There are many beautiful and historic cities in Holland, such as Haarlem, Leiden and Delft, and that’s just part of the Netherlands.
Great Dutch artists have spanned the centuries and you can see the masterpieces of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh and their contemporaries in the great museums of Amsterdam and The Hague.
Amsterdam’s phenomenal and diverse nightlife is world famous and not unique. The wonderful Dutch brown cafes, where you can spend hours in the smooth company of new and old friends, can be found in every city.
You’ll find that clichés like tulips and windmills have their joys too. Every spring, ribbons of flowers envelop the colorful fields near Leiden as far as the eye can see.
The locals live by bike and so can you. Almost every train station has a shop to rent a bike and soon you’ll be on the myriad of bike lanes blazing your own trail wherever your mood takes you.
Finally there are the Dutch themselves. Warm, friendly and fun, you will have a hard time alone in a cafe as someone will soon strike up a conversation, and usually in English. Indulge in Amsterdam, don’t miss out on exquisite Maastricht or vibrant Rotterdam, and choose from a selection of small towns to add contrast. It is a very big small country.
amsterdam
If Amsterdam were a serious place, it would still be one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe, right up there with Venice and Paris. But add the qualities that make it Amsterdam: funky, laid-back bars, character-filled brown cafes, ubiquitous irreverence, the smell of marijuana, and an open-air market for sleaze and sex, and you have a literally heady mix.
Amsterdam has always been a liberal place, ever since the Golden Age when it led European art and commerce. Centuries later, in the 1960s, he led the group again, this time on the principles of tolerance, with broad views on drugs and same-sex relationships taking center stage.
Stroll through 17th-century streets, cruise along iconic canals, stop to enjoy a masterpiece, discover an original shop, and choose food from around the world. Walk or cycle around the concentric rings of downtown, then explore the historic streets of the Jordaan district or the Plantage and enjoy the many worlds within worlds where nothing seems to be the same twice.
Cheap youth hostels in Amsterdam are the way to stay if you are backpacking in the Netherlands. Here is a list of the 5 best youth hostels in Amsterdam:
Cocoma 93%
What could be more exciting and unique than staying in a place that was the most famous brothel in Amsterdam back in the day? Cocomama is housed in a monumental building, complete with high ceilings, chandeliers, and plenty of natural light. The rooms are decorated with different Dutch themes to give you a true Dutch experience. You’ll find comfortable beds, lockers, power outlets, and a shower in your room, but we really want you to come and hang out with us and other travelers in the common areas.
Flying pig in the center 90%
Looking for fun nights out to chat with other travelers on cushions, play pool, dance at a bar, or relax in a “happy room”? Downtown is the perfect place! If you feel like mingling tonight and just want to watch TV, there are DVD movies playing and free 24-hour internet access. The bar, which has the cheapest beer in town, is open until 4am every night!
San Cristobal at The Winston 87%
The Winston is a modern art hotel/hostel with the Belushi Bar, a beer garden and a large indoor smoking area with pool table. The rooms and corridors are designed by independent local and international artists or sponsored by famous brands. Choose from private rooms or dorm accommodations, all with private bathrooms, breakfast, sheets, towels, and taxes.
Stayokay Amsterdam Vondel Park 83%
Stay in the green heart of Amsterdam! Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark; your best bed in a low budget accommodation! This modern hostel from Hostelling International is located right in the center of the famous Vondelpark, within walking distance of Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum and within walking distance of Leidseplein with its famous nightlife.
The Bulldog 82%
Relax and unwind on the quiet side of Amsterdam’s Red Light District, one of the best places in the world to hang out. In the middle of all the action, The Bulldog Hotel is a fresh, clean, self-styled hostel in the heart of downtown, just an 8-minute walk from Central Station.
