Queen's Day in Amsterdam attracts 700,000 visitors, which makes the city crowded beyond any acceptable norm. Despite overcrowding, the atmosphere on Queen's Day is traditionally relax and joyful. The usually mild weather makes the Queen's Day the day to be in Amsterdam.
Queen's Day is celebrated in the whole country of the Netherlands for more than 50 years. Amsterdam celebrations are the most raucous. Over the years, the popularity of the event grows bigger and bigger, as crowds of people from all over Europe come to attend.
The Dutch love to trade, they have it in their blood. Queen's Day is an occasion to trade all things that are unnecessary at home. They come to trade with neighbors and visitors in town. More a social occasion that a real commercial opportunity, the free market is a unique family event with children actively participating also, it's not just an event for adults. Prices are symbolic and the most important thing isn't the trading but enjoying the day and having fun.
As a large part of the Amsterdam center is filled with such a large crowd, no transportation is possible in the city itself, you will have to walk to wherever that you want to go. No cars are allowed on Queen's Day in the Amsterdam center. All public transportation, including trains are on a special schedule for this day and night.
The celebrating of Queen's Day begins on the evening of the day before, usually at 7 p.m., and goes on until the early hours of Queen's Day. It is called Queen's Night, when all clubs across the Netherlands organize special festivities. Especially for the younger adult crowds, this is the night to be in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is bustling all through the night, as many young adults move across the city hopping from one party to the next, while others prepare for the market, the following day.
The quarter of Jordan is one of the most crowded places to be on Queen's Day. Not only with traders, food concessions and beer stands, but also with large groups of people singing traditional Dutch songs. These are simple, rhythmic songs, mostly describing the beauty of Amsterdam. While you might not be able to follow the words, the whole atmosphere is always unique, friendly, and relaxed.
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| Some Dutch Pastries |
All clubs in Amsterdam organize special parties on this day. In many parts of the city, you can hear the music blaring out of speakers around many corners of the city. Many of these turn into improvised parties. There are boats full of dancing people circulating up and down the canals in Amsterdam.
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| The Queen of Holland |
If you plan to visit Amsterdam during the next Queen's Day, make your hotel reservations many months in advance. There is absolutely no chance to find a good hotel or even a hostel at the last minute, any private apartment or bed and breakfast's are usually taken years in advance.
- As you are going to spend most of your day around big crowds, leave your valuables in your hotel.
- You're going to be walking alot, so comfortable shoe are an essential.
- Take a lot of change. You may want to buy something in the market, plus you may want to buy food or beverages while you are out during the day.
- All the main grocery stores are open on Queen's Day. You may get food and drink at a better price than at a booth.
- While you may drink alcohol in the streets on Queen's Day, it is not allowed to carry more than one drink at a time.
- Consider leaving your camera at the hotel. Take part in the event, there are many offering to take pictures, which you can always download later from the web.
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