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15 Secrets & Things to do in Amsterdam

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These are my carefully selected 15 hidden secrets & best places in Amsterdam where I studied for 4 years and includes gems like the smallest house, weird Dutch urinals, human deformities museum, Red Light District secrets and tips for the Amsterdam nightlife.

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Don't be deceived by narrow perceptions; Amsterdam is a city with far more to offer than just its infamous red-light district and cannabis culture. It's a place rich in history, brimming with stunning architecture, beautiful canals, world-class museums, and a vibrant arts scene. It's a cultural melting pot with a plethora of charming cafes, diverse cuisine, and lush green parks. Beyond the clichés, Amsterdam is a hub for innovation, a haven for cycling enthusiasts, and a treasure trove of unique, local boutiques and markets. This city encapsulates an extraordinary blend of historical charm and modern dynamism.

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100+ hours of research went into creating this ultimate map including:
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Best Places for Travel in Amsterdam

  • 1. Wynand Fockink

    Jenever aka Dutch Gin taste room across Dam Square

  • 2. Henks Herring

    Best local herring in Amsterdam, make sure to add raw onions & pickels

  • 3. Red Light Secrets

    The first museum of prostitution in the world

  • 4. De Krul

    Bizarre public toilets located at most main canals

  • 5. Smallest House in Amsterdam

    See if you can fit through the doorway, this house is only 2 meters and 2 centimeters

  • 6. Vrolik Museum

    Largest collection of human deformations all in one place

smallest house in amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands the late night party crew at Het Leidseplein in Amsterdam, Netherlands canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands amsterdam cheese company in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Start off your journey through Amsterdam at Wynand Fockink, taste room located in a back alley at dam square, you can taste many popular gins which we call Jenever in Dutch. Jenever is Holland’s national spirit since the early 17th century. The first Dutch Jenever was sold only in pharmacies as an herbal medicine.

  • 7. Trippenhuis

    Biggest house in Amsterdam built by the Trip brothers

  • 8. Amsterdam Cheese Company

    Try taste samples of the most popular Dutch cheeses

  • 9. Equestrian Statue of Queen Wilhelmina

    See if you can find the mistake with this statue, its funny!

  • 10. Canal House Museum

    Learn about the early construction of canal houses

  • 11. Blue Amsterdam

    Best view in Amsterdam at this 360 panorama restaurant

  • 12. Sensi Seeds

    Get high before you visit the art museums for an inspirational rush!

                                in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Once warm from the alcohol grab some fresh herring at Henk's Herring, a local delight! For more crazy food adventures, check out my recent article: 5 Crazy Foods You Wouldn't Dare To Eat!

  • 13. Hermitage Museum

    Impressive collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age

  • 14. Van Gogh Museum

    Visit on Friday evenings to enjoy live DJ's, art shows and alcohol while browsing the Van Gogh paintings

  • 15. Amsterdam Nightlife

    The best places are Melkweg, Paradiso, The Waterhole and Club NYX! Watch the entire video!

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Recently, the Museum of Prostitution opened its doors. It’s the first museum in the world that is focused on prostitution and don't forget to checkout the Casa Rosso theater, which offers all-you-can-drink sex shows where you can even partake in a few scenes.

taste room Wynand Fockink in a hidden alleyway in Amsterdam, Netherlands taste room Wynand Fockink in a hidden alleyway

The public urinals in Amsterdam may seem disgusting to some, but the locals love em', known in Dutch as 'De Krul' and have been in Amsterdam since 1880. At least 15 people die annually while peeing into an Amsterdam canal due to being often drunk and falling in.

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For dinner go to Blue Amsterdam panorama restaurant, a true hidden gem in Amsterdam, which offers the best view of the city, they serve amazing local comfort food and drinks.

strange Japanese inspired art show at Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands strange Japanese inspired art show at Van Gogh Museum

People always ask me; 'Why is weed legal in Amsterdam?', and reply; 'Why do you think Amsterdam has the most museum in the world?' - Watching paintings while being high will make you enter a whole new dimension of art.

strange Japanese inspired art show at Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands Cafe Cox in Amsterdam, Netherlands                                 in Amsterdam, Netherlands police on horses in Amsterdam, Netherlands bloed straat centrum in Amsterdam, Netherlands Sloeber Biertje at De Zotte in Amsterdam, Netherlands De Zotte Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands selected as the best parking area in Amsterdam... really? in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Speaking about art, the Vincent van Gogh Museum has 1.5 million visitors per year, and the best time to go is Friday evening when you can enjoy live DJ's, a live art show and alcohol but don't go crazy on the Absinthe like Vincent and end up cutting off your ear.

ice skating ring in Amsterdam, Netherlands ice skating ring

For the nightlife check out this article for a list of my favorite places for a fun night out during the weekend.

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Do you want more Hidden Secrets in Holland? UPDATED: Thu 13th, April, 2017

  1. 24 Hour Guide Amsterdam, short layover? Watch this video!
  2. IJmuiden & Velsen, a brand new location and great day trip 30 minutes west of Amsterdam
  3. Forteiland, a giant nazi bunker museum from World War 2
  4. Zaanse Schans, which is a traditional Dutch park just north of Amsterdam.
  5. Weird Dutch Candy, in which I will try their strange local candies and foods.
  6. 5 Deep-fried Dutch Snacks, the Dutch love their deep-fried snacks. Allow me to show you why.
  7. Volik Museum, creepiest museum of human deformations which is unique in the world.
  8. Eating Raw Herring, in this episode I will show you how the Dutch eat their favorite raw fish.
  9. Volendam, the most traditional town in the Netherlands, let's go hardcore Dutch!
  10. Pancakes Amsterdam, the absolute best pancakes in the city.
  11. New Year's Dive, the Dutch have an odd tradition of jumping in the freezing ocean on new year's day.
  12. Leiden, one of the lost gems of Holland and often unnoticed by tourists.
  13. Dance Valley, the most popular outdoor festival in Holland, this is a must-see.
  14. Scheepvaart Museum, learn everything about the Dutch colonial times and naval power of the VOC.
  15. The Hague, the political center of the Netherlands. Another gorgeous city often missed by tourists.
  16. Rembrandtplein, best clubs for a night out closer to Amsterdam Central Station.

dutch filmacademy building in Amsterdam, Netherlands                                 in Amsterdam, Netherlands dining with the Tsars expo in Amsterdam, Netherlands dining with the Tsars expo in Amsterdam, Netherlands hermitage museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands haddock ship in amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands bridge in amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands canals in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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