Amsterdam: 48 Hour City Card

City cards

We’ve hummed and hawed about city cards in the past. Either because we didn’t feel they gave us enough time to enjoy the sights that were offered but mostly because the sights offered weren’t what we wanted to see.

Then we tried the iamsterdam card and our views changed. With 50 museums and tons more attractions, the iamsterdam card is a logical choice if you plan on sightseeing. There are three iamsterdam cards to choose from, the 24 hr, the 48 hr or the 72 hour.

We opted for the 48-hour card and used the crap out of it. Since we were planning to be in Amsterdam for 4 days we decided to wander around for a few days and then go full tilt while we used the card.

Some of the highlights of our 48-hour sightseeing blitz:

FOAM

If you’re into photography in the least, you have to stop by FOAM.  Beautifully curated exhibits and a great little cafe in the basement. We were lucky enough to be there for the Ron Galella exhibit, if you don’t know Galella, he is the original paparazzo. He’s the one that hounded Jackie O, a real piece of work. Diane Arbus’ work is on exhibit right now until January 13, 2013.

HOURS: Mon-Wed 10-6/ Thurs-Fri 10-9/ Jan 1 12-6/ Closed April 30 

DE HORTUS BOTANICUS

The three-climate greenhouse is spectacular, the butterfly house will amaze you with the size of some of the butterflies. I was happy to see that the botanical garden keeps bees and collects the honey which you can buy in the gift shop. As part of the 1st Annual Amsterdam Light Festival, the garden is open until 10 pm through December 30th.

HOURS: Mon-Sun 10-5/ Closed Dec 25, Jan 1

MUSEUM ONS’ LIEVE HEER OP SOLDER

A 350-year old canal-side house with a secret in the attic, a full-size Catholic church. The church was built by a prominent citizen during a time when Catholic services were prohibited. A great way to learn about a part of history that you may not have learned about in school.

HOURS: Mon-Sat 10-5/ Sunday & Holidays 1-5/ Closed April 30, Jan 1

 HET SCHEEPVAARTMUSEUM & VOC-SCHIP AMSTERDAM

The National Maritime Museum will teach you how the sea has built Dutch culture throughout the centuries. Five hundred years of maritime history are laid out for you to discover. Don’t miss the replica ship Amsterdam anchored in the back.

HOURS: Every day 9-5/ Closed Jan 1, April 30, Dec 25

MUSEUM HET REMBRANDTHUIS

The house Rembrandt called home from 1639 to 1658 has been restored and decorated with period furniture. Attend an etching demonstration and see how Rembrandt created his art.

HOURS: Every day 10-5

DE OUDE KERK

The old church in the Red Light District is majestic with its immense organ, stained glass windows and 8468 graves underneath the floor. Art exhibits and dinners are held in its vast space.

HOURS: Mon-Sat 11-5/ Sun 1-5/ Closed Jan 1, April 30, Dec 25

HOLLAND INTERNATIONAL CANAL CRUISE

A one hour cruise through the canals and history of Holland’s Golden Age.  You’ll see some of the most beautiful houses and churches in Amsterdam and learn about its colourful past.

HOURS: Winter 10-8/ Summer 9-10 every 30 minutes/ Closed April 30, Dec 31

And the low-lights:

There was really just one thing we didn’t enjoy and that was the Gassan Diamonds’ “brilliant experience”. We figured it would be a tour of the factory where we might learn a thing or two about diamonds from a company that has been in Amsterdam for 425 years. What we endured was a locked door sales pitch. We don’t recommend it unless you’re in the market for diamonds.

For €50 we saw 5 museums, 2 galleries, 1 church, botanical gardens, went on a cruise and wasted an hour at a diamond factory. If we had paid per activity we would have spent close to €100, needless to say, the iamsterdam card is the way to go.

Where have you used a city card while travelling? Was it worth the cost?

Disclosure: iamsterdam were kind enough to let us try out their city card.  We’re glad they did, we’ll never look at another city card the same way.  As usual, the opinions in this post are our own.