Amsterdam

28 November 2024 - 19 January 2025
The best lighting artists in the world show what they can do here. No wonder the festival was named "Best Creative Lighting Event" last year.

In the historic centre of Amsterdam, the lights dance on the water of the canals. Experience the enchanting installations on foot, on a boat or by bike. 

From a bird's eye view, the concentric Amsterdam canals are impressive. Do you notice a certain resemblance to Venice? That's not surprising, because around 1,500 bridges span almost 100 km of waterways whose construction dates back to the 17th century. The canals, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lined with narrow, tall houses give Amsterdam a certain charm. Go on a discovery tour on foot, by bike or by boat: the magnificent canal houses of the Heren-, Keizers- and Prinsengracht are witnesses to the Golden Age, which earned Amsterdam the nickname “Venice of the North”.

The cheese market takes place every Friday from April to September from 10 am to 2 pm. A colorful spectacle! Rows of cheese wheels are piled up on the market square. Traders and producers haggle over Gouda, Edam and other Dutch cheeses. The spectators watch in fascination as the cheese carriers in traditional costumes carry the wheels of cheese to the scales according to centuries-old tradition. The guild of cheese carriers, founded in the 16th century, consists of four groups, recognizable by the color of their straw hats and stretchers.

How is the houseboat supplied with water and electricity? Where does the used water end up? Isn't it cold, damp and dark on board? Life on a houseboat still has an air of adventure and freedom about it. Many of these questions are answered on the “Hendrika Maria”, a historic museum boat. It is moored on the Prinsengracht, near the Anne Frank House, and invites you to enjoy a coffee in a typical Dutch living room that rocks a little.

Nein, wir wollen niemanden verführen, doch die eher speziellen Coffeeshops gehören zum Stadtbild von Amsterdam wie die Grachten und das Rembrandt Museum. So unterschiedlich wie ihre Menükarte, ist auch das Erlebnis. Mal in entspannter Atmosphäre, dann mit lauter Musik; für jeden Geschmack ist etwas dabei. Nebst dem legalen Stoff, aus dem die Träume sind, erhält man aber auch Softdrinks, Tee oder etwas zu Naschen. Ach ja, und Kaffee gibt es übrigens dort auch, nur meist keinen Alkohol.

Visit the largest flower auction in the world in Amsterdam! FloraHolland in Aalsmeer has almost 10,000 international suppliers who deliver different types of flowers. The buyers are around 5,500 wholesalers who are present at the auctions to bid for the most beautiful flowers. Be there when the flowers are sold to the highest bidder.

The Albert Cuypmarkt is the most famous street market in the Netherlands. There is always a very lively and relaxed atmosphere. During the week, the market is visited by around 20,000 people every day, while the number of visitors doubles at the weekend. The 300 stalls sell fish, poultry, cheese, vegetables, fruit and clothing. The market is surrounded by exotic stores, studios and many cafés and restaurants.
The market is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Sundays.