Exploring Amsterdam

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

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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.