It's a large tree-lined square in the middle of Amsterdam with the statue of a very famous Dutch…read morepainter. If anything, it appears to be a good base location for tourists and locals alike. It's primarily known for its night life. There are hotels, bars, and restaurants all around it. It's close to many attractions and public transportation options. The square was historically a dairy market known as the Botermarkt. The iron statue of Rembrandt was placed there in 1852 when it was still a marketplace. It didn't get renamed to Rembrandtplein until some time in 1876. It's been an attraction for tourists ever since that time coupled with the growth of businesses around the square. Rembrandt's house (now a museum) is actually within walking distance from this location. The Amsterdam Flower Market is also close by. During our recent visit, I noticed that the current art installation is totally different from the ones that others have described in the past. It appears that the "Waterlife" sculpture by Ronald A. Westerhuis has replaced the gold astronaut. Prior to that, it was a grouping of statues in what was once a very popular work of art. It was a 3D version of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" painting. So, don't be surprised if you encounter something totally different during your visit. Would I make a special visit to see it? Well, I don't think anyone really does. It just happens to be a square that you'll eventually walk through. It's everything in the neighboring streets around it that make it special. We found our exploration along Utrechtsestraat to be more local and enjoyable.

Rembrandt Square is named after the artist Rembrandt van Rijn who lived nearby. In the square,…read morethere are two statues -- one of Rembrandt and one of an astronaut called "The Thinker" by artist Joseph Klibansk. "The Thinker" is so-called as the figure is sitting in the same position as Rodin's famous sculpture. There are several hotels, restaurants, and shops around Rembrandt Square, and we went to the nearby restaurant, Cafe Kuyl, twice -- once for drinks, and once for dinner. Rembrandt Square is a popular destination, although I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. But if nearby, definitely check it out. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Amsterdam, the Netherlands]

This is one of many centrally located squares in Amsterdam, a touristy area with many restaurants,…read morebars and some entertainment options, and one of the less significant transit hubs in the city. You can reach it via metro to Leidseplein or various tram and bus lines. Surrounding the square notably are: the Heineken Grand Cafe, the Hirshgebauw (a historic landmark building with shops and offices including an Apple Store), the Amsterdam International Theater, the Diamond Hotel with clear glass facade over the front of the building, and Albert Heijn grocery store. Close by within a couple blocks are Pathé City cinema, the Holland Casino and Hard Rock Cafe. Worth walking or transiting thru and stopping for a look at the memorial sculpture in the center of two hand s touching, called "Against All Currents" a tribute honoring late investigative crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, who reported and contributed to evidence on several very high profile international crimes, including the Natalee Holloway case.

Leidseplein is where I first began my discovery of Amsterdam. I stayed at the Marriott and because…read moreof its central location, the shops, restaurants and Vondelpark, it's a favorite location. I deducted a star because some of the restaurants are very touristy, which is okay, but anytime someone is standing out front trying to lure you inside its a place for me to skip. But this is the best place stay as visitor in Amsterdam in my opinion. I can write for hours about where to go from here, but that is your adventure to learn next time.

It wasn't the highlight of my trip to Amsterdam but if you have free time it's worth checking out…read more The swing was scarier than I expected it to be. We went on a cold winter Sunday night and it was empty. I recommend taking the ferry there.

This was a nice experience with good views but it's one of those places that you really only need…read moreto go once. There wasn't much of a line when we got there to enter. We had prebought entry tickets from Viator (more value for the Premium tickets that includes a little souvenir as well as the entry and digital memory) but had to pay €5 extra for the "over the edge" swing. It's a short little time of swinging out at the top but it's worth it for the experience. And again, wouldn't need to do it again. Once you go upstairs after ticketing, you get in line for you digital memory aka take two photos in front of a green screen on a beam. They do one of you properly sitting there and another fun one aka you hanging on for dear life etc. The elevator ride up to the viewing desk is an experience as well with a light show of sorts. Then your out enjoying the view! The swing required a little wait time that was disclosed when we bought our ticket so we were prepared. The staff at the swing could be more friendly but it was a cold and busy day, so I understand them just getting on with work. They don't take pictures or videos for you there so most just asked whoever was behind them. The tower itself isn't just a viewing platform, there's an indoor area, a restaurant and other little things inside. We didn't explore anything else since we had other plans afterwards but did look at the indoor educational side of things with the building model and history of building Amsterdam which was really nice.

The famous Magere Brug or Skinny Bridge gets its name from the narrow bridge that was originally…read morehere. Traditional says that there were two sisters who lived across the Amstel River from each other and had a bridge built so they could easily visit each other. More likely, the original bridge was named because it was so narrow that two pedestrians could not pass each other. Mager means skinny in Dutch. The bridge was replaced in 1871 with a wider Old Dutch double-swipe balance bridge to accommodate increased traffic. It is a very beautiful and popular bridge. Be mindful of the cyclists, though. They don't always look out for pedestrians.

Historic bridge and I think something worth seeing when visiting Amsterdam. Get out of the Red…read moreLight district and see the Amstel River and beautiful Oost after crossing the bridge. I may go check it out again today since it's such nice weather, and the bridge is FREE.

Well worth short Uber out of city to tour this windmill and get up in it. Gorgeous town. Have lunch…read moreat pub across way and have a hard cider and amazing French onion soup. Tours happen every 30 mins or so, so might have a short wait. The museum was a five minute attraction, nothing special. Still worth the visit!

Funny how the Zeedijk doesn't generate more reviews! This is where you'll get the best Chinese food…read morein town, find really good bars and even a Buddhist temple! Great street, love it :)

A great street with some of the best Asian food in town! I've had great Malaysian and Thai... but…read morealso thought the Brazilian was quite alright! You should check out the street and pop into one of the Asian stores or shops for some interesting flavors :)

I have been on canal, river, and archipelago tours all over the world, and without a doubt,…read moreAmsterdam is THE place to do a canal boat tour, or just walk along the promenades and see the canals for free as they are literally EVERYWHERE! A friend and I visited Amsterdam right on the cusp of tulip season, so the water and foliage weren't completely in bloom yet - and even then, the beauty of the canals shone through. You won't need to seek out the canals or the canal cruises or tours because they are just on every corner and in every cranny of Amsterdam. Canals canals canals! No complaints here, as I'm from the triple landlocked US state of Nebraska, so seeing a city made up of canals, tributaries, and water was a sight to behold. I can't say that I "recommend" the canals, because you can't escape them anywhere you go in Amsterdam, but I will just say to experience them in one way or another (a paid cruise or a free stroll!)

This is it. THIS is…read morewhat you came all the way to Amsterdam to see. Not the Anne Frank house. Not the Rijksmuseum. Not the Red Light District. Not the Vondelpark, not the Royal Palace. You came to see the city's canals, and they're just as fantastic as you've always thought! I probably took 200 photos of Amsterdam's canals in only a few days. They're so pretty and peaceful, and it's fun just to meander alongside the locals on bicycles while sticking with a water view. If you want to spend the perfect day in the city, just walk the canals until you get tired. Amsterdam's canals are pretty in a different way than Venice, Italy or Bruges, Belgium. They have a distinct personality that's all their own. And personality goes a long way.

This clock tower is at the end of the flower market. It stands on the busy Muntplein square, where…read morethe Amstel River & Singel canal meet. It's called the mint tower because in the 17th century coins were minted here.. The tower was originally part of a main gate in Amsterdam's medieval city wall. The gate, built in 1480 consisted of 2 towers and a guard house. The gate burnt in a 1618 fire, & part of the guard house & western tower remain.

De Munttoren, Munt Tower or Mint Tower, is the former home of the Dutch mint and has had various…read moreincarnations over it's six hundred years history. It originally started as part of the City Wall, which encircled Amsterdam. It has also been rebuilt several times, too. The most recent improvements, were over three hundred years ago by Hendrick de Keyser. But it was only out of necessity, that it became to be used as a mint. It was during the third Anglo-Dutch War (1672), that gold and silver couldn't be moved to the Dutch mints in Dordrecht and Enkhuizen, so.... The clock tower is beautiful and is approximately 130 feet tall. There is also a small gift shop attached to it. Btw, the Munttoren area is sort of like the Times Square of Amsterdam, but without the NYE's ball dropping.