Explore by Day & Party By Night in Amsterdam!

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, is a city that's known for it's festivals and parties. It's not just the local, unusual street food, vibrant festive nightlife or the open drug policy that puts Amsterdam on the top of so many people's bucket lists. There's a great deal more to Amsterdam than you might think.

Dance and music festivals that are popular each year in Amsterdam include the Nassau Festival in April, Festifest in June, Welcome to the Future Electro Festival in July, Loveland Festival in August and the AMF Amsterfam festival in October. In addition to this you might want to visit the top tourist attractions which include:

• Rijksmuseum
• Van Gogh Museum
• Ann Frank's House
• Royal Palace of Amsterdam
• Heineken Beer Museum
• Rembrandt House Museum
• Dam Square
• Amsterdam Dungeon
• Efteling Amusement Park

What's There To Eat in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam offers hungry travelers a rather unique culinary experience. The dutch meals and snacks range from pancakes to mini croquettes. Much of the food you will find while exploring the city is in “street food style” and there are a few traditional Dutch foods that you should try. These include:

• Bitterballen – deep fried crispy meat balls that are traditionally served with a mustard dipping sauce. These are typical pub fare treats.
• Stroopwafel – this is a sweet sticky treat consisting of two waffles pressed together with a decadent layer of syrup between them. You can find these readily available at street markets and bakeries.
• Patat / Frites – these are thick cut fries that are topped with various sauce and mayonnaise based sauces.
• Raw Herring – this is served rolled into pieces usually on the streets from “haringhandels” which are herring carts.

When To Book Cheap Flights To Amsterdam

The average flight from Johannesburg to Amsterdam is around 11 hours. Most flights to Amsterdam from South Africa originate from Johannesburg or Cape Town. The best time to visit Amsterdam for the summer weather is from June to August. While the summer and spring months can be mild and warm, winter can get a bit cold.

The winter months may mean fewer crowds and cheaper flights and accommodation options, but won't be as comfortable as the warmer months. Christmas and school holidays can also get busy. If you are looking for the lowest rates, it's best to consider the shoulder seasons. The shoulder season is between April and May or September and November which is just before or just after the summer peak tourist season.

Visa Requirements for South African Travelers Visiting Amsterdam

As a South African traveler, you will need to have a valid SA passport and Schengen visa in order to enter Amsterdam. A Schengen visa can be applied for at the embassy no less than 3 weeks before the intended departure date and no more than 3 months prior.