When it opened in 1996 the design of the stadium was unprecedented, being the first stadium on the planet that had a passageway that ran underneath the entire stadium complex and also the first stadium that had a sliding roof in Europe.

Amsterdam Arena

Since its opening just over 15 years ago the stadium has acted as the headquarters and home stadium of AFC Ajax football club, as the venue for domestic cup final matches, the main venue for the Dutch national squads international matches. As well as football the stadium has also been host to a large number of music concerts featuring some of the world’s leading performers and bands as well as some of the world’s largest indoor dance parties, known as Sensation and Black.

If you wanted to pay a visit to the stadium to see how spectacular it is first hand then you can turn up and go on a ‘World of Ajax Walk-in Tour’ which run daily between the hours of 11am and 4.30pm. These walks will give you a behind the scenes look around the stadium as well as the history and stories of the stadium.

I recently did the tour myself and you get to go into areas such as the TV and press conference area and get the chance to walk onto the edge of the pitch (where a professional photographer takes pictures you can buy later on if you wish). The stadium is easy to get to and I highly recommend this tour if you are heading to Amsterdam.

The Botanic Gardens for me are the best attraction in Amsterdam and well worth a visit.

Watch Christmas Concert

The Concertgebouw truly is one of the best concert buildings in the world, with superb architecture and acoustics which cannot be matched in the city. Each year there are Christmas concerts held here which really put the visitor in the festive spirit. The Christmas Eve showing is free of charge whilst the performance on Christmas day has an associated cost.

Christmas in Amsterdam

Enjoy the World Christmas Circus

Each year this superb circus comes to Amsterdam at Christmas time and it has become something of a festive tradition. The show is held in the 120 year old Theatre Carre and includes all of the usual circus acts and more. This is truly one for all the family.

Take in English Religious Service

English is widely spoken in Amsterdam and a number of the churches in the city hold English speaking services around Christmas time. It is extremely interesting to experience how the Dutch interpret Christmas.

Go to the Christmas market at the Westergasfabriek

There are two Christmas markets in the Westergasfabriek, one in early December and one closer to Christmas. Both of these events have a specific Christmas theme and represent the opportunity to wrap yourself up in the seasonal spirit and to purchase some traditional Dutch items.

Concertgebouw

This venue has traditionally been the venue for famous composers to perform over the years, and today hosts an orchestra which has been voted amongst the best in the world. The building itself is a stunning example of architecture and really adds to the experience.

Muziektheater

Classical music and dance lovers flock here in their hoards to enjoy the high end performances from leading companies around the world. This venue is also home to the national opera, a well respected organisation which regularly performs classic opera productions.

Carré Theatre

With a fabulous location along the Amstel River, performances in this theatre have stretched back across the last two centuries. Today you can still catch regular dance and music performances, and there is even the odd production in English should you be so inclined.

Van Gogh Museum

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the names most commonly featured in the history of art across the world, and this museum boasts the largest collection of his work. Alongside Van Gogh’s works are those from his contemporaries which are fantastic to explore.

Rijksmuseum

This museum holds some of the most famous pieces of art in Dutch history, including many from the world famous Rembrandt. There is also a significant display of Asian art here and a chance to view the stern of HMS Royal Charles, a historic artefact from when the boat was captured in battle.

You can also experience Dutch culture first hand wby hanging out in one of the many Amsterdam cafes – a true local experience given the popularity of cafes in Holland.

Rembrandt square

Historically, Rembrandt square was established during the 17th century out of the old port and was a busy and important dairy market as well as an occasional entertainment venue, although as the 20th century progressed the area evolved into more of a hospitality focussed area as hotels, bars and cafes arose in the area. The square is named after the artists Rembrandt who is the official painter of Amsterdam, and a statues of Rembrandt can be seen in the centre of the square, casting a watchful eye over the activity of the locals and visitors who flood into the area on a daily basis.

The modern Rembrandt square is a great place to take some time out from either day to day life or visitor activities as there are a selection of different eateries and entertainment venues, and the area is also frequented by street entertainers who are fascinating to watch. There are also a number of shops to explore and opportunities to seek out clues of the square’s intriguing history.

Need information on getting to Amsterdam, Holland?

Like many of the main cities around Europe, Paris has a large and efficient metro system which enables people to access all areas of the city within a short time frame. However, Paris also has a tram network which operates in certain parts of the city and offers an often more enjoyable experience for the passenger. The reason for this is that trams travel over ground, allowing the traveller to see more of the city.

Historically Paris had a much more extensive network of trams, although this was gradually cut down and eventually shut completely in the 1950’s. The current, much less extensive tram lines were only developed in the 1990s and there are plans to increase the network slightly in the coming years. When looking at a transport map of the city it is easy to tell the tram lines apart from the metro and train lines as all line numbers begin with the letter T. The lines are currently T1-T4, with the proposed extensions to be labelled T5-T8.

The popularity of trams means that travelling at peak times is probably not the best idea, although travelling during the middle of the day should be an enjoyable experience, especially as many of the trams have been expanded to accommodate the increasing passenger numbers.

Although much of the tram lines in Paris are outside of the main areas of the city, line T3 runs in the south of the city and can be accessed using regular metro tickets, whilst tickets can also be purchased from machines at tram stops.

As with many of the cities in Northern Europe, the train station in Amsterdam is a busy and vibrant portal into the city, due to the fact that public transport in Northern Europe is often an affordable option which is not open to, for example, the residents of the United Kingdom. Amsterdam is one of the most popular locations for those travelling around Europe and the Central Train Station is where many of them arrive in through. It is estimated that around one quarter of a million people pass through Central Station each day.

Central Station is a national and international terminal, with trains departing to and arriving from places such as Poland, Belgium and Germany, whilst long distance national services also depart on a regular basis. The most regular trains are those which visit the regions immediately outside of Amsterdam.

Central Station is well connected to the rest of the city as a result of being on three of the metro lines, meaning that passengers can easily access the station at short notice, and by the same score, access the main tourist attractions and shopping areas of the city within minutes of arriving in the city. There is currently construction work being undertaken at the station as the metro system is being updated.

In terms of customer resources, Central Station has a number of commercial outlets including fast food, book stores and souvenirs, whilst there are also public toilets and cash machines.

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.

Cafe Welling (Jan Willem Brouwersstr 32) - The exterior of this cafe simply drags you in. The bench with an overhanging bush is the height of romance, and the experience inside is pretty good too!!! There is a real cosy but genuine feel to this establishment that will

Amsterdam Cafes

make you wish it was your local coffee cafe.

In De Wildeman (Kolksteeg 3) - The setting in an old distillery gives this cafe much of its charm, whilst the mix of coffees and beers on the menu make for a diverse visit which will suit most tastes. The coffees are made fresh by trained waiters whilst the beers represent a chance to taste new brands.

Café Alto – If you like your cafe to be busy in the evenings with plenty of buzz and entertainment then this is the place for you. This cafe has hosted life jazz music for decades, and although it is not the same size as it used to be, it is still a great night out.

Café Latei – This cafe makes my list due to its bizarre appearance, typified by the random items which are placed around it, which are designed not only for display reasons but also for sale as a way of subsidising the income. The coffee is not to be scoffed at either.

Travelling Europe? Also check out friends website for barcelona burlesque classes and workshops for hen parties and for anyone interested. Back to Amsterdam. Some very good prices Red Light area rentals now on offer and also make sure to take advantage of the best Amsterdam saunas in the city, to relax during your stay also. Art Deco Sauna is one of the best and very central.