Amsterdam - with or without a bike around the city

AROUND THE CITY
Amsterdam is a city of steps - most of the most important points of the city are concentrated around its core. The city is divided into zones, between which you can travel by subway, trams or city buses. The boats that sail along the river canals certainly offer an exceptional experience, which is why the city is also called the Venice of the North. The Canal bus runs from 9:50 to 19:25 every 40 minutes and stops at fourteen stops in three different directions. A daily ticket for him costs sixteen euros. Most of the Dutch travel around the cities by bicycle, there are 400 kilometers of bicycle paths. Renting a bike for the whole day will cost around eight euros. For those less enthusiastic about physical exertion, pay attention to the wheeled taxis, which can carry up to two people at the same time. If you've decided to visit Amsterdam for a day, two or three, you can buy the I AMsterdam card, which gives you free rides on public transport and gondolas, free entry to some of the city's attractions and museums, and a 25 percent discount at other entrance fees, in restaurants and shops. You can choose between cards for 24 (33 euros), 48 (43 euros) or 72 hours (53 euros), and you also get a practical mini-guide to Amsterdam's attractions, which is also written in English. You can find more information about overnight stays in Amsterdam on the website www.amsterdam.info/hotels. In addition to numerous hotels, there are also many youth hostels in the city. For morning coffee, we suggest Grand café Land Van Walem or In De Waag. The first designer bar in the city, Land Van Walem, hides a trendy interior behind a classic facade. You have plenty of daily newspapers and magazines available, and they also offer good food for a late breakfast or afternoon snack. And De Waag can be found on Nieuwmarkt, in the oldest part of the city. The interior is enclosed in a good meter thick wall, illuminated by more than three hundred candles. Despite the medieval impression, in addition to excellent coffee, they offer free internet access, and in good weather the outdoor terrace with a view of the Nieuwmarkt comes to life.

CULTURE
In the city, it is possible to see quality performances in English almost every night of the year. Most of the major theaters are clustered around Leidseplein. Film buffs can go to the cinema with peace of mind, as the films are shown in the original language, with Dutch subtitles. There are many museums in the city, for art lovers we suggest visiting the Van Gogh Museum, where most of the artist's works are collected. You can find it on Museumplein, between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedeljik Museum. From June 1 to 26, Amsterdam will come alive with the Hollandfestival, which brings plenty of cultural, musical and other events. You can see the program of events on the official website of the festival.

TRIVIA
Among the many unusual attractions, we suggest a visit to the modern Amsterdam monument - NEMO is a modern center of science and technology, which is open to the public. It is designed in the shape of a ship rising from the water, and from the highest point it offers an amazing view of the city. For futuristic idealists, a visit to the modern design achievements of Wonen 2000 is a must. The futuristic building is equipped with modern interior design. It is a new concept of watching and admiring while drinking coffee. For romantics, a visit to the floating flower market is suitable, from tulips to exotic plants. In the summer, the market is colorful and vibrant, and in the winter, Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes turn it green. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GOURMETS
In Amsterdam we find many good restaurants, fast food chains and tastes from all over the world. If you want a light and enjoyable evening meal, Beddingtons is not to be missed. The black and white interior directs all attention to the food. Bold and innovative cuisine combines the refined flavors of British, French, Italian, Indian and Japanese cuisine. Reservations are essential. If you want to try different dishes, visit Bordewijk, where you will enjoy Jordanian cuisine from the hands of the greatest master in the Netherlands. In addition to excellent food, they offer a rich selection of wines, some in very unusual bottles. Here, too, you will have to secure your place in advance.

NIGHT LIFE
In warm summer evenings, the city especially comes alive. These coffeeshops are famous, where you can buy a pack of marijuana, as the consumption of soft drugs is allowed in the Netherlands. Prostitution, which is offered in a cultural way in this Red light district, is also legalized. In the city center there are red streets where attractive girls are offered in shop windows. Everyone will certainly find something for themselves here, but for twenty minutes of meaty delight you will have to shell out around 50 euros. A tour of the Erotic Museum, where the world's erotic collection is revealed on five floors, is also tempting. In the evening, the city center also comes alive with various clubs, there are many trendy chill out and lounge bars. If you're into partying, you can't miss Vakziud, which is set in a renovated former Olympic stadium and combines good DJ music with sushi, Asian food and a lounge atmosphere. In summer, it has a large terrace outside, in front of which exceptional examples of Porsches and BMWs gather on Sunday afternoons.

SHOPPING
Amsterdam is a shopaholic's paradise. Shops are mostly open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Tuesdays, most of them invite you to go shopping until 9 p.m. The main shopping street is definitely the Kalverstraat with lots of shops, malls and small shop windows, and shopping is also possible on Sundays. The latest fashion trends are accompanied by a wide range of boutiques, jewelry and shoes on PCHoofstraat. In the city center you can find everything - designer boutiques and indispensable fashion store chains such as H&M, Benetton, DKNY and many others.