The Netherlands is one of most liberal and socially progressive countries in the World; 4th after New Zealand, Switzerland and Iceland.
Its liberal laws are often a source of delight for many travellers to the country; hey you can get stoned, and the police won’t care.
Before I travelled to the Netherlands, a lot of my friends shared their wild stories of times were they had gone there on stag and hen parties (bachelor and bachelorette parties, for my US based readers) and what an amazing country it was to party.
However, what if you aren’t looking to party, or get stoned? Is Amsterdam worth a visit?
I’d say yes!
Here are some things you can get up to when you go to Amsterdam (without the need for any hash brownies or space cakes)
Get high at the A’DAM Tower and lookout
When I visited Amsterdam, back in April, the A’DAM tower was in the middle of completion, but I got an exclusive look inside it, and the view from the rooftop, which boasts 360 degree views of the city.
The tower will soon play host to a club, bars and restaurants, a hotel and a sensational swing (known as the over the edge experience), where you can swing from the rooftop.
The lookout is now open and tickets start from just 12.50 Euros for adults, 6.50 Euros for children, which includes a photo, or you could go all out and pay 20 Euros for a ticket at sunset, were you will enjoy a free cocktail.
Take a boat trip along the Canals
The city of Amsterdam has more than 100km of canals, so it would be rude not to take a boat trip along them. This is something I got to do. It is great for seeing local life pass you by, as well as see some local attractions and marvel at the cute and colourful facades of buildings.
There are various boat tours in the city, and you usually don’t have to book (unless it is peak season)
Take a bike ride around the city
Amsterdam is another one of those amazing bike friendly cities – literally everyone seems to ride, and bikes appear to take priority over other forms of transport.
Lock up your love, and through away the key
Like many cities in the World; Amsterdam has followed suit with the love locks. If you’ve not brought your own lock, there are a few vendors in the city that will sell you a lock (and possibly engrave it)
Marvel at the incredible roof of Amsterdam Centraal train station (it is pretty awesome!)
As well as having a great rooftop. The train station is one of the more modern stations I have been to, with a great selection of shops and places to eat, as well as the IAMSTERDAM store, where you can get a iAmsterdam card for free transport and entry to local attractions.
Visit some of the many museums
When I got to Amsterdam, I couldn’t get over the amount of Museums there were in the city. If you are into art, check out the Van Gogh Museum or the EYE film institute, and for culture vultures, check out Anne Franks or Rijksmuseum. For girly girls, there is the Museum of bags and purses, or the Museum of Diamonds.
And for the boys (and girls too), there is always the Heineken Experience.
When you are done exploring, make sure you check out a few of the quaint coffee shops for a warm, or cold drink
Although it was a wet and windy April weekend, I had a wonderful time in the city. Thanks to the Park Inn by Radisson for hosting my stay, and the folks at IGersAmsterdam, for all the fun.
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