1. Damrack

If you walk out of Amsterdam Central you will be walking down a street called Damrack; this street is always busy with locals and tourists who are zipping around the city. On this street, you will find retail shops, cheese shops, souvenir shops, a Fibo; and the Chip King. If you’re wondering what the heck I am talking about check out our Netherlands Post; in short the Dutch LOVE hot chips and they serve them in cones with a dipping sauce; traditionally it is Mayo but these days you can get all sorts of flavours. If you keep walking straight down Damrack; (With Central station behind you) you will reach a beautiful big square called Dam square

Dam Square is home to the palace of Amsterdam; the beautiful palace is not used by the royal family anymore; however, it is still used for official receptions. Dam Square is a lively square offering many cafés, restaurants, shopping experiences, buskers, entertainers, and PIGEONS; so many pigeons everywhere, you’re not dodging the bikes now you are dodging the pigeons.

National Monument

The second thing that will capture your eye in the square is the National Monument; it was built in memory of the Dutch Soldiers and members of the resistance who fought and died in WWII. During World war II the Dutch wanted to push back against the Nazi Germans; who had taken the Netherlands. The Dutch didn’t like the fact that the Jewish community was being targeted; especially so they stood up and took a stand.

The Dutch went on a 2-day strike where they stopped the city in its tracks; no one went to work, no trains or services. Unfortunately, this did not work out very well and hundred of Dutch people were killed in the process. At the end of WWI, the documents were signed to say it was over and that the Germans surrender; which meant the Dutch were allowed to disarm them. Well, some of the Germans did not like that; they refused and it led to a mass shooting in Dam Square 32 people were killed in 1945.

These days it is a much happier place with lots of things to see and do; you should defiantly check out the Amsterdam Dungeons; it was awesome they basically run through the rich history; of the Netherlands and bring it to life in a horror house manner.

• Wax Museum
• 10am -1900 daily last admission 1800
• It is cheaper to buy your tickets online, the online price is €20.00 per person at the door €24.50
• Combo ticket with Amsterdam Dungeons online price €24.50 per person at the door is €48.50
• Tram 1,2,4,5,9,14,16,17,24,25  Stop –Dam Square
• https://www.madametussauds.com/amsterdam/en/

4. Amsterdam Dungeons

• History horror house
• 11am -1800pm daily English shows are usually held at 1300 and 1500
• Again it is cheaper if you buy our tickets online; the online price is €19.00 per person and at the door is €24.00
• Dam Square, Facing Madame Tussauds; go to the street to the left walk for about 5 mins is on the right side
• https://www.thedungeons.com/amsterdam/en/

5. Oude Kerk – Giant Church in the Red Light District

Nicknamed Oude Jan (“Old John”), is a Gothic Protestant church; there are approximately 400 people are entombed in the Oude Kerk. This was once the center of Amsterdam and the Oude Kerk was founded as St. Bartholomew’s Church in the year 1246. Word of warning don’t lean on or talk too loud outside the church; there is a real live Grinch that lives there and he gets really mad if you’re disturbing him; I am speaking from experience!

Have a read of our Amsterdam a city like no other; for a quick incite to the reason why; there is a giant church in the middle of the Red Light District. Also have a read of Sex Drugs and Alcohol in Amsterdam, a real eye-opener!

6. Meet Belle

Belle is a bronze statue standing proud at the start of the Red Light District; she is to honor the sex workers of the world. The Statue was commissioned by Mariska Majoor a former sex worker; who founded the Prostitute information center in Amsterdam. She believed that knowledge is power and educating people on sex would remove the stigma from society. The plaque at the base of the statue says “Respect sex workers all over the world”. 

7. Golden Boob

This one is a little random, if you walk to the right of the church; about halfway to the canal, and look down you will see a golden boob! Yes, a Golden Boob! Who put this here? Well, no one really knows who put the one boob there; it just appeared in the heart of Amsterdam’s red-light district. It is said it is to honor sex workers; since then it has been revealed it was made by a doctor who made sculptures in his spare time. His name is still unknown to the public only the authorities have that information.

8. Skinny Lane

Skinny Lane (not the official name) is only 3 Foot Wide; Trompettersteeg is the narrowest street in Amsterdam. It is an introduction to the Red Light District; you will see prostitutes posing behind their windows on both sides of the street. If the curtains are drawn the ladies are “Busy”; if the red light is on and the curtain is open they are in business. Don’t be afraid to look; the ladies expect it however don’t be rude; and DO NOT even attempt to pull your phone out of your pocket or bag, or it will end up in the canal.

Anne Frank’s Diary is a world-famous publication of her view of the world from the confines of the attic; she describes what it is like having to hide and constantly live in fear of being found, and shipped off to the concentration camps. She describes that the only thing that kept her grounded in the real world; was the sound of the bells that rang from the church which is next door to the building. Unfortunately, the family was discovered by the Nazis; and separated to different concentration camps Anne and her sister both perished. Otto Anne’s dad was the only one to survive the whole ordeal he made his way back to the house; and found Anne’s diary and decided the world needs to hear Anne’s perspective on the ordeal. 

The Museum

The Anne Frank house was opened as a museum in 1960; it takes you through the story of the family. You will find the original version of the diary as well as exhibitions from wartime. Visiting the house is a very surreal and moving experience; seeing it for yourself teaches you about the history, and shows you what life would have been like during the Nazi occupation. Millions of people from all around the world choose to take a journey; through the life of an innocent Jewish girl caught up in the mess of WWII. If you do want to visit I would strongly recommend pre-booking your tickets WELL in advance; as the space is quite small they only let a certain amount of people in at a time; and once the tickets sell out you miss out.

Ticketing Info

• Open Daily from 09:30am to 16:30
• €12.50, although there is always huge lines, buying online, is recommended
• There are very steep stairs up to the museum; so it is not advised to visit it you have mobility issues
• 20 minutes to walk from the Central Station to the museum.
• Trams 13, 14 and 17 and buses 170, 172 and 174 stop nearby, at the ‘Westermarkt’ stop.

Address and route

The Anne Frank House is located in the city centre of Amsterdam, at Prinsengracht 263-267. The entrance to the museum is around the corner, at Westermarkt 20.https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/

10. The Pancake Club – Dutch Pancakes

This is one of the few places in Amsterdam that you will find Poffertjes; or those delicious little Dutch pancakes. Traditionally they are served on a plate of 6 with a light dusting of icing sugar. These days they are a little bit more elaborate; and you can get them with chocolate sauce, strawberry sauces, fresh fruit, or even ice cream. They are open daily from 9am to 6pm

Leidsebosje 5, 1054 LJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands