Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with over a million inhabitants in the urban area. The city has impressive architecture, beautiful canals across the city, great shopping, and welcoming people.

There is something for every taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European capital.

Amsterdam is well known for the canals. A boat trip will allow you to have one of the best panoramic views over the city. The Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt) is the only floating flower market in the world, and one of the most perfumed places of interest in Amsterdam.

REASONS TO GO

To observe the Dutch design´s from the XVII century masters to the XXI architecture.

A stroll along the canals and the Waterlooplein (flea market).

The rich and amazing collection of museums (the city has over 50 museums).

ORIENTATION

The Amsterdam that most people know is the city centre, the semicircle with Central Station at its top. Five major concentric canals ring the old city; the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, the Prinsengracht, and the Singelgracht. Almost everything outside this line was built after 1870.

The semicircle is on the south side of the IJ, which is called a river, but is more exactly an estuary. Going east from central station, the railway passes the artificial islands of the redeveloped Eastern Docklands.

The river Amstel flows into the city from the south. Originally, it flowed along the line Rokin-Damrak. The dam in the Amstel, which gives the city its name, was located under the present Bijenkorf department store. The original settlement was on the right bank of the Amstel, on the present Warmoesstraat: it is therefore the oldest street in the city.

The Damrak is the main street and takes you into the street Rokin. The oldest area of the town is known as de Wallen (the quays). It lies to the east of Damrak and has the city's famous red light district. To the south of de Wallen is the old Jewish quarter of Waterlooplein. The Museumplein with the city's major museums, the Vondelpark and the Plantage neighbourhood, with the zoo, are located outside the Grachtengordel.

Several parts of the city and the surrounding urban area are polders. This can be recognized by the suffix -meer which means lake, as in Aalsmeer, Bijlmermeer, Haarlemmermeer, and Watergraafsmeer.

BEST TIME TO GO

July and August are the finest months to visit Amsterdam. However, they are also the busiest ones, with many tourists all around. You'll find the city also very attractive during spring and autumn. Everything is cheaper and less crowded during this time, and there are also some very attractive events going on. The cultural season is at its best between September and May in Amsterdam.

HOW TO GET THERE

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located approximately 20 km south-west of Amsterdam. You can reach the city from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in just half an hour by train, taxi or hotel shuttle.

The Connexxion Amsterdam Tourist Ticket costs € 10 - round trip. The bus takes only 30 minutes from Schiphol Plaza to the centre of Amsterdam (Leidseplein). There are 6 to 8 buses each hour. Return journeys do not have to take place on the same day.

A Direct Rail Link connects Schiphol International Airport to Amsterdam central station and is the fastest way to get to the city centre. Trains run every 10 minutes (airport train schedule) from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza and cost just Euro 3.60 for a single journey.

Taxis to the city centre cost around Euro 40.

TRAVELLING AROUND

Amsterdam is a very nice city to visit walking with the major sites located in or near the city centre. Public transportation is excellent and driving is strongly discouraged within the canal ring. Of course biking is the preferred Dutch way to travel and some would say the only way to truly experience the city. Bicycling in Amsterdam is a way of life for most Dutch and still the best way to get around. There are dedicated bike paths throughout the city and few hills to conquer. A number of companies offer bicycle rentals for around Euro 8 per day with discounts for longer rentals.

GVB (www.gvb.nl) is the public transport company of Amsterdam providing integrated metro, tram and bus service throughout Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. 24-, 48- and 72-hour GVB passes allow for unlimited travel on all trams, buses, metros and night buses for the duration of the pass and provide the most economical way for visitors to explore the city. Another travel option is to buy a strippenkaart, valid year round, which charges riders per trip according to the number of zones passed through to reach their destination.

Trams provide a great way to get around Amsterdam and run regularly.

City Buses are mostly used to reach distant suburbs. Night buses run from midnight until 7am with routes connecting to Central Station, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Stop/Go Bus is blue mini-bus which rides through the Old City centre along the Prinsengracht back and forth. It has no stops - it will stop on your request at any place of its route.

The Metro (tube) is fast but is only useful if you need to travel far outside the city centre or to the Amsterdam Arena.

The Canal Bus (http://www.canal.nl/) runs every 40 minutes from 9:50 until 7:25 with 14 stops along three different routes throughout the city. Day passes cost €16 and are valid until 12:00 the next day. All of Amsterdam's major attractions are on the route and historical commentary is provided along the way. The Museumboot (Museum Boat) is a similar concept for €14.25 per day with stops at Central Station, Prinsengracht, Leidseplein, Herengracht, Muziektheater and the East Dock. Tickets include half-price entry to most city museums.

INFO

www.amsterdam.info

www.iamsterdam.com