Netherlands North Holland Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Capital city of the Netherlands known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, cycling paths, and iconic narrow houses with gabled facades.

Tips from the community

Amsterdam is one of the few destinations that I’ve visited with friends. The amazingly walkable city by the water was the perfect destination for a girl’s trip. As a Black traveler, I expected to stand out a bit— over 81.7% of the population in the Netherlands are Dutch. However, the stately city of Amsterdam is very culturally diverse, being home to more than 180 nationalities. Immigrants from the Middle East, Morocco, Turkey, and others have greatly influenced the city, especially its culinary scene. This rich cultural mashup is a huge plus for any travel nerd. I experienced little to no trouble in Amsterdam when it came to my race. Maybe it was because I was traveling with a racially diverse group of friends, but I didn’t have that feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb. But a group of four young women walking the Red Light District after dark? LOL. Our small female friend group stood out pretty clearly as we walked that popular tourist trap after dark. The red-lit street brings many gawkers and bucket-list tourists, and we were no different. However, we did receive a bit of unwanted attention.  We received the stares, winks, lewd questions, and remarks with disbelieving laughs and shared cringes. I would have felt very different about the attention had I been traveling solo. I guess it goes to show that sometimes, putting in that extra effort to group plan is worth it. I also saw my first (and last) peepshow. It was definitely strange. but now I can check it off my bucket list. TIP: Don’t overlook the Amsterdam Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. Yes, they are popular tourist spots, but they’re popular for a reason. Plan your trip to coincide with one of the special interactive exhibits at the Van Gogh Museum for some particularly unique Insta inspiration. For foodies, it’s time to take advantage of Amsterdam’s rich cultural scene. Check out Ten Kate Market for a myriad of global vendors, from Asian to Spanish to French. For that storybook moment, have brunch at a canal-side restaurant like Bakers and Roasters. Or for a more colorful vibe, try Bulls and Dogs for a milkshake so photo-worthy you won’t want to drink it (but you will anyway)! 

thegoddess_pallas 4 years ago

Amsterdam Pride: July 30 – August 7, 2022 Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest (and most unique) Pride events in the entire world. Here, look forward to Amsterdam street parties all weekend long and, of course, the famous Canal Parade through the historic Amsterdam Unesco canals. The boats start at the Scheepvaart museum at the eastern part of the city center moving towards the Amstel river. The floats will continue from there taking the Prinsengracht towards the Westerdok. The Canal Parade starts around 12:30 pm and will cruise until late afternoon. The street parties after the Canal Parade on start at around 16:00.  Spectators of the parade often go to Amstelveld (which is direct next to the route), the large main stage on Dam square (en route towards to Central Station) and Rembrandtplein. On top of Pride, Amsterdam’s top music venues and clubs will be hosting parties all night long.

leah 3 years ago

There’s plenty of dark fun in Amsterdam, including Amsterdam Halloween: Amsterdam’s largest annual Halloween party on October 29th. If creepy history is more your thing, don’t forget to visit the macabre Amsterdam Dungeon. Built over a medieval cemetery, the dungeon is a thrilling live show and attraction that will whisk you way back into the Netherlands’ past. See, hear, feel and (ahem) smell the chillingly amusing characters of the ‘bad old days’ as they come to life before you. During Halloween, guides lead spine-chilling, 75-minute ticketed tours in English and Dutch that are sure to scare the wits out of you.

laurenmack 2 years ago

When: December 2, 2021 to January 23, 2022 This is easily one of the most exciting events in Amsterdam over the winter, and one of the easiest to catch because it lasts a couple of months in an attempt to banish those winter blues. Comprised of hundreds of art installations made of light, the Amsterdam Light Festival is home to exhibits both on land and on water. The water exhibits are drawn out over the picturesque Herengracht canal and make for a stunning winter stroll with mulled wine– you can even see them on the water by taking a canal tour!  The land exhibits get particularly innovative with interactive light installations that respond to touch and sound. Winter has never been this fun.

booksandbao 3 years ago

There’s pretty much one rule when it comes to King’s Day in Amsterdam: wear orange. This might be the world’s rowdiest birthday bash, beginning way back in 1891 on Queen Wilhelmina’s special day. Since then, it’s safe to say it has wholly transformed. In recent years it has drawn anywhere from 600,000 to upwards of 1 million partygoers, so get ready for one hell of a hangover if you choose to join in.

sarahlempa 3 years ago

Amsterdam is the only place on Earth where it feels like being LGBTQIA+ is the majority. This Dutch capital city is worth a visit for its picturesque canals, unique architecture, and lively LGBTQIA+ scene. Their annual Pride celebration is notorious for its massive street parties and canal parade.

chantelloura 3 years ago

Best place I traveled the year? #Amsterdam #WeAreSeeker #12DaysofChristmas #12DaysofSeeker

laurenmack 2 years ago

Exploring Amsterdam for a few days!

britjwhit 2 years ago

Gorgeous!

chiefseeker 2 years ago

Amsterdam Guides

  • Amsterdams Canal

    mendes.me (Melania Mendes)
    By the canals
  • Netherlands ✔️

    themarvelousmrsm (Josette Faye Mamsaang)
    Another beautiful destination in Europe and we would like to be back someday with our daughters.
  • Top Cannabis Friendly Hotels Around the World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    If you are planning a 420 vacation then you need a 420-friendly hotel to match. From luxury resorts in California to Jamaican island paradise, we have selected some of the top cannabis-friendly hotels from around the world that provide world-class experiences. Whether you have a strict budget or are ready to ball out, here are our picks of the best 420 friendly hotels around the world.
  • My Travel Story

    netanyas (Netanya Trimboli)
    This list tells the story of how I got started on travel and some of the most memorable spots along the way.
  • Top Cannabis Cafes Around the World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    From traditional cafes in Amsterdam to trendy lounges on the North American west coast, cannabis cafe culture is growing across the world *literally*. We scoured our records of past 420 friendly spots and selected our favorites, taking into consideration the ambiance and the quality of the bud. These inclusive spots serve inexperienced to well-versed connoisseurs daily, offering a truly elite cannabis-infused experience for levels. Enjoy hand-rolled premium joints, weed leaf tempura, and *a lot* of munchies at these top weed cafes across the world.
  • Hard Rock Cafè and Hotel around the world 🌎🤟🏻

    ste.divita (Stefania Di Vita)
  • New UNESCO World Heritage Sites To Discover in 2021

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    We have put together this list of the *brand new* 2021 UNESCO World Heritage list destinations across the globe, from ancient temples to elevated pottery towns. These unique sites around the world are famous for their significant history and importance to local culture. Whether you seek to uncover rare biodiversity amongst the tropical Islands of Japan, tour dynamic landscape gardens in Brazil, or discover ancient astronomical sites- these are some of the most cutting edge cultural heritage sites across the globe that made the cut for UNESCO just this year.
  • Theatre around the World 🌎 🎭🎼

    ste.divita (Stefania Di Vita)
  • Easily Walkable Cities Around The World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Sensible shoes are essential for this list-we put together some of the world’s most exciting and walkable destinations for a fun itinerary uncovering hidden gems, iconic landmarks, and memories to last a lifetime. Walkable cities are excellent for getting a taste of local life and having a chance to see past the usual tourist landmarks. These are some of our favorite cities to spend the day exploring by foot from NYC to Singapore- let’s step into the world’s most easily walkable cities for your next excursion.
  • Where To See Fall Foliage Around The World

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    These destinations have garnered international recognition for featuring breathtaking fall landscapes decorated in carpets of rich hues of orange, red, and yellow. We are so ready to grab a cup of cocoa and our favorite sweater and start our fall adventure, and these stops are on the top of our list. Fairytale castles, sparkling metropolises, fresh wine country, and hiking towns, all adorned in seas of leafy trees for us to melt into. Whatever dream fall getaway you have, consider these global destinations for autumn vibes and gorgeous scenery.
  • Places I’ve Been

    susanpazera (Susan Pazera)
  • Places that were different than I expected

    netanyas (Netanya Trimboli)
    For better or worse, these destinations were totally different than what I was expecting.
  • LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    This year travel to destinations that embrace all with wide open arms and rainbow colors. Stroll along historic pathways in NYC at the birthplace of Pride or party all night long down under at Sydney's famous LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras celebration- the possibilities of LGBTQ+ travel are endless, colorful, and exciting. Whether you prefer more low-key activities like cozying up in a coffee shop or want to get lost in the sparkling nightlife culture of a new country, we have the place for you. With access to history, culture, and yes- parties, add these exciting destinations to your LGBTQ+ travel list.
  • The NeverEnding Bucket List

    travelwelldunn (Bryana Dunn)
    I love making sure things are firmly written down to put them in action! I want to do all these and More! Have you done any of these? I’ll continuously add when I complete something! Let’s go!
  • Best Places to Celebrate Kings Day in The Netherlands

    seeker (Seeker Editors)
    Kings Day is one of the most vibrant celebrations throughout Europe, draped in bright orange and sparkling beneath the spring sunlight in The Netherlands. Enjoy traditional Dutch flea markets, outdoor music festivals, parades, and more at each of these cities across the country. King's day celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, and the cultural significance echoes across every corner of the country on this national day of festivities. Make sure to pack your best orange outfit, and get ready to enjoy one of Europe's most iconic holidays.
  • Places I've Been

    bookedbyiman (Iman Childs)
  • Fringe Festivals Around the World

    michele (Michele Humeston)
    Fringe Festivals are arts festivals- focussed on theatre but often involving many art forms- that seek to give a platform to independent, experimental, and alternative artists that otherwise exist on the “fringes” of the professional art world.
  • Places I've been

    ste.divita (Stefania Di Vita)
    "We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls."
  • Most Romantic Getaways in Europe

    loulianavoelker (Louliana Voelker)
    Europe is a lovely country to visit, especially with one you love. These are perfect getaways for couples in general but especially during Valentine's Day. This way you get to explore the beauty of the continent while spending special quality time with your partner.
  • Places I'd love to visit

    laura_comin (Laura Comin)
    These are the places I wish to see before I die.

Amsterdam Articles

  • The Best Places to Celebrate Halloween Worldwide

    Darkness falls across the world on October 31st, ushering in a night of Halloween thrills and chills. The pagan festival of Halloween was first celebrated in Ireland 3,000 years ago. Today, the Gaelic festival is celebrated with freaky fun that includes wild halloween events, carved pumpkins, trick-or-treating, ghost tours, parades, and more. While there are […]

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  • The Top 10 LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities: Ranked

    Grab your passport, pack your bags, and don’t forget your rainbow tee— these 10 cities around the world are ready to welcome you as your most authentic self. From small tropical getaways to buzzing urban scenes, these are some of the most picturesque places where members of the LGBTQIA+ community can not just feel safe, […]

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  • Traveling While Young, Female, and Black: Across 5 Different Countries

    Traveling is difficult! Everyone can relate to that. Hotel bookings, transportation planning, itinerary making, and *shudders* budgeting can easily add stress to even the dreamiest getaway. But now think about all of that on top of this: spending days on end researching how a place might treat you based on the amount of melanin in […]

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  • 11 Orange Places You Need to Add to Your Bucket List

    Dreamsicle-colored deserts (not desserts, for once) cover our planet…and they’re not the only show-stopping orange places around the globe. Orange festivals, orange cities, orange monuments —whether you prefer to sweat your way through arid ginger-scapes or dance through a valley of delicate flowers, you’ll have ample opportunity for both. Check out these 11 orange travel […]

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  • The Biggest Pride Parades Around the World 2022

    Each June, we honor the anniversary of Stonewall Uprising: the historic event that marked the start of the modern movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual rights (LGBTQIA+) across the globe. To celebrate, hundreds of Pride parades will take place in every nook and cranny of the world. With demonstrations, seminars, parties, […]

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  • Best Winter Festivals Around the World 2023-2024

    Can’t afford a steamy tropical vacation this winter? No worries. Bundle up embrace the cold with these super cozy (and family-friendly) winter festivals found around the world. Some of the best winter vacation spots are hiding right in plain sight: explore majestic ice sculptures in China, watch twinkling lights in the Netherlands, compete in winter […]

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  • Amsterdam’s Top 5 Clubs to Get Your Freak On

    It might be easier to find an après–ski bar on sun-soaked Antigua than it is to narrow down Amsterdam’s best spots to let your hair down. After all, the city is known just as much for its photogenic canals as it is for its high-octane clubbing landscape. And, due to the city’s diminutive size, there’s […]

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