AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is the Netherlands‘ capital, known for its narrow houses, cyclists and Golden Age canals. Amsterdam is a lively town packed with large museums, vintage and design boutiques and vibrant dining scenes. Famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
This is an updated version of my original travel guide written a couple of years ago.
Things to do and see
1. MuseumpleinFrom museum about handbags, and modern art to classics, Amsterdam have many museums to offer you a broad taste of modernity and history. The major museums are located in a location called Museumplein, here you can find for example Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Moco museum or Stedelijk museum. Alternatively, other museums are scattered around the city as well. Check prior online to book tickets and time slots, as these popular museums get quickly sold out on a day or you can skip the queue. In addition, if you are looking for a more convenient option, check bundle deals.
2. Anne Frank HouseThe Anne Frank House is dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk. Anne Frank did not survive the war, but in her wartime diary was published in 1947. The exhibition space will showcase her life, her hiding place and other historical perks. The Anne Frank House is 3rd most visited museum in the Netherlands, after the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum. 3. Dam SquareDam Square is the largest and most popular public square in the city centre, occupied by a Royal palace and other notable buildings where many events are happening on this square.
4. Heineken experienceHeineken is a pale lager beer with 5% alcohol and is produced by a Dutch brewing company. If you are a fan of beers and would like to go behind the scenes of brewing, visit the Heineken experience. 5. JordaanJordaan is a beautiful district not far from Dam square. It is trendy and full of independent boutiques and hip eateries. Explore this quarter with narrow canals and streets for jewellery, clothes, design, antiques and organic food. The 9 streets or Anne Frank House is not far away from this district.
6. Royal Palace AmsterdamThe Royal Palace of Amsterdam in Amsterdam is one of three palaces in the Netherlands which are at the disposal of the monarch by the Act of Parliament. It is situated on the west side of Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam, opposite the War Memorial and next to the Nieuwe Kerk.7. Nemo science museumInterested in science? Then visit NEMO Science museum centre, located in the Oosterdokseiland neighbourhood. The museum was designed by Renzo Piano in 1997. You won’t miss this spectacular building! 8. BloemenmarktBloemenmarkt is floating marketing sited in Amsterdam canals since 1862. Take a stroll here to buy some souvenirs, gifts, fresh flowers or bulbs for gardening.
9. Canal cruiseAmsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has more than one hundred kilometres of grachten (canals), about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht), dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, contributing to Amsterdam’s fame as the “Venice of the North. Find a canal cruise to take you around and get a chance to view the city from canals.
10. Eye film museumA contemporary museum located on the other side of the Central Station, the Eye film museum not only great views of the city from a different angle, but also holds many exhibitions about the film. 11. A’DAM Lookout observatoryLooking for a place to admire the view of a city? Then get a ride on the other side from Central Station and visit A’DAM lookout observatory. Here you will find not only a bar, and restaurant with a view but you can swing for the view. Got the courage to take the highest swing over a city? 12. DamrakDamrak is a main road from Central station down to Dam Square. This is a place for great canal pictures against the old buildings, a place to catch a canal cruise and a place where all tourists will arrive. 13. Red light districtA district surrounded by the neon-lit red light, cannabis coffee shops and old-school bars. A district which you might have heard about already, and probably everything you have heard about might be true. 
14. Albert Cuyp MarketThe Albert Cuyp Market is a street market in the Oud-Zuid district. The street was named after Albert Cuyp, a painter from the 17th century. The market is the largest daytime market in the Netherlands and you will find here everything from fresh vegetables, fruits, textiles to leather or jewellery. It is open every day and closed on Sundays. 15. The nine streetNine canal belt streets are packed with vintage and designer boutiques and many cosy cafes. This picturesque canal district is great for weekend brunching or shopping. 16. Westergasfabriek market and WesterparkThis cultural venue are located in Westerpark. Apart from a casual stroll in a green space, you may find many pop-ups, events or restaurants and bars around here. A great place to get away from tourists and the central rush.
Food & drink
As with any big city, Amsterdam offers diverse cuisine dining. From Pan-Asian, and Mediterranean to traditional Dutch. Around the city, you will also find an endless number of coffee shops, cheese shops, bars, chips and pancake places. While in the Netherlands, always try some of their local food. Such as dutch style pancakes, stroopwafels, kroket, chips or a variety of cheeses. Here are 10 recommended places by me, picked mixture of restaurants, and coffee shops to a quick takeaway place. 1. De Plantage2. Dignita Hoftuin3. Polaberry4. Toki coffee shop5. De Carrousel6. Hummus bistro D&A7. Manneken Pis8. MaMa Kelly Amsterdam9. Local goods market10. Coffee sometime11. Pancakes Amsterdam12. Restaurant Moeders
Where to stay?
Amsterdam may be pricey for finding suitable accommodation. However, whether you are staying close to the city centre or a bit further, Amsterdam is well connected by public transport and is also easily walkable everywhere if in the city centre. From the museum quarter in the south of the city to the main Central Station can take you around half an hour by walk only. I assume that as the city is fairly small and the population is fairly high, there is a big demand for tourists and hospitality.
Hence, make sure to book in advance and search for alternatives. Such as
Airbnb or
hotels. During our latest weekend stay in Amsterdam, we have opt in for Courtyard by Marriott which was about 20 min by train from Central Station. The location was perfect, as we had a concert hall and shopping mall nearby. Make sure to use my links here to get some ££ off your first booking!
How to get around
Public transport in Amsterdam is not the cheapest. Hence if you are staying close to the city centre, it will save you money on public transport costs as well as you will be able to see more on the foot. However, Amsterdam is well-linked by trains, metros and trams. Alternatively, cycling is a very popular way of getting around for locals. Way ticket for metros, trams and buses is about €3.20, whereas buying a full day, or multiple days will cost you less if you are planning to use public transport frequently. You can get from 1 to 7-day tickets at the price of €8 to €36.50. 
Places around Amsterdam
If you are looking for more scenery of the Netherlands, get a train from Central Station or a bus from bus central stations and explore the surroundings. Seek for the more traditional landscape of the Netherlands, like how you would imagine it. From traditional buildings, tulip fields, and villages to windmills. Below are some suggestions for nearby places where you can travel for a day. I have already visited Zaandam and Utrecht and these places totally felt different from Amsterdam!1. Weesp (16 min away by train)2. Volendam (26 min away by bus)3. Muiden (36 min away by bus)4. Haarlem (16 min away by train)5. Leiden (37 min away by bus)6. Zaanse Schans (35 min away by bus)7. Utrecht (23 min away by train)8. The Hague (40 min away by bus)9. Giethoorn (2h away by bus)10. Rotterdam (36min away by bus) 
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