Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The beating heart of Amsterdam lies in Dam Square, the oldest part of town, once home to the central market. The square now acts as a location for special events and performances, and is home to the National Monument, built in 1956 to commemorate those who died in the Second World War. The main feature here is naturally the Palace on the Dam, originally built as the city hall. More than worth your while, as is the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), a transept basilica with Renaissance furnishings, which houses the grave marker of Dutch naval hero Michiel Adriaensz de Ruyter (1607-1676). It has also been the site of the coronation for the monarchs of the Netherlands since 1815.

Amsterdammers are proud of it: the Jordaan, a city district redolent with the unique Amsterdam atmosphere of self-reliance and humor. Once the province of the workers, it has now become a neighborhood where students and artists set the tone. One appealing attraction in the Jordan is the Noorderkerk. This Protestant house of prayer dates back to the early 17th century and was designed by famous city architect Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621). If you work up a thirst from all that walking and sightseeing, the cozy cafés are never far away in the Jordaan - but don’t be alarmed if a patron spontaneously bursts into song!

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679) was a Dutch poet and playwright, whose name lives on in the most famous and frequented park in Amsterdam. Not only do joggers, skaters, and soccer players hold their open-air parties and spontaneous sporting events here, but the park also draws many tourists who drape themselves all over the grass and among the trees. The Vondelpark, which has been a national monument since 1996, is the setting for theater productions and concerts during the summer months. At the edge of the park lies the Vondelpark Pavilion, which houses the Film Museum.

In the port of Amsterdam, near the Central Railway Station, rises the dramatic profile of the Science Center NEMO. The green ‘ship’s prow’ contains an active, hands-on museum where young and old alike can enjoy all sorts of scientific exhibits and interesting experiments. Educational, but also extremely enjoyable!
Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam

One of the defining concepts of Amsterdam is the canal belt, which originated when the three main canals were excavated: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. In the four centuries since, the network of canals and waterways has been expanded and adapted many times, creating a unique interplay of water, islands, gardens, bridges, and buildings (many of which date back to the Golden Age). Of course the narrow bridges and roads that line the canals offer an excellent perspective, but the best way to see these exceptional waterways is from one of the many tour boats. Extremely popular with visitors and residents alike!

One of the most extraordinary districts in Amsterdam is De Pijp (nicknamed the Quartier Latin of Amsterdam), due primarily to the presence of the Albert Cuyp market. This bazaar (open six days a week) once started as a chaotic collection of street sellers and handcarts, and has now grown into the busiest open-air market in the Netherlands - some say the biggest in Europe. Vegetables, fruit, fish, books, and (vintage) clothing are the main wares on offer. The Albert Cuyp Market, named after 17th-century landscape painter Albert Jacobszoon Cuyp (1620-1691), is a popular tourist attraction.

The oldest botanical garden in the world, laid in 1638, have 6000 plants representing over 4000 species, as well as a historic palm house from 1912. There are many reasons why the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is high on the list of must-see locations when visitors come to Amsterdam. The garden also includes an orangery, which a thorough renovation in 2003 transformed into a grandiose museum café. The crown jewel of the Hortus collection is the 300-year-old Eastern cape giant cycad.
Plantage Middenlaan 2a, Amsterdam

Want to experience Amsterdam like the natives do? Rent a bike. It’s very doable, since the maximum cycling distance through the inner city is only about 2 miles. Watch out for the other cyclists, though - the 730,000 residents of Amsterdam proper have about 600,000 bicycles between them…