Amsterdam’s 17th century historical atmosphere converges with a modern outlook on life. Lined with intimate streets, canals and squares, Amsterdam boasts the highest museum density in the world. Cultural highlights not to be missed include the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Board a canal cruise or rent a bicycle to get a feel for the city that is underpinned by the values of peace and freedom.
Canal Tour
Embark on a canal tour of Amsterdam to discover why the historical canal district was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011. An Amsterdam Canal Cruise is considered to be the country’s most popular tourist attraction, encompassing a diverse fleet of approximately 200 tour boats which carry over 3 million passengers annually. The various itineraries take you past city highlights such as the canals, Anne Frank House, the Magere Brug and Oosterdok.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House
Located in the centre of Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II. The original diary, along with some of her other notebooks, are on display as part of the Anne Frank House’s permanent exhibition. The collection and temporary exhibitions focus on the wartime persecution of Jews, fascism and anti-Semitism.
Dam Square
As the centre and heart of Amsterdam, Dam Square is jostling with locals and tourists alike. Dating back to the 13th century, the square today is dominated by the Royal Palace. Although no longer home to the Dutch Royal family, this majestic palace is still used to host official receptions. Other attractions in the square encompass food stalls, restaurants and trendy stores, the Amsterdam Diamond Centre and the Beurs van Berlage, a concert hall and exhibition space.
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum hosts a collection of more than 200 canvases, 500 drawings and 750 written documents created by the 19th century Dutch post-impressionist artist. Gain a fantastic insight into the painter’s life and work by viewing masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s self-portraits, The Sunflowers and The Bedroom in Arles. The museum also boasts a collection of the works of artists he influenced.
Rijksmuseum
Rijskmuseum
Rijksmuseum is the National Museum of Holland, situated at Museum Square in the city centre of Amsterdam. The Museum is home to an impressive collection of Dutch art and history including Rembrandt’s Night Watch and paintings by some of the great masters of the 17th century such as Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Vermeer. Together, the museum’s collection presents the history of the Netherlands in an international context dating from 1100 to the present.
