5 hot spots to explore by metro in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, is one of the most important cities in Europe. It’s located in a beautiful area with many lakes and rivers and is known for its unique architecture, cultural diversity, and historical sites.
It began to grow in the 13th century, when small fish farms were established around the lake. It grew to become the center of the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century and developed into a global hub of trade and culture, most notably as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, which made it a world-class trading port.
Today, the modern city of Amsterdam has developed into a global economic, cultural, and tourism center. The city is known for its world-class museums and art galleries, scenic canals, and bike-friendly infrastructure, and many tourists come to Amsterdam to enjoy its beauty and history.
Here are five of the best places to travel by metro in Amsterdam.
Netherlands : Travel Information And Tips
Amsterdam city tram and metro map are downloaded below:
1. Van Gogh Museum
(Van Gogh Museum)
If you’re visiting Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum is an attraction you shouldn’t miss. It houses the works of the world-famous painter, allowing you to witness his artistic evolution firsthand. You can learn more about Van Gogh’s life and art by viewing many of his famous paintings, letters, and sketches.
The museum houses the world’s largest Van Gogh collection, with more than 700 works, including drawings and sketches. Van Gogh’s works are organized chronologically to show his development as an artist, and his letters to and from his family and old drawing books provide a multifaceted understanding of his life.
From Amsterdam Central Station, get off at Rijksmuseum station on the M52 line and walk about 5 minutes to the Van Gogh Museum.
2. Amsterdam Central Station
Amsterdam Central Station is a must-see while traveling through the city, but it’s also an attraction in its own right. It’s a historic building from the late 19th century and is known for its distinctive retro architecture.
Whether you arrive in Amsterdam by land or by plane through Schiphol Airport, every traveler will pass by Central Station at least once. That’s because it’s home to the train station that connects all parts of Amsterdam, including Schiphol Airport, as well as other major European cities like Paris, London, Frankfurt, and Brussels. There’s also a cruise ship pier on the IJ riverfront and a city bus and express bus station on the opposite side of the square in the old town, making it one of the busiest places in it.
Located in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam Centraal is a large and beautiful station that sees a whopping 160,000 passengers a day. Like Cologne Central Station, there are many platforms, and each one is so long and beautiful that one side of the platform can be split to handle two trains in opposite directions. The building is the inspiration for Tokyo Station.
Despite the beauty of the building itself, many Amsterdammers are said to be unhappy with Centraal Station because it blocks the view between the old town and the River Ai. In addition to being a transportation hub, the station is also home to a number of convenient facilities, including a post office, currency exchange, lost and found, bike rental, and a hospital. Inside the station, you’ll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes where you can relax and shop.
The station is literally in the center, so you can get here from anywhere by taking the metro.
3. Rijksmuseum
If you want to explore the history and culture of the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum is the place to go. The museum is home to a fantastic collection of art and historical artifacts representing the country’s Golden Age.
It’s a Dutch treasure trove of nearly 5,000 paintings, sculptures, artifacts, historical documents, and ship models, including works by the country’s favorite painters, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh.
The museum is particularly famous for its rich collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, which is characterized by folk, landscape, and still-life paintings depicting the lives of ordinary people as opposed to the religious and aristocratic themes of the Middle Renaissance. At the end of the second-floor Gallery of Honor, which features Golden Age paintings, you’ll find Rembrandt’s Night Watch, one of the highlights of the museum’s entire collection. Other world-famous works on display include Johannes Fermeer’s painting “The Milkmaid.”.
From Amsterdam Central Station, take the M52 line to Rijksmuseum station. From the station, it’s about a two-minute walk to the Rijksmuseum.
4. Vondelpark
Vondelpark is located just a few blocks from the Museumplein, home to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. It’s a 30-minute walk southwest of the center of Amsterdam.
Founded in 1865, Vondelpark was created in response to the need for a buffer of green space from the overexpansion of the city center in central Amsterdam at the time.
The name Vondel is derived from the Dutch poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel, who was considered the English equivalent of Shakespeare. A statue of Vondel can be found in the center of the park.
The only place in the park where you can feel the artificiality is in the modest-sized rose garden. There are about 70 different species of roses. You’ll also find Pablo Picasso’s sculpture, The Fish, which the Spanish artist donated to the park in 1965.
If you want to enjoy nature and culture at the same time, Amsterdam Urban Park is an ideal choice. It is the largest park in the city and offers a wide range of activities, including walking and cycling paths, ponds, gardens, and more. In the summer, it also hosts musical performances and park festivals to keep visitors entertained. With 15 million visitors a year, Vondelpark is the most popular park in Amsterdam.
From Central Station, get off at Heemstedestraat station on the M50 line and walk for about 10 minutes.
5. Exploring Amsterdam’s city center
Amsterdam’s city center is perfect for walking. You can explore the city’s beautiful buildings and attractions, including Amsterdam City Hall, Royal Palace Amsterdam, Albert Cuyp Market, the Hemp Museum, Anne Frank’s house, and the flower market. The more distant attractions can be reached by metro. Stroll along the elegant canals, where you’ll find many of Amsterdam’s historic buildings and charming cafes and shops.
5-1 The Royal Palace Amsterdam
The Royal Palace Amsterdam, designed by Dutch architect Jacob van Campen, was built in 1655. In 1808, it was renovated by Dutch King Louis Napoleon Bonaparte and used as his palace. Today, the palace is open to the public except during state visits and events. Visitors can see magnificent chandeliers and delicate sculptures and get a feel for royal life. Another thing to note is that the Royal Palace is located on Dam Square. Located in the center of Amsterdam, Dam Square is the busiest place in the city. A stroll through Dam Square after your visit to the Royal Palace will give you a glimpse of Amsterdam’s past and present.
5-2 Albert Cuyp Marke
Albert Cuyp Market is the most famous market in Amsterdam. The stalls lining both sides of the street are always bustling with locals doing their shopping. They sell everything from fruits, vegetables, and spices to clothes and cosmetics, all at affordable prices. The best part of Albert Kuyper Market is the traditional Dutch food you can taste at the stalls. The market’s herring or freshly made stroopwafels are as good as those found in fine restaurants. The market is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week, except Sunday.
5-3 Hemp Museum
Learn about hemp at the Hemp Museum, which opened in 1985 and has over 7,000 exhibits. You can see hemp-themed paintings, pipes and more up close. Since hemp is legal in the Netherlands, this Dutch attraction attracts 2 million visitors every year.
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl from Germany whose diary represents the suffering of Jews who were mistreated during World War II and the indomitable will of the human spirit. Anne wrote her diary while hiding with her family in a secret cottage in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for two years, and her “white and red checkered diary” is a real and honest portrayal of the struggles, hopes, and despair of an adolescent girl living through World War II. The Diary of Anne Frank was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009, and you can learn about her life and the diary she wrote by visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Amsterdam’s city center begins at Amsterdam Central Station. Take the metro to Amsterdam Central Station to begin your walking tour.
