How to Spend a Weekend in Amsterdam

What else to do with such nice weather! Chill down on one of the Amsterdam city beaches , parks or many terraces and relax! Opening hours: 24h as long as there is sun :)

This weekend is promising to be a tropic weekend in Amsterdam. To keep it cool it is the perfect time to relax at one of Amsterdam’s City Beaches, and celebrate summer! Strand Zuid is based on the south side of Amsterdam, next to the RAI conference center and is a perfect place to chill down with a cool drink, while enjoying a view at the waterside of the Beatrixpark. At the north side of Amsterdam, city beach Blijburg at the IJ-lake is a good place to get sand between your toes and catch a tan. When that’s not enough, you can always escape to one of the North Sea beaches. Zandvoort beach, one of the most popular North Sea beaches of the Netherlands, is just a 30 min train-trip from Amsterdam. Enjoy the weekend, enjoy the sun! Opening hours: Strand Zuid: during summer season daily 10 – 23 (Saturday’s 10 – 24) Blijburg city beach: May 5th – Sept 15, daily 11 - 1 am (Saturday's 2 am) For more information and up-to-date opening times, visit the Strand Zuid ...

A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without a walk over the Wallen or Walletjes. The Wallen area has approximately 300 red-lighted cabins, where women from all over the world offer their services. The red-illuminated windows next to the canals are a big touristic attraction, so probably you won’t be the only tourist strolling around the alleys out of curiosity.  Don’t point your camera to the ladies behind the windows, as making pictures of the ladies is strictly banned. Can you resist the Wallen? Opening hours: 24h a day Location:  Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106, Amsterdam. More tourist information on the Red Light District can be found here .

For sure the historical streets of Amsterdam are best to explore by bike. Holland is as flat as a pancake, which makes the bicycle perfect for getting around. Next to that, there’s bike paths everywhere in Amsterdam, which makes it often faster to get around town by bike than by car. Sometimes cycling in Amsterdam can be bit hectic, but when sticking to the rules, it is a great way of getting around. Explore Amsterdam like a true Dutchy, and rent a bike! Opening hours: weekdays: 8.00 – 19.00; weekends: 9.00 – 19.00  For latest information, visit the Starbikes rental website, or find more bike rental companies in Amsterdam here .

Completed in 1642 by Rembrandt van Rijn, De Nachtwacht or Nightwatch is a must-see for every art-lover visiting Amsterdam. The Nightwatch painting is renowned for its huge size, the use of light and shadow and perception of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military portrait. A cultural highlight for any weekend in Amsterdam.  Opening hours: daily, 9.00 – 17.00h For latest information, visit the Rijksmuseum website.