The architecture inside the palace is stunning! You have to do a free bag check for any bags. The…read moreinside isn't super big but is still sizable and it would be easy to spend an hour or two thoroughly looking at everything and listening to the audio guide. There are numbers to guide you through the things of note in the palace in order which I appreciated.

Wow! So much more than I expected. Tour is about 75 minutes. The stonework is, hands down, the…read moremost impressive I've ever seen. Absolutely incredible and worth every penny of the 13.50 euro entrance fee. It was pretty busy and the tour was a little confusing, but don't let that keep you away.

A beautiful pink granite structure jutting into one of the primary canals in the heart of…read moreAmsterdam. Somewhat underwhelming and easy to miss. I've missed it every time I've walked or rode by over the years. I didn't realize it was there until I listened to the tram one day at the Westerkerk stop say "Homomonument", I said "whuuut"? My friends told me about it and then I finally walked over there when I was shopping on the Prinsengracht. It's has a PRIME location and beautiful canal, but below street level and in the shadow of Anne Frank and the Westerkerk church (on the Keizersgracht). My presumptions are it is keeping a low profile as the homosexuals had to do for centuries to avoid prosecution and persecution. Please see "Bruce K"'s review from October 23 here for more detailed explanation on the design!

As we were walking around Amsterdam, we came across the Homomonument, the first monument in the…read moreworld commemorating gay men and women who were killed by the Nazis due to their sexual orientation. The monument was designed by artist Karin Daan and unveiled on September 5, 1987. The memorial is composed of three pink granite triangles laid in the ground, and each triangle forms the point of a larger triangle. Each point of the triangle is symbolic -- one points towards the National Monument in Dam Square, one points towards the Anne Frank House, and one points towards COC Amsterdam, a Dutch LGBTQ+ rights group founded in 1946. While I love what the monument represents, if it weren't for the sign, I probably wouldn't even have known that I was walking over a monument. The only way to see the entire memorial is from above, but from the ground, you can't see the entire memorial at once or get a good photo. If walking by, stop and take a look, but I would not go out of my way to see it. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Monuments, Memorials, and Historical Markers]

Yelp Review 2023 #93:…read more Belle - French word for beautiful. December 17 - International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Right outside Oude Kerk (Old Church, originally a Catholic Church at the Red Light District) which is now an art center is a small statue called Belle, a sex worker aka prostitute. Installed in 2007 after a Hungarian sex worker was killed, and a Romanian sex worker was killed in a hotel room. It's to commemorate all prostitutes around the world. Prostitution is one of the oldest profession in the world and also the most punished "crime" simply because society still looks down upon women no matter how progressive we think we are. It is a reminder that sex workers are humans - despite the kind of service they provide. If there's no demand, there won't be supply. If unloved weirdos didn't exist, there won't be prostitutes. If these men knew how to treat a woman properly, there won't be prostitutes - especially dead ones.

"Respect sex workers all over the world."…read more It's funny how just wandering aimlessly around Amsterdam, I ended up walking past the Oudekerk and spotted this statue. Yes, this is the famous red light district but it's also next to the oldest building in Amsterdam, the Old Church https://www.yelp.com/biz/oude-kerk-amsterdam. The sculpture is the work of artist Els Rijerse and has been here since 2007. It depicts a prostitute standing in the doorway of a brothel. It is a landmark of Amsterdam and certainly Insta-worthy. [Review 16871 overall - 72 in Netherlands - 384 of 2022.]

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.

Museumplein ("Museum Square") is the public area located by the Concertgebouw concert hall and…read morethree major museums -- the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum. Near transit, shops, and restaurants, Museumplein is a nice place to go for a walk or eat lunch on a nice day. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful tulips in the planter -- cheaper than Keukenhof! [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Amsterdam, the Netherlands]

Great space for catching some sunshine or meeting friends. From the concert house to the…read moreRijksmuseum with the Van Gogh on the side. Also a big Albert Heijn at the Concert Hall end. The US consulate is also located to the far end of the plein. For those of you who read this far, "plein" roughly means "square" in Dutch.

My first visit to Holland was in 1993, as i was a child. I have to admit that the roots of my…read moretendecy for classical phantasy inspired strongly by this architecture :)

Coming from our hotel we had seen this marvelous cathedral, and I knew we had to stop by on our…read morereturn. Fortunately it was open, as we saw some others going in. The cathedral is gorgeous, awe inspiring. The quiet and reverence here offers a complete escape from the outside world. After soaking up the timeless architecture we were lucky stumble on the choir practicing for their Saturday 5 PM performance - amazing, beautiful voices and music. We only wish we had more time and could have stayed for the complete performance.

This is a stunning church, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, sits across from the Centraal train…read morestation in Amsterdam. One of my favorite things to do while traveling especially Europe is, to randomly walk into an intriguing church-- must be part of my Catholic upbringing, ha! Named after the patron saint of Amsterdam, the basilica was designed by architect Adrianus Bleijs (1842-1912). It's stark somber looking on the outside, stark stunning looking inside. I appreciate the church's use of technology. It's the only church I've seen with electronic confessionals. The church also has a very well designed and branded website. There are 5 churches in this conglomerate and St. Nicholas is the most ornate. The dome of the church is visually awesome, intricately constructed. I had to take photos. St Nicholas is a beautiful work of art and I like it more inside than outside. I very well understand the decades sometimes centuries of toil and pain artisans went through to create Art to please the church's exacting standards. The Sistine Chapel is probably the epitome of that dedication. For these historical reasons, I've come to appreciate pre 1900 churches all over the world. Another really supahcalifragilisticoolthing I discovered was the church holds mass in Gregorian Chant. Wowzah! Now that was amaaaazzzzzzing mass to experience after a long night of debauchery and partying in Amsterdam. Geniusly Sick! Website: http://www.nicolaas-parochie.nl/ Visits: 2

Dam Square - one of the main squares in the city, if you're visiting for at least 2-3 days you may…read morepass through on most itineraries. Based on how Amsterdam is laid out in a semi-circle, this is in the inner part of its radius, so relatively speaking close to the center. What might bring you here? Some of the notable landmarks and buildings are: - the Nationaal Monument: a WWII memorial sculpted of white travertine marble erected in tribute to the fallen civilians and soldiers. Figures representing suffering, resilience and the victory of peace are carved as reliefs on this obelisk. Two lion statues symbolizing the Dutch nation are placed close by. The statue was unveiled May 4, 1956 which is The Netherlands' WWII Remembrance Day. - the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam (Royal Palace Amsterdam): since the 17th C, this palace has been used for official state receptions and events, and was temporarily closed when I visited in November 2025, though re-opened December 17 thru January 4 for the holidays. Adult tickets normally €13.50, discounted tickets available for students, certain groups and pass holders, and include a free 45-min audio tour. For more info: https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en/ - De Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church): a medieval church turned into modern event space, they host a variety of happenings--most commonly museum exhibitions, as was the case when I visited, though also royal weddings and music recitals. Tickets are €22.50 for adults, discounted tickets available for students, certain groups and pass holders, and include a free audio tour. Takes about an hour to go thru the tour, maybe an extra 30 minutes to check out the church building itself. For more info: https://www.nieuwekerk.nl/en/ - Madame Tussaud's Amsterdam: a branch of the world-renowned wax museum where you can see close replicas of famous celebrities. €24 online price €27 at the door. - Ripley's Believe It or Not: g-map description "museum with kitschy oddities on display" sounds about right. Go to be amazed and entertained though also take the exhibits with a grain of salt. €22.50 for adults, €13.50 for kids. - Kalvarstraat: this thoroughfare perpendicular to the south east edge of Dam Square is a main shopping destination with retailers lining the street. - Magna Plaza shopping mall: while not directly next to the square it's a block west and the neo-Gothic architecture is a treat. Given the amount of things to do in the relatively compact city that is Amsterdam, I would put this area as a "nice-to-stop-by" if you have the time, if the palace is open for visit, or there's an interesting exhibit at De Nieuwe Kerk. It's a more touristy area and weekend crowds can be significant so keep this in mind if you're looking for a calmer, quieter experience.

I stumbled on the square by accident. I received directions of where the mall was, where Louis…read more Hutton was located and stumbled upon the square. It's a huge wide open area, in which, it's heavily populated with tourists and people shopping. All the touristy places are here and they had a large monument which I was told was a memorial for their fallen heroes after the World War. I would definitely say this should be an essential stop on your trip to Amsterdam and get some photos!

Amsterdam, Netherlands…read more I was glad I was able to secure a spot to visit this historical place. We arrived on time for our reserved slot, and there was already a line outside, but it was organized. Staff checked everyone's reservation and reminded visitors about sticking to their assigned time. Visiting the Anne Frank House was a powerful experience. The space is preserved in a way that makes you feel the weight of history, and walking through the rooms where the family hid is both emotional and humbling. It's a reminder of how important their story is, and why it continues to be told. Walking through the actual hiding place brings the story to life in a way books and films can't. A must‑visit if you're in Amsterdam. It is incredibly impactful but be prepared for crowds and tight spaces. Despite that, the experience is worth it -- the history is powerful and the exhibits are beautifully done. Note: The steps in the house are quite steep, so wear a comfortable shoes or consider skipping the tour if you have difficulty with stairs. Photos or videos are not allowed inside. The audio and video presentations are available in several main languages, and they provide an audio guide for the tour.

Go, just go! Better yet read the book and then go. It is an incredible piece of history that should…read morenever be forgotten. There are no pictures allowed inside. Also make sure you pre-purchase tickets online before going. They open up on Tuesdays. The website will tell you when they go on sale. Plan on having at least an hour to go through the self guided tour. The stairwells can be steep and narrow, so please be aware of that prior to booking.

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!

From the owner: De Rembrandt Molen van Sloten is een functionerende poldermolen en tevens de enige voor het publiek…read moredagelijks toegankelijke molen in Amsterdam. De molen ligt aan de rand van de stad, bij de Ringvaart, en zorgt ervoor dat het waterpeil in de lager liggende omgeving onder een bepaald niveau blijft. Het is een stellingmolen met een hier herbouwde achtkant uit 1847. Molen van Sloten. Het hele jaar is de molen dagelijks vanaf 10.00 uur te bezichtigen (uitgezonderd nieuwjaarsdag, Koningsdag en de kerstdagen). De Molen van Sloten heeft een lift, zodat ook ouderen en gehandicapten tot op de omloop (stelling) kunnen komen. Vrijwillige medewerkers geven graag uitleg tijdens een rondleiding. En als het even kan, laat de molenaar zien hoe hij de molenkap met de wieken op de wind kruit, de wieken laat draaien of juist stopzet, of hoe hij de zeilen zet in de wieken. Het oude ambacht is in ons museum in ere hersteld; U treft een authentieke werkplaats aan met alle benodigde gereedschappen voor het maken van houten vaten. Verder wordt het gebruik van vaten door de jaren heen getoond. Kortom, een bezoek meer dan waard!