Exploring Amsterdam: Exciting Activities Near The Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with flights arriving and departing throughout the day. The airport is well-equipped with restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges, as well as spas and fitness centres. However, if you have a long layover, it is worth leaving the airport to explore Amsterdam. The city centre is a quick train or bus ride away, and you can visit the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and stroll along the canals.

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Explore downtown Amsterdam

Downtown Amsterdam, or Centrum, is known for its carnivalesque atmosphere. The area is packed with museums, boutiques, and waffle houses, and is known as the "Venice of the North" due to its extensive canal system.

A great way to explore the city is by taking a canal tour, which offers a unique perspective of the city and its historic sites. The Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly noteworthy for its beautiful bridges and waterways. If you're looking for a more extended tour, consider one that heads out onto the IJ, or opt for a dinner or cocktail cruise in the evening.

For art enthusiasts, Rembrandt's House, a popular art museum, is a must-visit. This stout brick building, once the painter's home, has been meticulously restored to its former glory, allowing visitors to step back in time and explore his light-flooded workshop. Another unique art experience can be found at Electric Ladyland, a museum dedicated to fluorescent art.

If you're interested in learning about life aboard an Amsterdam canal boat, the Woonbootmuseum is an excellent choice. Housed in a 1914 cargo ship, this museum offers a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of those who call the canals home.

For a taste of local culture, head to the Albert Cuyp Markt in De Pijp, where you can observe locals bargaining and bartering. And, of course, no visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a trip to one of the city's many breweries, such as the renowned Brouwerij 't IJ, serving up excellent beers and traditional Dutch snacks.

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Visit the Royal Palace

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is conveniently located a short train or bus ride from the city centre, making it easy to visit the Royal Palace with a long layover. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam, or Koninklijk Paleis in Dutch, is a majestic and monumental building in the heart of the city's medieval centre. Overlooking Dam Square, the palace was built in 1665 during the Golden Age to serve as the City Hall and showcase Amsterdam's trading power.

The imposing neoclassical building, designed by Jacob van Campen and Daniel Stalpaert, is constructed from grey sandstone. The exterior features an imposing façade with a large octagonal tower almost 52 metres high, topped by a dome. The interior boasts lavishly decorated rooms with marble floors and columns, elegant period furnishings, intricate murals and sculptures, and grand chandeliers. The most important room is the Civic Hall (Burgerzaal), which is entirely covered in white marble and features precious floors with inlaid maps representing the eastern and western hemispheres. The Scabini Hall (Schepenzaal) and the Courtroom (Vierschaar) are also notable, adorned with statues of Justice, Time and War.

The Royal Palace was converted from the Town Hall by Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, when he became King of Holland in 1808. Over the centuries, the palace has been used as a royal residence and for official receptions and ceremonies. It is still used by the Dutch Royal House for solemn ceremonies and state visits but can be visited by tourists most of the year. Visitors can explore the palace's rich history and admire the elegant furnishings and artworks. The palace is open from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours until 6 pm from mid-April to early May. Tickets cost €12.50 and include a free audio guide in several languages, with a special tour designed for families and children.

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Try Dutch food and drink

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with a wide range of food and drink options available. If you're looking to try some Dutch food and drinks, here's what you can try:

Dutch Food

• Pannenkoeken: Dutch pancakes are thinner and more crepe-like than their American counterparts, with a larger surface area for toppings. Fill yours with fruit, cream, and syrup for a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
• Bitterballen: These deep-fried crispy balls are the ultimate Dutch pub snack. They are traditionally served with mustard for dipping and can be found in most drinking establishments.
• Stroopwafels: This sweet treat consists of two thin waffles stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup. Enjoy them hot and gooey from a street market or bakery, or with a hot drink—place one on the rim of your cup to warm it through and melt the filling.
• Snert: This is Holland's version of pea soup, a thick green stew of split peas, pork, celery, onions, and leeks. It is widely consumed in the Netherlands and makes for a hearty winter snack, traditionally served by street vendors to ice skaters on frozen canals.
• Indonesian Food: The Indonesian influence on Amsterdam's food scene is significant. Try a rijsttafel, a medley of small dishes from the Spice Islands, developed during the Dutch colonisation era.
• Oliebollen: These deep-fried sweet doughnuts, sometimes containing fruit pieces, are dusted with powdered sugar. They are typically only available around New Year's Eve.
• Cheese: Cheese, or "kaas" in Dutch, is big business in the Netherlands. Be sure to visit one of Amsterdam's many cheese shops or markets and sample varieties such as Gouda and Geitenka.
• Croquettes: These can be found at the Dutch Kitchen Bar and Cocktails at the airport.

Dutch Drinks

• Jenever: Jenever is the precursor to gin, distilled from juniper berries. It has a malty flavour similar to whisky and is served in a tulip-shaped glass, often alongside a beer—a combination known as a kopstootje, meaning "head butt".
• Beer: Sample the local brew at the Heineken Bar in the airport.
• Cocktails: Try cocktails made with Dutch jenevers and liqueurs at the Dutch Kitchen Bar and Cocktails.

Take a canal boat tour

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is conveniently connected to the city centre, with the train from the airport dropping you off right in the heart of the city. If you're looking for something to do during a layover, a canal boat tour is a great option.

Taking a canal cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam. You can book a canal cruise with several companies, such as Stromma or Flagship Amsterdam. The boats are equipped with panoramic roofs, offering an excellent view of the city's famous spots and monuments. You'll get to see the UNESCO-listed canal belt, including sights like the Skinny Bridge and the Westerkerk, the highest church tower in the city.

Flagship Amsterdam offers a unique private cruise experience, ensuring your comfort with boats that have closed windows and fixed roofs to keep you warm and dry. They also provide blankets on board. Stromma offers an audio guide in 19 languages and daily departures from Central Station, the Rijksmuseum, and Damrak.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to purchase tickets, the Canal Cruise Ticket offers flexibility and convenience. You can buy your ticket online and show it on your smartphone at one of the participating companies to enjoy your cruise. No reservation is needed, and you can board at one of the departure locations shown on the interactive map.

Remember to plan your time wisely if you're on a layover, allowing enough time to get back to the airport for your next flight. It's recommended to be back at the airport 1.5 hours before your flight.

Relax in a spa

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, but there are plenty of things to do on a layover. If you're looking to relax in a spa, there are several options to choose from.

The airport itself has several spas offering various services, including haircuts, manicures and pedicures, and massages. There are also several chair massage options spread throughout the airport, offering automatic massages for just a few euros. If you're looking for a more comprehensive spa experience, you can head to one of the many day spas and wellness centres located just outside the city.

Sauna van Egmond, located in a quiet Haarlem neighbourhood, offers indulgent pampering in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The extensive spa facilities include sauna cabins, a Roman pool, a Turkish steam bath, and the country's only Caldarium Maximus – a natural stone room heated to around 60 degrees Celsius.

Fort Resort Beemster, located just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, is one of the most luxurious wellness resorts in the country. It offers unique saunas, baths, elegant hotel rooms, relaxing face and body treatments, and even yoga classes. Another option is Thermen La Mer near Almere, an exclusive day spa with contemporary saunas, a Finnish Kelo sauna, a swimming pool, and a hot tub.

For a tranquil spot to reconnect with nature, the Nardinclant Estate in Laren, fondly called the 'Amsterdam Garden', offers luxurious private wellness facilities. The estate has a sauna, steam room, massage services, a jet-stream swimming pool, and a private outside terrace overlooking the historical garden. It caters to private bookings for up to 20 people and is suitable for family, ladies, or men's-only groups.

If you're looking for a good-value massage, Na Thai, a hidden gem near the city centre, offers Thai, Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massages. The team is friendly, and the massages are highly recommended.

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