The largest stadium in the Netherlands was opened in 1996 and is one of the most modern in Europe. Its capacity is 56,130 spectators and it was named after the legend of Dutch football, Johan Cruyff. It was used for UEFA Euro 2000 and UEFA Euro 2020, and has also hosted UEFA club competition finals. Visit the Ajax museum located in the stadium and wander around the shops in the surrounding area. Also, the stadium has been used for American Football games, kickboxing and concerts.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA
*** BUS: 120, 300, 375, 376, 377
*** TRAIN: IC, SPR
*** METRO: 50, 54
AMSTERDAM: THE «VENICE OF THE NORTH»
The capital of the Netherlands is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its countless canals, its dollhouses, its nightlife, its museums, its alleys, its parks, its bridges and its aura, are some of the reasons why you will fall in love with it at first sight. It is a city of incomparable charm and the cycling capital.
Currency: Euro
Calling Code: +31
Nearest airports from city center: Amsterdam Airport (22km), Rotterdam Airport (73km), Eindhoven Airport (120km), Antwerp Airport (161km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** RIJKSMUSEUM (Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam)
This is the country’s National museum founded in 1798 and has over 8,000 historical exhibits with works of art and objects from 1200 to 2000. Enjoy the masterpieces of the leading Dutch painters of the 17th century.
*** VAN GOGH MUSEUM (Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam)
The largest collection of Van Gogh paintings can be found in this museum. You will not only see works of art by the master artist, but also by other painters such as Edouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, as well as a sculpture by Auguste Rodin.
*** ANNE FRANK HOUSE (Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam)
A visit to the house-museum with the letters of the 13-year-old Jewess Anne Frank will transport you to the barbaric period of the Nazi Period. Visit the bunker where the heroic girl wrote her shocking diary, which was behind a bookcase.
*** HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE (Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam)
Take the fascinating journey of a historic brewery, which is an interactive museum and will provide you with all the information about the History of Heineken.
*** REMBRANDT HOUSE MUSEUM (Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam)
Tour the home of the famous painter of the Golden Age of Dutch art and enjoy his masterpieces. See also the places where he spent his daily life, either painting or doing other activities.
*** AMSTERDAM MUSEUM (Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam)
It was founded in 1975 and you will see the whole history of the city! In other words, how did it manage to become a colorful metropolis and center of world trade from a small settlement. See the evolution of the canals and how it came to be the cycling capital.
*** MADAME TUSSAUDS AMSTERDAM (Dam 20, 1012 NP Amsterdam)
After London, the well-known wax museum was created in the center of Amsterdam in 1970. Visit it and take pictures with famous personalities of the world.
*** KONINKLIJK PALEIS (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam)
In the 17th century it was built as a town hall and subsequently became the royal residence of Napoleon and the royal family of the Netherlands. It is one of the four palaces of the country and is worth a visit.
*** HASH MARIHUANA & HEMP MUSEUM (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, 1012 DV Amsterdam)
It opened its doors in 1985 and you will see over 7,000 exhibits directly related to the use of cannabis, which includes economic, therapeutic and spiritual implications. You will see how they are used as medicine or to produce fuel, food, etc.
*** MUSEUM WILLET – HOLTHUYSEN (Herengracht 605, 1017 CE Amsterdam)
It was built in the mid-17th century for the then mayor of the city, Jacob Hop, and developed into a museum by Mrs. Willet-Holthuysen, who wanted it to be a museum. View 17th-century art, furniture and artifacts in the three-story building.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** Amsterdam is the city of museums and it is worth taking a walk, if you have time, to the Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum which is the Maritime Museum. Also good choices are Stedelijk Museum and NEMO Science Museum.
*** A visit to Keukenhof which is the second largest garden in the world will leave you speechless.
*** A cruise on the city’s canals is a must!
*** Dam Square is the most famous square in Amsterdam and is the meeting point for the locals.
*** Rent a bike and ride around town! It is the capital of bicycles!
*** The iconic Magere Brug & Amstel bridge is the city’s trademark and the ‘Amstel’ beer got its name from there, as the breweries were nearby.
*** Vondelpark is an ideal choice for walking and relaxing, as long as the weather is good.
*** A visit to the Begijnhof will take you back to the 15th century, as it was a former women’s religious community with residences.
*** Basiliek van de H. Nicolaas is one of the landmarks of the city! The church which is of neo-renaissance architecture and was built in 1887 will impress you.
FOOD AND DRINK
In Amsterdam you will find all the cuisines and you will eat meat, fish, spaghetti and everything else you can imagine! If you want to eat something traditional, then taste the Bitterballen, Snert, Cod, Satay, Raw herring, Stamppot, Cheese soufflé, Zeeland mussels, Thick fries as street food, or for sweets the Stroopwafel, pancakes, Apple pie. Rijsttafel arrived in Amsterdam from the Dutch possessions in Indonesia and it’s an excellent choice. It goes without saying that cheese should accompany many of your meals. Like, of course, an authentic Dutch beer.
WHERE TO STAY
There are several hotels, hostels and apartments in several areas of the capital, both in the center and in various neighborhoods of the city.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** Go to Bloemenmarkt and you will see the world’s only floating flower market from 1862 to today!
*** If you are a flower lover, also visit the Amsterdam Tulip Museum.
*** Amsterdam is full of clubs and well-known coffee shops.
*** Artis Zoo is an excellent choice to spend your time.
*** Albert Cuyp Market is the perfect place to shop for any local product you want!
*** A visit to Sexmuseum Venustempel will be unforgettable!
*** The city is full of shops and malls for your shopping. Some good options are Magna Plaza and Kalverpassage. De Jordaan area is also ideal for your shopping, as is the De Pjip district.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot, by bike, by bus and by metro.
CITIES NEAR AMSTERDAM
Major cities close to Amsterdam are Haarlem (32km), Alkmaar (42km), Utrecht (48km),The Hague (64km), Rotterdam (78km), Tilburg (110km) and Eindhoven (122km).
