Amsterdam
Currency
EUR
Language
Dutch
Timezone
Amsterdam
Continent
Europe
Discover Amsterdam
Amsterdam is held together by its canals, dug in the 17th century as concentric half-rings and now a World Heritage site. The whole centre moves between them on foot or by bike. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum face each other across one square; the Anne Frank House is twenty minutes' walk away on the Prinsengracht.
When to go
April and May for tulips and remarkable light, September for mildness without the crowds. Summer is packed. Winter is grey, wet and windy, but the museums are empty and the city has character in the rain.
Getting around
The bicycle is the real transport, but be realistic about it: Dutch cyclists are fast and wait for nobody, and a bike lane is not a pavement. If you are not confident, the trams are excellent. Always look both ways before crossing a cycle lane.
Where to eat
Dutch cooking is not why people come, but the city eats very well on its colonial inheritance: the Indonesian food is excellent, and rijsttafel — a procession of small dishes — is worth doing once. Twenty-five halal addresses are listed, among the best ratios of any of our destinations.
Good to know
Book the Anne Frank House online and well ahead: tickets go weeks in advance and there is no queue on the day. The red-light district is a residential neighbourhood — photographing the windows is forbidden and taken badly.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam
Top Activities in Amsterdam
museumRijksmuseum
museumVan Gogh Museum
landmarkConcertgebouw
landmarkRoyal Palace
museumAnne Frank House
landmarkCanal Ring Area of Amsterdam
landmarkWesterkerk
landmarkRed Light District
museumWereldmuseum Amsterdam
museumRembrandt House
activityArtis
museumOld Church
landmarkDam Square
landmarkAmsterdam Central Station
museumNew Church
museumNemo
from €22
landmarkHortus Botanicus
museumAmsterdam Museum
landmarkMint Tower
museumH'ART Museum
landmarkInternational Institute of Social History
landmarkBerlage's Stock Market
landmarkMagere Brug
parkVondelpark
Free
Restaurants in Amsterdam
Vermeer
Sichuan Food
De Juwelier
Ron Gastrobar
Rijks
Vinkeles
Spectrum
Yamazato
De Jaren
Bridges
Flore
Restaurant Lastage
Restaurant 212
Bistro de la Mer
