Amsterdam, one of Europe's smaller but densely populated capitals, has many attractions for visitors. The town's most famous sight is the system of canals, which spreads over the whole city centre.

Museums

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands.

The Van Gogh Museum specialises in works by Vincent van Gogh.

The Stedelijk Museum specialises in modern art.

The Rembrandt House Museum specialises in works by Rembrandt van Rijn.

Amsterdam was granted city rights in either 1300 or 1306. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely because of trade with the Hanseatic League. In 1345, an alleged Eucharistic miracle in the Kalverstraat rendered the city an important place of pilgrimage until the adoption of the Protestant faith. The Stille Omgang—a silent procession in civil attire—is today a remnant of the rich pilgrimage history.

Most visitors arrive in Amsterdam at the Central Station, and then walk south over the streets Damrak and Rokin. In medieval times, both these streets actually were the final end of the Amstel river. They used to cut Amsterdam in half: east of the Damrak-Rokin-axis was the Old Side (Oudezijde) of Amsterdam, the oldest part of the city dating from the 13th century. West of the Damrak-Rokin-axis was the New Side (Nieuwezijde), which was constructed later, but still dates from the late Middle Ages.

Amsterdam has a rich architectural history. The oldest building in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerk (Old Church), at the heart of the red light, consecrated in 1306. The oldest wooden building is het Houten Huys at the Begijnhof, constructed around 1425.

Budget
Hotel ABBA, Overtoom 118-122 (Vondelpark, Tram: Overtoom or Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat), ☎ +31 20 618 3058. Cheap but clean hotel, close to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum.

Plantage
€
Hotel Hortus, Plantage Parklaan 8, ☎ +31 20 625 99 96, Private rooms for hostel prices, across from the amsterdam botanical gardens. Friendly backpackers hotel with a common room and free breakfast. €40.

Hotel Plantage, Plantage Kerklaan 25-A, ☎ +31 20 620 55 44, Three star rooms for two star prices. Directly across from the Amsterdam Zoo and near dozens of great affordable restaurants. €50.

€€

€€

Amsterdam Jewel Canal Apartments, Singel 235, ☎ +31 6 244 575 93. Two canal side apartments in the center of Amsterdam, close to the Dam Square. Suitable for holiday and business stays. Free high speed internet. From €109 to €179.

Blue Moon Bed & Breakfast, Weteringschans 123A, ☎ +31 20 428 88 00. Super slick Bed & Breakfast in the centre of Amsterdam opposite the Rijksmuseum. From €105 to €165.

Hotel de Paris', Marnixstraat 372, ☎ +31 20 623 75 24‎. Three star hotel. From €99.

Direct trains connect Amsterdam to Paris, to major Belgian cities like Brussels and Antwerp, and to German cities like Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin. The ticket machines directly sell tickets to nearby destinations in Belgium and Germany, for longer journeys you will need to consult the international ticket office at platform 2 of the Central Station. CityNightLine trains run directly from Amsterdam Central Station to Milan, Vienna, Copenhagen, Prague, Warsaw, Moscow, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zurich (a reservation is mandatory).

Amsterdam's famously wild nightlife caters to all tastes and budgets.

The archetypal Amsterdam watering hole is the bruine ("brown bar" or "brown café"), a neighborhood pub of sorts, with wood panelling — hence the name — and booths (these do not sell cannabis or allow smoking inside, see coffeeshops for that) .

Old Center