Amsterdam is a beautiful ancient city, created on water and unique to almost everything: its architecture, its customs and laws. A trip to Amsterdam becomes for many a journey for the air of freedom - human vices are legalized here and neatly supplied with price tags in Dutch.

Our Amsterdam project

Our project will help you to understand a little bit in this beautiful city, regardless of whether you are planning to move to Amsterdam or just visit here. If you don't know where to go and what to see in Amsterdam, there is a map of Amsterdam in Russian, articles about coffee shops in Amsterdam, as well as smart shops and growshops, a fun Cannabis cup festival and the Red Light District, as well as a lot of information about Amsterdam museums, exhibitions , posters and announcements of cultural and other events in the life of the capital of Holland.

We will tell you where to go in Amsterdam if you want to see non-standard sights; what to do in Amsterdam with kids, what to see in Amstedam and which museums in Amsterdam deserve you to visit first.

Expats and those who are just about to emigrate to the Netherlands will be interested in learning about Dutch medicine, the Dutch educational system and taxation; on how to buy or rent an apartment in Amsterdam and which school is better to send your child to.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

While in Amsterdam, you can stay in different places. Hotels in Amsterdam are not bad, but sometimes too expensive and unaffordable. A good alternative to Amsterdam hotels is apartments and (for exotic lovers) residential boats, which cannot be found in any other European capital.

Shopping in Amsterdam

On our website you will find a lot of materials about shopping in Amsterdam: a list of shopping streets, information on prices, tax refunds and opening hours of local shops. The wonderful Amsterdam second-hand shops deserve a separate mention.

Russian-speaking guide in Amsterdam

We offer you entertaining and unusual excursions in Amsterdam:

• A sightseeing tour will acquaint you with the history of the ancient city and the main attractions.
• The “Amsterdam and Cats” tour will tell you about the attitude of Amsterdam people towards furry friends and show you the most interesting places in the city related to cats.
• "Psychedelic Amsterdam" will showcase the best places and methods for changing consciousness; As you walk through the Red Light District, you will admire Amsterdam sex workers and learn a lot about the history of prostitution in Holland.
• The Amsterdam Shopping Tour is the design of your personal shopping itinerary.
• A walk through the ghetto of Amsterdam - the Bijlmer district - will tell you about the history of the transformation of an elite district, a “garden city”, into a criminal enclave, for the sake of which the authorities built an office and shopping center in the area.
• And, of course, the most pleasant thing that can be imagined in a fragrant spring, hot summer or early autumn is a boat trip through Amsterdam, full of outlandish canals and intricate water labyrinths.

Welcome! Our Amsterdam welcomes you!

King's Day in Amsterdam: bright photos and videos, detailed descriptions and reviews of the King's Day event in Amsterdam in 2019.

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Dutch King's Day is both an old and a new holiday. Old - because the tradition of holding celebrations in honor of the ruling monarchs appeared in 1885.Since then, for almost 130 years, only women have been at the head of the Netherlands. And the new one is because in 2013 Queen Beatrix handed over the throne to her son Willem-Alexander. Queen's Day morphed into King's Day. However, the Dutch hardly noticed the difference, even the date of the holiday practically did not change - it shifted from April 30 to April 27.

Naturally, the largest festivities take place in the capital. The streets of Amsterdam are filled with tens of thousands of people in orange clothes - in honor of the family color of the Orange dynasty, spontaneous markets are unfolding everywhere, concerts are held.

How and where they celebrate

The main feature of King's Day is the opportunity for everyone to engage in trade with impunity. So almost the entire center of Amsterdam is littered with tables with a variety of second-hand knickknacks. There is so much here: from blatant rags to beautiful vintage dresses; from old audio cassettes to unique vinyl records; from cute kid-made cakes to delicious authentic family cookbooks. Freemarkets or “free markets” are a rare chance to buy a genuine Dutch souvenir, including antiques, at a very affordable price. True, it is advisable to go on such shopping in the morning (the first breakdowns appear at 6:00) and, of course, with cash.

Most shops in the capital close on King's Day. Supermarkets tend to work on weekends, while small grocery stores, on the other hand, often extend their opening hours.

At 9:00 am, traffic in the center of Amsterdam stops. The main means of transportation are barges, each of which has its own party. Organized and impromptu concerts begin, beer flows like a river. The most "driving" places in the city are Dam Square near the Royal Palace and Vondel Park.

Music lovers go to Leidseplein and Museumplein for large-scale concerts. Street events start at 12:00 and continue until 20: 00-22: 00.

april 2016

On this holiday (and it begins on the evening before), residents leave their bicycles at home, put on an orange one (every resident certainly has something orange, do not hesitate) and go for a walk in the taverns.

I suggest you take a look at how it was in Amsterdam this spring.

Brief historical background.

This holiday dates back to 1885, when the Liberal Party decided to appoint the Day of National Unity on August 31st, immediately celebrating Princess Day, the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina.

Then the princess became queen, and the holiday was renamed into Konninginnedag = Queen's Day, that is, Queen's Day. Then the queen changed, and it began to be celebrated on April 30. On the birthday of Queen Juliana. The next queen, Beatrix, decided not to change the date and it was 30 April wisely ascended the throne :-)

And in 2013, the country's ruling queen, Beatrix, officially abdicated in favor of her eldest son Willem-Alexander, the Prince of Orange. And now, starting in 2014, instead of the usual Queen's Day, the Netherlands celebrates King's Day. Well, the date has moved a little to April 27 - the birthday of His Majesty.

The city is decorated for the holiday.

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The festivities begin the night before with Queen's Night, with a large number of concert venues in the center.

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Mainly students have fun.

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The performers are varied, incendiary and sing well.

From 9 am, traffic stops in the city center. All Amsterdam is carnival.

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Pay attention - the lions are also in orange raincoats!

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The canals are a great place to party.

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They even have orange boats:

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It feels like something funny is flying right in the air :-)

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People in funny costumes walk the streets:

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And not only people

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Something orange is falling from the sky.

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Carousels are placed right in the central square.

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By the way, they appear on Dam Square on other holidays.

Queen's Day, and today is King's Day, is a truly national holiday in the Netherlands, which is loved and awaited by literally all residents of the country. This is a national holiday, and every inhabitant has an orange outfit in store for it - the colors of the royal house of Orange-Nassau. The ribbons, garlands, balloons and flags that decorate the streets are also all orange. Inflatable crowns, which are, of course, orange in color, are in great demand. National flags are flying everywhere, portraits of the reigning person are hung out. The holiday begins the night before with the "royal night". It is best to be in The Hague that night, where the royal palace is located. The Great Music Festival takes place there, which starts at half past six in the evening and lasts until the morning.

The entire city center is filled with mobile attractions, slot machines, carousels, stage. At every corner there are booths selling lightly salted herring - the favorite national dish of the Dutch. The main distinguishing feature of the “royal night” is the abundance of loud, cheerful music. The ribbons, garlands, balloons and flags that decorate the streets are also all orange (Photo: Sander van der Werf, Shutterstock) Lavish celebrations are held all over the country, and first of all, of course, in the capital of the Netherlands - Amsterdam. The capital of the Netherlands has fun all day long. The streets and squares are not crowded, as well as the attractions. In the evening, the sky is colored with fireworks. From 9 am, traffic stops in the city center. All Amsterdam participates in the carnival. All kinds of concerts and folk balls are open to everyone. Festive atmosphere, endless fun, especially in the Vondelpark.

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The most fun place is Dam Square in front of the Royal Palace. There they sing and dance all day - young people in stunning outfits and old people in traditional clothes. Everyone is treated to a national delicacy - herring free of charge. The police are forbidden to interfere in what is happening, so the festivities know no boundaries, and in the evening groups of people wander around, tipsy, and trams cannot pass through the crowd. Of the means of transportation, only barges remain, filled to capacity. One of the main spectacles is the Flower Parade. Flowers are loved in the Netherlands. They are grown both in tiny pots and in huge fields. However, in this matter, the Dutch are more likely to be gigant. Flowers (and dairy products) make up the bulk of Dutch exports. The Netherlands, which accounts for 0.008% of the world's surface, is the third largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. At the same time, only 5% of the country's population works in agriculture. Tulips bloom in time for the holiday in the Netherlands. Velvety, with double edges, elongated like narrow champagne glasses or, on the contrary, huge and burly like poppies, they will forever remain in your memory.

When the Amsterdam fair opens before Christmas: 2019 dates, bazaar addresses, entertainment and souvenirs worth looking out for.

In contrasting Amsterdam, everyone will find a fair to their liking. It has everything from traditional souks with the magic of Victorian Christmas to modern markets inside industrial premises. We will tell you what awaits tourists on the eve of the Christmas holidays in Amsterdam, at which of the fairs you can buy, and where the largest ice rink in the country is located.

ICE Amsterdam - the # 1 fair in Amsterdam

The most notable fair is famous not so much for its goods as for its huge skating rink. Hence the name - "Ice City Amsterdam" (Ice * Village Amsterdam). The market is located on Museumplein (literally ten minutes walk from Park Plaza Vondelpark) and in 2019 will be open from 14 to 26 December inclusive.

You can always clarify the details on the official website www.iceamsterdam.nl.

The entire ICE Amsterdam complex will begin work on November 17, 2018 and will close only on February 3, 2019. But let's take a closer look at what they plan to entertain tourists and citizens in Amsterdam on Christmas Eve and a whole month after:

• Ice skating rink. The highlight of the program is a huge open-air ice rink with an area of ​​1400 sq. meters. By the way, overlooking the famous Rijksmuseum! The skating rink will work daily, from 10-00 to 21-00, and on Friday and Saturday even an hour longer - until 22-00. Entrance tickets: from € 5.00 (when booking online), skate rental - € 6.50. The rest of the prices are on the site.
• Christmas market at the Museumplein in Amsterdam. As we specified above, the Christmas Eve fair will only run for two weeks starting in mid-December. There you can buy anything you want: from handmade interior items to traditional sweets. They sell excellent mulled wine there, be sure to pamper yourself with another mug! In the wooden pavilions it will also be possible to choose national souvenirs and New Year's decorations.
• Restaurants and street food. There is also something to do for those who do not know how to skate. A fast food restaurant will operate on the territory of ICE Amsterdam, where you can order both Dutch cuisine (fish sandwiches, rich soups, hot dishes) and European cuisine hits (pizza, assorted cheese plates, fondue, etc.). It is worth trying the local beer and even indulging in slightly stronger drinks. Delicious grilled food awaits visitors right next to the ice rink.

Restaurant in the Christmas complex at Museumplein

Other fairs in Amsterdam 2019

There are many Christmas markets in Amsterdam, for every taste!

This year at Tripster an excursion from our friend Anastasia is available again. Last year the route was a success, even some of our site visitors know it. There are free places for December 2019. A festive atmosphere is guaranteed!

Walking with an individual guide, who has lived in the Netherlands for a long time, is well-versed in the capital, knows the language and customs, of course, it is fascinating. But each of the bazaars can be found independently, if you know the addresses and turnout:

• Fair Dam. Every December, a huge twenty-meter Christmas tree is erected on Dam Square. A tall beauty stands just opposite the Royal Palace and entertains the eye with decorations made from more than 40 thousand LED bulbs. This is a kind of symbol of festive Amsterdam. The highlight of the market is its round-the-clock work;
• Fair Leidseplein. This bazaar, located on the square of the same name, is also designed for figure skating fans;
• Fair Pure Winter. This annual bazaar will be held on only two days - December 11 and 18 (in the Amstelpark and Frankendael parks respectively). The main product here is organic products directly from the manufacturer. Delicious tastings, Christmas decorations and a lot of pleasant pre-holiday bustle await guests;
• Funky Xmax Fair. In Amsterdam, a certain tradition has developed - every December, the Sunday Bazaar in Westergasfabriek, which sells creative art and design products, turns into a Christmas themed market. This year the action will take place on December 11th.

Where to stay in Amsterdam 2019

If you've dreamed of seeing Amsterdam's Christmas markets for a long time, it's time to book a hotel. We have selected three options in the center that are optimal in terms of price / quality. But if the historical part seems to you unjustifiably expensive, do not forget that there is a metro in Amsterdam and well-developed city transport - you can always find a cheaper hotel in a residential area.

1. Hotel Rudolph

Address: 563 Herengracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal View Room at Hotel Rudolph

The hotel overlooks one of Amsterdam's canals. Historical building of the 17th century, close to Rembrandt Square and the Flower Market. Nearby transport stops, shops (including grocery), restaurants and cafes. The rooms have quality beds, mattresses and linens; there is soundproofing - those who suffer from noisy neighbors will appreciate it!

2. Hotel V Nesplein

Address: Nes 49, Amsterdam, Netherlands

4 star hotel with fantastic design close to the train station. If you're planning to visit the Christmas markets outside of Amsterdam, there is no better location. The spacious rooms have a coffee machine, hairdryer, bath accessories. The Lobby restaurant is open, but there are many other cafes near the hotel.

3. Hotel Il Fiore

Address: Lindengracht 25 b, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Standard room at Hotel Il Fiore

Budget mini-hotel in a historic building. The rooms are basic, not overly spacious, but clean and comfortable. There is a TV, an electric kettle, a coffee and tea set, a mini-bar. But the main location: close to most attractions, in particular - 500 m from the Anne Frank House.

Christmas markets outside the city

Convenient and fast rail links - an opportunity to spend a weekend in the Christmas markets outside the city. The brightest bazaars in the vicinity:

• Grote Markt in Haarlem. The Christmas market will be held on December 10-11, 2019, near the Grote Kerk church. A professional choir will create a festive mood for the guests, and the organizers promise fireworks for the weekends.
• Castle Keukenhof. The Keukenhof Fair is one of the grandest festive markets in the whole of Holland. It is scheduled for December 8-10. In addition to various souvenirs and delicacies, visitors will be delighted with live performances of talented performers. It will not be boring!

Local cuisine, souvenirs and toys

Walking around elegant Amsterdam, you should definitely try the national delicacy - Oliebollen donuts. No less tasty are poffertje - small pancakes of the same size. You can drink them with hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Best gifts: Dutch cheeses, handmade robots holiday cards, merino wool products and Christmas tree decorations (expensive but very high quality).

Excursions in Amsterdam and the surrounding area

No matter how interesting the Christmas markets and festivities in Amsterdam are, you should devote your free time to excursions. Regardless of the season, museums (State, Madame Tussauds, Van Gogh), flower (Bloemenmarkt) and flea (Waterlooplein) markets, and the Red Light District are especially popular in Amsterdam.

For those who are in the city for the first time, there is no more interesting way to start acquaintance. See Dam Square, take a picture against the backdrop of bridges and canals, walk with a guide to the Blumenmarkt market.

Places and dates
- places and dates
- by train