A Perfect Day In Amsterdam

9.00am

Breakfast

A leisurely breakfast over the morning newspapers in a grand café, Café Luxembourg, at Spuistraat 24, should hit the spot.

10.00am

The Begijnhof

Cross over Spui to the tranquil courtyard garden of this restored medieval hofje (almshouse), which was once home to pious single women known as beguines, who carried out religious and charitable duties.

11.00am

Leidseplein

Take tram 1, 2 or 5 to Leidseplein, Amsterdam’s bustling entertainment square. Maybe fit in a coffee in the spectacular Art Nouveau and Art Deco Café Américain.

12.00pm

Vondelpark

Continue south to this wild and wonderful park, with its hippie-era history. There is usually plenty of free space amid the trees to escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

1.00pm

Lunch

Vondelpark has three cafés with outdoor terraces and views of greenery but if you want more than a snack join the art crowd at one of the new museum restaurants on Museumplein: the Stedelijk Restaurant in the museum’s sleek new extension, or the Rijksmuseum Café in the stunning new atrium. (No admission charge for either.)

2.00pm

Museum fix

Choose between the beautifully restored Rijksmuseum, where the highlights of Holland’s Golden Age are a wonder to behold; the Van Gogh Museum, with the world’s largest collection of Vincent’s paintings or the revamped Stedelijk Museum, dedicated to modern art and design.

4.00pm

Het IJ

Take tram 2 or 5 from Museumplein to Centraal Station, and go to the ferry dock at the rear. Board the free Buiksloterwegveer ferry for a 5-minute trip across the IJ waterway to hip and happening Amsterdam-Noord. Dominating the harbour beside the Shell tower is the dazzling white EYE Film Institute, a new building with great views from its café.

6.00pm

Anne Frankhuis

Take tram 13 or 17 from Centraal Station to the Westermarkt stop. Waiting times at the Anne Frank House are generally shorter in the evening. On a short visit, stick to the secret rooms where the young diarist, her family and acquaintances spent several years hiding from the Nazis.

8.00pm

Dinner

For an indelibly Amsterdam experience, try De Prins (tel: 020-624 9382), across from the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht. A good modern Indonesian choice is Kantjil & de Tijger, at Spui 291. For an after-dinner drink in a ‘brown café’, go to Hoppe at Spui 18–20.