Bicycles weaving through the city, boats gliding along the canals, colourful tulips adorning the iconic windmills and quaint riverside houses… Amsterdam will fascinate you with its unique feel and provide you with everlasting memories. Explore the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank’s House, and all the galleries housing incredible works of art and enthralling stories. You’ll discover the real essence of the city when you take a stroll through its narrow streets and a boat trip on the canals.
Amsterdam exudes charm in every season. The pleasant weather in spring invites you to hop on a bicycle to explore the city and the tulip fields. Come summer, the long sunny days bring open-air festivals, liven up the gardens, and pave the way for a bustling nightlife. Autumn sees the city tinged in shades of gold and is the perfect time for relaxing walks and museum visits. Winter sets the stage for a magical setting with traditional Christmas lights and markets.
Schiphol Airport, just 15 km away from the city centre, is served by flights from numerous cities worldwide. If you’re departing from Europe, you can travel to Amsterdam by bus or high-speed rail, depending on where you're coming from. When you arrive, make sure you explore the capital of the Netherlands by bicycle, as it’s an unbeatable experience.
Amsterdam’s cuisine is a rich blend of Dutch tradition and international influences. Some of the most noteworthy dishes include stamppot, mashed potatoes with vegetables, and Bitterballen, a savoury Dutch snack. Try traditional raw herring served with onions and pickles. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love stroopwafel, a caramel-filled wafer. And don’t miss out on the famous chips with mayo.
Amsterdam´s canals, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, give you the opportunity to go on a boat trip and admire the architectural beauty of the waterside buildings and the floating flower markets. The Rijksmuseum, exhibiting works by Rembrandt, and the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to the works of the iconic Dutch artist, are must-see attractions. Finally, be sure to visit Anne Frank’s House and get to know the moving story of a young girl during the Second World War.
The biggest field of flowers in the world, Keukenhof Park, is just an hour away from Amsterdam. With its millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, the park blossoms into a sea of vibrant colours in the spring. The park also hosts several exhibitions celebrating Dutch culture. This is undoubtedly one of the must-see places on your trip.
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Our hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is known for its 17th-century canal belt (Grachtengordel: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, its narrow merchant houses with gables, its large museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum), and its cycling culture. The Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is located on the banks of the Amstel River, in the De Pijp district.
In Amsterdam, the Pestana Group operates the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside, a 5-star hotel classified as a National Monument, located at Amsteldijk 67, on the banks of the Amstel River and above the De Pijp district. It combines two historic 19th-century buildings (including the former Nieuwer-Amstel town hall/archive) with two contemporary annexes, offering 154 rooms, suites, and studios, and a Wellness Spa with an indoor pool. There is a pier approximately 50 meters away for boat trips.
Spring (especially April-May) is the most popular time, with the tulips in bloom and the Keukenhof gardens (approximately 1 hour away). Summer (June-September) has the best weather and outdoor festivals. Autumn brings golden hues and fewer crowds, ideal for museums, and winter, although cold, is enchanting because of the Christmas markets. The riverside location of the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside makes boat trips easy in any season.
The gateway is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), approximately 15 km from the city center. The train station is located under the terminal, with trains to Amsterdam Centraal several times an hour and a journey time of only approximately 15-20 minutes. There are also connections by high-speed train and bus. In Amsterdam, the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is easily reached from Centraal by metro, tram or taxi.
The Rijksmuseum (Rembrandt and Masters of the Golden Age), the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. It's worth exploring the UNESCO canal belt by boat or on foot, seeing the gable houses and the Royal Palace on Dam Avenue, and in spring visiting the tulip fields and Keukenhof. Next to the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is the Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp, ideal for trying stroopwafel, raw herring, and bitterballen.
The GVB network combines trams, buses, and metro, with trams being the most practical way to cross the center (OV-chipkaart or contactless card). Bicycles are the preferred mode of transport for locals, with many rental options and cycle paths throughout the city. The historic center is best explored on foot. From the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside hotel, there are trams and metro nearby, and the pier 50m away allows you to explore the city by water.