Places / Europe / Netherlands
Amsterdam
Visited in 2011, 2022 and 2026
At a glance
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Amsterdam
- Population
- 921,468
- Best time to go
- April to May, September
- Main airport
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
- Coordinates
- 52.36°N, 4.87°E
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring is one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in Europe: tall, narrow merchants' houses leaning over the water, humpbacked bridges and bicycles everywhere.
Behind the postcard views is a city of world-class art, cosy brown cafés and distinct neighbourhoods. The centre gets very crowded, so mix the big museums with walks in the Jordaan, the markets of De Pijp and a ferry ride across the IJ.
Things to see
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Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0 Rijksmuseum
The national museum of art and history, home to Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Milkmaid.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Vincent van Gogh, Public domain Van Gogh Museum
The world's largest collection of Van Gogh's work, from dark early pieces to the Sunflowers.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 Anne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the war; book well ahead.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Diliff, CC BY 2.5 The canal ring
Walk the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht to see the city's grandest merchants' houses.
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Photo: Dguendel, CC BY 4.0 Vondelpark
The city's favourite park, busy with cyclists, joggers and picnickers on sunny days.
Things to do
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Photo: Tezd, CC BY-SA 3.0 Canal cruise
An hour on the water shows off the bridges and gabled houses; small open boats are best.
Find tours -
Photo: Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cycle like a local
Hire a bike and ride through the Jordaan, along the Amstel or out to the countryside north of the IJ.
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Photo: W. Punt for Anefo, CC0 Brown café
Settle into one of the old wood-panelled bars for a beer and bitterballen.
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Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Zaanse Schans
Working windmills, wooden houses and cheese makers, about half an hour north.
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Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0 Ferry to NDSM
A ferry from behind Centraal Station crosses to a former shipyard full of street art and studios.
Where to stay
Jordaan
Picturesque canals, independent shops and cafés, close to everything.
Hotels in JordaanCanal Ring
Classic Amsterdam, with boutique hotels in old canal houses.
Hotels in Canal RingDe Pijp
Lively and multicultural, with the Albert Cuyp market and great restaurants.
Hotels in De PijpOost
Green and relaxed, near the zoo and the Dappermarkt, with better value.
Hotels in Oost
Getting around
Walk or cycle; trams cover the centre well and the Metro connects the outer districts. Tap a contactless card to pay.
Trains from Schiphol reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 15 minutes. Eurostar trains from London run direct to Centraal.
When to go
April and May bring tulips and the King's Day street party on 27 April. September is mild and quieter. Summer is busy, and winter is cold and damp but cosy.
Plan your trip to Amsterdam
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.