More often than not, visiting a major city implies a lot of riding around in public transportation, getting lost, asking for directions, and fruitlessly trying to figure out maps. However, as in so many other aspects, Amsterdam is a case apart; anyone staying in an Amsterdam city hotel will find that the main areas of interest within the city are quite easy to navigate on foot, and under your own steam is, indeed, the very best way to discover its myriad delights.
In fact, while orientation in Central London or in a city such as New York can be tricky, and a bus or the underground are often the best bet, you will find that nothing in this compact city is too far apart from anything else. If you’re not one of those people who have to ride everywhere, and don’t mind a bit of walking, you will find that you can easily access any of the main tourist attractions from your Amsterdam city hotel.
The nature of the Dutch capital itself makes it easy to get around on foot. Circulation is very neat and organized, and most of the places you want to go to will be reserved for pedestrians or, at best, have one major avenue running next to them. In fact, contrary to the norm, it is cyclists who are the most dangerous to a pedestrian in the city, as they tend to behave like actual car drivers!
Furthermore, unlike many other tourist-centric cities, the locals are not rude or abrupt, nor do they act like they are tired of foreigners. Instead, if you stay at an Amsterdam city hotel, you will find that both the staff and passersby on the street are polite and helpful, and most will have a smile for you or even a bit of banter. It’s a definite step up from your average Londoner, then.
And speaking of London, the Dutch capital is structured much like England’s capital, albeit on a much smaller and quainter scale. Most of the residential blocks and neighbourhoods are on the outskirts of town, and can be reached by train; the centre is mostly dedicated to museums, monuments, the shopping district, and other tourist-friendly attractions, all relatively close to one another. While staying in the city, make sure to leave your Amsterdam city hotel and head to the Amsterdam Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijskmuseum, the Anne Frank House or the Dutch offshoot of famous London wax museum Madam Tussaud’s, among other attractions.
Roberta Stuart
