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Amsterdam - You may know Amsterdam for its beautiful canals and liberal drug laws, but there is a lot more to this European capital than you may think. It is not only the home of incredible art, but also has wonderful places where you can stop and just revel in the metropolis’ beauty.

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The layout - The actual city center is quite small and has be described as the Venice of Northern Europe. In only 2,000 acres, there are 160 canals and lots of picturesque houseboats. They all have quirky names such as Herengracht, which means "gentleman’s canal."

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Canals -

The copious amount of canals means that Amsterdam is effectively a collection of islands. They are all connected to each other by charming bridges, which you can glide under in little boats.

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Magere Brug - The most famous bridge in Amsterdam is named the Magere Brug. It can be translated as “the skinny bridge.” The tale is that two sisters lived on either side of the canal and wanted to see each other every day. They could not afford to build a solid brick bridge, and so constructed a thinner pathway.

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Rijksmuseum - The Rijksmuseum is at the heart of the city and pulses with cultural heritage. There are an overwhelming 8,000 or so paintings inside! Either spread your visits over a few days or grab an audio guide for a tour of the most important paintings.

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Anne Frank House - Anne Frank’s tragic story comes to life in this harrowing museum. You can take a look at her actual diary entries and see the place she lived in. Be sure to book far in advance–the line goes on for canals.

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Van Gogh Museum - Nowhere in the world will you gain such insight into Vincent van Gogh’s genius mind. It contains his most beautiful works, such as ‘Vase with Sunflowers.’ The impressionist also shows his personality and struggles with life in his personal letters to his brother and best friend.

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The Jordaan - If you think of a typical Amsterdam neighborhood, this is it. The canals are lined with colorful houseboats and the buildings soar up high. They have hooks at the top to draw heavy things to the upper apartments. Take a walk around or a boat tour to soak it in.

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Vondelpark - Although the sun does not always shine in the Netherlands, when it does, this is the place to be. It's the countryside in the middle of a city. In the summer, you can rent bikes and cycle through the luscious fields, or buy some tickets for an open-air show.

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Dam Square - If you want to be Dutch for a day, buy some fries with mayonnaise and take a seat in Dam Square. Here you will find the towering war memorial for WWII soldiers, the Royal Palace, and New Church. It is a little busy, so go in the morning to see the sights unfettered.

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Royal Palace of Amsterdam - Given that Amsterdam is built on a bog, it seems near impossible that such a gargantuan building should exist. It is jam-packed with historical furniture and paintings. It is sure to transport you back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Rembrandt House Museum - It is rare to find an artist’s house so complete. The museum is an exact replica of Rembrandt’s house, which was also his art school. Inside, you will find a fantastic room filled with all the objects he used as props, from humans bones to giant shells. It's a wonderful museum tour.

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The Botanical Gardens - Mirrored in the canal Nieuwe Herengracht, you will find the Botanical Gardens. The modern glass structure houses a great variety of tropical plants and trees, making the surrounding area smell like a flower shop. It's especially beautiful on a sunny day.

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Artis: Amsterdam Royal Zoo - The zoo is one of the oldest in Europe and has some unique selling points. They have a coral reef in their aquarium and a screen into the underside of a city canal. The usual crowd pleasers such as a nocturnal house and butterfly pavilion are also present.

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Oude Kerk (Old Church) - The best view you will have over the city is from this church. Built in 1306, it is the oldest building in the city. Inside, you will find intricately carved wooden ornaments alongside breathtakingly large gothic windows. It truly is a sight to behold.

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Stedelijk Museum - If you want to learn a little more about modern art, this is the place to go. The museum has works that pioneered the use of abstract color and form, in contrast to more classical styles. There are also incredible statues by Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore in the courtyard of statues.

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The Begijnhof - The Begijnhof area is a hidden gem in the heart of Amsterdam. In the 14th century, pious Catholic women dwelled here. Now, it is a perfectly conserved example of 14th-century Amsterdam.

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Jewish Historical Museum - If you want a feast for the eyes, pop in at the Jewish Historical Museum. They have all sorts of Torah artifacts and a bright green library housing ancient Jewish books. They put on candlelight music performances as well, if you’re looking for a romantic night out.

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Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) - If you're a fan of the Baroque period, step into Nieuwe Kerk. There is a stunning wooden pulpit and staggeringly detailed stained glass windows. The detail will not fail to amaze you. You can also attend live concerts featuring its monumental organ.

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Vlooienmarkt -

There is a great love for markets and secondhand items in the Netherlands. Head down to Vlooienmarkt where there is a large flea market selling all kinds of things. Go in the morning, buy some pastries from a stall, and browse the goods.

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Bloemenmarkt -

To satisfy your floral curiosities, take a walk to the Bloemenmarket, the flower market. The Netherlands produces the most flowers in the whole of Europe, especially tulips. Buy some bulbs for the spring to add some Dutch charm to your garden.

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Amsterdam Museum - If you want to find out more about the country that connected Europe to the rest of the world through trade, you have to visit the Amsterdam Museum. It is housed in an old orphanage and contains fascinating historical exhibitions about the Netherlands.

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NEMO Science Museum -

In the Amsterdam Eastern Docklands lies the NEMO Science Museum. It stands like a stranded, abandoned ship shining bright green. The modern design matches the fun nature of the museum. There are many interactive exhibitions, and it's a great place to take children.

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EYE Film Institute -

This ultra-modern building is a very cool collection of all the foreign films ever shown in the Netherlands. Inside, you can see all kinds of movie clips and read about cinematic movements. There are also special screenings in its cinema room.

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National Maritime Museum - In the middle of Amsterdam, you will randomly come across a 16th-century ship. By it is the National Maritime Museum. It teaches you all about how important Dutch maritime excursions were to the prosperity of the country.

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Tropenmuseum - Amsterdam had colonies in Indonesia, the Ivory Coast, Brazil, and more. To celebrate former colonies, the government built the Tropenmuseum, or the Museum of the Tropics, where you get an education in many different cultures. There are also frequent concerts where Asian and Eastern music is performed.

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Food Hallen - For a taste of international Amsterdam, you have to go to Food Hallen. The large food hall contains stalls from all over the world, serving the most delicious morsels. In the same building, there is also a cinema and some concept stores.

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The Pancake Bakery - A signature Amsterdam food is the pancake. There are pancake houses all over the city, but the best one is perhaps The Pancake Bakery. You can order sweet and savory, or even both!

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Pathé Tuschinski -

Amsterdam has managed to preserve its cinemas as high quality and beautiful. The Pathé Tuschinski shows films in halls lined with red velvet chairs and intricately decorated stalls. The employees still wear old uniforms, all adding to the classical ambiance.

Sources: (PlanetWare) (I amsterdam)

See also: Quirky Dutch cultural traditions

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