Amsterdam's Cultural Delights

For many, Amsterdam is synonymous with debauchery and is most famous for its Red Light district and its lax attitude about recreational drugs. This is unfortunate, since this enigmatic city is home to many incredible cultural attractions. Although it's interesting to take in a bit of Amsterdam's seamier side, the real fun lies in exploring the educational opportunities that it has to offer. A brief overview of the top five cultural sites in Amsterdam is outlined below.



The Anne Frank House - The world's most famous diarist, Anne Frank, hid in the house at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam with her family during the Second World War. It was here that young Anne penned her famous diary; today, visitors can see the space where the persecuted family hid. Only by seeing the place in person can one truly appreciate how difficult the circumstances must have been.


The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam - A visit to the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, is always a smart idea. This topnotch museum is best known for housing several exceptional works from the Dutch Golden Age. Works by masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer can be taken in here, along with the art of many lesser-known - but wonderfully talented - artists.


The Van Gogh Museum - Most major art museums in large cities around the world have at least one work of art by Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, but none boasts a larger collection than Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum. Sketches and paintings by the intriguing artist are on display here, along with several works from many of his contemporaries.


The NEMO - If you're looking for a bit of hands-on fun for the whole family when in Amsterdam, you can't do much better than the NEMO. The popular science museum - which is shaped like a sinking ship - is within walking distance of many prime Amsterdam hotels. Exhibits featuring chain reactions, DNA - and the ability to perform your own science experiments - make it a must-see cultural attraction.


The Oude Kerk - Get a feel for the extraordinarily long history of Amsterdam by visiting its oldest church, the Oude Kerk. Consecrated in 1306, some of its highlights include the largest medieval wooden vault roof in existence and a floor that's made out of gravestones. Best of all, it's relatively close to many hotels in Amsterdam, making it easy to include on any tour of the city.