Amsterdam attractions

The second of Amsterdam’s three major waterways, the Emperor’s Canal (Keizersgracht) is the widest in the city. Its quiet waters wind through otherwise bustling neighborhoods, and it is lined with picturesque old houses—some of which have had famous residents. A boat trip along the canal lends itself to some wonderful photo opportunities.

Amsterdam’s main city square is one of the best-known locations in all of the Netherlands. Located in the historical center of the city, just south of Amsterdam Central Station, Dam Square is the site of many notable buildings and is frequently the site of major events, like demonstrations, and festivals like National Tulip Day.

An outpost of St. Petersburg’s famous Hermitage Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam showcases revolving exhibitions of painting and historical artifacts, often with a Russian theme. The sprawling Amstelhof building dates back to the 17th century, stretches along the Amstel riverfront, and features an inner garden courtyard.

The Houseboat Museum (Woonboot Museum) is a traditionally furnished houseboat that gives visitors a sense of everyday life on Amsterdam’s canals before modern times. A former freighter named the Hendrika Maria, the boat is completely furnished and has displays and models to show how life on the canals has changed through the decades.

At first, Amsterdam can feel like a confusing maze of canal paths. To get your bearings, notice the main canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Singel form a concentric loop around the city center with several side canals branching off from here. Topping off the northern border of the canal belt is the Brouwersgracht Canal, what many call the most beautiful street in Amsterdam.

Mint Tower (Munttoren) is located on busy Muntplein Square in Amsterdam, where the Amstel River and the Singel Canal meet. Built in 1487 as part of Regulierspoort, one of the main gates in Amsterdam's medieval city wall, Mint Tower was mainly used to mint coins until it burned down in 1618.

Once a simple butter and dairy market, Rembrandtplein is now one of Amsterdam’s liveliest squares. Sandwiched between the Mint Tower and the Amstel River, the square takes its name from the city’s most famous baroque painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, and a cast-iron statue of the artist sculpted by Royer has stood proud in the heart of this public space since 1876.

Once a moat that encircled medieval Amsterdam, the Singel is now the innermost canal in Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed ring of canals. The Singel is one of Amsterdam’s top sights thanks in part to its picturesque bridges, historic canal houses, and proximity to Amsterdam’s most popular neighborhoods, including its own Red Light District.

One of Amsterdam’s most famous central squares, the busy Leiden Square (Leidseplein), claims a prime location south of the city’s canal ring and opposite the popular Vondelpark. Once a 17th-century transport stand for horse-drawn carriages, the square is alive with street entertainers and remains a vibrant hub for shopping and nightlife.

Volendam offers a glimpse into the past. Here, colorful wooden houses surround a boat-filled harbor, and locals wear traditional Dutch clogs, aprons, and bonnets. Once a favorite inspiration spot for artists such as Picasso and Renoir, the village now draws visitors for its cheese, seafood, and historic atmosphere.

Built in 1611, the Zuiderkerk (Southern Church) was the city’s first Protestant church and remains one of its most memorable landmarks. The church’s striking facade and distinctive bell tower have been painted by Monet, while Rembrandt reputedly paintedThe Night Watch there.

The Amsterdam Museum offers a crash course in the city’s fascinating history and culture. Located in a former convent and 17th-century orphanage, the museum narrates the history of Amsterdam chronologically from humble fishing village to the multicultural cosmopolitan city of today. Interactive and multimedia exhibits appeal to visitors of all ages.

The largest science museum in the Netherlands, NEMO features four stories of interactive exhibits and hands-on experiments and is housed in one of the city’s most interesting buildings. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the NEMO building looks like a green, copper-clad ship rising out of Amsterdam’s Eastern Docklands.

Named after the Prince of Orange, Prinsengracht canal is the longest of the main canals in the city center, measuring around two miles (three kilometers). It's one of the liveliest canals in the city and is notable for myriad colorful houseboats and numerous historic sites flanking its banks.

Located in a former 16th-century warehouse, Foam (Photography Museum Amsterdam) has been displaying emerging artists alongside internationally recognized names since it opened in the early 2000s. Spend a few hours browsing the collection of contemporary and traditional artwork, or attend one of the museum’s workshops or talks.

By far the coolest bar in Amsterdam, the Xtracold Icebar is kept at a chilly 14°F (-10°C) and everything from the walls and stools to the cocktail glasses are made entirely out of ice. A visit takes you on a drinking adventure based on Dutch explorers’ 1590s expeditions in search of the Northeast Passage.

The shopping area of The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) offers more than just retail. Spanning nine side streets, the pedestrian neighborhood dates back to the 17th century and boasts historic architecture. Galleries, boutiques, and cafes line the cobbled pavements, creating a boho vibe that’s popular with tourists and locals alike.

Housed in a massive former naval storehouse constructed in 1656, the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum is dedicated to showcasing 500 years of Amsterdam’s maritime history. Highlights include the full-size replica Dutch East India Company ship ‘Amsterdam’ moored alongside the museum and the interactive ‘the tale of the whale’ exhibit. Adults and children alike will discover how the sea has shaped and influenced Dutch culture.

Amsterdam's Modern Contemporary Museum (Moco Museum) features a wide range of inspiring art, including notable exhibits by mysterious British street artist Banksy, surrealist Salvador Dalí, and pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. The Moco Museum primarily features artists who have their own (often ironic) vision and is a privately owned initiative of gallery owners who have worked with renowned artists such as Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, and Picasso. The classic Dutch mansion that houses the museum was designed in 1904 by Eduard Cuypers, cousin of architect Pierre Cuypers, who designed the nearby Rijksmuseum.

Amsterdam’s oldest church, the Old Church (Oude Kerk), is a curious sight. Consecrated in 1303, the triple-nave Gothic church is surrounded by the window brothels, coffee shops, and bars of the city’s notorious red-light district. Inside are an impressive Christian Müller organ, some scandalous 15th-century carvings, and a floor built of gravestones.

Amsterdam’s most important Roman Catholic church, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was built between 1884 and 1887 and is one of the city’s most recognizable icons thanks to its striking neo-Baroque and neo-Renaissance features. An intricate rose window made in the acclaimed Van den Bossche and Crevels workshop adorns the facade.

Originally built in the 14th century as a sanctuary for beguines, a community of Catholic women who lived like nuns, the Begijnhof is a secluded courtyard surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam. Today, single women still occupy the homes in the Begijnhof, and visitors can tour the grounds and the site’s two churches.

In the center of Amsterdam, the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) is the official state palace of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. It is used for state visits and gala dinners and is often open to the public for tours of its lavish rooms.

Run by a local bulb company, the small but informative Amsterdam Tulip Museum traces the history of the Dutch tulip obsession from the height of 17th-century tulip mania to today’s multi-million-euro bulb industry. If you’re looking for unique tulip-themed gifts or rare bulbs, the museum shop is the place to be.

In the heart of Amsterdam, New Market Square (Nieuwmarkt) is a bustling central square that’s long been a popular hangout spot. It once served as a market (hence its name), though also saw some of the darker moments of European history: in World War II the Nazis used it as an assembly point for Jews who were being sent to concentration camps.

A visit to the old brewery at the Heineken Experience is a must-see for beer lovers in Amsterdam. During the 90-minute self-guided tour, you'll learn the history of the Heineken beer family, find out how the brand's logo has evolved over time, learn about the complete brewing and bottling process—and, of course, taste the goods for yourself.

Standing high in the center of Amsterdam’s Dam Square, the National Monument is the Netherlands’ most important World War II memorial. Its towering travertine obelisk stands 72 feet (22 meters) high in somber tribute to Dutch fallen soldiers from World War II and subsequent armed conflicts.

Twenty-two floors above ground, the A'dam Lookout observation deck offers 360-degree views of Amsterdam. See the city’s historic center, its canals—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—vibrant port, and unique polder landscape, low-lying land that was reclaimed from the sea by the rerouting of water through the canals.

Located among the picturesque canal houses of central Amsterdam, the Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Het Rembrandthuis) pays tribute to the Dutch artist famous for such works asThe Night Watch andThe Storm**on the Sea of Galilee. Today, Rembrandt’s former home is a museum dedicated to his life and works and features a nearly complete collection of his etchings.

Take a break from urban Amsterdam and discover Vondelpark, an English-style green spacegetaway in the heart of the city in Vondelpark. Opened in 1865, the 111-acre (45-hectare) park boasts an open-air theatre, a film museum, a lake, and a riding school. Several cafés, restaurants, and museums make the park a year-round attraction.