The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
Amsterdam on the water: the back story
The three great canals, the Amstel and the IJ: how a city built on water became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
17 of the best · Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The Best Things to See and Do in Amsterdam
The Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace on the Dam, the Westerkerk, the Oude Kerk, the hidden church in the attic, the Begijnhof and the canals from the water.
Our 17 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Amsterdam
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Amsterdam.
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Book online, weeks ahead
Anne Frank House
The house on the Prinsengracht where Anne Frank and her family hid in the Secret Annex.
Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK AmsterdamExplore View on map
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On the Dam
Royal Palace Amsterdam
The 17th-century town hall on the Dam, now a royal palace open to visitors when not in use.
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A quiet courtyard off the Spui
Begijnhof
A walled courtyard of old houses around a garden, entered from the Spui.
The full list: Sights, A–Z
Show 14 of 17 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Landmarks 4
The great buildings.
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Book online, weeks ahead
Anne Frank House
The house on the Prinsengracht where Anne Frank and her family hid in the Secret Annex.
Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK AmsterdamExplore View on map
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Beside the Royal Palace
De Nieuwe Kerk
The great church on the Dam, used for exhibitions and national and royal events.
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On the Dam
Royal Palace Amsterdam
The 17th-century town hall on the Dam, now a royal palace open to visitors when not in use.
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The tower over the Jordaan
Westerkerk
The church on the Prinsengracht, whose tower rises over the Jordaan and the Anne Frank House.
Prinsengracht 281, 1016 GW AmsterdamExplore View on map
History 5
Churches, courtyards and memory.
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A quiet courtyard off the Spui
Begijnhof
A walled courtyard of old houses around a garden, entered from the Spui.
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Around the Waterlooplein
Jewish Cultural Quarter and the Portuguese Synagogue
The Jewish Museum, the National Holocaust Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue, around the Waterlooplein.
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL AmsterdamExplore View on map
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The oldest church in the city
Oude Kerk
Amsterdam’s oldest church, now also a venue for contemporary art.
Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX AmsterdamExplore View on map
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A hidden church in a canal house
Our Lord in the Attic
A complete church hidden in the attic of a 17th-century canal house.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38–40, 1012 GD AmsterdamExplore View on map
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The Netherlands in World War II
Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum)
The story of the Netherlands in the Second World War and of those who resisted.
Plantage Kerklaan 61, 1018 CX AmsterdamExplore View on map
Views and the water 3
Lookouts and canal cruises.
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The swing over the edge
A’DAM Lookout
The observation deck on top of the A’DAM Tower, across the IJ from Centraal Station, with its swing “Over the Edge”.
IJpromenade 4, 1031 KT AmsterdamExplore View on map
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See the canals from the water
Canal cruises with Stromma
Canal cruises through the UNESCO canal ring, from piers near Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum.
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From opposite Centraal Station
LOVERS Canal Cruises
Canal cruises from the Prins Hendrikkade, opposite Centraal Station.
Family days 4
The zoo, science and ships.
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Zoo, aquarium and planetarium
ARTIS
The city zoo in the Plantage, with its aquarium, planetarium and Micropia museum.
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Jenever and cocktails
Bols Cocktail Experience
Tastings and cocktail workshops by the Dutch distiller Bols, near the Van Gogh Museum.
Paulus Potterstraat 14, 1071 CZ AmsterdamExplore View on map
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The National Maritime Museum
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
The National Maritime Museum, in the former naval storehouse on the water, with a replica East Indiaman moored outside.
Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK AmsterdamExplore View on map
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The green ship on the water
NEMO Science Museum
Hands-on science in the green building that rises from the water by the Oosterdok, with a roof terrace.
Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX AmsterdamExplore View on map
