Amsterdam is a city where iconic sights meet playful oddities.
with a new story around every corner.
Amsterdam fits a lot into a compact footprint, which makes it perfect for a long weekend or a few days of exploration. Having relatives who live in the city means I have been lucky enough to visit plenty of times over the past few years, and it is my go-to for a week-long holiday or short weekend break. The city hides a playful sense of humour and a love of the quirky – an attitude that shines through in everything from a museum dedicated to felines to shops selling very special rubber ducks. Take De Poezenboot, the floating cat sanctuary moored on the Singel canal. This attraction doubles as a rescue home for cats and a chance for visitors to adopt a new furry friend. Speaking about felines, the KattenKabinet is another must-see for cat lovers. Located in a 17th-century canal house, this museum was founded in 1990 by Dutch collector Bob Meijer in memory of his red tomcat, John Pierpont Morgan (named after the American financier).
Being a cat lover myself, I made a beeline for the place the last time I visited Amsterdam. The museum is a charming blend of art and feline whimsy, with resident cats padding through rooms adorned with paintings and prints. Another place on my list of must-sees is the Amsterdam Duck Store, which sells hundreds of themed rubber ducks – from pop-culture icons to movie characters. The founders say they “don’t sell ducks but little pieces of joy”, and visiting the shop feels exactly like that, a small, colourful reminder that the city embraces its playful side. Of course, Amsterdam is also a treasure trove for museum-goers. The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of the pioneering Dutch Post-Impressionist painter’s works worldwide, including Sunflowers, my own personal favourite. Nearby, the Rijksmuseum offers a deep dive into Dutch art and history, with the super-impressive The Night Watch by Rembrandt anchoring a vast collection of Golden Age masterpieces.
For a more reflective experience, the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht preserves the space where Anne Frank penned her diary, paired with a poignant exhibition on persecution and human rights. As you wander along the canal belt, keep an eye out for the city’s narrowest canal house façade, so slim it’s barely wider than a doorway. The canals themselves are made for wandering. For a different perspective, hop onto a canal cruise, you can choose a classic hour-long tour for the highlights or opt for a smaller boat with drinks for a romantic or relaxed evening.
Amsterdam is wonderfully walkable, but don’t discount a short trip beyond the city. Spend half a day in gorgeously colourful Zaandam, about 10 to 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal, with the station dropping you right into the compact modern centre. The Zaandam city centre mixes contemporary Lego-like green buildings with references to old Zaan architecture and has a small riverside promenade for short strolls. Zaanse Schans, technically a neighbourhood of Zaandam, is an open‑air gallery of working windmills, traditional wooden houses, barns and small museums along the Zaan river. As for travelling, trams are one of the easiest and most useful ways for visitors to get around Amsterdam. The network has a dense web of stops, especially across the centre, west and south, connecting Centraal Station with major neighbourhoods. And of course, you can also rent a bike (or e-bike) the primary mode of transportation, utilised by locals and tourists alike. There are rental shops all over the city centre, where biking is considered one of the best ways to explore. Amsterdam is, after all, known as the Bicycle Capital of the World, with over 500km of designated bike paths and more bicycles than residents.
Top tips for visitors
• Don’t skip local markets, cafés and street food – friet (thick-cut, double-fried potatoes served hot in paper cones with a variety of toppings) and bitterballen (a popular deep-fried snack pictured above) are must-tries.
• Walk as much as possible; use the tram/metro for longer journeys.
• Pre-book the ‘big’ museums (including the Anne Frank House) to avoid queues and museum fatigue, especially in high season.
• Mix icons with quirky stops to make the trip memorable.
• See the canals from multiple angles – cruise one way, walk another.
• Respect cycle lanes.
And let’s not forget, March and April mark the start of tulip season 🌷 So what are you waiting for?
Take your next trip to Amsterdam and experience the colours of spring in full bloom. From the iconic fields of Keukenhof to tulips lining the canals, this is the season you don’t want to miss.🌷
