Dam Square. The biggest and best-known park in Amsterdam is the Vondelpark which has a surface of about 47 hectares. When its looking extra-fancy and official, theres also an Imperial Crown of Austria on top and two golden lions on each side (as you can see below) but its more often seen as simply the crosses. An example of this can be seen by visiting the Ons Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic) church which was hidden in the attic of a typical Dutch house in the heart of the city. History buffs can head to the Anne Frank House, the Jewish Historical Museum, or the Amsterdam City Archives. Little wonder why Amsterdam is often called the bicycle capital of the world. Plan your winter itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam, visit the top attractions and get a taste of this vibrant city. Amsterdam has around 1515 bars and cafes at the moment of writing. Here are some things about the Amsterdam canals you might not know! Many flights depart from and land at this airport, and in 2018 it was the third most busy airport in all of Europe. So, it goes without saying if you enjoy a bit of art and history, Amsterdam will have you frothing at the mouth. The first warehouse was built between 1911 and 1914 at Dam square. Gin was invented by the Dutch and introduced to the Brits 19. Amsterdams name is pretty self-explanatory and actually makes a lot of sense. In 2008, the United States of America proclaimed this event to be the best gay celebration in all of Europe. During the canal parade, several boats take a tour through the canals with partying people who are celebrating their identities and differences. Click here to visit my Start Here page! As recorded on Atlas Obscura, Jan Hartmann converted the attic of his home into a tiny, but still beautiful, church in 1663. There is always the risk of a flood in the future, but our knowledge and technologies are evolving as well. With its impressively diverse demographics, pioneering fight for LGBT rights, and decades-old squatters movement, Amsterdam is known for its militant and game-changing politics. Driving in Amsterdam is notoriously difficult, especially in the city center. There are SO many things to do in Amsterdam. Cool places near Amsterdam. However, there's much more to see and do in the Netherlands! #1 Bikes rule the city Amsterdam is known for its emblematic canals, the stark contrast between its Baroque townhouses and state-of-the-art architecture, as well as its unapologetic culture embodied in coffee shops and the Red Light District. There are a lot of different types of people, Amsterdam truly is a diverse city. PS: If youre into tulips, be sure to look into visiting Keukenhof as a day trip from Amsterdam (if youre visiting in the Spring). 15. The palace on the Dam square is said to be resting on 13569 stilts. 33. Even if you dont get to attend the festival, you can always visit the Kersenbloesempark for a picnic under the pink flowers. Here's one of our favorite fun facts about Amsterdam: Between 12,000 and 15,000 bicycles have to be fished out of the canals every year. While speculative markets had begun to flourish in other European cities a couple centuries back, Amsterdam is known for inventing the modern stock exchange by moving it into a building as early as 1611. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, a radical fight for housing rights broke out throughout the Netherlands, with Amsterdam as its epicenter. This is why the houses are slender and tall, and they often make up for their narrowness with their length. It's open-minded, packed with art, culture, good food and . If you buy weed from a street dealer its illegal as you are only allowed to buy soft drugs at coffee shops. Bonus Amsterdam Fun Fact: According to Arch Daily, the Holland Boulevard section of the airport that houses the museum was inspired by the Dutch polder landscape. Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam at the time, married four couples at midnight on 1 April to mark the occasion. 11. Because of this swamp-like ground, the city is built on stilts. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most quirky and free-spirited cities. It is a well-known fact that cycling is very popular in the Netherlands. As soon as you enter the rink, you'll be mesmerized by the colors, music, and atmosphere . Amsterdam has more than 7000 monumental buildings. 12. The flowers are all for sale on boats because that is how they used to be delivered in the past. . And that in a city that has only around 821.000 inhabitants. At this flower market, you can buy all kinds of flowers, including the famous Dutch tulips. Think Japanese food stalls, taiko drumming and other cultural performances. Those traveling with kids might enjoy a. Even though the national government moved from Amsterdam to The Hague after the French had left, Amsterdam still remains the capital city of the Netherlands. The artworks are created by artists from all over the world, there even are a few permanent artworks. Most men average at a height of 184cm while the average Dutch woman towers at 170cm. Cuttings of the Anne Frank tree in Amsterdam have been sent to several cities all across the world such as Den Haag (The Hague) and New York. It is also possible that the crosses are there to honor St. Andrew, who was a fisherman and an apostle. Every year, Amsterdam hosts the biggest Sinterklaas Parade globally, which starts on the canals and Sinterklaas sails through the city. You read that correctly! This means the climate is cool with moderate temperatures. Amsterdam's Nicknames ADAM or DAM is short for Amsterdam. The house has a wooden faade that dates back to 1475. With its zigzagging ponds and paths, inviting lawns, year-round events, and beautiful rose garden, its the perfect spot to cure your hangover, enjoy your high, or just chill with your friends. Please post here what you think should be on to must see list of Amsterdam. Except for writing down your email. In coffee shops, you can buy up to 5 grams of soft drugs. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 13) Witness the Sinterklaas Parade. As noted by Lonely Planet, the city is home to 165 canals which cover more than a hundred kilometres and are spanned by 1,753 bridges. While its technically illegal, weed is decriminalised and tolerated if you follow some rules. Either way, Amsterdam is a pretty interesting city which most Dutch people are very proud of. Museum Het Schip. Located across from the smallest house in Europe, you can find the Trippenhuis. In fact, it's one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam! 6. Also, the swampy ground that Amsterdam is built on requires stilts underneath the buildings. Cool and Unusual Things To Do in Amsterdam. 29. Its no wonder these icons that define the Netherlands abroad are also an integral part of Amsterdams culture: the city is the capital of all things Dutch. This attracts people from all over the world. Let's start off with some of the most fun and amusing facts about this one-of-a-kind Dutch city. Amsterdam is not lacking in that department. They often try to get their customers by standing in front of a window with red lights, this is where the district got its name. Amsterdamse Bos covers 2,500 acres, thats about three times as large as Central Park in New York, and often hosts concerts, theatre or other gatherings. Since Amsterdam has so many canals, people got creative with living opportunities. I hate those emails as much as you do. Orange-clad crowds take to the streets, set up huge flea markets, and party like theres no tomorrow. Take part in the love story of Hazel and Gus. There are about 300 room cabins that get rented by sex workers. Amsterdam is a city that is known globally, therefore lots of people know at least a little bit about Amsterdam. All hard drugs are illegal. In the Netherlands, there are over twice as many bikes as there are cars, and about 1/3 of locals travel by bike more often than any other mode of transportation. Coffee lovers! Strolling its streets is quite a unique experience. Those four main canals are the Singel, Herengracht, Keizergracht, and Prinsengracht. All of the facts will be further explained so you wont be left hanging with questions. Have you ever wondered why they are so narrow? 18. Tag along to find out a bunch of fun facts about Amsterdam as you explore our list of (pretty much) everything Amsterdam is known and famous for. The Atlas Obscura Guide To Amsterdam 66 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Amsterdam, Netherlands Updated May 9, 2022 Do you know of any other city honoring the LGBT fight for rights with a monument (the oldest one for that matter) located right outside a church? While that sounds refreshing, perhaps a trip on one of Amsterdams top canal cruises is a more sanitary bet. He was a fisherman who was tortured on a cross in the shape of an X in the first century. The Royal Palaces bell tower and location at Dam Square, at the heart of Amsterdams city center, gives away its original purpose. Amsterdam used to be called Amstelredam. Talk about smart engineering! Of course, theres more to this shop than just whimsical rubbers. 49 interesting and fun facts about Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Hooftstraat, but even if you dont it might be fun to take a look there. If you want to enjoy nature or go for a picnic, Amsterdam is full of parks you could visit. Alongside Bonn's famous cherry blossoms, Amsterdam is considered one of the top places in Europe for viewing these gorgeous pink blooms, with its own cherry blossom park (part of the Amsterdamse Bos, see next section) which is home to 400 cherry blossom trees. 40. Discover and celebrate Kings Day in Amsterdam & The Netherlands, The best and cheapest hostels in Amsterdam. With about 50.000 students divided over these two universities, Amsterdam is the city with the most university students out of all cities in the Netherlands. When youre standing on the corner of the Reguliersgracht and Herengracht you can see 15 bridges at the same time. Dutch legend Rembrandt van Rijn also used to live here. The real explanation, that there used to be a courtyard leading to the missing houses which was removed and the houses merged, is not nearly as fun as going to get a photo with the teeny houses! A floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal. It is said by some that the three crosses represent three dangers that the Netherlands used to deal with, those being fire, flood, and the Black Death. Join us for a daily celebration of the worlds most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places. De Poezenboot (which literally translates to the catboat) is home to around 50 cats looking for homes and 14 permanent residents. If youre looking for quirkier gems, there are a few special little secrets to find while exploring Amsterdams streets, including a row of mini-houses crammed between two normal-sized canal houses in the Jordaan. Keep in mind to lock it properly each and every time. Central to almost everything, and only 750m from the main transport hub, the square is a great place to meet, people watch and plan your day whilst you stare in awe at the impressive and beautiful building of the Royal Palace. More than 4000 parakeets can be found here. 35. It comes from the Hebrew word of makan, which means city. These were created in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age. After the Golden Age of the Netherlands, the Jordaan was subject to poverty. But in a sense the World War II had already begun for Amsterdammers as early as August 1939, with the mobilisation. 10 most fascinating fun facts about Amsterdam Amsterdam, the city famous for its romantic canals, bridges, bicycles which are ruling the city and of course tulips! 10. 1. 2. Even if you only spend one day in Amsterdam, include a red-light district in your itinerary. Anarchist-leaning groups would occupy abandoned buildings and wreak havoc when police tried to evict them. Explore one of Amsterdam's Art Museums. If you want to visit the museum yourself and save some of your precious time in Amsterdam, then . 44. Europeans can't get enough Amsterdam beer 4. Homosexuality has been legal in the country since 1811, and by the 1920s a gay bar (which is open to this day) and gay magazine were founded. As you walk through Amsterdam, you'll undoubtedly cross over a lot of bridges and canals, and it can be fun to just experience the canal belt of the city. not counted). We have no idea why so many people throw them away! 3. Each year since 1996, the first weekend of August is dedicated to Pride Amsterdam. Walk around the canals and look around you: the Red Light district is located in one of the oldest area of Amsterdam and the architecture is beautiful. *. With Amsterdam being the biggest city of the Netherlands, it is not surprising that the city is home to several windmills. In 2019, over 10 million people visited Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the most sustainable cities in Europe, yet within the central boroughs, parks are relatively scarce. 10. Cute and quirky houseboats are another ubiquitous sight on Amsterdams canals, with more than 2,500 spread out through the city. (What You Should Know), Top 9 Windmills To See In Amsterdam (Full Guide), Top 5 Most Famous Windmills In The Netherlands? This is the Rijksmuseum. Many sources report that the name 'Amsterdam' derives from the expression 'Amstel - dam ' or 'the dam on the river Amstel around which Amsterdam was originally built. Amsterdam is famous for being historically tolerant of all sorts of vices. Anne Frank is one of the best-known people to ever live in Amsterdam. The world's first zoo for microbes collecting the horrible and wonderful things living on and around us. Many of these bridges can open to . The world's only museum devoted to the wonders of fluorescence. On the latest episode of Only in the Netherlands we have the kings birthday being celebrated with a wild nationwide party. 2023 Atlas Obscura. In spite of being a major source of revenue for Amsterdam, the tourism industrys disproportionate size has triggered pushback from locals. The narrow houses by the canals 8. Amsterdam by Peter Bjorn and John. 39. 16. But there are more facts about Amsterdam that you should know about. Dutch Christmas markets you have to visitif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'visitingthedutchcountryside_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_15',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-visitingthedutchcountryside_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); 10 things you actually need to pack for Amsterdam in winter, The best semi-private group tours in Amsterdam, Dutch beaches you have to visit near Amsterdam. The monument on Dam square was renovated by the Germans after the war. Crazy golf just got that little bit crazier. Anneliese Marie Frank, known as 'Anne' to her friends and family, was born in Frankfurt-am-Main on 12 June 1929. Anne Frank had two birthdays while in hiding After all, around 20 million tourists visit it each year! The New York Public Library houses over 50 million books. 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