Tag: amsterdam

The dark winter days are maybe the coziest time to visit the city. With Christmas decorations and fairy lights illuminating the stunning buildings, like in the Nine Streets, walking around already brings you in the Holiday spirit! Besides general sightseeing, there are plenty of activities to make your winter trip unforgettable. Here are some of our top tips!

Amsterdam’s iconic canals transform into a illuminated gallery during the Amsterdam Light Festival. Cruise along the artworks with a LOVERS Canal Cruise and admire stunning light art installations with front row seats. You will be warm and comfortable in the heated boats, where you can listen to the included audio guide.

Many pieces are custom-made for this festival, turning the city itself into a breathtaking canvas. The cruise even passes through a colorful lit-up tunnel and through an arc made out of lights.

An Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise is included in your Explore Pass! Don’t miss this opportunity, as this event is only running until the January 19!

No Dutch winter is complete without enjoying an oliebol! We have talked about them before in our blog about the beautiful Dutch cuisine, but these fried balls deserve all the praise they can get!

The deep-fried dough balls, dusted with powdered sugar, are a beloved seasonal treat that has been a staple in Dutch culture for centuries. You’ll often find them sold at pop-up stands and festive markets or at garden centers and fairs. They are an essential part of the winter experience.

An Oliebol is the perfect and quick snack while exploring Amsterdam’s holiday festivities. The typical Oliebol is a plain dough-ball or with raisins. But some Oliebollen-stands get creative and add Nutella, Pistache or even Matcha!

For a chilling and unique experience, head to the Amsterdam Icebar. This frozen wonderland is made entirely of ice, from the walls and furniture to the glasses your drinks are served in. The Icebar provides a fun, themed adventure where you can enjoy cold cocktails or mocktails in a sub-zero environment.

With your Explore Pass, you can experience this icy escape! You’ll be wrapped in warm jackets and gloves to stay warm as you soak in the ambiance. Step into a winter wonderland—and a perfect spot for unforgettable photos! Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, the Icebar is a fantastic way to chill out, literally.

Skate under the twinkling lights on the rink at Museumplein, surrounded by iconic landmarks. The area also hosts a small winter market, offering warm snacks and festive drinks like glühwein. It’s the perfect spot to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts and soak in the holiday cheer.

The rink is open from December 12 to December 24 from 12:00 to 21:00 and December 25 to 26 from 12:00 to 18:00. (image: IceAmsterdam)

Warm up with fluffy Dutch poffertjes at Dutch Pancake Masters. These bite-sized, or fun-sized, pancakes are served with melted butter and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect after a canal cruise or as a cozy winter treat, these little delights bring a velvety sweetness to your day.

Experience the comforting winter ambiance and enjoy Dutch food at its finest 😉. Dutch Pancake Masters Poffertjes tasting is a great way to taste Dutch culture!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not at the Dam is always a quirky experience, but when the scary season rolls around, it takes on a whole new level of fun and fright! This year, on October 30th, Ripley’s is turning up the spooky factor with a special event suitable for visitors of all ages.

So, what can you do during Ripley’s Halloween special?

• Join a scavenger hunt, and if you complete it, you’ll get a treat for handing in your answers!
• Get creative by painting pumpkins in Ripley’s lounge, and you take your masterpiece home with you.
• Do you have a favorite spooky character? Get your face painted at our face paint area, then snap some fun photos in Ripley’s with your new look!

This Halloween special at Ripley’s is set to be a memorable celebration of all things creepy and strange. Your normal entrance ticket to Ripley’s on the 30^th of October let’s you enjoy all activities listed above! For more information, check out their website and plan your visit!

Ripley’s is also included in the Explore Pass.

Concertgebouw: Scary Classics at the Movies

Prepare to be captivated by spine-chilling melodies of your favourite Halloween classics!

The Concertgebouw Orchestra presents Scary Classics at the Movies. This unique event blends the haunting power of classical music with iconic horror soundtracks. From The Silence of the Lambs to Jaws and Psycho, this concert will immerse you into the thrilling world of the best Scary Classics!

At the prettiest theater of the Netherlands, enjoy haunting tunes while being dipped in candlelight! The Hydra Quartet will play your favourite Halloween themed tunes, from Thriller to Danse Macabre!

Whether you’re a fan of classical music or classic Halloween films, these experiences are sure to send shivers down your spine. With its unparalleled acoustics and majestic setting, you are in for the perfect night out with some hair-raising tunes. Get ready for an evening of music that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Concertgebouw: Scary Classics at the movies – 9 oktober 20:15

Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski: Candlelight: Halloween Klassiekers – 24 Oktober 18:30

If there is a sight that will surely take your breath away, it’s the romantic canals circling the city! And what better way to get a view of the city, then by taking a boat tour on those canals? Well, we can make it even better, by combining the views with delicious wine and cheese!

You don’t have to hold back on anything: snacks a plenty, drinks a many, and views uncanny!

At the Jordaan, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of Amsterdam (read more  about the different districts in this blog post), find the Noorderkerk. One of the oldest churches in the city! Moreover, this church was visited by two of the most famous painters from the Netherlands, Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn!

This makes it even more special that this church now holds a exposition of the two. Van Gogh & Rembrandt in Amsterdam is a breathtaking  show where you step into their artwork. Learn the story of how Vincent was inspired by Rembrand by listening to the letter that he send to his brother Theo.

At the Jordaan, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods of Amsterdam (read more  about the different districts in this blog post), find the Noorderkerk. One of the oldest churches in the city! Moreover, this church was visited by two of the most famous painters from the Netherlands, Vincent van Gogh and Rembrandt van Rijn!

This makes it even more special that this church now holds a exposition of the two. Van Gogh & Rembrandt in Amsterdam is a breathtaking  show where you step into their artwork. Learn the story of how Vincent was inspired by Rembrand by listening to the letter that he send to his brother Theo.

Move around the city with ease, on the hop on hop off bus tour. The icon red buses circle the city centre, and you can jump in at any of the stops. See something cool? Hop off and explore. Done? Hop back on and continue your adventure!

Learn about the city with the provided GPS audio guide. Plug in the provided headphones and hear the history of the buildings and places you pass by.

It’s the best way to see the city, without wearing yourself out.

The Amsterdam Icebar is one of those places where time doesn’t seem to exist. Enter the bar and you are inside a ship on a voyage to the Arctic. You follow the story of the Dutch explorers that got stuck on icebergs close to Nova Zembla. They survived a whole winter in the freezing cold. How long can you stand it?

You receive 3 drinks to help you stay warm. This fun thematic bar is a guaranty to an evening full of new fun memories.

Okay, we will admit: we can’t get enough of the canal cruises! If dough and cheese is more your style than just cheese, opt for a pizza cruise. With stunning views and a fresh slice of New York style pizza in your hand you are in for a real Amsterdam treat! The cruise takes around 75 minutes and takes you through the most iconic canals.

Enter Body Worlds and leave with a deeper appreciation of our anatomy. Discover how our body works, from the nervous system to the skin and everything in between. Get a unique view of the human body from under the skin.

The bodies on display are real human bodies that have gone through a specific process, plastination, to preserve them and make it possible to showcase them to the visitors of the museum! It’s both educational and thought-provoking.

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum. This world-renowned museum houses an impressive collection of Dutch art and history, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals. From the iconic “Night Watch” to stunning porcelain and intricate silverware, the Rijksmuseum offers something for everyone.

Get up close and personal with incredible animals at Artis Royal Zoo. This historic zoo boasts a diverse range of animals, from majestic elephants and playful otters to exotic birds and reptiles. Explore the beautiful botanical gardens, visit the Planetarium, or simply relax in the zoo’s peaceful surroundings.

Prepare to be amazed by the bizarre and unbelievable at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This interactive museum is filled with mind-boggling exhibits, strange artifacts, and unbelievable facts. From shrunken heads to life-size illusions, Ripley’s offers a fun and entertaining experience for all ages.