Canal rings, museums & cycling
Amsterdam
Amsterdam · Canals, bikes & golden-age art
The Dutch capital wraps a UNESCO canal ring in gabled merchant houses, houseboats and 17th-century charm. World-class museums, a liberal spirit and more bikes than people make Amsterdam endlessly walkable and easy to love.
Top sightsSights
Canal Ring
A UNESCO network of concentric canals lined with gabled houses.
Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt’s Night Watch and Dutch Golden Age masterpieces.
Van Gogh Museum
The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s works.
Anne Frank House
The moving hidden annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary.
Jordaan district
A charming quarter of narrow lanes, cafes and markets.
What to eatFood
Stroopwafel
Two thin waffles pressed around caramel syrup.
Haring
Raw herring with onions, eaten from a stand.
Bitterballen
Crisp deep-fried meat ragout balls, a bar snack staple.
Good to know
- Watch for bike lanes — cyclists always have the right of way.
- Buy museum tickets online to skip long queues.
- A canal cruise is the classic way to see the city.
Getting there
Schiphol Airport is a major European hub, with trains to Amsterdam Centraal in 15 minutes.
Next city
Rotterdam