Amsterdam Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Amsterdam Travel Guide Video

Wander around a fairy-tale lattice of canals and captivating neighbourhoods, where old-world charm is fused with modern luxury and world-famous nightlife.

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital city and an important European hub with a rich and multicultural character. Explore the historic harborside and admire the distinctive 19th-century architecture of the tall, narrow buildings that huddle over meandering canals. Forming a U-shape around the historic port, the city’s medieval center features charming façades that front boutique stores, art galleries, coffee shops and atmospheric bars.

The city’s best-known area is its Old Center, which is crisscrossed with arched stone bridges and cobblestone streets. Explore Dam Square and its historic landmarks, including the neoclassical Royal Palace, the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the National Monument that honors victims of World War II. The square is adjacent to the city’s notorious Red Light District. The neighboring districts of Plantage and the Canal Ring feature beautifully preserved buildings from the 17th and 19th centuries, as well as leafy parks and tree-lined canals. Check out the Jewish Heritage Museum and the Amsterdam Botanic Gardens nearby Waterlooplein. A short walk will bring you to the Artis Zoo and a selection of fascinating museums. Popular museums are Stedelijk, the Van Gogh Museum and Hermitage Amsterdam.

Discover the renewed district of Jordaan, where a former working-class neighborhood transformed into a chic area for galleries, cafés and shops. Further south from here is Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. Stretch out on the grassy lawns of Vondelpark with a cold beer or peruse the stalls at Albert Cuyp Market. Grab a table in the hip De Pijp district to experience fantastic multicultural cuisine.

Explore the city on a scenic canal boat tour or rent a bicycle to experience the streets the true Dutch way. Don’t miss trying local sweets, such as stroopwafels and licorices. Amsterdam has a fast and reliable public transit network that is comprised of buses, trams and trains. Reach the picturesque harbor city by plane to Schiphol Airport, on a cruise ship or via intercity train from several major hubs in Europe. Visit in summer to experience the city’s lively peak period or in winter to enjoy the romance of the snow-dusted Old Center.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

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Amsterdam City Centre

4.5/5(2,168 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Amsterdam City Centre. Top attractions like Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt Square are major draws. Catch the metro at Nieuwmarkt Station or Waterlooplein Station to see more of the city.

Amsterdam City Centre
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Jordaan

Get to know Jordaan and its many features like its breweries and churches. You might want to explore sights like Amsterdam Tulip Museum and The 9 Streets, and you can jump on the metro at Bloemgracht Stop or Rozengracht Stop to get around the city.

Jordaan
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Red Light District

5/5(1 area review)

Dam Square and Oude Kerk are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Red Light District. Travellers also love the fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Red Light District
Rijksmuseum featuring views, a pond and a city

Museum Quarter

4.5/5(971 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Museum Quarter. Check out top attractions like Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, and jump on the metro at Van Baerlestraat Stop or Concertgebouw Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Museum Quarter
Amsterdam showing a city, a river or creek and boating

Canal Ring

4.5/5(972 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Canal Ring. Check out top attractions like Reguliersdwarsstraat and Flower Market, and jump on the metro at Muntplein Tram Stop or Rembrandtplein Stop to see more of the city.

Canal Ring
Amsterdam featuring a river or creek, street scenes and a city

Binnenstad

If you're spending time in Binnenstad, check out sights like Dam Square or National Monument and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Dam Stop or Paleisstraat Tram Stop.

Binnenstad
citizenM Schiphol Airport
citizenM Schiphol Airport
4 out of 5
Jan Plezierweg 2, Schiphol
The price is £108 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
£108
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,044 reviews)
"Hotel and staff were great - very convenient for the early flight - right at the airport. Everything was great except for the food, it was terrible. We ended up walking back to the airport to get something else. Apart from that it was a nice stay"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

citizenM Schiphol Airport
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
4.5 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
The price is £157 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£157
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,440 reviews)
"Clean hotel in a great location. We were in an area that was away from the business but close to lots of places to eat. So nice that it was right next to a bike rental shop. We were late checking in and were provided a free drink ticket. Check in process was only complaint."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
4 out of 5
Oostelijke Handelskade 34, Amsterdam
The price is £144 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£144
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (398 reviews)
"This is a beautiful property in a historic building near the water. The staff were very friendly and helpful and gave us a warm welcome to the hotel. The location is fantastic for connections to the tram and bus lines going to Centraal Station. Breakfast buffet was very good with many options. The ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cityden Zuidas
Cityden Zuidas
4 out of 5
Professor J.H. Bavincklaan 3, Amstelveen
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (973 reviews)
"A nice safe property near public transit"

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Cityden Zuidas
Adagio Amsterdam City South
Adagio Amsterdam City South
3.5 out of 5
Professor J H Bavinckln 5, Amstelveen, NL
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Amstelveen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (466 reviews)
"Good apartment, clean and comfy, but way too hot - the ventilation did nothing to cool the room."

Reviewed on 30 May 2025

Adagio Amsterdam City South
The July - Boat & Co
The July - Boat & Co
4 out of 5
500 Revaleiland, Amsterdam, NH
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (323 reviews)
"Great room and fantastic building in a quiet area. Free bike rental was great. Really enjoyed our stay and will definitely return."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

The July - Boat & Co
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Amsterdam

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3139
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
1161
4 - Good 26%
3 - Okay
117
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
14
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
17
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Sam

Would recommend for all ages

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amsterdam is a beautiful country and can’t wait to visit agen

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I do like Amsterdam. It is a unique city and worth seeing. Full of history and things to see & do.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This place has so much to do, transport is easily accessible and easy to use. I hope to go back one day!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Unfortunately for us the bars and museums were closed due to the coronavirus. we had a good time all the same.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I enjoyed a canal trip very much. I would have gone to the Rijksmuseum but government museums were closed because of the coronavirus. Damm Inn Square was noisy, double glazing would be a great improvement.

Cities near Amsterdam