Amsterdam is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. (Photo: Red Morley Hewitt/Unsplash)
There is a good reason why a visit to Amsterdam appears on so many people’s bucket lists.
This city’s incredible architecture, beautiful canals, vibrant culture and delicious food attract millions of tourists to this Dutch capital every year.
With flights on the KLM Royal Dutch airline flying directly to the Netherlands from Johannesburg and Cape Town, Amsterdam is also a popular tourist destination for South Africans.
Although well-known tourist attractions, such as the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square and Vondelpark, should be on any tourist’s list in Amsterdam, this city also has a few secret places that can offer tourists the full experience and enchantment of Amsterdam.
Westergasfabriek
Westergasfabriek. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Amsterdam’s Westergasfabriek quickly became a cultural hub rich in history. The Westergasfabriek was built in an extensive gas facility dating back to the late 19th century.
The area is known for its industrial appearance and is filled with restaurants, music venues, an arthouse movie theater and the largest arcade in the city.
The city archives
If you are a history buff, a visit to Amsterdam’s city archives will definitely be an educational experience. Beyond the free entry, the archives offer so many attractive reasons to revisit the city.
Some of the highlights include a police report on Anne Frank’s stolen bicycle and an official document banning Baruch Spinoza from Amsterdam’s Jewish community.
REM Island restaurant
REM Island restaurant in Amsterdam. (Photo: Instagram)
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, make sure you make a reservation REM Island make. This extraordinary restaurant on the water on the coast of the Netherlands is owned by a group of pirate radio announcers who had to leave the structure after the Dutch government raided their operation in 1964.
A few decades later, the platform was moved to Amsterdam’s Houthaven and developed into one of the classiest and most unusual restaurants in the country.
The Pancake Boat
Amsterdam’s De Pannekoekenboot. (Photo: www.amsterdam.depannekoekenboot.nl)
Amsterdam has its very own pancake boat, where customers get excellent views of the city while munching on an unlimited amount of Dutch-style pancakes. The pancakes are decorated with syrup, fruit and sugar.
The tour of the city takes about 75 minutes and the boat departs several times a day from the NDSM Wharf.
Blijburg City’s beach
Blijburg beach. (Photo: Instagram)
Amsterdam has some of the most beautiful beaches bordering the city’s lakes, canals and rivers. Visit Blijburg city’s beach for a unique beach experience. The beach is known for its resorts, golden sand, clear water and windsurfing. Visitors can enjoy food or a drink at the famous and nearby tiki-style restaurant, which adds to the beach’s relaxed atmosphere.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Europe is rich in history and after the Reformation in the 16th century, the newly established Calvinist Dutch government banned Catholicism in the country. Despite severe punishments, many continued to worship in secret and some even built secret churches.
During this period, many churches were destroyed or demolished, but this church, which was built on top of a canal house in the 1660s, survived the period untouched. It has been preserved as a historical museum since 1888 until today.
EYE Film Museum
The EYE Film Museum. (Photo: Olivier Sallou)
The EYE film museum is located opposite Amsterdam’s Centraal station, so to speak. There are several facilities located within the institute and include a gallery space that regularly hosts exhibitions for films. The building also contains four modern cinemas and a multi-level restaurant overlooking the IJ river.
The Poezenboot
The Poezenboot. (Photo: catboat.com/Pinterest)
The De Poezenboot is the perfect activity if you are a cat lover. It is a floating shelter that has provided a haven for stray and discarded cats for more than four decades. Visitors are welcome most days of the week.
The boat is located on the northern banks of Singel Canal in central Amsterdam and offers a large, lower deck where cats have the opportunity to roam freely and interact with visitors.
