Amsterdam in July - Tips needed on Accomodation & What to do, please!

Shaun_d123

I stayed here about 2 yrs ago

http://www.kaphotel.nl/

Not slap bang in the centre but only 2 or 3 tram stops from the centre.

Located opposite the Heineken Museum which I would recommend a visit.

Also on a sunny day a nice coffee or beer in vondelpark is a good way to while away a few hours.

On the subject of getting around buy a stripenkaat of tram tickets. You just stamp them when you get on and think they come in about books of 15.

Sloggs

I went to Amsterdam in Feb & stayed @ Hotel La Bohème, 2* and it's right on the Leidseplein. The hotel staff were very helpful but my god, watch out for the stairs! Very cheap and easy to find!

annie-c

OK, I have a hotel now, in the Leidseplein area - thanks for all the good advice!

Any more tips on best cafes/restaurants or any moneysaving tips eg for public transport/ places to go - all will be very gratefully received!!!!

Annie

black-saturn

I got back from Amsterdam yesterday!!! We visited the Heineken Experience. Well worth a visit and entrance fee is 10 Euro each. For that you get 3 drinks of Heineken each and a free bottle opener at the end. A good couple of hours entertainment.

We also visited the Anne Frank House which was 7.50 Euro each entrance fee. The stairs were very very steep so if you don't like stairs I wouldnt advise you to go. But still great if you are interested in that kind of thing.

The Hard Rock cafe is great for a drink. Not least because there are signed pictures of The Cure on the wall!! :j

Theres a good market of secondhand stuff, clothes and interesting items along Waterlooplein.

If your going to venture into the Red Light District do it with an open mind, keep your hand on your bag and be a little streetwise. i.e. be careful of drunken men on stag do's. Don't go up there at night.

I think the city centre is walkable but it depends how much walking you like to do. The trams are quick and easy to get around on and don't cost too much. You can also get a pass for Canal Bus which costs 12 euros each and you can get on and off any canal bus whenever you like for 1 and a half days. When you buy the pass you also get 2 for 1 vouchers at various places like McDonalds, Hard Rock Cafe, Ben and Jerrys etc etc.

annie-c

Has anyone been to a diamond museum and would they recommend it?

Any other ideas gratefully received!

black-saturn

I went to one about 15 years ago on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Bearing in mind I was 21 at the time it was a little boring for me. If your interested in diamonds or pretty things it would be interesting.

thomasbentley_2

Just came back from the flower auction in aalsmeer,
have to go early 7am!! tuesday to friday
what an amazing place, talk about aldous huxley-- brave new world!!
a very good cheap and smart hotel is the a4 schiphol out of the city, part of a dutch chain, have re booked to go back again soon,
tb

jonesMUFCforever

Yes we have been to a diamond musuem.
I found it very interesting but perhaps leave the credit cards at home!!
There are quite a few in the city centre entry is free (from what I remember)

smartsaver

Great city been there quite a few times. The art galleries are great if you like art.

Did the red light district with OH and a couple of girls and is fine as long as you are streetwise.

There are lots of Indodesian restaurents in Amsterdam Indrapura is a good restaurent https://www.indrapura.nl Book in advance for a good table.


Go shop, walk visit and enjoy. I love Amsterdam

dawnylou

We just got back from Amsterdam on Friday.
Had a fantastic time. Stayed at Rubens B&B which are now closed - we must have been the last to stay!!
The couple have now retired

I recommend buying a tram pass, you can just hop on and off trams as and when you like this way.
10 Euros for 48 hour pass.

Ann franks House is a must for sight seeing - 7.50 Euros, very interesting!
Also the Heinekein Brewery Tour, 10 Euros grants you acess, 3 half pints and a free gift on exit. Not only do you see how it is made, spend time at the bars, but you go on simulation rides, watch commercials from 60s up to nowadays, mix your own music, send photo emails back home. Fantastic!

Canal Rides are fun in the sun too. Opportunity to relax, learn about the history of Amsterdam and have a few bevvies or ice's. We opted for the 10 Euro ride which lasted about an hour and a half.

Vondelpark is fabulous and relaxing, we spent a whole afternoon just laid there drinking beers etc from the nearby stalls. So chilling.

The Red Light District is also amazing. Totally different at night! lol
Looks amazing and at night the streets are full! You get to see the girls in the windows - but make sure you DO NOT take pics of the girls!!! In between the windows you will find plenty of bars, sex shows and an Erotic Museum - I believe the museum was 5 Euros, but I'd had a few by then! lol

You can get an I Amsterdam card to gain discounts on museums, canal rides and eateries - but this is only worth buying if you are certain that you will use it enough to warrant the cost. Can't remember how much it was but your tram pass was included in cost. May have been 43 Euros for 2 days, but check that....

Oh and watch out for fake police!! It has been known that some people will don police outfits to gain your trust, just to do you over!!!