Attractions & Sights

Amsterdam attractions throughout the city

Visitors arriving at Central Station usually drop their jaws at the sight of the multi-story 'bicycle flat', a parking structure used by thousands daily and the subject of many a photograph. From there, head south toward the always lively Dam Square, flanked by the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) to the west and the National Monument, commemorating the victims of World War II, to the east.

Follow the bustling shopper's-haven Kalverstraat to the Spui, home to weekly book and art markets. Find the alley that leads to the Begijnhof, a peaceful hidden courtyard edged with charming homes of single women who pledge their time for religious service. There’s also a tiny chapel worth visiting.

Beyond this heart lies the rest of Amsterdam: a series of concentric and bisecting canals, known as the Grachtengordel (canal ring). Lined with centuries-old gabled canal houses, the area has remained beautifully intact to this day. And it's not just a preserved open-air museum; it is still the functional and friendly heart of the city, where locals and visitors alike create a vibrant energy.

The canals are punctuated by churches and other sights that can be used to navigate the city. With its distinctive blue crown, the tower of Westerkerk (West Church) is the tallest in Amsterdam, dominating the skyline near the Anne Frank House and the Homomonument. Follow the canals in a southeasterly direction to discover the quaint shopping and dining quarter called the Negen Straatejs or '9 Streets'. Wandering farther will lead you across humpbacked bridges and through alleys filled with countless café terraces and eye-candy architecture.

Attractions for young and old

Plenty of Amsterdam attractions cater to families with kids young and old. The wax figures of celebrities and heroes at Madame Tussauds will make you wonder, "How did they do that?" Or enjoy a terrifically creepy time in the Amsterdam Dungeon. Hands-on science centre NEMO combines education, entertainment and spectacular views of the city from its rooftop (with an urban beach in summer). A life-size replica of 17th century Dutch East India Company ship 'The Amsterdam' is docked just outside. Amsterdam's zoo, Artis, is a year-round favourite for animal-lovers.

These are just a sampling of the hundreds of attractions to discover in Amsterdam. Find the city sights you'd like to see in the list below.