Destination Fly4free: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is best known for its channels, bikes, museums, bars and coffee shops. This beautiful city provides the perfect blend of history, culture and fun.

Get the skip-the-line tickets for Amsterdam’s top attractions HERE >>

How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Amsterdam:

• 5* Singapore Airlines: Cheap flights from AU cities to Amsterdam, Netherlands from AU$896! >>
• CHEAP! London, Paris or Amsterdam and Iceland in one trip from Seattle, New York or Chicago from only $262! >>
• 5* Eva Air: Hong Kong to Amsterdam for only $445! >>
• Cheap flights from Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis to Amsterdam, Rome and Paris from only $334! NYE dates available! >>
• Cheap flights from Seattle to Rome, Amsterdam or Paris from only $347! >>>

Where to stay:
We encourage you to stay at 4* Xo Hotels Blue Tower with very good reviews. This 4-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen cable TV, in the West-side of Amsterdam. It features bicycle rental and is only 250 m away from Bos en Lommerplein bus and tram stop, where trams to the city centre depart. All of the rooms at XO Hotels Blue Tower are refurbished in March 2017 and include a work desk and a Nespresso machine. Saffron offers modern Chinese cuisine with a French twist. This elegant restaurant features dark décor with wooden floors, Eastern design touches and comfortable booths. Amsterdam Sloterdijk Railway Station is less than 20 minutes’ walk away and the centre of Amsterdam is 25 minutes’ journey away by public transport. Schiphol Airport is a 15-minute car journey from XO Hotels Blue Tower.

You can also choose to book 3* Best Western Zaan Inn with very good reviews! Located a 3-minute walk from Zaandam’s train station, this 3-star hotel offers bright rooms with a modern décor. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The spacious rooms are fitted with a seating area, a work desk and a flat-screen TV. They also feature a large window and wooden floors. The bathrooms feature a shower and free toiletries are provided.

What to do:
Wander the narrow streets of Jordaan. This charming district is dotted with art galleries, antiques shops, bars and restaurants.

Walk along Nieuwe Spiegelstraat – a charming street lined with antique stores where you can find countless curios and historic items. Every shop has an unique collection. Buy some classic items associated with the Netherlands like ceramic tulip vases and blue Delft tiles.

Hunt for the best gastronomy and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. There are about 1,500 bars and cafes in Amsterdam!

Visit Vondelpark, the largest city park in Amsterdam. You can also enjoy jogging or roller-skating. In the summer you can attend a free concert at the open-air theatre.

Take the train or bike through the countryside to see the tulips growing and blooming.

Discover Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world

Explore the Artis Zoo that is home to 6,100 animals.

Check out Electric Ladyland – the world’s only museum devoted to fluorescent art.

Take a canal cruise or catch the ferry to Amsterdam North.

Visit Oude Kerk (Old Church), the oldest building in Amsterdam. Situated in the heart of the Wallen area, it was consecrated in 1306.

Cat lovers should check out the KattenKabinet, an art museum devoted to works depicting cat. They can also visit De Poezenboot (The Cat Boat) – a special houseboat dedicated exclusively to cats. This floating feline sanctuary is moored on the Singel canal.

Culture enthusiasts can head to the Dutch National Opera.

Try out Amsterdam’s room escape games.

For more Destinations Fly4free click here >>>

Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>

Amsterdam from Mark Cersosimo on Vimeo.