Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam    Museums    Public Transport Tickets    Amsterdam City Card    Hotels    Flights to and from Amsterdam

Amsterdam Light Festival: Is it worth it?

The annual Amsterdam Light Festival is a winter event that combines light, art and — of course — water.

The organization promotes boat-, walking-, and bicycle tours along the 24 light art installations.

2023 marks the festival’s 12th edition.

But is it worth it? We show you visitor reviews, share our own opinion, and suggest some excellent alternatives.

Van Gogh Museum — Plan Your Visit

Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world.

Our extensive Van Gogh Museum guide includes details about the collection, along with information about the current temporary exhibition: Van Gogh along the Seine.

NOTE: No ticket sales at the door. You can only visit the museum after buying timed-entry tickets online. We show you how and where.

Amsterdam street food delicacy: Herring

Without a doubt, the Dutch street food most frowned upon by tourists, expats, and immigrants, is herring. Squeamish tourists often assume the fish is eaten raw, but that is not the case.

Herring is the Netherland’s national snack: If you’ve never tasted fresh herring you don’t know what you’re missing.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to eat this Amsterdam street food delicacy. The 2023 Hollandse Nieuwe — ‘New Herring’ — season starts on June 23. Hollandse Nieuwe is sold until September 30. But herring is enjoyed all year long.

Amsterdam Public Transport Guide and Tickets

Guide to public transport in Amsterdam.

There are many ticket options. Some include transfer between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the city.

For most tourists, 1-7 day tickets are the best deal. They entitle you to unlimited travel through Amsterdam – day and night – by tram, bus and metro. Ferries across the river IJ are always free.

Swimming in Amsterdam

Almost a quart of Amsterdam consists of water: rivers, lakes, canals, and so on. Small wonder that swimmers are well catered for.

Aside from indoor- and outdoor swimming pools, the city has many wild swimming spots. There are even some “urban beaches.”

Also: we’ll tell you whether and where you can swim in the canals of Amsterdam.

I amsterdam City Card – Worth It!

The I amsterdam City Card provides the widest choice of free attractions in and around Amsterdam.

Free entrance to Amsterdam museums, free public transport, get a free canal cruise, a free canal cruise, and more

Customers overwhelmingly agree that the pass provides good value for the money.