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What to see in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has many fascinating neighbourhoods to explore, from red light sleaze to bohemian chic to stately grandeur. The landscape is riddled with graceful bridges and eccentric churches, the air laden with carillon chimes. Most attractions are within the canal belt, so sightseeing is a breeze.
Please check out our top10 higlights which you cannot miss when you visit Amsterdam.
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1. Vincent Van Gogh Museum
One of the city's best museums, the excellent Vincent Van Gogh draws a crowd on most weekends - you might be better going in the earlier part of the week to try and avoid this. The museum has a substantial and definitive collection of more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Van Gogh and his contemporaries. Van Gogh's own work is arranged chronologically in five periods.
Paulus Potterstraat 7. Open: Mon-Sun 10h00-18h00; Fri 10h00-22h00.
Tel: +31 (0)20-570-5200. Trams 2, 5 or 20 from Centraal Station go past the museum.
More Museums, click here
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2. Anne Frank's House
Everyone knows at least the basics of the story of Dutch girl Anne Frank and her family, who hid from the Nazis in a secret annex of the house of a Christian family during World War Two. The original building still stands, and now operates as the Anne Frank House Museum. For many people, a visit to Anne Frank's House is their most moving experience in Amsterdam. It may also be your most crowded experience in Amsterdam so go early to beat the rush. Prinsengracht 263. Open: daily 09h00-19h00 (until 21h00 Apr-Aug). Tel: +31 (0)20-556-7100. Trams 13, 17, 20.
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3. Canal tours
Leaving from the Damrak in front of Centraal Station are the canal tours, which weave their very leisurely way along the most important of Amsterdam's canals. Avoid the boats with pre-recorded guide tapes - they're rarely as good as those with live guides. Apart from that, there's little to choose between, as almost all the companies do very similar tours. One novel option is to hire a motor boat or pedalo and explore the city's waterways on your own. Rates vary considerably; ID is required to hire motor boats.
For a self-directedtour, rent a pedalo from Canal Bike, which offers good hourly, daily and weekly rates from its convenient location near the Rijksmuseum. Click the voucher icon for details on discounted rates. Weteringschans 26. Open: daily 10h00-18h00. Tel: +31 (0)20-626-5574.
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4. Red Light District
Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District is in the very centre of the city, concentrated on two canals (Oudezijds Voorburgwal and Oudezijds Achterburgwal) and the interconnecting streets. It is definitely an eye-opener, the working girls sit or stand in windows beckoning at passers-by. There are also a number of adult shops and entertainment that might be a bit much for some people. However, on the other hand there is a refreshing honesty and openess about the whole experience, that means you don't have to feel sleazy wandering here - you can often see family groups wandering through the district, although stag and hen parties form the majority of passers-by. Whatever your feelings on the topic, a walk through De Wallen is likely to be memorable.
The best time to explore is probably just after dusk - De Wallen looks rather sad and sleazy in the daylight, and later on you are likely to be confused for a potential customer.
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5. Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is Amsterdam's largest and most popular museum, containing some of the greatest works of art found anywhere in the Netherlands. The central attraction is the collection of 17th-century Dutch Masters, featuring canvases from some of the finest artists in history, including Rembrandt and Vermeer. The rest of the collection ventures further afield and in galleries such as the Print Room and the Asiatic Art room you can see photographs, statuary and all manner of artefacts drawn from art epochs all over the world. A range of special exhibitions relating to art and history keep the Rijksmuseum's offerings fresh and exciting for repeat visitors. With over a million objects in the entire collection only a fraction is on view at a time but you should still budget several hours for a visit.
Stadhouderskade 42. Open: daily 09h00-18h00 (Fri 09h00-22h00). Tel: +31 (0)20-674-7047. Trams 2, 5 and 20 from Centraal Station, all go along the Stadhouderskade past the museum.
More Museums, click here
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6. Walking and bike Tours
Amsterdam is the perfect size for walking and bike tours, and there are more operators than we have space to mention. Check any of the tourist information offices for current brochures - many of the companies leave their literature in hotels and at major attractions.
For bike hire contact: MacBike, Mr Visserplein 2, and Weteringschans 2. Tel: +31 (0)20-620-0985
Rent-a-Bike, Damstraat 20-22. Tel: +31 (0)20-625-5029.
If you want to arrange this in advance(at home via internet), please book several tours through our partner Viator.
Find and book Amsterdam tours and activities on Viator.com. Book ahead to save time and money!  _________________________________________________________________________________
7. Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum has by far the best collection of modern art in the country. It concentrates on works from the second half of the 20th century, and there are almost always temporary exhibitions or installations by new artists. The Stedelijk has notable works from Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Mondrian and Chagall, amongst others. The restaurant, with its walls painted by Karel Appel, is a particular treat.
Oosterdokskade 5. Open: daily 10h00-18h00 (until 21h00 Thu).
More Museums, click here
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8. Artis Zoo
With 8000 animals, a planetarium, a wonderful aquarium and acres of gardens, Artis should satisfy the most jaded tourist. Founded in 1838 and laid out in the former Plantage Gardens, it's the oldest zoo in Amsterdam. The zoo grounds, with ponds and plant-lined winding paths, also serve as an important botanical garden. Besides the usual zoo attractions, there's an artificial savannah where zebras, gazelles and other African species roam a couple of islands in a bird-filled artificial marsh. The aquarium, built in 1882, is another highlight. Plantage Kerklaan 38-40 Tel: 020 523 34 00
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9. Jordaan
A former working class area which has now become very trendy; especially the expensive converted warehouses. Jordaan is now inhabited by a colorful mixture of original 'Jordanezen', students and artists.
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10. Dam Square
During the sixties flower power in the Netherlands was symbolized by the famous Damslapers, a 'bunch of hippies' camping out on Dam square. Nowadays the square has lost a lot of it's former easygoing charm but it's still one of the focal points of the city. Dam square is the physical center of the city ever since the dam was built to keep the Zuiderzee (Southern sea) out. In the midst of the square is the Nationaal Monument, dedicated to the Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died during World War Two. The west side of the square is flanked by the Royal Palace.
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