The Port of Amsterdam
ABOUT
Amsterdam is a very old city and used to be called Amstelerdam. Even today, the inhabitants still call it Mokkum. The city is named after a 13th-century dam in the River Amstel and after it was granted city rights in the 1300s, the city soon developed into a prosperous trading city.
THINGS TO DO
Amsterdam has some 40 museums and the Museum Quarter boasts three of the most famous: the Rijksmuseum featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals; the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern art which displays work from Manet and Picasso.
The Anne Frankhuis, where Anne Frank and her family hid from German troops in World War II, is also a poignant experience.
Built in 1385 The Red Light District, or ‘De Wallen’ as it is known by inhabitants, is both famed and notorious.
Building and general maintenance of the city and its roads is ongoing as it is in many places, as you can see from the photo. Whether you choose to explore on foot, pedal cycle, canal boat or coach this is a fascinating city with lots to offer.
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO
We have been to Amsterdam a few times and found the city interesting and reasonably easy to navigate. Previous trips have included a night-time canal cruise which included refreshments. This is a great way to see the city in all its glory but with lights – and at certain times of year there is also a series of art instalations around the canals.
Our most recent visit was on Fred Olsen’s Bolette and as it was in the early part of the year, getting in through the lock gates was subject to the weather conditions. Our arrival was slightly delayed whilst the relevant authorities checked the situation and waited until it was safe. This slightly scuppered our plans for the day and we eventually strolled across the bridge and into the city around lunchtime.
As the weather was somewhat changeable (and a little chilly at 7C) we wrapped up and headed out for a few hours. The walk took us over the bridge and into the city where we decided to take a day-time canal trip.
As we have found before, a canal trip is a relatively economic and comfortable way to see the city. There are a variety of trips to choose from but we went with the one that was going at that point in time. The trip was approxmately 1.5 hours and was narrated in English.
The end of the trip coincided with a downpour of rain and a taxi ride back to the ship. Unfortunately that was much further than it should have been with current roadwork improvements.
Depsite the weather and the delayed arrival, we had an enjoyable few hours – more photos below to enjoy.
Our exit from Amsterdam was around breakfast time and enabled those who wished to visit the forecastle of Bolette to get a good view of the canal and lock gates.
The IJmuiden sea lock serving Port of Amsterdam via the North Sea Canal is the largest lock in the world when considering dimensions. The lock, situated in IJmuiden in the municipality of Velsen, was opened on 26 January 2022 in the presence of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.
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