Exploring Amsterdam

This unique city is rich in history, curiosities and contemporary experiences

Amsterdam is often called the "Venice of the North" because of the city's number of canals. There are about 100km A (62 miles) of them, running between 90 islands and under 1,500 bridges.

These alone are a major tourist attraction in Holland's capital, and there's nothing better than strolling along a canal side and stopping for refreshment along the way.

However, if it's somewhere indoors you'd like to explore, Amsterdam's museums provide anything from cinematography (The Filmmuseum) and science (The NEMO, a building that looks like a sinking ship) to art (Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House Museum) and maritime history (Scheepvaart Museum). Of particular interest is The Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building preserves the hiding place where Anne, her family and neighbours were concealed from the Nazis and has a permanent exhibition about her life and times.

Amsterdam can offer a lot for the more architecturally inclined, including town squares, churches, concert houses - one of these, the Concertgebouw, is home to the world-famous Concertgebouw Orchestra so grab a concert if you're classically motivated - and public buildings.