subject: Let Me Describe Amsterdam [print this page] Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with impressive architecture. Amsterdam is a sixth modern metropolitan area located on the western coast of Europe in the country of the Netherlands, also popularly named Holland. The political policy of this nation is socialist in nature, meaning the government provides many services to its citizens. Amsterdam is a popular destination because of its vibrant city life. Amsterdam is not the seat of government but it is the biggest city and the cultural and creative centre of the Netherlands.
Climate
Unlike many holiday destinations, an Amsterdam city break can be enjoyed all year round. The weather is traditionally at its best at Easter time and between July and August. However Amsterdam's climate changes hourly throughout the year and rarely becomes extreme. January and February are the coldest months, with lows around -1C and highs around 5C.
Festival and Culture
Throughout the year Amsterdam offers variety of cultural events and festivals.
Amsterdam offers various cultural events and festivals all throughout the year. Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, a weeklong celebration full of fantasy, anime, thriller, cult, horror and sci-fi, is held every year. Amsterdam Literary Festival that includes talks with authors, workshops, a literary tour and salon and a boat tour is really informative and pleasing. De Parade, one of the few traveling festivals in the world is like an old-fashioned fairground that lasts for 17 days featuring dance, theatre, magic, art, animation and music. The Gay Pride Festival is celebrated with an extensive program consisting of sports, cultural activities and parties. The main highlight of the festival is the canal parade and cultural and naughty boat parade through Amsterdam's canals. Amsterdam Roots Festival is celebrated every summer with global music and non-western culture. The five-day long Grachten Festival holds more than 80 classical concerts that can be enjoyed in houses, gardens or anywhere in the area around Prinsengracht. Sail Amsterdam 2005 that exhibits historic ships and nautical heritage is really enthralling. Flower Parade in which three-kilometer long ribbon of flower- decorated floats travel through the area is a feast for the eyes. About one million flowers are used in this festival. ING Amsterdam Marathon, the oldest marathon in the Netherlands and Uitmarkt that heralds the beginning of the national cultural season are the other festivals celebrated in the city apart from various international festivals.
Amsterdam offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants, serving delicious food as well as a choice of international cuisine. Although its a huge city, the historic center is fairly compact. Visitors can find that there is a vast selection of City Break Amsterdam to suit every taste and budget.
Nightlife
Amsterdam has the name of Europes main party cities and wild nightlife. If you wish to hear live music while dancing there is many places where you can dance and also enjoy food, drink or just sit and watch the world go by over a coffee.
Live music
if you wish to hear live music while dancing through the night, then head to Rembrantsplein and Leidseplein areas or there are also a few in the around the red- light area.
Also has a number of Grand cafe , a mixture of bar and cafe, where you can enjoy a food ,drink or just sit and watch the world go by over a coffee.
Amsterdams club usually open at 10pm-11pm and, must close at 4am (by law) week nights and 5am at weekends.
Coffee shops
Hunters Coffee Shop Amsterdam
Hunters Coffee Shop Amsterdam is a fantastic franchise that goes from strength to strength. Unlike Barneys and Dampkring, these guys don't enter the cup but they still have incredible product.
They have two shops on either side of a street named Warmoestraat. They also have a bar that is next door to one of the shops. The bar is lively and open late on Friday and Saturday night.
Katsu Coffee Shop Amsterdam
This is a great place located in the trendy "De Pijp" area next to the local market and trendy brown cafes.
Katsu is well-known for its excellent products and is also a great place to relax with a book or a newspaper. Like many other shops, you'll find a resident cat just in case you needed to relax even more than usual!
Shopping
Amsterdam is the city of antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities. In general, shop-opening hours are 1-6pm on Mondays and 9/10am-6pm Tuesday to Friday. Most have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm and close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm. Some Supermarkets, like Albert Heijn stay open until 8 or 10 pm. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk.
For general shop info and their openings hours you can visit 'Openingstijden Amsterdam' it shows an overview of the most popular shops and their location on the map.
The Nine Streets, De Negen Straatjes. Nine narrow streets between the main canals from the Prinsengracht to the Singel, south-west of Dam Square. Boutiques, specialist shops, galleries and restaurants.
Santa Jet, Prinsenstraat 7, +31 20 427 2070. This little boutique specializes in hand-made imports from Latin America. You can find everything from mini shrines made of tin, to lamps, to kitschy postcards.
