Studded with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and threaded with more than 100 kilometers of canals, Amsterdam is a gorgeous city just waiting to be explored by foot, bike or boat. Though tourists know Netherland’s capital for its coffee shops and red light district, Amsterdam also offers an incredible mix of progressive, modern culture, like its many design galleries, as well as charming, old-school sights, like the grand Rijksmuseum. Affordable lodging is easily found in the Jordaan and South districts, while plenty of upscale boutique hotels can be found near city center.
Can’t-Miss Museums
- Fans of modern art will no doubt enjoy the Van Gogh Museum, which houses hundreds of the artist’s works. The museum is organized into different periods of Van Gogh’s short career, offering even casual art-lovers an in-depth look into his process and evolution.
- Perfectly preserved even in its cramped quarters, the Anne Frank House holds much meaning to visitors from around the world. Seeing the claustrophobic space and the wall of movie star pictures Anne attached to the walls brings the words in her diary to life.
Best Bites In Amsterdam
- Located inside a splendid greenhouse, De Kas serves creative and delicious Dutch-Mediterranean-inspired fare, like fried zucchini with lavender mayo. The vegetable-forward menu changes daily to reflect what’s grown in the adjacent nursery, ensuring the freshest of ingredients.
- Bring a big appetite to the Albert Cuyp Street Market, the largest in Amsterdam, where plentiful street food stalls are mixed in among typical flea market wares like clothes and souvenirs. Nibble on sweet stroopwafel, specialty cheeses and briny herring, and make sure to buy extra to bring home!