Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk.

    Time in Amsterdam:
    Amsterdam
    6°
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    Wind: 32km/h W
    Humidity: 72%
    Pressure: 997.63mbar
    UV index: 0
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    Weather forecast Amsterdam, Netherlands ▸
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    Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.


    Vondelpark has cafes and an open-air theater, and the nearby Royal Concertgebouw is a prominent classical-music venue. In the Jordaan district are shops and galleries, as well as the Anne Frank House, where the Jewish diarist hid during the Second World War. Dining ranges from casually decorated “living room” restaurants to traditional Dutch eateries and Indonesian rijsttafel (“rice table”) specialists. Coffee shops sell small amounts of marijuana.



    The neon-lit Red Light District is home to the Erotic Museum, exhibiting provocative paintings and prints. In spring, Amsterdam is a base for visits to the surrounding tulip attractions.

     
    When to visit
    Popular times to visit are during tulip season (mid-Mar–early May), summer (Jun–Aug) when the weather is mild and warm, and fall (Sep–Oct).
     
    • Key events include King’s Day (Apr), celebrated with flea markets, outdoor concerts and an abundance of orange, the national color.
    • Gay Pride (Aug) is a citywide street party with a parade of boats down Amsterdam’s canals. Winters are cold and damp.