Amsterdam

Amsterdam's canal tours are an essential experience for visitors. The UNESCO-listed features were crucial to the city's transport and defensive strategies in the 17th century but, today, are a pleasing way to appreciate the historic and picturesque destination. Tourists who are interested in tours have two main options. They can go for the large, glass-topped canal boats, which can accommodate hundreds of passengers, and travel along predetermined routes. Or, they can choose the more personal and traditional tuindersvletten boats, which used to carry animals and vegetables around Amsterdam, and hold 10 people per tour. Tuindersvletten boats can navigate the tiniest canals and fit under the city's lowest bridges.

Coffeeshops are one of Amsterdam's most iconic features. They openly sell cannabis and welcome their patrons to smoke it on the premises. 'Cafes', on the other hand, sell cakes, tea and coffee. Coffeeshops range from the laid-back and mellow to the loud and psychedelic. The expectation is that customers will consume a snack or beverage along with whatever they order off the hash menu. Staff can give advice on the different strains and strengths. Regarding regulations, coffeeshops can only carry controlled amounts of marijuana for sale to adults over the age of 18. The substance is also illegal in the Netherlands. Recreational use is simply tolerated if it isn't socially disruptive.

Housed in a lovely 17th-century building and formerly an orphanage, the museum explores Amsterdam's development from a small medieval settlement into a thriving modern city. Its galleries showcase the progress made in each century, particularly Holland's Golden Age. Visitors can enjoy a showpiece of glass, gold, silver, earthenware and other artefacts, as well as Dutch Masters' paintings, and archaeological discoveries. Seeing the large exhibition will take at least two to three hours. The entry fee also covers the glass-roofed Civic Guards Gallery, which is lined with portraits of Amsterdam's Civic Guards dating back to the 17th century. A pleasant museum café sells refreshments.

Address : Kalverstraat 92

Website : www.ahm.nl

Telephone : +31 20 523 1822

Opening times : Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Closed on some public holidays.

Admission : €15 (adults), free (children aged 0 to 17).

This museum is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank, whose famous diary describes the experiences of a Jewish teenager during World War II. The Franks and others hid in part of the house (today's museum) to escape Nazi persecution. Visitors can explore the concealed attic where eight people lived, and get some sense of the cramped and fearful existence described by Anne Frank. The original diary is on display as part of the permanent exhibition and there is plenty of information on the lives of the people involved. With the exception of Anne Frank's father, Otto, the occupants were discovered and sent to their deaths in concentration camps. Visitors need not have read the diary to appreciate the museum. Admission queues get excruciatingly long, especially in peak tourist season. Booking online will enable visitors to use a separate entrance.

Address : Prinsengracht 267 (Westerkerk)

Website : www.annefrank.nl

Telephone : +31 20 556 7105

Opening times : Open daily from 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays 9am to 10pm (November through March); from 9am to 10pm daily, and Saturdays 9am to 10pm (April through October). Note that the queues can be very long, but that tickets can be bought online in advance.

Admission : €10.50 (adults), €5.50 (children aged 10 to 17)

The Concertgebouw (literally, 'concert building') is one of Amsterdam's top-rated tourist attractions. Widely regarded as one of the world's finest concert halls, it is easily comparable to the Vienna Musikverein or the Moscow Conservatory. Classical-music lovers in particular will enjoy the superb resident orchestra and matchless acoustics, though the venue hosts some jazz and pop concerts too. Visitors can enjoy 'behind the scenes' tours of the graceful 19th-century building, and possession of an 'I Amsterdam' card can get them up to 25 percent discount on ticket prices.

Address : Concertgebouwplein 10

Website : www.concertgebouw.nl

Telephone : +31 20 671 83 45

Opening times : Box office hours: Monday to Friday from 1pm to 7pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

Admission : Various ticket prices depending on concert choice.

The quaint city of Haarlem lies 15-minutes away from Amsterdam by train, and has the distinction of boasting more museums per capita than any other city in the Netherlands. Its cosy, small-town feel and cheaper accommodation rates mean that many tourists are choosing to make it their base while vacationing in the Netherlands. A bustling market and a wide array of bars, cafes, restaurants, and live music venues means that Haarlem is an attractive choice for a variety of travellers. Its mix of historic sights and youthful energy is tremendously appealing. Haarlem's list of must-see attractions includes the Grote Markt (Market Square), where 10 streets converge around the town's 700-year-old centre, and the Saint Bavo Church, which contains an organ that dates back to 1738 and was once played by the great composer, George Frederic Handel.

As one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Netherlands, the Heineken Experience is not to be missed. Housed in the original brewery, guests will learn about the Heineken Company's history and its unique process, visit cutting-edge interactive exhibits and enjoy free beer at two pit stops along the way. Visitors will also take a gift of Heineken memorabilia home with them. The site's layout is impressive and the tour unfolds in a sophisticated manner, meaning its appeal extends beyond the interest of beer lovers. Travellers can avoid queues and potentially pay reduced ticket prices by booking online.

Address : Stadhouderskade 78

Website : www.heinekenexperience.com

Telephone : +31 20 721 5300

Opening times : Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 7.30pm; Friday to Sunday 10.30am to 9pm. In July and August open 10.30am to 9pm daily.

Admission : €18 (at the door), €16 (online booking), €12.50 (children aged 12 to 17).

Visiting the Hoge Veluwe National Park is a fantastic way to enjoy the Netherlands' (somewhat limited) great outdoors. The site's topography features heathland, peat bogs, woodland and even sand dunes. Its wildlife population includes badgers, foxes, red deer, roe deer, wild boar and mouflon (a kind of wild sheep), and provides ample cycling and walking opportunities. The area also houses the beautiful St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge, and the Kroller-Muller Museum, which contains artwork by luminaries such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Mondrian. Site visitors can walk through a Sculpture Garden as well.

Website : www.hogeveluwe.nl/en/14

Opening times : Opening hours vary from month to month, but are generally from at least 9am to 8pm

Admission : €9.95 (adults), €5 (children).

Keukenhof is one of the country's top attractions and the best reason to visit in the spring. The huge garden is home to millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, and is a sea of colour and fragrance. Visitors will also see many works of art scattered among the blooms in this creatively designed site. They can stop for refreshments at one of the area's many cafes and restaurants, and shop at stalls that sell seeds, bulbs, gardening equipment and a range of other souvenirs. Tourists can view demonstrations around flower arranging and the latest trends in gardening as well. Boat and cycling tours are an option; photographers are in for a treat.

Address : Stationsweg 166A, 2161 Am Lisse, Netherlands

Website : www.keukenhof.nl

Telephone : +31 252 465 555

Opening times : Open daily from about 20 March to mid-May annually, between 8am and 7.30pm (ticket office closes at 6pm).

Admission : €17 (adults), €8 (children aged 4 to 17), free for children under 3.

Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Perched peacefully on the banks of the Maas River, it's among the sunnier spots on the country's southern-most point. The once humble Roman settlement now boasts a high number of national heritage sites. It's also the birthplace of the European Union and the single European currency, the Euro. Regarding attractions, ancient fortifications provide pleasant walking routes, and the Bonnefantenmuseum allows visitors to trace the city's historical origins. The Basilica of Saint Servatius is a medieval cruciform basilica that houses a significant collection of religious artefacts. Visitors will find a selection of old shops and department stores in the old centre of Maastricht, where they can savour the destination's fine food and wine. The university town's large and vibrant student community gives it a sense of energy.

Address : Maastricht is located 133 miles (215km) from Amsterdam

Website : www.vvvmaastricht.nl

Located around 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam and first opened in 1952, Madurodam is quite literally the smallest city in the Netherlands. The park features hundreds of miniature houses and factories that reflect real Amsterdam architecture, exact replicas of famous Dutch landmarks, and transport systems such as ships, airports and railways. Children and adults alike will enjoy the attraction, and will find many tremendous photo opportunities as they stroll around. Visitors can also activate parts of the park for a small cost, setting trucks moving down highways, or getting planes to land. Otherwise, visitors can buy souvenirs in the park's shop, and purchase refreshments at one of its restaurants.

Address : George Maduroplein 1, The Hague

Website : www.madurodam.nl

Telephone : +31 70 416 2400

Opening times : Open daily from about 9am to 8pm; there are seasonal fluctuations to opening times.

Admission : €17.50 (Adults). Concessions are available and bookings can be made online.

Het Scheepvaartmuseum (the National Maritime Museum) gives visitors a glimpse into the country's seafaring past. The exhibit covers four centuries of history and includes paintings, ship models, antiquarian maps and navigation instruments, creating one of the world's most extensive collections of maritime memorabilia. Visitors will learn about fishing and whaling, naval combat, and the maritime trade in the Netherlands, as well as its journeys to places such as modern-day India, South Africa and Indonesia. Visitors can also explore a life-size reconstruction of a Dutch East India Company ship. The exhibition on the slave trade may not be suitable for children, though other displays are dedicated to younger age groups, and include fun, interactive activities.

Address : Kattenburgerplein 1

Website : https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/

Telephone : +31 20 523 2222

Opening times : Open every day from 9am to 5pm.

Admission : €16.50 (adults), €8 (ages 4 to 17 and students).

The deliberately named Peace Palace is a significant place for arbitration, and for the maintenance and promotion of world peace. Situated in The Hague, the building houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Justice and The Hague Academy of International Law. The International Court of Justice's first session took place here in 1946. Regular guided tours reveal the palace's wonderful gardens and impressive interiors. Visitors will also see a beautiful art collection, which various countries gifted to the Peace Palace. Tour dates appear on the official website, and must be booked in advance online. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the palace, and cannot enter with luggage - including handbags. Lockers are provided, though. The Visitor's Centre (which is more of a museum) does a free audio guide and is a good option for anyone who can't go a tour.

Address : Carnegieplein 2

Website : www.vredespaleis.nl

Transport : Tram 10 to Hague Central, or bus 24 to the Vredespaleis stop

Opening times : The Peace Palace is only accessible on organised tours, which are run on certain weekends.

Admission : Tours: €7.50 to €11.

No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a stroll around the Red Light District (De Wallen). The area's prostitutes are part of a legal and regulated industry that includes compulsory health checks and taxable income. Tourists also visit the district to admire its attractive architecture, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Waterlooplein, Zeedijk Street and Nieuwmarkt Square are all worth exploring. The modern-day City Hall and Muziek Theatre are both located in Waterlooplein. Nieuwmarkt Square was once home to a thriving community of mainly Portuguese Jews, who had fled from persecution during the Spanish Inquisition. The area's cultural diversity extends to Zeedijk Street, which is often referred to as Chinatown. On a cautionary note, visitors should be respectful and recognise that photography in and around the actual brothels is frowned on, and could lead to confrontation.

The museum provides insight into the life and times of the famous Dutch master, who lived in this house between 1639 and 1658 - which was the pinnacle of his career. Rembrandt went bankrupt in 1656 and a list of his possessions was drawn up to pay his debts. This list has allowed historians to faithfully restore the house with exactly the kinds of furnishings the artist owned. Visitors can view a permanent collection of paintings done by Rembrandt's teacher, Pieter Lastman, as well as some pieces completed by his pupils. The painting studio holds daily demonstrations on how etchings and paintings were made in the 17th century, including an interesting demonstration on Rembrandt's use of colour.

Address : Jodenbreestraat 4

Website : www.rembrandthuis.nl

Telephone : +31 20 520 0400

Opening times : Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Admission : €14 (adults), €5 (children 6-17). Concessions available.

Along with a certain fame for legalised prostitution, Amsterdam is also home to the world's oldest sex museum. Open since 1985, the institution has grown from being a shaky idea, to becoming one of the most popular museums in a city full of interesting museums. Exhibits range from bawdy to particularly graphic, with examples of ancient and modern art, historic sex symbols and photographs all featuring. Visitors will also find a walk-through model of the famous Red Light District, and an extensive collection of modern paraphernalia. Displays are a mixture of art and porn, and different aspects of it will appeal to different people. Visitors must be at least 16 years old to enter.

Address : Damrak 18

Website : www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl

Telephone : +31 20 622 8376

Opening times : Daily 9.30am to 11.30pm.

Admission : €5. Minimum age to enter is 16 years of age.

The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art closely traces art-world developments that took place in the second half of the 20th century. Art lovers should note that it showcases the most impressive collection of modern art in Amsterdam. The institution's permanent exhibition focuses on De Stijl, Cobra, Nouveau Realisme, Pop Art, Color Field Painting, Zero and Minimalist Art, while temporary exhibitions on design and applied art are housed in the new wing. Many masters of modern art have a presence in the museum, including Cezanne, Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Pollock and Lichtenstein. The building is cool and artistic and seldom crowded, which makes it a breath of fresh air after some of Amsterdam's packed tourist spaces. Tourists may also want to time their visits to coincide with one of the many workshops, book launches or other events the museum hosts. They will find a shop, library and restaurant on the premises. Audio guides are available in six languages, and free guided tours take place weekly. They're conducted in Dutch and English and cannot be booked in advance.

Address : Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Website : www.stedelijk.nl/en

Telephone : +31 20 573 2911

Opening times : Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Fridays 10am to 10pm.

Admission : €18.50 (adults), €10 (students).

Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands between May 1940 and May 1945. The museum covers how the invasion affected the Dutch population's everyday lives, as well as the resistance movement. Visitors will learn details about the movement's extraordinary espionage activities, and view maps, photographs, weaponry, everyday objects, and false documents used by the resistance. The collection also personalises the history by including individual stories and experiences. The permanent exhibition is bilingual, catering to both Dutch and English visitors, and there are free audio guides available in English, German, French, Spanish and Dutch. Guided tours are available by appointment only and reservations must be made a few weeks in advance.

Address : Plantage Kerklaan 61

Website : www.verzetsmuseum.org

Telephone : +31 20 620 2535

Opening times : Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Open Saturday and Sunday, and public holidays from 11am to 5pm.

Admission : €11 (adults), €6 (children aged 7 to 16). Concessions available.

The Rijksmuseum opened in 1885 and is best known for its collection of 17th-century Dutch Masters, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The most notable of these paintings is Rembrandt's masterpiece The Night Watch, which has pride of place. The museum contains thousands of other paintings spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, in its Asiatic collection, Print Room, Dutch History, and Applied Arts sections. The collection also includes stunning furniture, jewellery, ceramics and other artefacts, though it is most coveted for its paintings. Visitors should consult a map or purchase an audio tour to help navigate the extensive collection. They should also allow at least a few hours to explore thoroughly.

Address : Museumstraat 1

Website : www.rijksmuseum.nl

Telephone : +31 20 674 7000

Opening times : Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Admission : €19 (adults). Under 18s are free and concessions are available.

Although the Royal Palace is the official royal residence, it's mainly used for functions and is but one of the royal family's three palaces. Visitors should check the calendar on the official website to ensure it isn't closed for an event during their time in the Netherlands. It's open most days, though. The building dates back to 1648 and was originally designed for use as Amsterdam's City Hall. A large collection of furniture from this period adorns its magnificent interiors and there is also some valuable art on display. The palace is comparatively small by European standards and only part of it is open to visitors. That said, exploring it is still a fantastic experience, enhanced by an excellent free audio guide. Guided tours are offered to visitors (although they must be booked two weeks in advance) and they are conducted by qualified art historians or art history students in Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish. Official tours take about an hour, but those who are exploring alone with the audio guide may take up to three hours if they linger and listen to all the information provided. Photography is permitted in the palace, but not flash photography.

Address : Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, Dam Square

Website : www.paleisamsterdam.nl

Telephone : +31 20 522 6161

Opening times : Open most days between 10am and 5pm, but closed for royal events.

Admission : €10 (adults), under 18s free. Concessions available.

The Van Gogh Museum is a definitive tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Situated in a modern building, the simple architecture subtly underscores the artist's colourful and extraordinary work. The museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's work in the world, comprising more than 200 paintings, 437 drawings and 31 prints. Many of his most famous and recognisable paintings are on display. The collection is organised according to three criteria. The first of these is the artist's work, which is divided into five notable periods. Then there is the display of other artists' work, including pieces from his friends and contemporaries. Finally, the third section showcases the museum's history. The written information provided is good and sufficient for many visitors, but the audio guide is definitely worth hiring for Van Gogh fanatics who want a more in-depth analysis. Photography of the art itself is not permitted, though visitors can take pictures in the main hall. Large bags will have to be left in the cloakroom facilities as they are not permitted in the museum.

Address : Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Website : www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Telephone : +31 20 570 5200

Opening times : Open daily from about 10am to 6pm (until 10pm on Fridays). There are slight variations in opening times according to season - check the website for details.

Admission : €19 (adults), children under 18 are free.

Amsterdam's Vondelpark allows visitors to experience the city as locals do. The relaxed and beautiful public space dates back to 1865 and features several notable attractions. These include an impressive statue of Joost van den Vondel (the author for whom the park is named), a playground, a film museum, an open-air theatre, and many cafes and snack bars. Travellers can exercise in the park, which has well-kept and extensive pathways for cycling, jogging and walking. The tranquil space also hosts free concerts and performances from time to time, and is an exceedingly charming setting.