Visiting a Canal House in Amsterdam
As you walk or sail along the canals of Amsterdam you’ll see the famous canal houses which give the city’s historic centre its distinctive architectural style. These ‘dancing houses’ (known as such due to the fact that they are now so wonky) were once homes for wealthy merchants but now are mostly offices or hotels. […]
Spring is coming! Here are our pick of the best things to do in Amsterdam in March
‘March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb…’ January and February can be pretty miserable months in Amsterdam with the year’s worst weather but as March comes along, the days are becoming longer and brighter already! Spring is one of the best times to be in the city – after a long […]
Looking for the best Arcade Amsterdam has to offer? Here are our favourites….
Feeling in the mood for a bit of nostalgia? Whether you’re wanting to recreate a first date many years ago or looking for a stag or hen activity with a difference that will take you straight back to when you were kids, it’s difficult to beat an hour or two at the arcade. With retro […]
Where to stay in Amsterdam – a neighbourhood by neighbourhood guide
Amsterdam is a fairly small city but it has a lot of very unique areas that feel completely different from one another. If you’re visiting the city but aren’t sure where to stay, read on… Here is our neighbourhood by neighbourhood guide to the city’s districts so you know where to stay in Amsterdam and […]
Where is the Amsterdam sign?
Many people go looking for the famous Amsterdam sign, hoping to snap a perfect picture of this Amsterdam icon ready to upload on Instagram and make their friends green with envy! Although these letters used to be at Museumplein, they were moved by the city council in 2018, due to the crowds of tourists flocking […]
New Year’s Resolutions in Amsterdam– must do’s in 2020.
With Christmas and New Year out of the way, we’ve been considering our new year’s resolutions here at Starboard Boats! And we thought we’d share some of them with you – whether you’re a born-or-bred local or just visiting for a weekend, these are some great ways to make the most of Amsterdam in 2020. […]
Where and when to see Tulips in Amsterdam
Why are there so many Tulips in Amsterdam? Tulips have been associated closely with the Netherlands and Holland in particular, since the 16th century. The first tulips in Amsterdam came from what is now modern-day Turkey. Having been discovered by European diplomats who were working in the courts of the Ottoman Empire, they quickly became […]
What to do for Xmas and NYE in Amsterdam?
The Dutch really do know how to make the best of the festive season and if you’re in Europe over the Christmas break, then we think Amsterdam is pretty hard to beat! With its (hopefully!) snowy canals, historic Christmas and New Year traditions and cosy bars, the Dutch capital is a pretty picture-perfect place to […]
What is the Amsterdam climate like?
The Amsterdam climate is, like much of north-western Europe, pretty mixed. The summers tend to be fairly dry and warm and the winters long, wet and a bit cold. Although the weather is pretty unreliable in Amsterdam, this shouldn’t put you off visiting – the city is one of the most beautiful places in the world and there’s so much to do that even on a day […]
What to see in Amsterdam – alternative sights away from the tourist track
Amsterdam has a fair few sights that are considered must-see by most tourists visiting the city. Images of the Red-Light District, Rijksmuseum and Dam Square may spring to mind but what if you want to get off the beaten track and see some sights more representative of the Amsterdam that locals see and enjoy every […]