Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is located to the south-west of the city of Amsterdam itself, about a 12-mile drive away. If you’re heading straight to the centre, take the A4, which you can stay on all the way. Alternatively, locals suggest you come off onto the A10 ring road for the quickest route in.

Driving out from Amsterdam is a breeze, but access to the city centre can be difficult – it is a place of narrow roads next to canals with few parking spaces, and trams running through it.

We recommend parking up near the centre and then proceeding on foot or by public transport using a park and ride scheme. You’ll be driving on the right side of the road, as in most of continental Europe.

Speed limits vary but are clearly marked. If you plan on exploring more of the Netherlands, there are no toll roads you need to pay to use.

If you’re heading south, take the A4 in the opposite direction. You’ll pass through Leiden before arriving at The Hague, Delft and on to the Hook of Holland. There are detours on the A12 to the cheese town of Gouda and the A13 to Rotterdam, another great place to visit.

From Schiphol, take the A9 east and then join the A2 south-east to Utrecht, while east of here on the A12 is Arnhem.

The Dutch motorway system is modern and well-maintained, with an admirable safety record. Driving is a great way to explore the Netherlands – 
keep a keen eye out for windmills and, in April and May, look forward to the colours of the tulips rushing by.

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.