Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. The city, which had a population of around 1 million (with suburbs) on 1 January 2008, comprises the northern part of the Randstad, the 6th-largest metropolitan area in Europe, with a population of around 6.7 million.

Its name is derived from Amstel dam, indicative of the city’s origin: a dam in the river Amstel where the Dam Square is today. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were formed.

The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world’s top 500 companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, part of Euronext, is located in the city centre. Amsterdam’s main attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, its red-light district and its many cannabis coffee shops, draw 4.2 million tourists annually.

When To Go

Amsterdam is bustling in the summer, as travelers and locals flock to city parks for sunbathing, before and after cooling off with a few cold drinks at one of the hundreds of neighborhood outdoor cafés. In the summer, Amsterdam can be the most fascinating city in the world; a sun-bleached blend of old and new, crazy and subdued. From October to May, lines for most museums and attractions are smaller, and off-season accommodations are cheaper, but it’s colder, rainier, and windier. Queens Day (April 30) and Museum night (November 4th), are worth visits in their own right.

Top Attractions

Amsterdam Canal Ring
The city old centre is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space, freedom and peace. Walk through these canal streets or better – take a trip with a boat by boarding one of the tourist cruises or by renting the boat yourself. Anther way to explore the Venice of the North is to take a ride on a bicycle. Any way you decide for – enjoy this city, one of the most beautiful in the world.

Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, with more than a million visitors each year. The Rijksmuseum is currently in a prolonged renovation, but a small part of it remains open. Its exhibition called The Masterpieces shows the most famous pieces of Dutch art from the 17th c., usually called the Golden Age of the Netherlands. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals reflect in their work different aspects of Dutch national character. You may also see the museum treasury, beautiful doll houses from the period and the traditional Delftware.

Van Gogh Museum
This modern museum houses some 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van Gogh in all his moods. This biggest in the world collection, combined with hundreds of letters by Van Gogh, and selected works by his friends and contemporaries, form the core of the museum’s collection.

Begijnhof
A narrow, vaulted passageway leads to this charming quiet garden surrounded by old houses, in the very centre of town. The devout celibate Béguine nuns have been replaced by old ladies. The No.34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam. Entrance on Spui, just a step from the main commercial street Kalverstraat, is indicated by a carved sign. Entry is free.

Oude Kerk
This huge old protestant church with little houses clinging to its sides remains a calm heaven at the heart of the frenetic Red Light District. Its buildings, especially the Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, were used by sailors to get their bearings. For some adults, an evening walk in the nightlife area around the church might be interesting.

Amsterdam Brown Café
After a busy day of walking enjoy a simple meal or just a coffee or beer in one of many Amsterdam old cafés called brown. At first it will seem too much from the past and too crowded – but the atmosphere is unique, people are famously friendly, prices low. Relax and watch – most of people around will be locals. Feel like one of them – the real Amsterdammers.

Magere Brug
Is a traditional double-leaf Dutch draw-bridge connecting sides of river Amstel. About every 20 minutes the bridge opens, as the bridge master lets boats through. The original bridge was built in 1670, but it did not change much since. Enjoy the magic of this place, take a deep breath of fresh air brought by the river.

Museum Amstelkring
On the edge of the Red Light District, museum houses in the restored 17th-century canal house with two smaller houses to the rear. The lower floors of the building became a museum in 1888 and today contain refurbished rooms, as well as a collection of church silver, religious artifacts and paintings.

Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij)
As the saying goes – the best things in life are free – this naturally lit gallery filled with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age is freely open to the public. The exhibited canvas may be not always the masterpieces of art (those you may see at the Rijksmuseum), but these group portraits of Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an exquisite document of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.

Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House in the center of Amsterdam is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the World War II. Just a few empty rooms in the hidden annex to the house will make an unforgettable impression if you realize, that two families lived in these small quarters for more than 2 years hiding from the Nazis. The original of the diary is on display, as a part of the Anne Frank House’s permanent exhibition.

Getting Around Amsterdam

If you’re not so keen on walking or cycling then you can zip around on Amsterdam’s famous trams that run throughout the city centre.

As its nice and compact there is no real need to use The Metro (underground) in Amsterdam but if you want to venture outside the centre then it offers a quick and inexpensive way to get around, as does the bus and tram network. Visit the website of GVB, Amsterdam’s public transport company.

Otherwise, you could hire a car in Amsterdam (on our sister website Novacarhire.com) and enjoy complete independence or simply cruise your way up and down the city’s canals by tour boat.

Taxi’s are also plentiful and are a useful way to get to your hotel when you first arrive in Amsterdam. But once you get your bearings, the public transport system is your best bet.

Actually, all taxis have a blue number plate with black lettering and depending on the mood of the driver you might be able to negotiate a favourable rate. Or if you’re on a budget take a Treintaxi, which basically means you share with other people and thereby cut the cost!

Entertainment in Amsterdam

Head to the Leidseplain area of Amsterdam where there are lots of cafes, restaurants and bars to enjoy a meal al fresco, as colourful buskers and jugglers entertain you!

It’s also worth popping down to Amsterdam’s Rembrandtplein region for a drink while indulging in some serious people watching.

Of course, Amsterdam is well known for its liberal attitudes towards the use of cannabis and there are many coffee shops throughout the city where the smoking of cannabis is permitted. If you’re curious then check one out but they’re really not everyone’s cup of tea!

For the beer lovers well Heineken, Amstel, Dommelsch and Bavaria are all Dutch brewed and are served in practically all of the bars in Amsterdam. If you’re particularly in love with your lager then get yourself to the Heineken Experience at Stadhouderskade 78 in Amsterdam to see how its made and to sample the finished product!

Amsterdam is a great place for the shop-aholic with the stores and boutiques that line the canals offering a fantastic choice of great value products. You’ll find all the top brands here along with more locally renowned favourites that may offer infinitely better value for money.

Take a stroll around the pedestrianised Nieuwedjik-Kalverstraat area of Amsterdam with over 1km devoted purely to retail outlets – there’s a strong emphasis on clothing, music stores, gift and souvenir shops, sportswear, shoes, and perfumes.

And running just off Dam Square is the Damrak and Rokin parts of Amsterdam offering quirky souvenir shops alongside high street department stores. Of course if you really want to send your credit card bill soaring, visit the Museum Quarter where the stylish stores of Gucci, Cartier and many more leading names will be vying for your Euro’s!

If the weather is proving unfriendly then head for one of Amsterdam’s many indoor malls – Magna Plaza, just off Dam Square and Kalvertoren on the Kalverstraat are notable options.