Cycling the Canals of Amsterdam, Netherlands
🌟When you first arrive in Amsterdam, the first thing you should do is rent a bicycle and go for a ride. The Netherlands is a major cycling country, and Amsterdam, as the capital of the "bicycle country," has a deep historical heritage. Bicycles 🚲 entered the city as early as the 19th century.
🌟In Amsterdam, bicycles account for 40% of the traffic volume, and the bicycle travel rate is as high as 26%. Amsterdam has more than 400 km of bicycle paths, which are relatively safe because they are separated from roads and sidewalks.
🌟Rental Guide:
Mac Bike is located on the east side of the north exit of Amsterdam Central Station. The specific address is De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam. The rental fee is approximately EUR 15 for 24 hours, and a passport is required as collateral.
The rental location is near the Central Station, so transportation is very convenient. We took the subway to the train station with a day pass, which is suitable for tourists who have just arrived in Amsterdam. Before renting a bicycle, be sure to check whether the bicycle's brakes, bell, tires, and other parts are in good condition to ensure safe riding.
🚥Amsterdam's bicycle lanes are red, so be sure to ride in the bicycle lanes and obey traffic signals. When turning or changing lanes, please signal to remind other cyclists and pedestrians. Wear a helmet when riding to ensure personal safety.
☁️Weather and equipment: The weather in Amsterdam is changeable, so it is recommended to bring a light raincoat or waterproof backpack with you in case of sudden showers. It rained almost every day during the days we were in Amsterdam.
🌟Canal District Cycling Route: The entire journey is 5 km long. Because we were not very familiar with Amsterdam on the first day, this route is only suitable for first-time cyclists to fully experience the charm of Amsterdam in one day.
🌟Cycling route: Start from Central Station ➡️ ride along the Prinsengracht ➡️ Dam Square ➡️ Prinsengracht ➡️ Anne Frank House ➡️ Westerkerk ➡️ and finally return to Central Station ➡️ to return the bicycle.
🌟Cycling Highlights:
1⃣️Central Station to Anne Frank House, approximately 1.5 km
Dam Square is the starting point for cycling and the heart of Amsterdam, surrounded by many historical buildings and shops.
Prinsengracht is one of the most famous canals in Amsterdam, where you can admire ancient buildings and bridges along the way.
Anne Frank House is the hiding place where Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi persecution during World War II.
2⃣️Anne Frank House to Westerkerk, approximately 1.5 km
Ancient buildings and bridges along the Prinsengracht: Continue cycling along the Prinsengracht to admire more 17th-century buildings and canal scenery.
Westerkerk is the tallest church in Amsterdam, and its tower offers a panoramic view of the city. The interior of the church is ornately decorated and is a good place to experience Dutch religious culture.
3⃣️Westerkerk to the return point, approximately 2 km
Return along the Prinsengracht and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way again.
If you are interested in the canal district, you can choose to cycle along the Herengracht or Singel canals to experience different canal styles.
These canals are also full of ancient buildings and bridges, making them a great place to take photos.
Anne Frank House is a museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands located in the canal house on the Prinsengracht where Anne Frank and her family hide from Nazi persecution for two years during World War II relying on the help of Otto Frank's trusted employees for food and information. The museum was established on May 3, 1957, with the primary goal of preserving the hiding place and opening it to the public. The museum officially opened on May 3, 1960. Nice place for those who love history.
What can I say ! So much more than 5 stars. This is a must experience for all. The museum is set out perfectly. Recordings for all with easy access in each room. The planning of the journey through the museum to go into the house is perfect.
Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam was an emotional and unforgettable experience. I had read her diary before, but being in the actual Secret Annex where Anne and her family lived in hiding made her story feel so much more real. Walking through the hidden bookcase and into those small, dark rooms was overwhelming—it’s hard to imagine how eight people lived there for over two years, constantly in fear.Anne’s room hit me the hardest. The pictures she glued to the walls—of movie stars and postcards—were such a touching reminder of her youth and optimism despite everything. Seeing her original diary on display was incredibly moving, like a direct connection to her voice and thoughts.The museum is thoughtfully designed, with an audio guide that gives just enough context without being overwhelming. It’s a heavy experience, but one that leaves you reflecting on resilience, hope, and the importance of remembering history.If you plan to visit, book your tickets early.
Anne Frank Huis, located near the Prince's Canal in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is a museum in memory of the Jewish Anne Frank, who used to be Anne Frank's hiding place during Nazi rule. Anneliese Frank (June 12, 1929-March 1945), a German-born Jew, died at the age of 15 in the Belgen-Belsen concentration camp. Her diary became the best witness of the Nazi's elimination of Jews during World War II. It showed amazing courage and perseverance. Anne's Diary is one of the most influential works about World War II. Numerous people come to visit Anne's home with admiration. Tickets are hard to get. It usually takes more than 90 minutes to queue for tickets.
Worth a visit. The original appearance is well preserved. After entering the door, go through the door behind the bookshelf and climb up the dark and narrow stairs. The depressing atmosphere makes people cry. When going downstairs, I saw the excerpts of Anne's diary, which are all about the desire for life and freedom, which is unforgettable. Cherish life and live well. I was still hesitating whether to go or not, but there was a long line of people waiting to visit outside the building. I waited for more than three hours before I could go in.
You are not allowed to take photos inside. The space is very small and closed. Friends with claustrophobia should be careful, because in addition to the small space, there are also crowded people inside. You still have to queue up to visit. At least you can breathe outdoors, but it feels suffocating inside, and the queues move like snails. Finally, it is recommended to visit for 1-2 hours.
A very well kept house turned museum. The journals, photographs of Anne frank and her family are well kept and preserved. you can only visit with a ticket bought online. despite so, there is still a crowd when we went. but still a good experience as the amount of tickets sold per time slot if limited. recommended to bring along your camera. the exterior of the building is a nice place to get some shots as well.
Here is a visit to an empty room. People who have seen Annie's Diary should still be very touched. It's worth it. There's always a long queue here. We made an online reservation about two months in advance, so we don't have to queue. Otherwise, it's very cold to stand in line in the cold wind and drizzle. Photographs are not allowed inside.