Look around Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and you may be deceived by the hordes of red-eyed folks ambling around in a daze into thinking this airport is as dull as ditchwater. Of course, anyone familiar with Amsterdam will know that the glazed looks will owe more to the city’s famous coffee shops than the lack of things to do in the airport.
In fact, Schiphol is one of Europe’s best and most modern transport hubs, and anyone finding themselves with a long layover should be reassured that they will never be short of something to keep them busy until their flight.
As well as a fine selection of eating and drinking venues, Amsterdam airport also boasts a fine choice of activities and attractions, including a casino, an art collection and play areas for children (a god-send for parents).
Perhaps the airport’s most unique feature is the miniature version of the world famous Rijksmuseum (located in the city centre) which can be found in the departure lounge. The museum displays a permanent exhibition of ten works by the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt and some of his esteemed contemporaries. Free to peruse, the exhibition is an excellent way to avoid throwing money at unnecessary purchases – a habit that any regular airport passenger will understand.
Strange as it may seem, a visit to the little boy’s or girl’s room is also recommended. If you’re spending 12 hours in Amsterdam airport, you’ll be ‘spending a penny’ at some point, so will hopefully get to witness the blocks of toilets that have been decorated in typical Dutch themes, including canal houses, tulip fields, famous paintings and local landscapes. A sight to behold!
Aeroplane enthusiasts, meanwhile, will enjoy the binoculars that are available for use (there are several vantage points which offer excellent plane-spotting opportunities), while business travellers will benefit from the convenience of the work desks that are dotted around the airport. If you don’t have your own laptop, Internet access is available at around 100 fixed terminals.
The alternative, if time allows, is to head into the city centre. Schiphol is extremely well connected to the centre, with direct train services from the airport taking just 20 minutes. With such efficient and reliable transport links, anyone with half-a-day to kill should certainly consider this option.
Amsterdam is a great city for walking, and you may want to simply amble through its compact centre, exploring the pretty canals and enjoying the inimitable ’tall-and-thin’ architecture. Those looking for cultural attractions have an array of museums and places of historical interest to visit, including the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank’s House and Dam Square.
Whilst the Heineken Museum may be tempting for some, if you do choose to visit this popular Amsterdam attraction, remember to moderate your intake of free booze, otherwise you could end up with a longer layover than you’d anticipated!
Or if you’re too tired to throw yourself into the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam’s urban life, how about checking into a hotel near the airport? There is an excellent selection of Amsterdam Airport hotels to choose from, including one located within the terminal building, the ultra-modern Yotel Schiphol. The Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel is also recommended.
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Written by guest writer, Paul Joseph, of Airport Hotels.
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