One of Europe's most popular travel destinations, Amsterdam is a compact, charming and cosmopolitan city that invites exploration. Known as the "Venice of the North" for its over 100 canals, the capital of the Netherlands offers easy sightseeing adventures on foot, by bike or by boat.
The attractive and well-preserved architecture of 17th century Amsterdam provides an attractive, if asymmetrical backdrop to a city known for its modern and progressive attitudes. From the city's fine art museums to colorful flower markets, and from "cafes" selling cannabis to the red light district, there is something exciting and unique to discover in Amsterdam at every turn.
22. Moco Museum
A relative newcomer to the scene, the Moco Museum has quickly earned a reputation as a must-see exhibit. Despite being off the so-called "tourist track", Moco is a private museum that offers guests a permanent display of Banksy with more than 50 famous works.
You will also find many recreated Banksy murals such as the popular Girl With Balloon. In addition to the works of the famous graffiti artist, you can check out rotating exhibitions created by some of the best pop art artists around the world.
21. NEMO Science Museum
One of the best activities in Amsterdam for kids is the Nemo Science Museum. Inside the huge green building, which resembles a ship without a mast, young and old will discover interactive activities and the evolution of science throughout history.
Curious minds will love the opportunity to set up a series of chemistry experiments or play with the engineering behind building development. When you need a break, head to the rooftop terrace for great views of Amsterdam. You will also find a café for drinks and a snack before heading back for more fun.
20. Albert Cuyp Market
This market began as a gathering of street vendors on busy Albert Kupstraat in the early 1900s. But it has since grown into one of the busiest markets in Europe. Named after the famous artist Albert Quip, the market operates every day of the week except Sundays.
The market has grown over the last century and continues to transform based on the demand of shoppers. Therefore, you will find products and cuisines from all over the world. There is no better place in Amsterdam for the atmosphere, cheap food and affordable shopping.
19. Dam Square
In the heart of Amsterdam, Dam Square was established in the 15th century and every day since it was the center of the city. Inside the square, you will be able to see the picturesque royal palace.
To this day, the Royal Palace is where the Dutch royal family hosts distinguished visitors from all over the world. But the good news is that the palace is open to both locals and tourists.
Other important attractions include the National Monument, which honors the lives lost in combat, Madame Tussauds and New Kirk Church, which hosts art exhibits throughout the year.
18. A'dam Lookout
If you want epic photos of downtown Amsterdam or simply love a breathtaking view, head to A'dam Lookout during your time in the city. After opening in 2016, the observatory is located in an observation deck on the 20th floor giving you 360-degree views of the canals and historic buildings.
Take things up a notch by experiencing the allure of Over the Edge. The adrenaline-pumping attraction is Europe's highest hammock swing off the rooftop. You can also dine at the famous restaurants Madam and Moon on the 20th and 19th floors respectively.
17. Verzetsmuseum
Found near the Artis Zoo, the Dutch Verzetsmuseum tells the story of those who lived in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. Long regarded as a hidden gem, this museum is gaining traction for tourists who can enjoy useful and often inspiring reflections on the era.
Guests can choose an audio guide that takes them through the museum and provides more background information on the various exhibits. The Dutch Resistance Museum also comes with historical artifacts, film and audio fragments that provide a first-hand look into how the resistance started in the country.
16. Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Within Amsterdam's Museum District and alongside the Van Gogh Museum, you will discover an important contemporary art gallery. The Stedelijk Museum has a series of permanent exhibits of around 700 pieces by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Piet Mondrian, and Van Gogh.
However, such is the prestige of the museum, that the temporary exhibits are completely unforgettable, creating plenty of reasons for locals and travelers to come back.
Interestingly, the Stedelijk Museum also holds an exhibition throughout the year on the history of pinball machines, to really complement the experience.
15. Heineken Experience
One beer that can be found in the four corners of the world is Heineken. Amsterdam is the home of this famous beer and the Heineken experience is all about celebrating it.
Inside the building is a more fun-filled experience than just another brewery tour. On the one hand, you will be able to see how beer is made and taste pure alcohol. But on the other hand, you will also see many historical artifacts and embark on a 3D journey! The journey takes you through each step and ends with sampling a finished product with a custom label.
14. Ons' Lieve Heer Op Solder Museum
For one of the best insights into Amsterdam's early culture, you should visit Lieve Heer Op Solder from the Ons Museum. This building was translated into the Museum of Our Lord in the attic, which is part of the house, and another part of the church. During the 17th century, the practice of Catholicism in public was outlawed thanks to an amendment in 1578.
Worshipers instead used the three upper floors of this historic canal house for prayer. To this day, the church is remarkably well preserved and offers a fascinating insight into the religious life of Amsterdam during this era. The museum is still used for some services, including weddings, and comes with some great pieces of art.
13. Artis Zoo
It may be small, but it sure is powerful. The beautiful Artis Zoo is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Located on the canal side of the Oost neighborhood, Artis Zoo also contains an aquarium, a planetarium, and the only Micropia (Museum of Microbes) on Earth.
Kids will love many wild animals such as big cats, monkeys, giraffes and elephants. For families, you can have a picnic or barbecue within the confines of the zoo. During the summer, Artis Zoo offers a series of musical performances and private tours.
12. Rembrandthuis
The former home of famous artist Rembrandt is now open to visitors and one of Amsterdam's top attractions. Once inside, you'll see the most complete collection of his drawings on display, along with the collectibles that helped enrich his pieces.
You can get an audio guide with your admission, which will help guide you around the house and take a comprehensive look into the life of this famous artist. One of the best parts of the Rembrandthuis experience are the engraving shows that take place three times daily. You can gain insight into Rembrandt's artistic process.
11. De Negen Straatjes
Between Prinsengracht and Singel Canals, as the name suggests, nine streets await your steps. Most of the current buildings in the area were originally built in the 17th century, dating back a century later. Along the streets, you'll find a slice of local life and culture. Boutique shops, vintage clothes and small restaurants are located in the De Negen Straatjes district.
Shopping here is an activity all day long. If you are going to find the perfect gift or souvenir anywhere in Amsterdam, you will find it here. When you need a break, dine at the Libertine Cafe or grab a coffee at Screaming Beans.
10. Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam
Located in Amsterdam on the west side of Dam Square in the city center, Koninklijk Paleis is one of the three royal palaces in the Netherlands. The 17th structure began life as a town hall in the city, but was converted into a palace during the Napoleonic Wars when Napoleon's brother Louis was crowned King of the Netherlands Louis I.
Although the exterior was constructed by Jacob van Campen in sandstone to imitate Rome's public buildings, the interior is a prime example of the elaborate Empire style of the early 19th century. The Dutch Royal Palace is still used for royal events but is open to the public most days of the year.
9. Di Wallen
De Wallen is Amsterdam's infamous red-light district, the designated area of the city for legal prostitution. The neighborhood covers several canals and side streets south of Central Station. Sex workers rent more than a hundred one-room apartments, tempting viewers from behind windows illuminated by red lights.
A strong police presence keeps the neighborhood safe. Although no photos are allowed, visitors are welcome. As the oldest section of Amsterdam, the area is also home to several historic buildings, including the city's oldest church, in the Gothic style Oude Kerk.
8. Scheepvaartmuseum
Artifacts from Amsterdam's rich maritime history are housed in the Scheepvaart Museum or the National Maritime Museum. Formerly a nautical storehouse built in 1656, the museum houses 18 rooms of exhibits and artifacts.
Maritime trade made Amsterdam the richest city in the world during the 17th century, and this multi-story museum shows how the Dutch controlled the seas with exhibits ranging from photographs of historic naval battles to masterfully drawn maps and 17th century weaponry.
The museum's collection of sculptures also gives visitors a closer look at how sailors spent their time at sea. Moored outside the museum is a replica of the Amsterdam, an 18th-century ship that sailed between the Netherlands and the East Indies.
7. Vondelpark
Vondelpark, named Nieuwe Park when it opened in 1865, is located in Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam's old southern district to the west of the city's Museumplein. The park gained its current name after a statue of Joost van den Vondel was placed in the park in 1867.
The statue of the famous Dutch poet and playwright of the 17th century, designed and made by the sculptor Louis Royer, became such a familiar landmark that people began to call it Vondelpark. The park is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists.
It's a place where people can relax, exercise on the lawn, cycle along the trails, and enjoy a herring sandwich or a Dutch beer at one of the park's HORECA facilities.
6. Bloemenmarkt
Located between Muntplein and Koningsplein on the south bank of the Singel Canal, the Bloemenmarkt is the only floating flower market in the world. Seven days a week, florists load stalls and pontoons with all the flowers and lamps for which Holland is famous.
Founded in 1862, the Bloemenmarkt has over a dozen different flower vendors and garden shops as well as souvenir kiosks. Although locals shop here as well, the market is primarily designed to cater to tourists.
The lamps for sale are designated as ready for export, so visitors can purchase tulips, daffodils, daffodils, and other lamps as a permanent souvenir of their trip to Amsterdam.
5. Anne Frank House
Amsterdam's most visited attraction, Anne Frank Huis, is located along the Prinsengracht Canal. The structure that hid Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jewish people from Nazi authorities during World War II has been viewed as a Holocaust memorial since 1947, when Anne's father published the memoirs Anne wrote while they were hiding inside the building.
A plan to conserve the building was drawn up in 1955 when the developers were planning to demolish the building. The building opened as a museum in 1960. Visitors can see the rooms in which Anne lived as well as exhibits chronicling her very short life.
4. Begijnhof
The Begijnhof, or Beguines Courtyard, occupies the central circle of land in Amsterdam's circular canal system. In the 14th century, the area was an enclosed courtyard that served as the residence of the Catholic Beguines Brothers.
The Begijnhof was not a monastery in the traditional sense because women were free to leave the system if they chose to marry. When the Brethren's Church was confiscated during the Reformation, they began to worship secretly in the Begijnhof Kapel, a charming building with marble columns and stained-glass windows.
Begijnhof is also home to the English Reformed Church, built around 1392. The city's oldest preserved wooden house, dating from around 1465, is also located within the Begijnhof.
3. Van Gogh Museum
Located on the northwest side of the Museum Square, or Museum Square, the Van Gogh Museum is home to the world's largest collection of painters' paintings and letters. Housed in a four-story building designed by Gerrit Rietveld in the 1970s, the museum is one of Amsterdam's most visited tourist attractions.
Two hundred paintings of Dutch Post-Impressionism occupy the museum's second story. The artwork, displayed chronologically, offers viewers an intimate look at Van Gogh's evolving style. The third story contains information about the artist's turbulent life and efforts to restore his paintings. Works by Van Gogh's contemporaries, including artists such as Millet, Gaugin, and Daubigny, are displayed on the upper floor.
2. Rijksmuseum
Occupying the northeastern part of the Museum Square, the Rijksmuseum is arguably the most important art and history museum in the country. The collection totals over one million artifacts from the 13th century onwards.
For decades, the collection was housed in buildings across the country until 1876, when architect Pierre Kuipers won a design competition and construction of the Rijksmuseum began.
Opened in 1885, the museum currently has about 8,000 objects on display, the most famous of which are paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Wemmer. The gorgeous Night Watch from Rembrandt is worth the admission price alone.
1. Canals of Amsterdam
Famous canals were built during the 17th century to control the flow of the Amstel River and to add acres of dry land to the city. Wealthy merchants in Amsterdam soon discovered that the canals were perfect for displaying their palaces as well.
A boat trip along one of the city's 100 canals offers visitors a relaxing way to see traditional Dutch architecture. Lined with elm and lime trees and crossed by more than a thousand bridges, the canals are home to nearly 2,000 floating homes, including floating hotels. Tour operators offer a variety of cruises, from hour-long excursions to candlelit cruises.