Instagram versus Reality: Amsterdam

DW (English)

Colorful flowers, canals and historical buildings galore. That’s the Amsterdam you’ll find on Instagram. But what’s it like in real life? Does the city live up to all the social media hype?

Transcript

00:00 There's no shortage of amazing photos of Amsterdam on Instagram.

00:06 But does the city really look that good in real life?

00:10 And is it worth a visit?

00:14 We check out three spots that are especially popular.

00:17 But let's be honest, not all of the city's famous places live up to the hype.

00:25 Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

00:29 On average, the Dutch capital sees 20 million overnight stays per year.

00:34 The old town area is especially popular and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

00:39 in 2010.

00:41 You'll find plenty of photo spots in the city centre, including of course Dam Square, the

00:47 main plaza.

00:48 But how beautiful is it really?

00:53 The square is huge.

00:54 If you're exploring Amsterdam, you're sure to pass through it sooner or later.

01:00 Dam Square got its name in the 13th century, when a "dam" was built here across the Amstel

01:05 River.

01:06 That's also why this city is called Amsterdam.

01:10 Most important building here is the Royal Palace, which hails from the 17th century.

01:15 Fun fact, the building is supported by 13,659 wooden poles.

01:22 These days the palace is merely symbolic.

01:25 No one lives here.

01:27 More than anything, the square is a place where locals and tourists can enjoy a stroll.

01:41 Where are you from?

01:42 Philadelphia.

01:43 I came from Turkey.

01:44 I'm from India.

01:45 I'm from China.

01:46 I'm from Sydney, Australia.

01:48 So what do you think of the central square here?

01:50 It looks very historical.

01:51 It's very old.

01:52 It's got a great feel to it.

01:53 It's very historic, so it's very nice.

01:56 Very different from America and India.

01:58 I think it looks very exciting, cosmopolitan.

02:03 The dam is a good place to start exploring the city.

02:10 And you can't miss the next spot.

02:16 The Blumenmarkt is a well-photographed spot on Instagram thanks to its brightly colored

02:20 flowers.

02:21 But does it really look so good in real life?

02:25 The floating flower market is an Amsterdam institution.

02:29 It's been on a single canal since 1862.

02:33 Thanks to the internet, the Blumenmarkt has become a major tourist attraction.

02:39 And what brought you to the flower market?

02:42 On the internet, googling places to see is one of the highlights of it.

02:46 So I decided to come and have a look at it while we were walking around.

02:49 So it's been good.

02:50 Not well to see the tulips.

02:52 Of course we're here a little late to see the actual tulips.

02:54 So we get some seeds maybe.

02:57 We have a wonderful new tote bag we're very excited about.

03:02 And just, you know, see the people and see the market.

03:06 Our impression, however, was that the market's charm has faded a bit.

03:11 The salespeople seemed annoyed.

03:13 We found it a bit disappointing.

03:15 However, tourists were still visiting in droves.

03:19 One more tip.

03:20 If you visit the market in spring, you'll catch tulip season.

03:26 If you search for Amsterdam on Instagram, you're sure to see incredible photos of the

03:30 city's canals.

03:32 The entire old town is criss-crossed by these picturesque waterways.

03:36 The best way to explore them is by boat.

03:40 The canals were constructed in the 17th century during the city's golden age, with the purposes

03:45 of facilitating the movement of goods.

03:48 Today you can still admire many magnificent gable-front houses built by rich merchants

03:53 during that period.

03:55 We took a boat tour that lasts 75 minutes and costs 16 euros.

04:01 After a detour over the city's modern port, the tour ends in the old town.

04:07 We think a boat trip is a great and relaxed way to get to know Amsterdam and take great

04:12 photos.

04:16 So what's our conclusion?

04:17 A boat tour is definitely worthwhile and gives you the chance to take many Instagram-worthy

04:22 pictures.

04:23 The same is true of Dam Square, but we weren't quite convinced by the flower market.

04:28 Perhaps it is better to visit in the spring, when the tulips are in full bloom.

04:31 (laughing)

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