Audio Guide: Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Amsterdam

The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, some say, “dances to its own beat.” Indeed, Amsterdam – where “hipness meets history” – has a rather unusual life rhythm and style, famously manifested in the air of legalized cannabis, coffee shops, and the Red Light District. In large part, this “air of freedom” attracts annually to the city over five million visitors.

As a small fishing village, Amsterdam emerged in the late 1270s around a dam on the river Amstel and was known initially as “Amstelredamme”. Today, Dam Square is the historical core of the city. Dominating it is the grandiose Royal Palace. Originally built as the town hall, it was later transformed into the royal residence by King Louis Bonaparte.

During the Dutch Golden Age, in the 17th century, Amsterdam became a major international port and financial and commercial center. Trading in spices, diamonds, textiles, and most notably tulips, made Amsterdam enormously rich. It was here that "tulips bloomed and dreams came alive." Today, the Tulip Museum of Amsterdam offers a deep dive into the history of the Netherlands' most celebrated flower.

Other legacies of that era include great artistic heritage associated with renowned painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer and the elaborate canal system for which Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North". In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city significantly expanded, adapting to modern infrastructure. An impressive showcase of the Dutch Neo-Renaissance architectural grandeur is the Central (railway) Station, completed in 1889.

Amsterdam's nightlife and festive mood are also an attraction in its own right.

For a sobering glimpse into the city's history, one can explore the Anne Frank House outlining the experiences of a courageous Jewish girl during WWII and the atrocities of the Holocaust.

In Amsterdam, every street seems like a work of art, where narrow gabled houses whisper stories of the past. To hear them loud and experience Amsterdam's magic firsthand, you may need a knowledgeable guide. Some say that losing yourself in Amsterdam is the best way to find yourself. If that's true, this GPSmyCity self-guided tour of Amsterdam is a good way to lose yourself without getting lost.