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| Amsterdam Local Reference INFOrmation
Information and links for tourists to Amsterdam, with details on accommodation, flights and airports, museums, tourist services and must-see sights along the coast.
Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service (ATAS) is a free service available to assist visitors to Amsterdam if they need help (in the event of a theft or robbery for example).
ATAS services include:
Amsterdam Airport Contacts
Public TransportGetting around in Holland is relatively easy. Public transport is very good and generally reliable and there is a choice of trains, buses, trams, metro, taxis and water transport. Most services start around 06:00 and stop at midnight. Night bus services run through the night in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. The Netherlands Railway network (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS) is modern and efficient and most staff speak some English. As the Netherlands is not a huge country, distances and therefore travel times are extremely manageable (for example, Delft to Amsterdam is less than an hour by train) and services are frequent.
A Strippenkart (strip ticket) makes travelling by bus or tram simple. The tickets are sold at Tourist Information offices, post offices, department stores, tobacconists and at train stations. Each journey costs a certain number of "strips" depending on the distance. Strips are stamped using the yellow on board machine or by the bus conductor. The card can be shared - just use the number of strips required multiplied by the number of users. There are reduced tariff strips for children aged four to eleven and for senior citizens with the necessary Pas-65. Tickets can be bought on the tram or bus but cost more. Amsterdam has a three line metro network connecting the city centre and outer suburbs. Metro passengers use the OV-chipkaart (Public Transport Smart Card). Cards can be obtained by filling out an application at stations or GVB offices. On 1 January 2009, the OV-chipkaart top-up smart card system will replace the Strippenkart for travel on all public transport
Taxis can be picked up in the street or at designated stands or can be booked by telephone. They will charge an initial fee plus a fixed rate for each kilometre travelled. Amsterdam and other cities are easy to explore on foot or by bike. Tourists can rent a bicycle from many places around the city.
There is also a choice of water transportation in Amsterdam. There are regular ferry services and canal cruises, water taxis and canal bikes for tourists.
Where to StayAmsterdam offers a wide variety of accommodation, with options ranging from camping to Bed & Breakfast accommodation, to stays in luxury hotels and bungalow parks.
Days Out in North HollandThere are many places to visit, sights to see and foods to taste in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Arnhem and Nijmegen, Utrecht, Lelystad and Almere.
Amsterdam for ChildrenThere are a number of activities for children in the Amsterdam and the Netherlands including amusement parks, water parks and museums.
Tourist AttractionsNote that for one weekend in September there is a National Heritage Weekend. On this weekend thousands of monuments and other buildings are open to the public free of charge. Many locations also present special activities such as concerts and guided tours. Dates vary from year; see the Holland Tourist website. AmsterdamThe I amsterdam Card is the Amsterdam tourist pass. It consists of:
There is a choice of a 24, 48 or 72-hours card. A card is valid within the calendar year. They are sold at the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board ( ATCB) information offices or online.
Amsterdam sightsThe Dutch capital welcomes over 4 million visitors each year. It is a multicultural city with a programme of popular annual events and a variety of attractions for all ages and nationalities. Canals and Waterways: Amsterdam is sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’. It has over 160 canals and waterways and 1,000 bridges. The three main canals are the Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizergracht, which were created in the Dutch Golden age. Tourists can explore the city, see the architecture and learn about Holland’s history by taking a canal cruise. Museums: There are a number of museums and art galleries in Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum is the largest national museum in the Netherlands and houses a collection of 17th century Dutch art. Other famous Amsterdam museums include the Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank Huis and Rembrandthuis. Heritage sites and monuments: Almost a third of the buildings in Amsterdam were built before 1850 and there are more than 6,500 national monuments in the city. Dam Square, in the centre of Amsterdam, is situated on the site of the 13th century Amstel dam. Koninklijk Paleis, Nieuwe Kerk and other examples of Dutch architecture from six centuries of history are found around Dam Square. The Oude Kerk church is Amsterdam’s oldest monument. Parks and gardens: Situated in the city centre, Vondelpark is the largest of Amsterdam’s parks. It attracts approximately 10 million visitors annually. In the summer it hosts a variety of open-air theatre and music. There are six children’s playgrounds and activities held during the week.
Annual Events: Amsterdam has a full calendar of annual events including Gay Pride, Queen’s Day and Liberation Day celebrations. The Four Day Marches is held each year in Arnhem in the province of Gelderland.
Tourist Information OfficesThe Tourist Information Points (Toeristen Informatie Punt, TIP) provide information on what to see, local events, accommodation and eating out. Opening hours vary according to season and they will be closed on Christmas and New Year's day. For full details on the range of services offered by individual offices and opening hours consult the main Holland Tourist website or go directly to the local website: North Holland
UtrechtFlevoland
Gelderland
Further Information
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