Canals – No visit to Amsterdam is complete without enjoying a cruise along the beautifully designed and structured maze of canals that give Amsterdam its unique character. Travelling through the heart of the city you can sit back and relax taking in the wonderful historical sites and centuries-old canal houses.
Food glorious food – Amsterdam offers a huge variety of restaurants for all budgets as well as plenty of unique culinary experiences from Stroopwafels – a thin waffle with a layer of syrup in the middle, Bitterballen – deep-fried meatballs, Pannenkoekn – Dutch pancakes and, of course, Kaas – delightful Dutch cheeses such as Gouda, Edam and Maasdammer.
The Royal Palace* is located in the middle of the capital and is used for official events by the Dutch head of state, King Willem-Alexander. The 17th Century Palace is open to visitors when there are no royal receptions and you can visit on a guided tour, following in the footsteps of royal guests through its imposing rooms and halls.
The Rijksmuseum* in the heart of Amsterdam and famed for the masterpieces in its collection, this is a must-visit for any culture lover. Housing more than 8,000 works of art from Dutch and European history, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.
Anne Frank’s House* is the most poignant of Amsterdam’s museums and includes permanent displays of personal objects and documents animating the life and times of Anne Frank, her family and the others who shared their attic hideaway hiding from the Nazis. Tucked behind a false bookcase you can enter the secret upstairs apartment, still kept as the Gestapo left it and elsewhere a diary room houses the original red diary.
The Van Gogh Museum* houses the largest collection of the painter’s collection and some of his most well-known and influential works including The Potato Eaters, The Yellow House, Sunflowers and The Bedroom.
If you want to travel a little further afield, why not be transported back to the 18th and 19th century with a visit to Zaanse Schans a living and working traditional Dutch community? Easily accessible by train, this unique part of the Netherlands is full of windmills, handicraft shops and museums where you will see clog-crafting and cheese making.
* Due to popularity, many museums and galleries in Amsterdam must be booked in advance. If you wish to visit a particular site, please check with the attraction and book accordingly.