Amsterdam is the capital and most populated city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amsterdam was founded at the mouth of the Amstel River that was dammed to control flooding; the city's name derives from a local linguistic variation of the word dam. Originally a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became a major world port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, when the Netherlands was an economic powerhouse. Amsterdam was the leading centre for finance and trade, as well as a hub of production of secular art. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were planned and built. The canals of Amsterdam and the 19-20th century Defence Line of Amsterdam are both on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The village of Sloten, annexed in 1921 by the municipality of Amsterdam, is the oldest part of the city, dating to the 9th century. The city has a long tradition of openness, liberalism, and tolerance.

Cycling is key to the city's modern character, and there are numerous biking paths and lanes spread throughout the entire city.

Amsterdam's main attractions include its historic canals; the Rijksmuseum, the state museum with a vast collection of Dutch Golden Age art; the Van Gogh Museum; the Dam Square, where the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and former city hall (stadhuis) are located; the Amsterdam Museum; Stedelijk Museum, with modern art; H'ART Museum, the Concertgebouw concert hall; the Anne Frank House; the Scheepvaartmuseum, the Heineken Experience, the zoo “Artis”; the Hortus Botanicus, the science museum “NEMO” and the red-light district.

If you like to wander around a bit the market “Albert Cuyp” is a lively area (closed on Sunday), close to the Heineken Experience (nice if you want to know “how it’s made”). If you take the free ferry to the NDSM area you’ll find museums, a restaurant and the dock of the “Port of Amsterdam” tour. Lastly we mention the area of the Haarlemmerdijk and the Westergasfabriek. You’ll find many good shops and the “Fabrique des Lumières”, a digital art centre.

Fun facts about Amsterdam

• Amsterdam's Kalverstraat is the busiest shopping street in the Netherlands;
• The Monopoly game board (Dutch edition) features Amsterdam's Leidschestraat and Kalverstraat (as the most expensive two streets);
• Amsterdam is not famous for its churches and palaces, but for its monumental residences. Amsterdam's only two palaces, the Paleis op de Dam - formerly city hall - and the Trippenhuis on Kloveniersburgwal 29 are not real palaces, as they were not built for kings or princes, but for citizens. The mayor's official residence has been at Herengracht 502 since 1927;
• The narrowest house in Europe is in Amsterdam. It is located in Oude Hoogstraat at number 22 and is just 2.02 metres wide;
• There are more bicycles than inhabitants in Amsterdam;
• It lies below sea level;
• The painting The Night Watch has been attacked 2 times: Once with a knife by a confused man and sprayed with acid;
• The Westertoren in Amsterdam is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands;
• Amsterdam canals are cleaned annually and it is not uncommon to find bicycles and other objects at the bottom.

Websites with information about Amsterdam

Amsterdam tourist office | Amsterdam.info

I amsterdam | The official guide to Amsterdam

Outside of Amsterdam are some beautiful cities that are less busy. Check out the old fisher’s towns of Marken and Volendam (and enjoy a boat trip between the two), the city of Haarlem with the oldest museum of The Netherlands (Teyler’s science museum) and the cities of Utrecht and Amersfoort. All easily reachable by train at approximately 30 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station.