Amsterdam Travel Expert. Culture, Events and Apartments

There are a number of music festivals in Amsterdam each year, and below is a brief guide to some of them.

Amsterdam Dance Event ADE

This is (regarded as) the biggest electronic dance festival in the world. In total around 700 djs from around the world gather in the city to play at various venues in front of approximately 100,000 people. Over the week of the festival there can be up to 200 different events.

Jordaan Festival

This festival is somewhat unique to the city of Amsterdam and sees singers belting out cheesy Dutch ballads. It is certainly a festival for those of a certain taste, but even for those who expect not to like this event, it is certainly worth a visit just for the atmosphere and the chance to dance you socks off.

 Muziek 4-daagse

This event is held in a restored church and provides the platform for musical performers and singers to share their talent with the vast numbers who visit here. Whilst the overall mix of music is eclectic there is a significant emphasis on piano and classical music, with performances from amateurs as well as from established professionals.

Amsterdam Roots Festival

For those who enjoy music from around the world this is a really super festival to visit. Over many events, including some held outdoors in the Ooseterpark in the east of the city, there are performances from artists and groups originating from countries such as Africa and South America which highlights the diverse culture in the city as well as desire to explore and celebrate all different types of music. 

Amsterdam carnival in Holland

Amsterdam has a wide range of unique attractions for tourists, but have you ever wondered what the free attractions in Amsterdam are? Below are just some of the things that you can do for free around the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Begijnhof

This is a picturesque village hidden within the city, and certainly a free attraction in Amsterdam. You can explore the 14^th century cottages, a medieval church and the gloriously well kept gardens. A visit here is sure to brighten your mood, and is a great way to experience the contrast between the city and village life.

Concerts

Music is a significant part of the culture in Amsterdam and there are a number of free concerts at different venues and locations around the city. If you keep your eyes open and your ears peeled, you’re sure to stumble upon a performance of some kind.

Dutch horse riding school

There is a large selection of horses and ponies which can be enjoyed at this riding school. You can pet them, observe them or even ride them. During certain times on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can get to ride them for free.

Vondelpark

This is a large park in the city centre which is great for exploring. There are lakes, gardens, museums, famous houses and extensive greenery which are perfect for a picnic or for relaxing the day away. If you’re looking for a free attraction in Amsterdam, one that can double as great family time, then this has got to be it!

Civic Guards’ Gallery

This free display is an absolute treat for those who appreciate art. As you enter the history museum, there is a walkway which contains a series of high standard portraits which can be enjoyed before you reach the pay point.

You don’t have to worry about spending too much money on visiting the above mentioned sites of interest because they’re among the best free attractions in Amsterdam.

With spring just around the corner, our minds turn to sunnier and happier things, like eating al fresco, walking in the park and flowers. Amsterdam of course, and all of The Netherlands, is famous for its spectacular displays of tulips, and there is no better place to see them than the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, located about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam.

This year, the Keukenhof Gardens will hold its annual spring flower show from March 18th to May 16^th.  Sixteen pavilions will be set up, with countless displays of spring flowers, arranged in compositions from the classical to the avant-

Flower shows

garde. The Netherland’s national flower will of course prominently feature in all its blooming glory and vivid colours.

Keukenhof Gardens has lots of other things to offer too, and makes a perfect family day out. There are playgrounds and restaurants and you can also take a charming boat ride past the bulb fields. One thing I love about the Keukenhof is that for two months a year, the whole

country seems to come here, confirming the fact that these beautiful floral arrangements really are a source of national pride. After a visit here, you’ll never doubt Holland’s claim to being ‘ a country of flowers’ again.

The initiative for the organization of Sail Amsterdam, for the first time in 1975, arose during the preparations for the celebration of the Amsterdam’s 700-year

Boating in Holland.

anniversary. During these preparations there was a proposal to organize an event in the port of Amsterdam. The focus would be on the port and the city of Amsterdam. For the “Sail Amsterdam” sailing ships from around the world were invited. The event was a great success.

After the great success of Sail Amsterdam 1975 there was decided to organize a second Sail in 1980. For this second SAIL Amsterdam a permanent organization “Stichting Sail Amsterdam” was established in 1977. Since then, Stichting Sail Amsterdam found a successful way to organize a Sail in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005. With more than 600 ships and 2.5 million visitors in 2005, SAIL Amsterdam was a great success.

The many Tall Ships were welcomed in IJmuiden by a huge fleet of ships, of all types and models, from all over the world. Under guidance, the ‘Parade of Sail’ takes place. This is the traditional start of Sail Amsterdam.

After arrival at the IJ-haven of Amsterdam, the festivities start, which are closed every night with spectacular fireworks. In and around the IJ-haven, there are many activities and a pleasant activity with the coming and going of many ships. SAIL Amsterdam is visit by people from all over the world. The five-yearly event is visit by a wide audience. Next to the many boat lovers, many people visit the event because of the atmosphere and charm. Also the youth program at the Sea of Friend Ships is well attended.

The highlights in the program of SAIL Amsterdam are the “Parade of Sail ‘, the tours of the ‘Varend Erfgoed’, the ‘Pieremachocheltocht’ and the ‘Tall Ships’ in the IJhaven.

Out cycling in Amsterdam

Last summer I went to Amsterdam and was thinking on how to see most sights, get to know the history, and enjoy the city with a group of friends all at once. Then it hit me, a bike ride! What better way to get to know Amsterdam than by bike. I started looking for operating tours and ended up with an amazing tour guide called Mike’s Bike Tours.

They took us through many great sights within the city where we saw the Rembrantplein, Leidse Plein, red light district, the skinny bridge and much more. Later along the Amstel river and even across the countryside where we visited a windmill, a cheese farm and a clog factory. Don’t how people can walk with them though, they are good for kicking but really uncomfortable. The bike ride was just us much fun as informative. They were able to tell us all the inside scoops about the city and after the ride I really felt I saw what I wanted to see and know about Amsterdam.

After a long day we sat down at a terrace, and enjoyed a smooth Heineken under the sun. Unbelievable how many bikes that city has by the way. They told us it was estimated at about 1 million, meaning there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. As we did the tour, I got to understand why the Dutch use them so much. It is so much faster! Holland benefits from the fact it is small in size and everything is nearby. In a city busy such as Amsterdam, you can easily reach everything by bike because the distances aren’t that long, and it is often faster as well than going by car or public transport. On top of that it feels good to do some exercise too. I definitely became a fan of the city and its ways and would recommend to go and see Amsterdam by bike to everyone. It is worth booking Amsterdam accommodation in a central area so that you can enjoy all of the facilities and benefits of Amsterdam.

The Canal Parade in Amsterdam is a one of the highlights of the Pride festival. This is a vibrant and visual affair that manages to pull in over 350,000 people each year. The parade passes through Amsterdam’s main there are colourfully decorated flat-bottom boats, barges and ‘floating clogs’. Costumed dancers and flamboyant partygoers make this fantastic spectacle really hard to miss.

Starting off from the Westerdok, the parade floats along the Prinsengracht canal to the Amstel. It then drifts to the Stadhuis and Muziektheater and finally finishes at the Oosterdok via Oude Schans.

The best areas to watch it from are any of the bridges over the Prinsengracht and the Amstel, or from the quaysides by the Muziektheater. Amsterdam accommodation can be rented short-term through companies such as Holiday Velvet or the event. Find information on Amsterdam airport.

When: 2 Aug 2008 (annual)
Where: The City’s Canals
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: 2pm-6pm