Category: Neighborhoods

Though Amsterdam is a relatively small city, it has many distinctive neighborhoods, each with their own look, character, and pace.

Most tourists remain in the center of town, though many also visit a section of the Old South neighborhood, where the Vondelpark and the Museum Quarter are located.

Savvy tourists also explore the other parts of Amsterdam.

Van Gogh Museum — Plan Your Visit

50th Anniversary Year: Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world.

Our extensive Van Gogh Museum guide includes details about the collection, along with information about the current temporary exhibition: Van Gogh in Auvers.

NOTE: No ticket sales at the door. You can only visit the museum after buying timed-entry tickets online. We show you how and where.

Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo

Founded in 1838, ARTIS is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, and one of the oldest zoos of mainland Europe.

Guidebooks rightly refer to it one of the most pleasant city zoos around. The whole place breathes a 19th-century garden atmosphere with winding paths, majestic trees, fascinating sculptures and monumental historical buildings.

As much as possible the over 500 species of animals live in landscaping that resembles their natural habitat.

Westertoren

On August 10, 1943, Anne Frank — hiding in the Achterhuis — wrote, “We’ve all been a little confused this past week, because our dearly beloved Westertoren bells have been carted off to be melted down for the war, so we have no idea of the exact time, either night or day…”

So, whatever happened to the bells of the Westertoren?