Traffic in Amsterdam uses the right side of the road, including bikes. Many streets in the historic center and along the canals don’t have bike lanes at all so you can just ride with traffic here, or stay to the right to let motorists pass. Local bikers are a little aggressive and tend to ignore red lights, often riding on sidewalks, and sometimes chat on phones while weaving through crowds. We always promote a local way of living, but in this case DO NOT do what the locals do :).

Netherlands capital is characterized by small windy streets spilling into wide squares, tiny streets lined with local shops, and canals surrounding a city center connected by hundreds of bridges. The architecture and street layout is something rather peculiar, with a series of canals circulating out around the city center like the spokes on a wheel. Dam Square is the city’s main square which has historically served as the fish market. 

For over four hundred years this space would be occupied by buyers and traders selling all manner of goods. Today, the square serves as the city’s central open space, with millions of visitors and locals passing through every year. This is a great place to bike past, hang out, and do a bit of people watching.

Next you will want to bike over to the Van Gogh Museum. This museum is the world’s largest holder of Van Gogh works, with over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters. A visit to the museum is a must, not only because of its close relationship between the city and wider world culture, but also because it’s a unique experience. 

Unlike most contemporary art museums, the Van Gogh museum displays its artwork in a purposeful way, highlighting moments in the artist’s life as you go from one area to another. The galleries are arranged in order to reflect the progression of Van Gogh’s life and artistic work. It’s fascinating to see the progression, or digression in many cases, of Van Gogh’s work, as he battled a horrible mental disease that ultimately claimed his life.

If you are looking for some green space or want to take a break head to the expansive Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest and most visited park. Popular with visitors and locals alike, the park offers great bike paths, green spaces for sporting or lounging on sunny days, an open air concert venue, and three outdoor cafes. This is a great place to hang out and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

When you’re feeling thirsty after a day of biking I would recommend heading over to the famous Heineken Brewery. Although no longer a working brewery, the two hundred year old complex now houses a museum and attraction that highlights the history and creation of the world’s most popular beer. Tour highlights include a bottle ride, where you follow the path of a bottled beer through the assembly line, and your very own personalized bottle of Heineken beer.

Stop off for a bite to experience an authentic Dutch pub, known as ‘Brown Cafes’. Amsterdam has over 500 cafés in the city center so there is ample opportunity to enjoy some genuine Dutch cuisine. The name ‘Brown Cafe’ refers to the cafe’s dark wood interiors and walls stained by decades of cigarette smoke. These pubs can be described as an extended living room combined with a bar and cafe.

No virtual vacation to Amsterdam would be complete without at least a mention of the Anne Frank House. Located in the historic center, this is the house where Anne Frank went into hiding during the second World War, and in which she wrote her famous diary. The secret room which held Anne is preserved in its original state, and available for tours all year long.