The 15 best attractions in Amsterdam

Best for deep-diving into Dutch art 

This striking neo-Gothic building, refurbished to the tune of €375 million, houses masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age (think Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals). To make the most of the collection, we recommend downloading the museum app and its interactive audiovisual guide. If you’ve worked up an appetite – there are 8,000 objects on display here, so it’s inevitable – make sure to check out the Michelin-starred restaurant and café on site.

Best for meeting your pop faves, well, sort of

Craving some queasy kitsch factor? Waxy cheese-textured representations from Holland's own Golden Age of commerce are depicted alongside the Dutch royal family, local celebs and global superstars, including new arrivals Dua Lipa, one of the Jenner clan, and Zendaya. Some of the models look like their subjects, some don't. But while there's much campy fun to be had, it comes at a price, and it's hard not to leave without a renewed respect for candles.

Best for an immersive look at history

A sombre reminder of the horrors of the Second World War, the house where Anne and her family hid for two years from the Nazis is now a poignant educational centre and museum. Here you can not just learn about the Holocaust and life under German occupation, but also reflect on persecution and discrimination more broadly. Tickets must be booked in advance online.

Best for laid-back weekend vibes

Their seafaring history has made the Dutch a nation of canny traders, and nowhere is this more evident than down the market. Albert Cuyp, occupying an entire street in grungy De Pijp, is the best in the city, offering meat, fish, veg, souvenirs, bric-à-brac and everything in between. Come down to see the locals do their bantering, bartering best and soak up the bustling atmosphere of one of Amsterdam’s best-loved institutions. 

Best for: well… beer. Right?!

More fool the person who takes a trip to the Netherlands and doesn’t pay tribute to the nation’s excellent history as a brewing nation. This 90 minute tour around the city’s old Heineken brewery includes a ride on ‘Brew U’, which will give you personal insight into what it’s like to be brewed and bottled. You’ll also learn a host of Heineken-related facts, including how the brand became a world-famous sponsor of major sporting events. Enough to make one a little thirsty, eh?

Best for your bucket list 

Misunderstood and penniless for much of his life, Vincent van Gogh only achieved notoriety in death – and veneration much, much later. This specially built museum houses the largest collection of the painter’s work in the world, including ‘The Yellow House’ and ‘The Bedroom’. It’s worth booking a guided tour, and the museum also runs regular workshops and events exploring van Gogh’s life, work and influence on the art world. 

Best for contemporary art

The stone marvel that is Oude Kerk has been around since 1306, withstanding riots, wars and several Reformations; the roof, the largest medieval wooden vault in Europe, dates from 1390. The austere interior is a Calvinist hallmark and is renowned for its acoustics (check their website for upcoming concerts – the sound is spectacular). Don’t miss a trip up the bell tower to glimpse the 17th-century, 47-bell carillon and gaze across the city.

Time Out tip: psst, this is Amsterdam's oldest building, so you know can't miss this. 

Best for film buffs

The EYE is not simply an eye-catching building worth exploring in its own right, but also a haven for film lovers of all stripes. Temporary exhibitions focus on the cinematic greats, their film archive is second to none, and the diverse programme spans cult classics, themed seasons and films shot in 70mm. Looking for the perfect gift for the cinephile in your life? The superb shop has you covered. And do make time for some refreshment at the riverside café bar – the craft ales are excellent. 

Best for: Authentic sweet treats that will brighten your day.

Thanks (probably) to those northern European climes and long-running winters, the Dutch really know a thing or two about delicious comfort foods. One of our favourites is the globally underrated stroopwaffel, a glorious invention that really transforms any hot beverage (in fact, once you become a fan, all stroopwaffel-less coffees will seem a travesty). Learn how to make them at this lovely workshop while basking in the scent of oozing caramel and freshly made dough.

Best for picnics and taking a stroll

For a while, Vondelpark was the only place in the world where it was legal to have a barbecue, smoke weed and have sex (they’ve now placed restrictions on grilling). But the locals use it for far more than that: jogging, impromptu sports or just a relaxed picnic. If you haven’t brought your own refreshments, there are several excellent cafés – especially ‘t Blauwe Theehuis – alongside playgrounds and a paddling pool for kids. You might even catch a performance at the park’s famous open-air theatre.

Best for architecture and a city viewpoint

This spectacular addition to the city’s skyline is also one of the most innovative. Formerly the HQ of Shell, this tower across from Centraal station (a free ferry runs across the IJ) now hosts a hotel, a ‘skybar’, a private members’ club and two restaurants, one of which slowly revolves 360 degrees. If you go to the top, make the most of the panoramic views and, if you dare, try out Europe’s highest swing (a mere 100 metres up).

Best for open-air events like festivals and exhibitions.

Formerly the largest shipyard in Amsterdam, NDSM is now a cultural hub and ‘Art City’ that sits at the heart of the capital’s plans to regenerate the vast, industrial Noord area. Just 20 minutes from Centraal via a free ferry, it’s home to a host of restaurants, bars, art studios and performance spaces – not to mention the unmissable IJ-Hallen flea market. Pllek, an organic restaurant complete with a beach, is particularly good, and there’s even a hotel in an old shipping crane. Post-industrial architecture and a creative atmosphere make this a particularly vibrant – and oh-so-hip – hangout.