Amsterdam Cultural Essentials

Too many people demonize—or worship—Amsterdam as a world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Yes, it has all of those things, but the Dutch legacy is rooted in two more profound pillars: innovation and internationalism. From superiority on the seas to expertise on the easel, the Dutch have blazed their own unique path. They applied their ingenuity to literally cover new ground, claiming 2745 sq. mi. of land from the North Sea with an intricate network of ocean-conquering dikes, canals, and pumps—land that was, in turn, quickly settled by international newcomers. Even with this outside influence, some credence must be given to the local adage, “God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.” Thank this geopolitical black sheep with its fiercely independent attitude for giving birth to a city like Amsterdam, where international flavors are combined with innovative liberality to create a captivating mix of multi-ethnic sophistication and come-one, come-all openness.

History of Amsterdam

Amsterdam took root by a natural harbor at the mouth of the river Amstel, immediately setting itself up for importance in trade. The city grew rapidly after imposing a beer tax on exports to the Baltic ...more

Customs And Etiquette

We know you're expecting some culture shock in the Red Light District, but there's plenty to be aware of in (ahem) your slightly more “professional” encounters with Amsterdam natives. Upon ...more

Amsterdam is world-renowned for its art, and with good reason. Dutch painters were responsible for the departure from the International Gothic style, the development of the Northern Renaissance, the perfection ...more

Architecture

Amsterdam itself is something of an architectural miracle. The city's proximity to water forced architects to be creative—canalside houses were built with many large windows to help reduce the weight ...more