Amsterdam
City of canals — the Rembrandt and Van Gogh of the Golden Age, plus bicycles, tulips and windmills in miniature.
Overview
Amsterdam has a charming network of canals, world-class museums and flower markets, and is especially beautiful when the tulips bloom in spring.
History
Amsterdam was founded in the 13th century, its name coming from a dam built on the river Amstel. During the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century it became a centre of world trade and culture, home to the Dutch East India Company and to masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. The canal ring dug in the 17th century divided the city into concentric arcs and became a World Heritage Site in 2010. Anne Frank hid here from Nazi persecution during the Second World War, writing the diary that became world famous.
Highlights
- •The Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum
- •The moving Anne Frank House
- •Seven million tulips at Keukenhof in April
- •Cycling past windmills and canals
- •Original masterpieces including The Starry Night at the Van Gogh Museum
Practical tips
- •Renting a bicycle is the most local way to get around
- •Buy museum tickets in advance
Practical information
- Best time
- April to June
- Tickets
- Rijksmuseum about EUR 22.50; Anne Frank House about EUR 16 with advance booking
- Opening hours
- Museums roughly 9:00 to 17:00; canals accessible at all hours
- Local food
- Dutch pancakes, herring, cheese and beer
- Getting around
- Trams and metro cover the city, and the canal ring suits walking or cycling
- Visa
- The Netherlands is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa. Book an appointment one to two months ahead with complete documents.
Traveller reviews
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