to eat and also party! It is indeed the focal point of Amsterdam's nightlife. It is named after the painter Rembrandt, of whom you can find a statue in the middle of the square.
6. Dancing houses
The "dancing houses" are a bit peculiar because of the twisted posture they adopt. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries, it is because of the materials used to build them and the waterways that passed through the area that weakened some of the foundations that they adopt this crooked appearance.
7. De Duif
This church on the Prinsengracht is known for the many events it hosts thanks to its superb acoustics which facilitate concerts, choirs, orchestras, etc. Built in 1858, it is a must-see building in Amsterdam!
8. Stadsschouwburg
This is THE theatre of Amsterdam! Also known as the ITA (Internationaal Theater Amsterdam), it has been a famous building for its quality programming since 1894. After being destroyed twice by fire, it was completely rebuilt and, in 2009, renovated with a new super modern theatre.
9. Leidseplein
Together with the Rembrandtplein, this square is also the nightlife hub of the Dutch capital. Clubs, restaurants, cinemas, casinos... you'll find everything you need for a good night out in this district! There are also many coffee shops in the area, including the most famous in the city, the Bulldog.
10. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
To finish our non-exhaustive list of important places to visit in Amsterdam, we recommend the Rijksmuseum: an emblem of the city! If you want to learn all about the history of the country, art and crafts, this is the place to do it. Opened in 1885, it houses over 1 million objects (8,000 of which are on display). The impressive architecture, the huge facades and the canal-side exteriors alone are worth seeing.
A single tour covering all these points of interest?
How can you discover all these points of interest in one route? It's very simple: opt for an urban Escape Game! To be played with family, friends or even colleagues for a team building, this urban adventure will take you through all the points of interest on the list while allowing you to play and solve fun enigmas along the way. A new way of understanding the city 🤩
