A waterside metropolis with a relaxed vibe, Amsterdam is stylish, fun, and as freewheeling as a windmill. This is the city where you can let it all go. The streets of Amsterdam chime with bicycle bells and the laughter of people making their way between bars. Bright yellow wheels of cheese line shop windows, and in springtime market stalls are abundant with the famous Dutch tulips.
Reclaimed from the sea in the 12th century, the Dutch literally forged Amsterdam onto the European landscape. A manmade city from its very beginnings, Amsterdam is stitched together by a series of canals, acknowledged by UNESCO as a remarkable feat of engineering. In the 17th century, the city burst with life as the Netherlands became flush with trade from the Dutch colonies. Amsterdam is strewn with relics from this time, from the gable tipped houses standing shoulder to shoulder on the canals, to the lustrous Rembrandt paintings hanging on the walls of the Rijksmuseum. These serve as reminders that at one time in history, Amsterdam was the wealthiest city in the world.
Flat as a Dutch pancake, the city is one of the most bike-friendly in Europe. Rent a bike and wheel around the many cycleways, stopping off wherever you please. Alternatively, take in the old buildings from the deck of a barge floating dreamily down the canals. Or after a day of museum hopping, simply take a seat at one of the many dark wood-paneled ‘bruin cafes’, the perfect place to sip an amber-hued lager and watch the world go by. Notoriously, some cafes offer substances stronger than beer. For those with a certain sense of adventure, a night out in Amsterdam can be a special part of their European trip. For a more wholesome experience, taste some Edam cheese or sweetly spiced stroopwafel. In liberal Holland, pleasure is whatever floats your boat.
Map of Your Itinerary Route 