Tips for Amsterdam mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Amsterdam bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Amsterdam. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Amsterdam. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Amsterdam highlights.

What to see during your tour in Amsterdam with a rented coach with driver?

Tour Amsterdam with this video clip

See the images in this video to enjoy this city’s life on the canals and in the canal houses. Eat the traditional ‘poffertjes’ (mini pancakes), look up to the canal houses from a tour canal boat and cycle through the Vondel park and rest your feet in the fountain on the Museumplein or even better in the fountain front of the Hotel American near the Leidse Plein. We recommend you to use your hired minibus or chauffeur driven coach to visit Amsterdam’s nearby villages like for example Edam, Volemdam and the row of traditional windmills in the Zaanse Schans.

The Rijksmuseum

This is the most important and famous Dutch museum. In 200 rooms there are more than a million world-famous works of art to be found including the Nachtwacht by Rembrandt van Rijn and the Melkmeisjeby Johannes Vermeer. In April 2013 the official opening will take place form the new Philips “vleugel”. The Rijksmuseum is located near the Leidseplein.

The “wallen”

These are always very popular by foreign tourists. In English, the “wallen”is also called the "red light district". This tangle of streets named after the prostitutes who are among the reds lights behind the several windows. There are also famous bars here such as the “banana bar”. The wallen are located within 10 minutes walking distance from the main train station.

Dam Square

Dam Square is the most famous square of Amsterdam. Here you can findThe new church, the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the Palace on Dam Square. Also the important Kalverstraat, with shops of all famous brands, ends here. In the middle of this square stands a monument in memory of the Second World War. During the Remembrance Day on May 4th a lot of flowers are laid here by the King and his family.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe in the Madame Tussauds museum credit: Cliff CC BY 2.0

The Anne Frank House

This is a museum that is dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who had into hiding in the Second World War. In the 60s, this hiding place turned into what is now a museum visited by millions of people. In the Anne Frank house we find original furniture today. The most important part of this museum is the “back home” what goes behind the bookcase.

The Vondel park

This is the most famous park in the Netherlands. This park is located in Amsterdam-south and is visited well throughout the whole year. In the summer we find here sunbathers, runners and walkers. There are also many musicians who always bring a good atmosphere. The Vondelpark is also called the "Central Park" of Amsterdam.

Wasserfontäne im Vondelpark

Wasserfontäne im Vondelpark credit: Simone Richter CC BY 2.0

The Albert Cuypmarket

This is a market at the Albert Cuypstraat in Amsterdam. This market is named for the painter from the 17th century. Almost everything is available on the market that once started up by the Amsterdammers. Today, the market is open 6 days a week. We also find a statue of the folk singer Andre Hazes at the Albert Cuypstraat. A look at this market can’t be missing when you are visiting Amsterdam.

Markt Albert Cuypstraat

Markt Albert Cuypstraat  credit: Franklin Heijnen CC BY-SA 2.0

Events

In the lively city are many annual events. For example, there are many music festivals in Amsterdam. An example is the famous "PachFestival’. Another event that Amsterdam is famous for is the annual Gay Pride. This festival is especially well-known because homosexuals sail through the canals of the city during the "Canal Parade". They show that they are proud of their sexual orientation and that they dare to admit it. Especially among tourists the Gay Pride is very popular. They do not know this in their own country and are amazed how we do this in the Netherlands.

Shopping

Shopaholics can indulge in Amsterdam, because this city offers a lot of shops. Three very famous shopping streets of Amsterdam are the Kalverstraat, the PC Hooftstraat and the Leidsestraat. You can go here for stores like Zara and H&M, but you will also find famous department stores like V&D and Bijenkorf. If you go to the P.C. Hooftstraat you"d better bring a well-filled wallet, because here you will find shops like Gucci and Hugo Boss.

Good food

Amsterdam has a lot of cafes and restaurants. Because of this it is on almost every street corner possible to get something to eat. The offer is very diverse. For example you can get acquainted with the Mexican, Italian, Argentinian, Turkish, Chinese-Indian cuisine or just choose for the Dutch kitchen.

For example, consider eating once at the Italian restaurant Koevoet. This restaurant is located at the Lindenstraat in the Jordaan. If you are here you should definitely try the Burrata, because this is very popular here! Another good restaurant is Piet de Leeuw at the Noorderstraat. Here they sellmaybe even the best rump steak of Amsterdam.

Het Groot Melkhuis Vondelpark

Het Groot Melkhuis Vondelpark credit: keriluamox  CC BY-SA 2.0

Visit the Amsterdam villages by bus or coach

Since you’ll be probably staying in or near Amsterdam we recommend you to hire a minibus or coach in Amsterdam to visit the small old Dutch villages just outside the city. These are famous tourist attractions and lots of groups have them listed as an obliged stop for their day tour in a hired bus or coach. The village of Edam is known for its weekly traditional cheese market but also outside market days is really worth a visit. Its narrow streets with flowers and well-kept gardens are a pleasure to walk through and some of the bridges are real works of art. Similar things can be said about Volendam and the old fishermen village of Marken. Today Marken is connected to the main land but it used to be an island and it has kept its original charm. It’s still an easy stroll of about only 6 km to circle its grounds.

See the North Holland touristic video clip

See video impressions of this ‘greater Amsterdam area’ called North Holland with typical Dutch windmills landscapes and images of Amsterdam city. We hope that this touristic appetizer might get you hungry to hire a bus and a driver for a day trip around the some very nice Dutch places and touristic sights

About North-Holland Province

The province North-Holland is located in the North-West of the Netherlands. The most famous and tourist town in North Holland is Amsterdam. Nevertheless this is not the capital of North-Holland. That is Haarlem. With famous attractions and sights such as Madame Tussauds, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square, the Anne Frank House and tours through the famous canals Amsterdam attracts millions of tourists each year from their own country but also from abroad. They come for businesstrips, but also for holidays or daytrips. North-Holland is a popular province among tourists. This is because this province has both; big cities like Amsterdam and small villages like Volendam. Because of that North-Holland offers a perfect mix between the mass from the city and the cozy and quiet sides from a village.

Tours in North-Holland

Like the other provinces in the Randstad North-Holland is very well connected through various travel and transportation options. The network of roads, harbors and trains connects this province with the surrounding and through the Amsterdam airport with the rest of the world.

Volkwagen Caddy (5 pers)

Volkwagen Caddy (5 pers) from Oostenrijk Touringcars B.V

Places to see and visit in the province North-Holland

The province North-Holland is a blend of culture and nature. First there are the large or typical Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Volendam. On the other hand there are also many walking routes and nature areas to find.

Nature in North-Holland

Do you feel more for a walk or enjoying the many lakes the Netherlands knows?

Through the whole province we find recreational lakes. Important examples are: "The Twiske" and "Park spoorzicht" where watersport enthusiasts and hikers can enjoy themselves. North-Holland also has many famous bathing places. Zandvoort is one of the most famous bathing places from the Netherlands. This bathing place is not only popular because of the beach and the pavilions, but also by the race circuit where races are given annually. Besides Zandvoort, Bloemendaal is also located in this province. This bathing place is visited the whole year and has a more luxurious image. Here are also organized many festivals and beach parties in the summer months.

Who wants to alternate in the summer the bustle from the beach with the tranquility from a nature area can in the underlying Kennermerduinen walk around the birdlake or through the dunes to the much more quiet beaches from IJmuiden .

Landschap bij zuidingang van Het Twiske

Landschap bij zuidingang van Het Twiske credit: S Sepp CC BY-SA 3.0

Get out the bus get on a bike

As a tourist capital of the Netherlands Amsterdam is the starting point from a lot of tours for Americans, Asian tourists and other cosmopolitans. We also adopted transport forms from all parts of the world. Fortunately our Dutch bike remains the most important transport way in this city and even as a real bus and coach tourist you can’t go home without cycling around at least one day.

Canal cruise through Amsterdam

One of the most famous tours through North Holland or Amsterdam is the canal cruise. Within walking distance of the main train station are plenty of companies where different tours can be booked. An example is company lovers. If you are looking for a more unique way of sailing than you canmake a combination trip with the "floating dutchman". This bus makes a spectacular dip in the water and after that you can have a look at the canals while you are sailing.

Also tours along the “wallen”, the coffee shops and the Jordaan are very popular. This can be done by foot but also with the typical Dutch bike.

Amsterdam City Tours offers several tours by bus. For example, these tours combine the cities Amsterdam, Volendam and Marken. There is also provided an opportunity for customized tours for small and large groups.

National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) in Amsterdam credit: Nigel"s Europe & beyond CC BY-SA 2.0

Places to see and visit in Amsterdam

Nightlife

Amsterdam has a vibrant nightlife where is always something to do. There is also something for everyone through the combination of the historic character and the modern from the contemporary city.It is for example possible to go to a brown pub like Café Nol in the Jordaan, but you can also go to a trendy nightclub or concert area as Paradiso. Another popular place for younger and older tourists is the Hard Rock Cafe. This cafe is located on the edge of downtown. From this bar you have a view over the Singelgrachtkering.

Additionally Amsterdam also offers a range of options for a night at the theater.In Amsterdam are a lot of theaters and these together provide a diverse range for you. There are performances in dance, music, cabaret, theater and musical. Some well-known theaters in Amsterdam are Bijlmer Park Theatre, Royal Theatre Carré and the city theater.

Cafe Nol

Cafe Nol credit: Jeff Hottinger CC BY-SA 2.0

Museums and Coffee Shops in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and is on its way to one million inhabitants and is by this the largest city and municipality from the country. The city is known for its many canals and bicycles, the Albert Cuyp market, André Hazes, the Anne Frank house and the “wallen”. Many foreign tourists come here especially to visit some coffee shops. Others come to visit the famous museums. The Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum are top of the list from many tourists. Some travelers have the ambition to experience both attractions, but forgotten by the intoxication the time, so years later they still walk as a lost tourist in Amsterdam.

North-Holland traditions and culture

The real Dutch culture is found in Alkmaar where the cheese market takes place every week. Alkmaar received because of this the nickname "Cheese city". Also in Volendam the ancient Dutch traditions are intact. The possibility to take a picture in Dutch costume is also still popular among Dutch and foreign tourists.

Walking tour through Amsterdam city

Amsterdam has a lot of walking routes. This is partly because Amsterdam is a great city with a long history. It is for example possible to do a city walk. This walk is about 5 miles. During this walk you will come along to the Red Light District and the Kalverstraat. You also have a special memorial walk, a walk along the Pijp and walk along the Jordaanroute.

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More about Amsterdam

Would you like to organize a bus tour to see all these beautiful highlights? Request quotes and compare the different bus and coach hire companies:

Bus tours in Amsterdam
Coach hire in Amsterdam