Cheap Flights to Amsterdam with PLAY from CAD 236*

Visit Amsterdam, the capital of chilled-out charm

The Dutch capital exudes a blend of old-world warmth and urban cool that’s hard to resist but easy to explore – whether on foot, two wheels or water. Crisscrossed by shimmering canals lined with 17th-century gabled houses, Amsterdam is home to the Rijksmuseum with ​​Rembrandt’s magnum opus, The Night Watch, the copper kettle that gave the world its favorite brew, Heineken, some 4,000 bright green parakeets in the English-style gardens of Vondelpark, storage-tank-turned-techno-temple Gashouder – and this is just scratching the surface. Step into Amsterdam, a living canvas of great contrasts, rich heritage and vibrant energy – and a personality to match.

But first, canals: the history of Amsterdam’s watery treasures

The history of Amsterdam is a history of its grachten (canals). Stretching over 100 kilometers, the Dutch capital’s 165 canals split the city into 90 islands connected by over 1,700 bridges, some over three centuries old – beating Venice by some 1,300 bridges, no less! 

Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, the three main arteries, were dug during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, forming concentric belts around the city known as the Grachtengordel (Canal Ring). A masterclass in large-scale urban planning, the ring area earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2010. Watch out for the slender, double-fronted mansions alongside the Golden Bend (Gouden Bocht), commissioned by the city’s most prominent merchants and regents.

If you have a valid I Amsterdam City Card, a free one-hour cruise is included in the price. No need to book ahead, but check the list of associated canal cruise operators before boarding. Or stroll or bike along the water to take in the city’s beauty at your own pace.

From royals to the Rijks: top things to do in Amsterdam for culture lovers

Culture enthusiasts must pencil in a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collection of artworks by the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 750 letters. Want to party your way through the exhibition? Grab a ticket for Vincent on Friday, a cross-cultural extravaganza held on the last Friday of every month, featuring DJs, rappers, poets and other young talent. A short walk away is the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, showcasing 800 years of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages. Highlights include The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, The Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn and Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.

Visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to see the attic where the Jewish WWII-diarist hid from the Nazis for two years – and penned what became known as one of the most powerful memoirs of the era. Tickets must be booked in advance and are released six weeks ahead. 

If it’s royal attractions you’re after in Amsterdam, head to the official reception palace of Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands. Follow in the footsteps of world leaders and heads of state through marble galleries adorned with lavish 17th-century sculptures and paintings by famous Rembrandt protégées Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol. If the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam is among the top attractions on your list, plan accordingly – it may be closed due to royal events. Return to the present day by exploring the Stedelijk Museum’s massive collection of modern and contemporary art and design, including works by Jackson Pollock, Marlene Dumas, Wolfgang Tillmans, Andy Warhol and more.

Amsterdam sightseeing: the food and beer enthusiast edition

Jam-packed with trendy boutiques, cozy cafés, hidden gardens and more, Jordaan is one of the best sites to visit to soak up Amsterdam at its bohemian best. Not to mention tastiest! Situated just west of the Grachtengordel, this quaint neighborhood is home to Noordermarkt, a colorful market populated by stands selling fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese, herbs, meat, fish, honey and other delicacies each Saturday. Don’t leave without stopping at a fishmonger to sample some golden-fried kibbeling (battered cod pieces).

Make your way to nearby Winkel 43 to taste the café’s delicious claim to fame, their whipped-cream-topped appeltaart (apple pie). Continue your culinary journey in one of Jordaan’s other bruin cafes (brown café). Try some crispy bitterballen (breaded meatballs), best to be washed down with a glass of jenever, the Netherlands’ malty, juniper-infused national drink. And, of course, beer. If you’re looking to pair your pint with a side of nostalgia, head over to the De Pijp district to explore Heineken’s oldest brewery. 

Tulips, some more tulips, and the best place to visit in Amsterdam for free

Ever wondered why Tulipmania took over 17th-century Holland? Or how the Central Asia-native flower became the national symbol of the Netherlands? The Amsterdam Tulip Museum has the answers to your most burning tulp-related queries and more, plus a museum shop to stock up on souvenir bulbs. Planning a trip in April? Watch the entire city turn into a bollenstreek (bulb strip) during the month-long Tulip Festival. 

Are roses more your thing? The rose garden of Vondelpark, Amsterdammers’ favorite playground, has more than 70 varieties to marvel at. But it’s far from being the only reason you should pay the gardens a visit. Open to the public all day every day, the 19th-century park awaits locals and tourists alike with 47 hectares of lush greenery, pond-side picnics, live music, family-friendly cafés – and wild parakeets where you least expect them.

If your idea of relaxation involves dancing a night away in a repurposed gas plant, the Dutch capital has also got you covered. Check out Westergas, the 19th-century industrial site that was recently reborn as one of the city’s hippest shopping, dining and clubbing spots. Another one, Leidseplein square, is Amsterdam’s one-stop-shop of nighttime fun, lighting up with restaurants, clubs, bars, coffeeshops (yes, that kind) and casinos as the sun sets. 

Amsterdam Airport: arriving and getting around in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is primarily served by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, located just 20 kilometers southwest of the city center. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with trains leaving for Amsterdam Central Station every twenty minutes. In addition, several bus services run from Schiphol to all corners of the city, offering travelers a fast and affordable way of reaching and navigating Amsterdam. 

The Dutch capital’s extensive network of trains, trams, metros, buses and ferries is operated by GVB, connecting the city’s neighborhoods and the greater Amsterdam area. The I Amsterdam City Card offers unlimited travel across these services for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours, making it a cost-effective option. Ready to experience Amsterdam like a local? Look for the OV-Fiets’ blue-and-yellow bikes to rent at the train station.