Amsterdam Tips

Queen’s Day 2010 (Koninginnedag) in Amsterdam will be on Friday April 30th. This is a national holiday and huge street party with concerts, markets and other activities to celebrate the Dutch Queen’s birthday (actually the Queen Mother’s birthday, as the current Queen Beatrix was born in cold January!). Everyone should experience Queen’s Day in Amsterdam at least once in their life – to see thousands of orange-decked Dutch hit the streets.

The celebrations officially starts the evening before (April 29th, “Queen’s Night” or koninginnenacht) which goes on until the early hours. Events get going again in the morning and continue through the day. The Queen traditionally makes an appearance live on TV from a chosen town during the morning. This year she will visit Wemeldinge and Middelburg in the Zeeland province – security is likely to be very tight there after last year’s incident in Apeldoorn.

The free market (vrijmarkt) is where anyone can set up a stall on designated streets and sell clothes, food, drinks and any old tat or bric-a-brac. Prices are negotiable which is all part of the fun. Many residents set up stalls outside their own houses and actually mark their spot with tape (“bezet“, or occupied) days before. There are also professional traders who take advantage of the tax free opportunity.

The centre of Amsterdam becomes extremely busy with up to 3/4 million visitors to the city. If you can, avoid arriving via Amsterdam Central Station which gets overcrowded as visitors flock from all over the country. You will have to get around the centre on foot as there is limited public transport within the party zone. Be aware that some places can become very crowded and difficult to pass. Also watch out for pickpockets.

On Queen’s day Amsterdam’s canals are put to good use with hundreds of boat parties on the water. There are organised stage concerts at various places around the city whilst a host of street performers provide entertainment elsewhere.

The Queen’s Day party takes place all over Amsterdam centre – the main squares of Rembrandtsplein, Leidseplein and Museumplein; the historic Jordaan neighbourhood; the parks Vondelpark and Westerpark. For a slightly more laid back and authentic experience head out to De Pijp (near Albert Cuyp street market) just south of the centre.

If you are planning a visit to Queen’s Day it is essential you book your accommodation in advance. To get a good deal on a hotel for Queen’s Day check out our Amsterdam Hotels page.

TEFAF is the world’s leading fine art and antiques fair where prestigious international dealers showcase their wares and where genuine masterpieces can be offered for sale. All items at the fair are vetted carefully for authenticity.

The 2010 fair will be held at the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre) between March 12th and 21st, open daily from 11am. Tickets will set you back €55 per person or €90 for 2. Those aged between 12 and 18 years get in for €20 and under 12’s have free entry.

Getting to Maastricht

There are many flights to Amsterdam Schiphol from UK/Europe/US and from there you can connect onto the Dutch rail network. The train journey between Amsterdam and Maastricht takes around 2 and a half hours.

Visitors could also fly into Eindhoven airport – Ryanair operates flights from London Stansted, Dublin and other European cities – from there travel on to Eindhoven railway station and take the 1 hour train ride to Maastricht.

Another UK travel option is to use Stena Line’s Rail and Sail which includes a train from London to Harwich, a ferry over to Hoek van Holland and then an onward train valid to any Dutch station.

Maastricht has a small airport with a limited number of scheduled services. You could consider flying by private jet into Maastricht. For example, small jet operator Blink is offering a day return for up to 4 passengers from London for £3,599 or an overnighter for £4,999. They also fly from Geneva in Swizerland which will cost €4,299 and €5,999 respectively.

The MECC is located 250m from Maastricht-Randwyck railway station, literally a 3 minutes train ride from Maastricht central station or easily reached by taxi.

Maastricht has relatively few hotels and booking in advance is essential. You can book a Maastricht hotel here

For more info on the city check out our brief Maastricht guide.

Let’s check out what’s happening in and around the city of Amsterdam during March and April 2010. Springtime can be a great time to visit especially if you get lucky with some good weather. The end of April sees the massive Queen’s Day celebrations in Amsterdam – something not to be missed!

Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam
The Hermitage is closed during February to prepare a new exhibition – “Matisse to Malevich: Pioneers of Modern Art from the Hermitage” which opens on March 6th 2010 and runs until September.

Huis Marseille
First Light: Photography & Astronomy exhibition.
March 7th to May 30th 2010.

Museum Van Loon
Amsterdam’s Tulip Days – Special exhibition in the garden – April 24th and 25th between 1000 and 1700.

Van Gogh Museum
Paul Gaugin: The Breakthrough into Modernity – exhibition.
Runs throughout March and April (ends June 6th 2010).

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Oman: Cultural exhibition with 250 objects.
Running until April 18th 2010.

Amsterdam Historical Museum
“Kienholz – The Hoerengracht” – Exhibition examining the connection between art and the red-light district. Opens March 20th 2010.

Dutch Resistance Museum
“Season ‘40-’45” – Football during World War II. English translation cards available. Exhibition closes on April 11th 2010.

Amsterdam Stadarchief
“The First Photos of Amsterdam” – photos of the city from 1850-1875.
Opens April 2nd (runs to June 27th).

Artis Zoo
“Natural Selection” – Last chance to see this exhibition about the travels of Charles Darwin. Ends March 31st 2010.

Museum Weekend will be held on April 10th and 11th when many museums open their doors to the public and special events are held.

For more information about museums in the city go here:  Amsterdam Museums

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

Ajax home Eredivisie league matches – Amsterdam ArenA:
March 14th (1630) – Ajax vs PSV
March 28th (1430) – Ajax vs FC Groningen
April 11th (1430) – Ajax vs VVV Venlo
April 18th (1430) – Ajax vs Heracles Almelo

Netherlands vs USA – Friendly football international at the Amsterdam ArenA on March 3rd 2010. Kick off 2045.

Running Events in Netherlands
Fortis CPC Run – Big half marathon and kids fun run event with thousands of participants. Takes place in Den Haag on March 14th 2010.
Rotterdam Marathon – Starts 1100 on April 11th.

Other events in Amsterdam

Queen’s Day 2010 -  On April 30th the city goes Orange crazy in celebration of the annual Queen’s Day. Join up to a million revellers in one of the world’s biggest street parties.

The 21st Century Tuba! – Recital of contemporary tuba music with jazz saxophone quartet, electronic delay systems and guest speaker. March 1st at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Oosterdokskade. Free entry.

Fiesta Cubana – Join DJ Arno who hosts a monthly salsa dance party at the Badcuyp (Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10, just off Albert Cuyp straat). Next events on March 5th and April 2nd (2200 – 0245) – entry €5.

Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis
Weekly chamber concerts running every Sunday at 1600.

Film Museum Biennale – presentation of special films including some from the MoMA collection in New York. April 7th to 11th.

Imagine Film Festival – Filmtheatre Kriterion holds the 26th Imagine festival which features genres like scifi, fantasy, horror, thrillers and animation. April 14th to 24th.

Amsterdam Boat Show
March 2nd to 7th. Amsterdam RAI.

Amandla! Mandela – Musical on the life of Nelson Mandela.
Meervaart March 4th/5th.

Disney on Ice – Princess Wishes
April 1st – 5th. Amsterdam RAI.

Irish Wings – theatre performance
March 14th at RAI; April 17th at Schouwburg Amstelveen.

Good Vibrations – Beach Boys tribute
Meervaart April 8th 2010.

Full program of classical concerts at Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw.

Pop / Rock Concerts in Amsterdam

March 3rd – Dave Matthews Band – Heineken Music Hall
March 5th – Chris Rea – Heineken Music Hall
March 8th – Novastar - Melkweg
March 9th – Joan Armatrading – Melkweg
March 9th – Spandau Ballet – Heineken Music Hall
March 11th – Angie Stone – Heineken Music Hall
March 19th  – Jools Holland & Orchestra – Paradiso
March 22nd  – Fun Lovin’ Criminals – Paradiso
March 23rd – The Cranberries – Heineken Music Hall
April 2nd – Four Tops / Temptations – Heineken Music Hall
April 11th – Blof - Carre
April 19th – Don McLean – Carre
April 26th – Ultravox – Paradiso

Accommodation in Amsterdam

There is a wide variety of accommodation in Amsterdam to suit every budget and taste. Amsterdam is a popular year round city break destination and can get booked up at peak periods. If you plan to come over during the Queen’s Day celebration it is essential to have your accommodation booked in advance.

Here are some hotel recommendations:

Hotel V Frederiksplein – hip, good value hotel just off the centre with free wifi and breakfast. They have a sister property (Hotel V) at Victorieplein near the Amstel area.

citizen M – highly rated and affordable new hotel concept at Schiphol airport which is great for an early flight. They also have an Amsterdam city branch near Amsterdam Zuid station which is also convenient for visitors to Amsterdam RAI.

Hotel Fita – lovely mid-size hotel in the heart of the pleasant museum quarter with a personal touch. Great if you want the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum on your doorstep.

Ibis Hotel – popular budget chain right next to Amsterdam Central station. Or try the newly renovated Crowne Plaza across the road.

For a splurge consider the Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam which is near central station and has large, luxurious rooms housed in a stunning “Shipping House” Art Deco building.

The north of Europe has been pretty cold the last couple of weeks. Amsterdam has seen some snow which has caused a few delays at Schiphol airport and also on the Dutch rail network. Most of the main roads in Amsterdam are clear but many smaller roads and footpaths remain icy and quite slippery - so take care if you’re planning a visit.

Because of the delays and reduced service, NS the Dutch rail operator is offering all passengers 40% off train tickets for domestic travel between 0900 and 1600 and then after 1900 – this offer is valid until Friday 15th January. You only have to buy a ticket with discount or “korting”.

The following photos were taken today (Wednesday 13th January) and show the Keizersgracht canal completely iced over. The “rondvaart” canal boat tours still seem to be running through the thinner ice of the other canals.