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General Info

Amsterdam has over a million inhabitants and is located in the Province of North-Holland. Although Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, the seat of government is The Hague, and the provincial capital is Haarlem. It is a beautiful city with impressive architecture, lovely canals that criss-cross the city, great shopping, and friendly people. A city with a sense of historical continuity, apparent in the grand canal-houses, and the imposing churches and street scenes, Amsterdam seems to have barely changed since its depiction in paintings created 400 years ago. But Amsterdam also definitely has an eye for the contemporary. Dutch design is arguably the best in the world: think of product designer Tord Boontje, design collective Droog Design and fashion Viktor & Rolf. There is something for every traveler's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

Main Sights

Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, with about 7 000 registered historic buildings and 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. The Vondelpark used to be a haunt for hippies is one of the city's most beautiful green spots. Named after the Netherlands' Shakespeare, poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel it offers a wealth of ponds, lawns and winding footpaths: a mecca for joggers, frisbee throwers, couples in love, families with children and football players. Anne Frank Huis: the most famous canal house where Anne Frank and her family survived, hidden in the attic, until betrayed to the Germans in August 1944. It is visited by more then 80,000 people a year! Westerkerk: built for the western canal gentry, the Westerkerk was the world's largest Protestant church when finished in 1631. The enormous main organ (1686) bears panels of biblical scenes by Gerard de Lairesse; the church also boasts the loudest carillon in the city and sweeping views from its 85m (279ft) tower. Red Light District: prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and most of it is concentrated in the Red Light District, the area south of Central Station and east of Damrak. Known as 'De Wallen' (the walls) in Dutch, because the canals were once part of the city defences, it has many sexshops and peep show bars. It is also the oldest part of the city. The Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum, the Amsterdam Sex Museum, and the Tattoo Museum are situated here. Jordaan: one of the most picturesque 'village' areas of Amsterdam, the Jordaan has always been a centre for artisans, artists and creatives, today, this area has a wonderful selection of goldsmiths and jewellers, fashion boutiques, galleries, designer florists, and specialist shops. De Hortus: Amsterdam’s botanical garden is an oasis of peace and beauty at the very centre of the bustling city. Established in 1638 as a herb garden for Amsterdam’s doctors and pharmacists, the Hortus has over the centuries evolved into a live museum with a unique range of plants from all continents.

Museums

The Rijksmuseum houses works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and almost every other Old Master. If you want to see the works of Vincent Van Gogh, they’re all in the Van Gogh Museum, only a short distance away. For contemporary art, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art showcases modern and contemporary paintings, pottery and photography; and for a look at the lives of Dutch life in the past, the Museum Willet-Holthuysen is an enchanting 17th century canal house restored to its wonderful former glory.

• Rijksmuseum: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/
• Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art: http://www.stedelijk.nl/
• Van Gogh Museum: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/

Transports

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is situated 15 km south-west of the city. From Schiphol there is a direct train to Amsterdam Central Station. Amsterdam's center is fairly small, and almost flat, so you can easily get to most tourist destinations on foot, otherwise another pleasant way to cover a lot of ground is to rent a bicycle.

• Schiphol Airport Amsterdam: http://www.schiphol.nl/