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Hostel – Amsterdam Attractions

Musée van Gogh

Amsterdam is well seen in all seasons, but autumn and winter are pretty gray, rainy and the wind can blow very strong.  During these periods, you can focus on indoor activities.

The cultural heritage of Amsterdam is impressive, but the city has little known monuments. Its main cultural attractions are the museums. Be sure to visit the temple dedicated to the painter Van Gogh, and the house where the painter Rembrandt lived from 1639 to 1660 where many of his works are exhibited.

Green spaces are also very popular. The Amsterdamse Bos, a huge forest of trees planted in the 30s, can be explored on foot or bicycle.

You may also choose to spend long hours walking, catching a cruise along the channels, and traveling on bicycles as the locals do.  You may also choose to spend a long time each day just relaxing in one of the many cafes of the city.  The atmosphere is cool and simple, but still very dynamic.

Overall, access to the attractions of Amsterdam is pretty expensive, between 7 and 10 €.  Therefore, if you intend to do a few visits, we recommend that you purchase the Amsterdam I Pass, which offers numerous discounts plus unlimited access to transportation (More information on our general information page).

The old center, although highly touristic, is absolutely worth visiting.

If you walk in the old town, the unusual site of the Red Light district may merit a detour if it wasn’t already part of your agenda. The bohemian scenery and the abundance of legal prostitution are outstanding. If you are interested in seeing the Red Light district in full essence, the best time to visit is at dusk, just before dark.

Our suggestions for Amsterdam

Music

The Melkweg in Amsterdam

The Melkweg in Amsterdam

The Melkweg is a very popular attraction in Amsterdam whose name means "Milky Way". The Melkweg is located in downtown Amsterdam, near the Leidseplein and several hostels. The Melkweg is an old brick warehouse which has been converted into a cultural...

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Museums

Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam

Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam

Located in the Jordaan district near many hostels, the home where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis for two years is another must see. In 1960 it became a popular museum which now sees over one million visitors per year. There...

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Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam - Museums

Musée van GoghThe number one paid attraction in Amsterdam is the Van Gogh Museum which is dedicated to the life and works of the prolific painter. The museum, which opened in 1973, received a wing for modern architecture in 1999. It is visited by approximately 1.5 million people each year. Located near many hostels it is  popular among backpackers.

The Van Gogh museum portrays more of Van Gogh’s famous works than any other museum in the world. Famous paintings such as  The Sunflowers, and Van Gogh’s self-portrait are part of the permanent collection. You can ask at your hostel if any special exhibitions are being showcased.

Guided tours are not offered by the museum but can be booked (possibly at your hostel) with an outside guide. If you prefer to visit the museum by yourself it is recommended that you acquire the booklet which explains Van Gogh’s life. The booklet which is available in many languages including English can be found at the museum’s information desk and at many hostels. The booklet also contains a map of the museum to further facilitate self guided tours.

If you are passionate about art and especially Van Gogh, know that the Van Gogh Museum has a specialized library containing over 24,000 books on Van Gogh and other artists of the nineteenth century.

Directions
The Van Gogh Museum is located on the Museumplein. The entrance is at number 7 at the Paulus Potterstraat. The museum is easily accessible by public transportation (tram lines 2, 3, 5 and 12 and buses 170, 171 and 172) which may be very close to your hostel.
The museum is open daily from 10AM to 6PM, however, on Fridays it closes later at 10Pm.
Admission is 14 euros but is free for those under 18. Unfortunately, there is no student discount.