Oh Amsterdam, a romantic getaway that's definitely on most people's European bucket list. Many associate the city of canals with the coffee shops and the red-light district — but there's so much more to it! I recently traveled to the city through KLM Airlines and discovered four other destinations and activities that you should definitely do if you're headed there. Check out what you should do when you're in town — especially if you're only there for a short amount of time.
See the city through the eyes of an architect.
Canal tours are definitely a great way to see the city in a big chunk, but a canal tour focused on architecture [1] (price varies) is the tour you must take. There are several options, like renting a private boat tour to understand the city and its design. The tour focuses on what the group wants, and you learn all sorts of fun facts. For instance, anyone can have a boat on the canal harbor as long as they pay taxes for it, and in Amsterdam, buildings were originally taxed by how wide they were. The tour doesn't feel long at all, and it's a perfect way to spend a few hours in the morning.
Another sight you can see on the canal tour.
Learn the history of sex at the Sex Museum.
Located in a touristy part of the city by the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the Sex Museum [2] (around $5) is a seemingly deceptive small building that houses a collection of art, photographs, and more. Each section teaches you a bit about how sex was thought of throughout different eras. It is truly educational and only takes about 30 minutes to see the entire place.
A welcoming statue of Venus greets you at the entrance.
Visit the Moco Museum.
This contemporary art museum [3] (around $13) has artwork that is 100 percent worth seeing. Currently, the exhibition houses Banksy and Andy Warhol pieces. It's a little small, which means you can spend about 20 to 40 minutes here — enough time before heading to the van Gogh museum or the Rijksmuseum, both of which are a five-minute walk away.
A look at one of Banksy's pieces.
Find out what the red-light district is actually about at the Museum of Prostitution.
No matter what anyone else tells you to do, you're 100 percent going to end up in the red-light district at some point. Instead of just walking around, learn about the history of the place and prostitution at the Museum of Prostitution [4] (around $10). It's an informative tour that has a lot to soak in — but it teaches you more than you could ever get otherwise.
What a typical room in the red-light district can look like.