A guide on getting around in Amsterdam

Expats love Amsterdam. They love how multicultural the city is, as well as the relaxed atmosphere and the many job opportunities it offers. Whether it is for work, education, or just a new adventure, if you are considering moving to Amsterdam, Crown Relocations has the guide for you.

Public transport in Amsterdam: How to get around your new city

When you arrive in a new city, it is always a good idea to look at the available public transport options. Amsterdam is a small and densely populated city with an excellent public transportation network!

Train

When it comes to travelling to and from Amsterdam, the train is by far the most popular form of public transport. In the Netherlands, trains are generally pretty reliable, with most of the country being well connected through the railway network. This means that getting to and from Amsterdam by train is quite easy, no matter where you are coming from.

Tram

With 500 tram stops along 15 lines, when it comes to public transport, trams are considered the quickest way to move through Amsterdam.

Metro

In Amsterdam, there are 33 full metro stations, along five different routes, making sure you can get to your Amsterdam location fast and efficiently.

Travelling tip: If you are planning on using public transport for general use, such as commuting to work, definitely consider getting an Amsterdam city card. It offers better value.

Schools in Amsterdam

It’s a difficult decision all parents will have to make during their move to Amsterdam: where to send your child(ren) to school. There are a couple of important factors to consider when deciding if your kids should go to a Dutch or an international school, such as the length of your stay in the country, for instance.

Whether you pick an international school or a Dutch school, there is a wide variety of schools in the Amsterdam area to choose from. Visit one of their Open Days for more information.

Where locals love to eat in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is highly multicultural, which you can also see reflected in the restaurants on offer. You will find that there are many different types of cuisine to choose from. Here are some of the best places to grab something to eat in the Dutch capital.

De Kas

At De Kas, you can enjoy a restaurant committed to plant-to-plate dining, offering quality ingredients in all dishes, based on the season. This restaurant actively grows their own ingredients in their open-air farm and greenhouse areas.

Wilde Zwijnen

Wilde Zwijnen translates to “wild boars” and in addition to the meat on the menu, you’ll find several vegetarian options as well. All the ingredients used in the restaurant are locally sourced, and they offer creative twists on seasonal dishes to keep things fresh.

Things to do in the Dutch capital

So, what is there to do in Amsterdam? We’ve picked out a few things to keep you busy on the weekends.

The canals

Similar to many other cities, Amsterdam has a vibrant canal system. The waterways are one of the most-loved attractions from tourists coming to Amsterdam. Take a guided canal tour, rent your own boat for a few hours or take a water taxi, and enjoy Amsterdam from the water. Not taking to the water? You can still enjoy the sights of the canals by walking along them.

Did you know that there are more than 160 canals in Amsterdam? Combined they are over 100 kilometres (60 miles) long!

National museum Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum located in Amsterdam. The museum is filled with an amazing collection of art and antiques, housing over a million items and over 5.000 paintings. The majority of the museum focuses on traditional Dutch artefacts such as ancient handicrafts and sculptures, but you can also find amazing modern art, as well as paintings from Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer.

Vondelpark

Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, named after the Dutch playwright and writer Joost Van Den Vondel, is an English-style garden with paths, ponds and sculptures. One of the best things to do in the city for free is taking a stroll through this pretty park. It is a space where everyone - kids, adults, couples, joggers, locals and tourists - hang out in the sunshine. Within the park, there are also cafés and an open-air theatre.

The Anne Frank house

The Anne Frank house is the second most-visited museum in Amsterdam; an estimated 1,5 million visitors explore the house every year. If you are visiting (or relocating to) Amsterdam, you need to have this fascinating house in your itinerary. Here, you will have the chance to walk through the actual secret rooms mentioned in Anne Frank’s famous diary.

Did you know?

Three extra awesome facts about Amsterdam you probably did not know:

• There are 1,2 million bikes in this city
• There are more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris
• The smallest house is Europe is located in Amsterdam, built in 1738 and measuring only two metres in width!

High on the list

Overall, Amsterdam is an exciting and beautiful city with quirky architecture and wonderful attractions to visit. If you are deciding on what city to relocate to, Amsterdam should definitely be high on your list!

If you need any help settling into the Netherlands, or you need some advice about how to get started over here, check out Crown Relocations. They have handy guides to countries all over the world, and their experienced team are on hand to offer you personalised advice for every stage of your move.