As the sun plays on the waters of the canals, and bicycles make their way over bridges, it’s easy to fall in love with Amsterdam. The canals, the Van Gogh Museum, the tulips that bring vibrant colour to the city in spring - you won’t be short of things to do in this easy-to-navigate city.
Canal cruising
There are few better ways to get your bearings in Amsterdam than by taking a canal cruise. There are several companies that offer them, varying from romantic candle-lit tours and culinary experiences, to boats you can hop on and off whenever you spot something that captures your attention.
It makes scents
The world-famous flower market – known to locals as the Bloemenmarkt – is a sight to behold. Dating back to 1862, it exists on a series of fixed barges floating on the canal.
As well as the traditional tulips, you’ll also find orchids, narcissus, snowdrops and more, all the year round. If buying a gift to take home, simply make sure it is stamped for export – ask the vendor if you’re not sure.
Modern Dutch cuisine also smells – and tastes – pretty good. There’s a clutch of Michelin stars in the city, with Bord’eau serving local ‘Oosterschelde’ seabass with raw lime broth and passionfruit.
Take a detour from the city for Aan De Poel. Knockout dishes such as ‘KLC’ – king crab, langoustine and caviar – and roast lobster with curry syrup have earned it a pair of Michelin stars.
There are plenty of cheaper eats on offer throughout the city, however, and if you want frites smothered in sauce, you’re in the right place.
Canal-side culture
Museum Square is a great hub for art lovers. The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to over 800 years of Amsterdam and Dutch history, and houses masterpieces by Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
The nearby Stedelijk Museum focuses more on contemporary and modern works, such as the De Stijl movement. It’s a stone’s throw from the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of the Dutch master’s work. From enigmatic self-portraits to the timeless ‘Sunflowers’, it’s definitely not to be missed.
Open every day, the house where Anne Frank wrote her diary, is of both cultural and historical import, and the museum at the Anne Frank House brings her tragic but inspiring story to life.
Park life
Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s main park, visited by about 10 million people each year. Opened in 1865, it has long played a central role in the city’s life as a place of relaxation and recreation.
It’s full of gorgeous trees, lakes, streams and wildlife. Sculptures include ‘Fish’ by Picasso, and there’s an open-air theatre during the summer. It’s a place to relax, soak up the sun, meander over the quaint bridges and breathe in the scents of the flowers.
Whether watching the world go by on the canal or soaking up the perennially popular paintings of the masters, Amsterdam is a city that’s always popular with visitors.
Car hire at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport gets you into the city and gives you an easy way to explore the rest of the Netherlands too.
