Overview

As one of Europe’s cultural hubs, Amsterdam has abundant sightseeing options for visitors. Perhaps the most poignant attraction is Anne Frank’s House, where exhibits relating to the writer, her days in hiding and her tragic fate are chronicled. Art is a major theme in this city, with museums such as Rembrandt House, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum housing priceless collections of works by the most famous of Dutch masters. 

Anne Frank House

A highlight for many visitors to the city is this moving exhibition located where Anne Frank and her family hid for more than two years during the Nazi occupation of the city. It was here where she wrote her famous diary, unknowing that it would later be translated and published in 50 languages. The tragic fate of Anne and her family, who were sent to a concentration camp upon discovery and later died, makes a visit here all the more poignant.  

Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis)

One of Amsterdam’s primary cultural institutions, Rembrandt House is host to an outstanding collection of works by the Dutch master, who spent nearly 20 years of his life between 1639 and 1658 living and working at this very building before his financial downfall. There are also pieces by some of his students and teachers on display.

Rijksmuseum

This world-class art museum features many prominent works by Dutch masters. Focusing on works from the 15th to the 19th century, including pieces by Rembrandt, Rubens and Vermeer, the museum is a must for anyone with an interest in art. Not only does the museum house exquisite paintings but it also features drawings, sculptures and prints. 

Van Gogh Museum

This interesting museum traces the life of this famous Dutch Post-Impressionist artist, who has become among the most famous on the planet. Visitors can admire works by van Gogh as well as personal letters written by him. Also on display are works by other world favourite artists such as Pissarro, Gaugin and Monet. Included in the permanent collection are Sunflowers and The Bedroom.

Heineken Experience

Popular with beer fans, Heineken Experience offers tours of the first Heineken brewery ever established (in 1873) for visitors interested in the brewing process and history of this pale pilsner. A highlight of the tour is sampling the final product at the Brewhouse Bar while Heineken souvenirs can be picked up at the gift shop. 

Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis)

Originally used as a town hall in the 17th century, this opulent building was transformed into a palace in 1808 by the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. While the façade of the building is indistinctive, the interior features a grand ceremonial hall and a prized collection of clocks and chandeliers. Today the palace is used for important royal functions and was the site of Princess Beatrix’s marriage to Klaus von Amberg in 1966. 

Parks

Outside the city centre are a number of pretty parks in which to lounge, picnic, walk or pursue sports. Vondelpark is one of the liveliest green spaces and attracts everything from buskers to street performers and open-air theatre in the summertime. Amsterdamse Bos is another pretty spot where sporting activities can be pursued.

Horseback riding

Fans of equestrian sports will want to check out the Neoclassical Hollandsche Manege, a prestigious Dutch riding school designed on Vienna's Spanish Riding School. Designed by Al van Gendt in 1882, the building underwent restoration work in the 1980s and now features a pleasant café and a balcony from where you can enjoy views of the riders and their horses below. The school is located adjacent to Vondelpark.

Golf

Those who want to complement their sightseeing with a round of golf have more than a dozen nearby courses to choose from. The 18-hole De Hoge Dijk is a popular public course on the edge of Amsterdam while Golfpark Spaarnwoude and Golfbaan Sloten also attract crowds. For the uninitiated, Midgetgolfbaan Amstelpark at Amstelpark is fun for all the family.

Dining and shopping

Amsterdam's dining scene is multicultural and varied. In fact, it is easier to find an ethnic eatery here than it is to find one serving authentic Dutch fare. Despite the lack of national cuisine on the city's menus, there are still many traditional Dutch snacks available from street vendors which deserve to be tried.

French fries (vlaamse frites) here are served with a rich mayonnaise and are a popular accompaniment to most meals. Meatballs and herring sandwiches are other local favourites and can be eaten as side dishes at food stalls around the city. These Dutch delicacies are harder to come by in the city's full service restaurants, where international cuisine is served to high standards.

Choosing where to dine in Amsterdam will depend much on what type of cuisine you have a craving for. Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk in the city centre have a good selection of international eateries while more sophisticated dining can be enjoyed along Utrechtse Straat. Rijnstraat in Rivierenbuurt offers several eateries but if it's Asian cuisine you've got a hankering for, the Zeedijk/Nieuwmarkt area is brimming with affordable Chinese restaurants.

Like most major European cities, Amsterdam has a fantastic selection of modern shopping streets and department stores. From mainstream shopping along the pedestrianised Kalverstraat and Nieuwedijk to bohemian thrift shopping in the Jordaan district, Amsterdam caters well to shoppers.

Damrak and Rokin sit parallel to Kalverstraat and Nieuwedijk and offer a slightly quieter shopping scene. Nearby is the Flower Market, a pretty sight of tulips and bulbs packed ready for export. Farther afield in the Oud Zuid district, Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat is where you will find haute couture boutiques including the likes of Gucci and Cartier.

For down-to-earth department store shopping, De Bijenkorf at Dam Square offers a nice selection of clothes, home wares, cosmetics and electrical goods. Nearby Magna Plaza and Kalvertoren offer a similar selection. While these large stores are placed in the heart of the touristy centre, they are convenient to reach and stock most goods and a large selection of brand names.

Well known as a diamond centre since the 16th century, Amsterdam is a great place to pick up quality jewellery. Head for Spiegelstraat for the best in antiques and gems or visit one of the city's diamond factories to purchase the stone and cut of your choice. There are more than a dozen diamond factories in operation, most of which offer free tours before allowing you to browse their showrooms.

Aside from diamonds and tulip bulbs, popular buys in Amsterdam include reproductions of famous artworks and Delftware. The best place to look for these favourite souvenirs is in the art galleries and antique shops around Spiegelgracht. The city also offers more light-hearted shopping in the Red Light District for those who want to pick up adult souvenirs.

The dining scene in Amsterdam is focused on international cuisine rather than authentic Dutch fare. In fact, you will find it harder to seek out local dishes than to find pizza, sushi or steak. Despite the lack of national cooking on the city's menus, the selection of restaurants is truly cosmopolitan and will not disappoint gastronomes.

Overview

Well connected with the rest of the world by air via Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam is also a major rail hub for regional travel. Direct flights are the easiest way to access the city for most, but UK visitors have the option of arriving by ferry at Rotterdam or Hook of Holland and then travelling to Amsterdam via car, train or bus. Once in the city, most attractions can be accessed on foot. For longer journeys, a comprehensive rail, tram and cycle lane network exists.

Airports

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is a major international air hub, receiving flights from around the globe. National airline KLM is one of the major operators at the airport while British Airways, easyJet, Thai Airways and Continental also serve Schiphol. Facilities at the airport are superb and include dining, banking and communication services. Medical care and a pharmacy are also on hand, as are viewing areas and car parks.

Transport options from the airport to the city centre are excellent, with the train being the fastest and most economic mode. The airport train station has regular connections with Amsterdam Central Station, the city's main rail hub. Taxis and buses are also on hand but the latter are less convenient while the former can be expensive.

Buses depart from platform A7 at Arrivals Hall 2 and connect with Amsterdam city centre and Amsterdam Zuid. Taxis take less than 15 minutes to reach the city but are only recommended if you have lots of luggage. The Connexxion Schiphol Hotel Service shuttle service is convenient for those staying at designated hotels while select city lodgings provide pick-up services for guests.

Hire cars are also available for those who wish to drive via the A4 and A10 motorways to the city. In keeping with the city's passion for cycling, there is also a dedicated cycle path from the airport to the city.

Public transportation

Walking is the best way to get around most parts of the city but for longer journeys there is a comprehensive public transport network. Cycling is a favourite local pastime so if you're fit, renting a bike and touring the city using the dedicated cycle paths is a fun and inexpensive option.

Trams and buses make light of longer journeys and cover all corners of the city. If you are using the bus strictly for sightseeing, consider a hop on, hop off bus tour of the city's main attractions. Regular bus tickets also allow for travel on trams and metro trains and can be purchased on public transport or at newsstands or automatic vending machines.

The metro network is limited and best used for travelling from Central Station to Amstel. Water taxis are useful and the best way to experience the city's harbour, with services linking the city's main attractions and museums. Dinner cruises are also available for those with big budgets.