Canal Ring
900 m from Dam SquareThe ring of 17th-century canals around the old centre, lined with tall merchant houses. Most sights are within walking distance, but rooms here are small and in high demand.
- Population
- ≈ 950,000
- Language
- Dutch
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Nearest airport
- AMS, 10 km
Start in the square: Dam Square
Dam, 1012 JS Amsterdam
Dam Square is where Amsterdam began: a dam on the river Amstel, built in the 13th century, gave the city its name. The Royal Palace fills the west side, with the Nieuwe Kerk beside it and the white National Monument opposite. Shopping streets lead off in every direction, so come early in the morning to see the square at its quietest.
Within a short walk
- Anne Frank HouseWestermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam600 m
- Royal Palace of AmsterdamDam 1, 1012 RJ Amsterdam100 m
- Rembrandt House MuseumJodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam700 m
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Jordaan
1.1 km from Dam SquareA former working-class district west of the Canal Ring, now full of small galleries, cafés and Saturday markets. The streets are quiet at night, and Dam Square is a short walk away.
De Pijp
2.2 km from Dam SquareA lively area south of the centre around the Albert Cuyp Market, with places to eat from all over the world. A good base for food lovers and close to the museums.
Museum Quarter
2.2 km from Dam SquareWide streets and grand houses around Museumplein and Vondelpark. Calm in the evening and right next to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw.
Plantage
1.5 km from Dam SquareA green, quiet district east of the centre with Artis Zoo, the botanical garden and the Dutch Resistance Museum. A relaxed choice for families.
Noord
2.7 km from Dam SquareAcross the IJ from Centraal Station, a few minutes away by free ferry. Former shipyards now hold studios, food halls and waterside restaurants. Good if you like space and modern architecture.
Things to do in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
The national museum of Dutch art and history, home to Rembrandt's Night Watch and paintings by Vermeer. The collection is large, so pick a few galleries instead of trying to see everything.
Van Gogh Museum
Paulus Potterstraat 7, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
The largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings, following his life from the Netherlands to the south of France. Entry is by timed ticket, so book online before you go.
Anne Frank House
Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam
The canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Second World War, with the secret annex behind a moving bookcase. Tickets are sold online only and go quickly, so book early.
Concertgebouw
Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 BB Amsterdam
A 19th-century concert hall famous for its clear, warm sound and home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Look out for the free lunchtime concerts during the season.
Stedelijk Museum
Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
The city's museum of modern art and design, from Mondrian and Malevich to new work. Its white extension, known locally as the bathtub, makes it easy to find on Museumplein.
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
Dam 1, 1012 RJ Amsterdam
Built as the city hall in the 17th century, it became a royal palace under Louis Napoleon. The king still uses it for state visits, and its marble halls are open to visitors on most other days.
Artis Zoo
Plantage Kerklaan 38–40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam
One of the oldest zoos in Europe, set in a leafy park in the Plantage. The same grounds hold an aquarium, a planetarium and Micropia, a museum about microbes.
Rembrandt House Museum
Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam
The house where Rembrandt lived and worked for almost twenty years, furnished as it was in his time. You can see his studio and a large collection of his etchings.
Getting there
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
1118 AZ Schiphol
10 km from the city centre
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)
3045 AB Rotterdam
55 km from the city centre
Amsterdam Central station
Stationsplein 9, 1012 AB Amsterdam
Main railway station, 800 m from Dam Square
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 6°Jan
- 6°Feb
- 9°Mar
- 13°Apr
- 16°May
- 19°Jun
- 21°Jul
- 21°Aug
- 19°Sep
- 15°Oct
- 10°Nov
- 7°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Low °C | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 64 | 55 | 41 | 64 | 64 | 81 | 83 | 67 | 81 | 79 | 80 |
| Rain days | 15 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Daylight h | 8.2 | 9.8 | 11.7 | 13.8 | 15.7 | 16.8 | 16.3 | 14.7 | 12.6 | 10.5 | 8.7 | 7.7 |
The year in Amsterdam
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
OctoberMusic
Amsterdam Dance Event
Five days of electronic music in clubs, concert halls and unusual venues across the city, with a daytime conference for the music industry. Tickets for the biggest nights sell out early.
OctoberSport
Amsterdam Marathon
A flat, fast course that starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium and runs through the passage under the Rijksmuseum and along the Amstel. Many roads close for the day.
Late November to JanuaryCulture
Amsterdam Light Festival
Artists from around the world place light installations along the canals in the darkest weeks of the year. Walk the route after dark, or see it from a canal boat.
NovemberFilm
IDFA
One of the largest documentary film festivals in the world, with hundreds of films shown in cinemas across the city. Many screenings end with a talk with the makers.
27 AprilHoliday
King's Day
27 April (26 April when the 27th is a Sunday)
The king's birthday turns the whole city orange. Boats crowd the canals and the streets become one large flea market where anyone may sell. Expect big crowds and book a room well ahead.
JuneCulture
Holland Festival
The country's largest festival for theatre, dance, music and opera, with international productions in venues across the city for most of the month.
Late July to early AugustFestival
Pride Amsterdam
Two weeks of parties, talks and street events, ending with the Canal Parade: decorated boats sailing through the centre while crowds watch from the bridges and quays.
AugustMusic
Grachtenfestival
Classical music in unusual places, from canal-side gardens to a stage floating on the water. Many concerts are short, and some are free to attend.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.11 USD = 0.84 GBP (ECB, 28 October 2026)
- Language
- Dutch
- Plugs
- Type F and C, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +31
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag)25 Dec 2026
- St. Stephen's Day (Tweede Kerstdag)26 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Nieuwjaarsdag)1 Jan 2027
- Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag)26 Mar 2027
- Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag)28 Mar 2027
- Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag)29 Mar 2027
- King's Day (Koningsdag)27 Apr 2027
- Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)5 May 2027
- Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)6 May 2027
- Pentecost (Eerste Pinksterdag)16 May 2027
- Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag)17 May 2027
Amsterdam FAQ
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
Jun – Sep, when the average daytime high is between 19 and 21 °C.
Which airport is closest to Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), about 10 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Amsterdam?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Amsterdam?
Type F and C, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Dance Event (October), Amsterdam Marathon (October), Amsterdam Light Festival (Late November to January), IDFA (November), King's Day (27 April), Holland Festival (June), Pride Amsterdam (Late July to early August), Grachtenfestival (August).
Nearby cities
All guides in Netherlands →South Holland · 52 kmThe HaguePopulation ≈ 470,000
South Holland · 58 kmRotterdamPopulation ≈ 870,000
Flanders · 133 kmAntwerpPopulation ≈ 530,000
Utrecht · 35 kmUtrechtPopulation ≈ 380,000
Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.