t Cyclists pause to admire the Rijksmuseum.
t Cyclists pause to admire the Rijksmuseum.
With its reflective waterways, tilting canal houses and humpback bridges, Amsterdam is undeniably picturesque. But this city contains multitudes: museums and street art, cruises and cycle rides, Dutch cuisine and world street food. Whatever your dream trip to Amsterdam includes, this DK Eyewitness Guide is the perfect travel companion.
Amsterdam is a city where both the past and the present are keenly felt. Majestic 17th-century mansions are perfectly preserved, whilst 20th-century warehouses have been transformed into quirky entertainment complexes. The vast Rijksmuseum, with its Old Masters, sits beside the Stedelijk Museum, which displays puzzling contemporary art installations. Infamously hedonistic, the city’s nightlife encompasses so much more than the Red Light District. As well as relentless nightclubs, there are first-class concert venues, including the innovative Muziekgebouw aan t’IJ.
Beyond Amsterdam, postcard-pretty villages and heritage-rich cities are never far away. Windswept beaches, flat, windmill-dotted fields and striped bulbfields punctuate the Dutch landscape. The cities have plenty to offer too. There’s ultra-modern Rotterdam and historic Haarlem, stately Den Haag and laid-back Leiden. World-class museums await, including the Mauritshuis and Utrecht’s museum of Miffy – the little white rabbit.
With so many different things to discover and experience, Amsterdam can seem overwhelming. We’ve broken the city down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether you’re staying for a weekend, a week, or longer, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best Amsterdam has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Amsterdam.
1 A boat moored on a canal at sunset.
2 A canal reflects the Red Light District’s illuminations.
3 A couple relaxing outside a colourful café.