Those Amsterdames

Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities in Europe to explore.

You don't need to hire a car, worry about parking or spend hours getting from one attraction to the next.

Most of the city centre is walkable, trams and ferries make it easy to get around, and if you're feeling confident, you can always hire an e-bike and explore like the locals do.

It means you spend less time travelling and more time enjoying your trip.

If you're planning a visit to Amsterdam, make the most of it by getting beyond the city centre too. Our guided countryside e-bike tours take you through villages, waterways and landscapes that most visitors never see.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

A throwback to Amsterdam in the 1950s.

This footage shows Jongensland, an adventure playground in Amsterdam Oost that was created in the years after the Second World War.

The idea was to give children somewhere positive to spend their free time. Instead of ready-made playground equipment, they were given space, timber and tools to build their own huts, towers and anything else they could imagine.

It became a place where creativity mattered more than following instructions, and where every visit looked a little different from the last.

A fascinating glimpse into a very different childhood in post-war Amsterdam.

If you're visiting Amsterdam, don't just discover the city's present. Our guided tours are full of the stories, history and hidden places that make Amsterdam so fascinating. And if you'd like to see beyond the city, join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours and explore a completely different side of the Netherlands.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Credit: Polygoon-Profilti (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder)

Summer in Amsterdam is made for swimming.

On a warm day, you'll find locals jumping into canals, relaxing at city beaches and cooling off in lakes across the city. It is one of the best ways to experience Amsterdam like a local.

Some of our favourite places to swim are Sloterplas, Nieuwe Meer, Marineterrein, Flevoparkbad and the city beach at IJburg.

Before you jump in, always make sure you're swimming in a designated area or where swimming is permitted. Water quality and safety can vary depending on the location.

If you're visiting Amsterdam in summer, don't forget your swimsuit. You might end up using it more than you expect.

Looking to escape the crowds? Our guided countryside e-bike tours take you through villages, waterways and some of the Netherlands' most beautiful summer landscapes.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Myth: The Dutch invented the bicycle.

They didn't.

The bicycle was invented elsewhere in Europe during the 19th century. So how did the Netherlands become the cycling capital of the world?

The answer is actually quite recent.

In the 1950s and 1960s, like many other countries, the Netherlands was becoming increasingly car-focused. Roads were widened, cities were redesigned for traffic, and cycling was beginning to decline.

Then, in the 1970s, everything changed.

Growing concerns about road safety, particularly after a rise in child traffic deaths, combined with the 1973 oil crisis, led to a major shift in thinking. Cities began investing in safer cycle lanes, traffic-calmed neighbourhoods and infrastructure designed for people rather than just cars.

Over the following decades, cycling became the easiest, safest and often fastest way to get around.

So no, the Dutch didn't invent the bicycle.

They simply chose to build a country where cycling made sense.

Want to experience it for yourself? Join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours and see why cycling is such an important part of life in the Netherlands.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Yes. You'll have no problem getting around Amsterdam if you only speak English.

The Netherlands has one of the highest levels of English proficiency in the world, so whether you're ordering food, asking for directions or checking into your hotel, you'll find that almost everyone speaks English.

Have another question about visiting Amsterdam? Leave it in the comments.

Planning your trip? Join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours and discover a different side of the Netherlands. Book on https://www.thoseamsterdames.com/

A throwback to Amsterdam in the 1920s.

This footage captures a group of girls dancing on stage, offering a glimpse into the city's entertainment scene a century ago.

When people think about Amsterdam's history, they often picture canals, merchants and bicycles. But the city has always had a lively cultural side too, with theatres, music halls and performances bringing people together long before the digital age.

It's a reminder that while fashions and music may have changed, Amsterdam has been entertaining audiences for generations.

If you're planning a trip to Amsterdam, don't just explore the famous landmarks. Our guided countryside e-bike tours show you another side of the Netherlands, with villages, waterways and landscapes just beyond the city.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Credit: Polygoon-Profilti (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder)

Actually Hidden Gems in Amsterdam: Part 4.

Think you've seen Amsterdam? Here are four places that deserve a spot on your itinerary.

Vondelpark Openluchttheater hosts free performances throughout the summer in the middle of the city's most famous park.

Park Frankendael is one of Amsterdam's most beautiful green spaces, with historic gardens and a much quieter atmosphere than many visitors expect.

OSCAM is a contemporary museum celebrating art, fashion, design and culture in Amsterdam Zuidoost. It is still one of the city's most overlooked museums.

The NEMO rooftop is one of the best free viewpoints in Amsterdam. You don't need a museum ticket to visit the terrace, making it a great place to take in the city skyline.

The more time you spend exploring beyond the biggest attractions, the more you'll discover that some of Amsterdam's best experiences are hidden in plain sight.

If you're looking for even more unique things to do in Amsterdam, join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours. You'll discover Dutch villages, waterways and landscapes that most visitors never experience.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.