November 11, 2010

A day with the iAmsterdam Card – Day One: History

By Jamie Kerr | 2 comments

At this point, most major cities have at least one “city card” that bundles popular attractions – and often transportation – into one price. While not all of them are good deals, the iAmsterdam Card can really be worthwhile. Yes, it’s very likely to save you money, but even more importantly it will save you some time since most sights allow you to can skip the long ticket queue and head to the front door.

This is the first in a four-part series that will each concentrate on a different aspect of a visit to Amsterdam. The iAmsterdam Card itself comes in 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour versions, so you’ll obviously want to pick the things that are highest on your list and fit them into the number of days you have.

Where to stay

Since Amsterdam’s city center is so compact, it’s not essential to book a hotel in a specific neighborhood like it might be in London or Paris. But still, on a day like this it helps to be as close to our first stop as possible, so we’ll recommend staying at the popular Hotel Nadia. It’s a lovely family-run 3-star hotel with good rates, breakfast included, and best of all, it’s right around the corner from the Anne Frank House.

First stop: Anne Frank House

This might seem like an unusual choice to start at the Anne Frank House since it’s actually the only major attraction in Amsterdam that is not part of the iAmsterdam Card, but there’s a good reason. This museum set in the actual apartment where Anne Frank lived (plus the whole building next door) is always the most popular sight in the city, and the queue to get in is legendary.

You can buy tickets online for a specific time, which also lets you skip the long line, but it’s best to get here a bit before the 9am opening time and tour the place before the swells of visitors arrive an hour or so later. The admission is €8.50 for adults, and it’s a must-visit, even for those not familiar with the famous diary.

Next stop: Amsterdam History Museum

By 10:30am you’ll be outside again so walk a few blocks through one of Amsterdam’s most scenic canal areas to the Amsterdam History Museum. Most people are aware that Amsterdam went through a boom during the 17th Century, which is when the entire city center was formed and built, but the history starts before that and it’s fascinating.

This museum is even more interesting than you might expect since it cleverly illustrates much of its information in life-sized displays and illustrated maps. As you walk through the sections the period moves forward until you reach the city’s recent past. Though it is fairly large, there isn’t much reading involved to be able to appreciate the displays, so you can soak it all in within 90 minutes or so.

Lunch break: Café and Brasserie Ovidius

A very short walk from the museum brings you to Brasserie Ovidius, which is located in a historic building itself, built in 1895 as the city’s main post office. Your iAmsterdam Card entitles you to 25% off most items at this traditional continental cafe, which offers many different sandwich and salad options for those who want to stay light on their feet.

Next stop: De Oude Kerk (The Old Church)

From the cafe you’ll then wander a few blocks into the heart of the Red Light District, which is the city’s oldest and arguably most beautiful neighborhood, to visit the city’s oldest monument, the Oude Kerk (Old Church).

In the heart of the district, this church continues to feature five centuries of history and its original architecture. Beneath the floor there are over 2,500 graves, with many of the city’s most famous past residents having their final resting place there. The Oude Kerk is relatively small, so you’ll be on your way again in an hour or so.

Next stop: Jewish Historical Museum

Amsterdam’s Jewish community is a centuries-old population that have been key members of society. This museum is built in a collection of four restored synagogues in the center of the city, and less than a 10-minute walk from the Old Church.

Everyone is welcomed to the Jewish Historical Museum, which shows the religion’s traditions and role leading back to the earliest days of the city. It’s not too large, but it is powerful and interesting, and definitely worth a stop as it’s free with the Card.

Next stop: Rembrandthuis Museum

Only one block away you’ll reach the Rembrandthuis Museum. Tucked between similar canal houses, the museum can be surprisingly easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. This is where Rembrandt lived and taught in the 18th Century, and it’s been preserved and re-created to look exactly as it would have back then.

There are many pieces of Rembrandt’s art in various mediums, so you’ll have a chance to appreciate his master work, but this modest-sized museum also helps you understand what life was like during that period. It’s a very worthwhile visit, which can be done well in about an hour.

Dinner time: Restaurant Indrapura

Cross the main Amstel Canal to the Rembrandtplein entertainment district, where you’ll find Restaurant Indrapura, an excellent Indonesian place that also offers a 25% discount with the iAmsterdam Card. You’ll actually find little evidence of “Dutch cuisine” in the city, and the unofficial specialty is Indonesian, which is very well represented across town.

The specialty here is rijsttafel, which also happens to be Amsterdam’s must-try dish. Actually, rijsttafel is more like 15 or 20 small dishes that are kept warm on a burner sitting on your table, and are meant to be eaten alongside rice. This is a personal buffet of Indonesian treats, with often surprising combination of flavors, but nothing that anyone is likely to find unappealing. Even the smaller configurations and the vegetarian versions tend to be quite filling, so bring your appetite for this one, and you’ll never forget it.

Update June 16, 2011: Learn about using the iAmsterdam Card for a day of outdoor fun, museums and design.

Photo courtesy of Tom Townsend