2023-08-29 04:35:25
BBC
Posted on: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 7:35 am | Last updated: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 7:35 AM
For the past week, the sun has streamed through clouds high above Amsterdam, shining on the city’s gabled buildings, arch bridges and a sign written in English telling tourists not to urinate in its canals.
The Dutch capital is one of the most visited cities in Europe, with a population of 800,000 people, receiving up to 20 million tourists annually.
But despite its world-class museums, beautiful green spaces and calm waterways, Amsterdam has also gained a bad reputation as the capital of the most liberal parties in Europe, and now the city is trying to clean up and improve its image.
The city municipality is implementing a new series of measures to “preserve the quality of life in Amsterdam” while “working to prevent nuisance tourism”.
The city council banned cruise ships from downtown in July to prevent overtourism in the more popular areas.
And in May, it banned smoking cannabis in the red light district. In March, a digital “Stay Away” campaign was launched, targeting tourists aged between 18 and 35 in the UK, in an effort to reduce visitors coming for drugs, alcohol and sex.
“Visitors will still be welcome, but not if they misbehave or cause inconvenience,” Deputy Mayor Sofiane Mubaraki said in a statement.
Many locals are tired of annoying tourists and endless crowds, and billboards displaying residents’ photos remind visitors that “we live here”.
The Dutch capital has always been more than just a place to relax.
Here are tips and guides for enjoying the best of Amsterdam through creative and sustainable activities that benefit both visitors and Amsterdammers.
Food and drink
According to the locals, enjoying a beer in Café Brion (the brown pub) with borrels (miniature spirits) and borelhabjes (fried snacks) is one of the most authentic Amsterdam experiences you can have.
These historic drinking spots, such as Café De Druif, which has been serving locals for nearly 400 years, provide a traditional, relaxed experience.
The name ‘The Brown Tavern’ refers to the brown paneled interior that every pub has in common, and there is a growing trend to protect its classic design and decor.
Despite the popping up of trendy bars and restaurants, Amsterdam resident Mia Beekdam says brown bars will never go out of style because they always “remain authentic”.
“I think this is the best time to experience a beautiful place in Amsterdam without having to wait in long lines,” she added. Beekdam explained that being surrounded by living history in brown-toned pubs makes everyone feel at home, whether they are regulars or newcomers.
“You can see all segments of Amsterdam society there,” she said.
Besides Heesp Café, in Amsterdam’s lively Ost district, there’s another brown favorite of hers called Café Krom. “They’re keeping the traditions going. No music playing, the bar staff still wearing white shirts. It’s just a nice, small, cozy place to have a beer.”
Biking experience
The Netherlands – and Amsterdam in particular – is one of the most bike-friendly destinations in the world.
The city has nearly 400km of bike paths, with more being added constantly, with the majority of people using a bike to and from school or work.
And cycling is not only a great way to get active, but also a sustainable way to see the city.
Stefan van der Meer, owner of Mike Tours, says he likes to take visitors on off-the-beaten-path bike rides that surprise them with a different side of Amsterdam. One of his favorite excursions is to hit a pier called NDSM in Amsterdam North, a neighborhood that was once a shipyard and is now bustling with street art, performers, outdoor markets and local vendors.
“It’s a very creative area and different from the nice and nice downtown Amsterdam,” said van der Meer, who has lived in Amsterdam for 16 years.
While van der Meer has mixed feelings regarding the city’s new tourism policies, he said he was looking forward to “working with the government to see if we can motivate people a little more to visit new places to show other parts of the Netherlands as well.”
There are also a number of cycling towns near Amsterdam that van der Meer recommends to visit, including his hometown of Gouda and Utrecht.
Museums and galleries
Amsterdam is famous for its many large and ancient museums and galleries. But while people may book their tickets to visit the famous Anne Frank House or the Rijksmuseum months in advance, the city is also home to many less crowded attractions.
One such place is the Van Loon Museum, a preserved 17th-century canal house that houses a contemporary art gallery.
In contrast to some of the larger museums in Amsterdam, the Van Loon Museum offers a “very intimate and personal” experience, according to Jes Schonselaar, the museum’s director.
He added that visitors are greatly amazed by the “homey atmosphere” as they tour the historic rooms and gardens of the house.
Schonsselaar said touring Amsterdam’s many remote attractions gives visitors a chance to stop and experience culture that might be overlooked on a “bachelor party” or a quick weekend visit.
He added, “Tourism has its pros and cons, but we want to welcome as many tourists as possible to the museum to enjoy what it has to offer. It’s all regarding finding the right balance.”
“There are many other beautiful museums in Amsterdam, such as Oskam, the Jewish Museum, the God in the Attic Museum, the Van Loon Museum and the Heat Ship Museum. Each one shows a different side and a different part of Amsterdam’s history,” added Kelly Schenck, press officer at the Rijksmuseum.
And there are even more art galleries to explore on day trips from Amsterdam. Schenk recommends visiting the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, which has one of the world’s largest collections of Van Gogh and “a wonderful sculpture garden”. In addition, Boehmans van Bonningen’s repository in Rotterdam is the first publicly accessible art storage facility, with a “stunning rooftop view”.
parks and picnics
With over 30 parks and gardens across the city, green spaces are easy to find in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Boss (Amsterdam Forest) is the city’s largest entertainment district – more than three times the size of Manhattan’s Central Park.
Visitors can rent bikes or canoes, take the kids to the playgrounds, visit the goat farm or take a ride on the tram. There is also an open theater that presents summer shows.
According to Peter Hasnut, director of public information at the Amsterdam Forest, the forest is very much focused on protecting and preserving local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Forest staff balance nature conservation with community involvement, including expanding a volunteer system.
Hasenot hopes that tourists can see and experience the importance of being outdoors in Amsterdam.
He added that the forest receives 7.5 million visitors annually, and this number is increasing.
The sheer size of Amsterdam’s forest makes it an ideal alternative to popular tourist green spaces such as Vondelpark. It has something for everyone, from sports fields to picnic areas, encourages the enjoyment of togetherness, and is an important part of the Dutch lifestyle.
A sense of conviviality is key at friendly gatherings, so pack your bags and blankets, bring some snacks and call some friends or make new ones there.”
With Amsterdam moving away from its ‘anything goes’ reputation, there’s never been a better time to rediscover its legendary brown bars, sprawling outdoor spaces and venues that captivated travelers long before this cultural hub became a party hub.
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