Amsterdam

The Jordaan is a neighbourhood of the city centre of Amsterdam, west of Prinsengracht canal. Originally a working-class neighbourhood, the Jordaan has become one of the most expensive, upscale and desirable locations in the country. It is home to gorgeous historical residential buildings with cute hofjes (inner courtyards), numerous modern art galleries, speciality shops, cafes and restaurants. Rembrandt spent the last years of his life in the Jordaan, on the Rozengracht canal. The Anne Frank House is located on the edge of the Jordaan, on the Prinsengracht canal. Many houses in the Jordaan have a stone tablet on their facade, displaying the profession or family sign of the inhabitants, such as scissors for tailors and a piglet for butchers. See how many you can spot!

The Van Gogh Museum offers an immersive look at the painter's masterpieces, from the iconic "Sunflowers" to "The Bedroom" and "The Potato Eaters". It presents his paintings, sketchbooks and letters, and documents the evolution of his art, reflecting on themes like love and hope, anxiety and suffering. This venue also highlights his influence on other artists, making it a beacon for art lovers worldwide. Since its inception in 1973, the museum has become a pivotal space for celebrating Van Gogh's legacy.

The Anne Frank House is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II. Now a museum, it recreates the war and holocaust years. Quotations from the diary, photographs, films and original objects belonging to the people in hiding and those who helped them all serve to illustrate the events which occurred at this location. Anne's original diary is on display in the museum as well.

Discover the jewels of the Dutch countryside on a fun day trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken leaving from Amsterdam. See typical Dutch windmills that are still in use today. Visit a local cheese producer, where the cheese master will explain how they produce Gouda and Edam cheeses. Discover the secrets of the klomp, the traditional Dutch clog, and much more.

The former Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam offers some 3000 square metres of special exhibition space. Learn more about Heineken's rich history, the tradition and craft of brewing, and the people behind this multinational company in this monumental building located at the Stadhouderskade. Good to know: two drinks are included in the admission price.

The Negen Straatjes (nine little streets) intersect the main canals between the Leidsestraat and the Jordaan district, and are dotted with great restaurants, cafes, art galleries, jewellers, boutiques and vintage stores. With an exceptional array of styles, trends and prices, this area is truly a shopper’s paradise.

The Vondelpark is one of the most popular parks in the Amsterdam, right next to the Rijksmuseum. Locals and tourists alike come here to spend some time in the sun, play games together, bike, stroll hand-in-hand, read a book or simply enjoy the serene ambiance that this cosy park has to offer. It is a favourite haunt of dog owners and their pets. Don't miss the colony of about 4,000 wild parakeets that has flourished in the park since the mid-1970s.

You won’t see so many celebrities gathered together anywhere else. From film stars to sporting heroes, from the Golden Age to modern times, national and international artists, Madame Tussauds truly has something for everyone.

Located in the city centre, the Amsterdam Diamond Museum grants visitors an insight into the development of diamond production (from billions of years ago to modern times), and showcases some rare exhibits such as the incredible Rembrandt Diamond, the Katana and the Ape Skull.

The New Church (or Nieuwe Kerk) isn't just a regular 15th-century church. It played an important role throughout history, and hosted the inaugurations of multiple Dutch kings and queens. Today's royalty — the Dutch king and queen — exchanged vows here, too. These days the church frequently hosts various exhibitions.

NDSM, the renovated shipyard in Amsterdam Noord is a live music performance space with a strong industrial vibe. The complex houses creative businesses, small workshops, clubs, bars and eateries. Take one of Amsterdam's free ferries and come here for hip waterside hangouts, frequent festivals and events. The famed Botel and Crane Hotel Faralda are located nearby, so consider spending the night in the neighbourhood.

The Amsterdam Museum tells the compelling story of the growth and heyday of the Dutch capital. Discover seven centuries of the city's history — once a small settlement on the banks of the Amstel, and now a bustling, diverse metropolis. The rich collection of works of art, objects and archaeological finds brings to life the fortunes of the Amsterdammers of days gone by.

A visit to Het Grachtenhuis (the Canal House) is the perfect way to learn more about the history of Amsterdam’s canal ring. The museum looks at the 17th-century city expansion projects that led to Amsterdam’s ring of canals which received UNESCO world heritage status in 2010. After seeing the interactive displays, you’ll look at Amsterdam in a whole new light when wandering through the city’s streets or taking a canal cruise.

The EYE Film Institute screens classic and art-house movies on a daily basis. If you love films and cinematography, be sure to visit this new ultramodern building along the IJ waterway, which is home to an internationally-renowned collection of films covering the whole history of cinema. The museum’s extensive programme includes exhibitions and events examining the history of film and contemporary cinematographic developments. Pop in to see their collection of film posters!

One of the oldest zoos in all of Europe, Artis Royal Zoo contains multiple species of land and marine animals, as well as an aquarium and a planetarium. The zoo grounds invite for a pleasant stroll among the trees and give the visitors the opportunity to admire a myriad of animals ranging from chimps to elephants.

Haarlem’s Frans Hals Museum is home to the largest collection of paintings by Frans Hals in the world. Hals, the most famous Haarlem painter of the Golden Age, specialised in portraits. In addition to paintings by Hals, the museum has works by his predecessors and his contemporaries, as well as furniture, ceramics, glass and silver.

Allard Pierson Museum narrates stories of ancient civilisations via informative displays which include artefacts from the Great Roman Empire, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Etruria, and Near East. This archaeological museum is sponsored by the University of Amsterdam.