Guide to Visiting Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

I timed my first trip to Amsterdam for April so that I could (hopefully) catch a glimpse of the fabled (and fleeting) blooming season in the Netherlands. That particular year our visit was a little on the early side of spring, but the flowers that we did see did not disappoint. Luckily, for travelers with the Dutch capital on their bucket list Amsterdam is definitely a year-round destination.

Overall I found the city to be the most charming along the outer canal rings thanks to the gingerbread-like gabled houses and photogenic bridges that double as bike storage racks for locals. The closer we got to the center of the city, the more crowded (and sometimes seedy) it felt with a higher concentration of tourists and “coffeeshops”. The nice thing is that Amsterdam is a city with so many different facets that truly does offer something for everyone. Here’s what you need to know.

Most visitors to Amsterdam arrive either by plane or train. Schiphol Airport (AMS) is only 5.5 miles (9km) from the city center, and the fastest and cheapest way to get between the two is by a direct NS Sprinter or Intercity train. The trip from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal station is about 15-20 minutes with trains departing every 15 minutes or so (buy your ticket from the yellow and blue automated machines). The station is located at the northern edge of the city with the main street Damrak leading south towards Dam Square and the canals fanning out in a u-shape around Amsterdam’s center. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).