Amsterdam is the nominal capital of the Netherlands, as well as its largest city. It sees approximately 3.5 million visitors per year and the number of attractions in the city explains why. Amsterdam is famous for its museums. Some of these are very well known, while others are not so well known, but also worth visiting.



Make sure that you visit Rijksmuseum that contains many artifacts, as well as paintings by artists such as Rembrandt. Stedelijk contains major collections of modern art dating from about 1880. The Van Gogh Museum is another well known museum that should be high on your list of places to see. Following these famous museums, you can also visit Rembrandt's House, the Amsterdam Historical Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Amstelkring Our Lord in the Attic which is a little church in the attic of a canal house in the heart of the red light district.

Other fascinating attractions include Anne Frank's House, the Heineken Brewery or the Artis Zoo. Dam Square is a must-see. It is not beautiful by any means, but is has a fascinating history. Part of Dam Square is the Royal Palace which is a striking piece of architecture.

If you are looking for a relaxing break from the bustle of the city, Begijnhof is the place to go. It is a large peaceful hidden courtyard with an old English church (the Oude Kerk), as well as the oldest house in Amsterdam, dating back to 1475. There are many other hidden courtyards around the city. The Hortus Horticultural Gardens are a small, but pleasant oasis in the city.

Amsterdam has become known as the Venice of the North for all of its canals. You cannot visit Amsterdam without taking a boat cruise or a canal tour. This can take you along any of the main city center canals or some of the smaller ones. While on the canals, make sure to appreciate some of Amsterdam's 1280 bridges. The most famous of these is the Magere Brug which is a traditional double-leaf Dutch draw-bridge. Also an intrinsic part of Amsterdam is its windmills. You can view eight windmills right in the heart of city and trip to Holland would not be complete without visiting at least one of them.

There are a variety of accommodation options in Amsterdam. It contains five star luxury landmark hotels, such as the old historic Hotel Krasnapolsky and Amstel Hotel or the modern Amsterdam Hilton. Otherwise you can choose a cozy little hotel on the banks of one of the canals. As hotels are becoming more difficult to find, bed and breakfasts are becoming more popular. Holiday rental apartments are available throughout the city and these are an appropriate choice for those who are looking for more space and privacy or who enjoy self-catering. Youth hostels are a good option for those on a budget, especially students and backpackers. If you are visiting during the summer months, you may decide to stay at a camping ground. If you are worried about the weather, make sure to choose grounds that offer bungalows as well.