Amsterdam

tram 2, 12 or 17 to Dam· Moderate

The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It is at the disposal of King Willem-Alexander by the Act of Parliament.

tram 14 to Mr Visserplein

The most prominent synagogue of the city centre, the Esnoga dates back from 1675 and is built in an austere Classicist style. In 1492, Spain expelled its Jewish population as part of the Inquisition, and many fled to Portugal.

tram or metro Centraal Station

This beautiful building is an attraction in itself, so if you did not arrive in Amsterdam by train, it is well worth making a special trip to look at the station's facade.

Tram Westermarkt· Cheap

The house where the Jewish girl Anne Frank wrote her diary while hiding with her family from the Nazis. One must buy tickets online, only 20% are issued on the same day so buy them in advance.

The only large park that is close to the Binnenstad, and definitely the most popular one. Especially in the summer, it is lively and crowded, many locals sit on the grass and enjoy a cold beer or wine.

tram 4, 9, 16 or 24 to Dam, metro 51, 53 or 54 to Nieuwmarkt

The oldest of the five main churches in the historic centre, and probably the oldest building in Amsterdam. It is right in the heart of the Red Light District.

This canal is sometimes cited as the "most beautiful street of Amsterdam". The name, "Brewer's Canal", refers to the many beer breweries along the canal in the 16th and 17th centuries.

tram 4 to Prinsengracht

The Magere Brug, literally "Skinny Bridge", is a bridge that spans the Amstel River and connects the Kerkstraat with the Nieuwe Kerkstraat. It's an iconic bridge that consists of nine arches and a drawbridge that is still operated by hand.

tram 2, 12 or 17 to Spui

The Begijnhof is a late medieval enclosed courtyard with the houses of beguines (Roman Catholic women living in a semi-religious community). It is a very picturesque group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings.

tram 4, 9, 16, 24 or 25 to Muntplein· Moderate

Since its opening in 1921, Tuschinski has been the country's most breathtaking film theatre. It's worth a visit if only for its interior, a spectacular mix of Art Nouveau, Amsterdam School and Art Deco styles.

bus 32, 33 or 34 to Prins Hendrikkade/IJ-tunnel· Moderate

Above a tunnel overseeing the IJ, NEMO is the largest science museum in the Netherlands. It's a showcase of how scientific phenomena influence daily life.

tram 5, 12 or 24 and bus 357 or 397 to Concertgebouw

Famous for its orchestra and its acoustics (among the top ten in the world), this is one of the world's most frequently visited concert halls. Classical music is the main fare, but they also bring other kinds of music on stage.

tram 1, 2 or 5 to Koningsplein· Cheap

You'd think one museum about torture would be enough, but no, not in Amsterdam. However, this was the first torture museum in the city centre, and is at least somewhat more authentic than the copycat.

at Havenstraat, tram 2 to Amstelveenseweg then walk 240 metres south· Cheap

On operating days, the museum runs various vintage trams on two routes. Line 30 runs every 30 minutes along on a 7-km museum rail line to Amstelveen with stops along the route.

tram 4, 9, 16 or 24 to Dam, walk along the Damstraat and turn left at the second canal before crossing the bridge· Moderate

Opened for over twenty years, the Hash Museum is dedicated to debunking the lies and demonization about one of our most useful plants, the hemp plant.

tram or metro Centraal Station· Cheap

The largest and most prestigious museum for sex art and sex history in the Netherlands. It shows a lot of sex oddities. Only ages 16 and up are allowed entry.

tram 4, 9, 16 or 24 to Dam· Pricey

The well-known franchise of wax museums also has a branch in Amsterdam. It's a major tourist attraction so expect a steep entry fee and long queues.

tram or metro Centraal Station· Moderate

The latest gimmicky tourist attraction near the Centraal Station, it's a small museum about medieval torture and torture devices. In the Middle Ages, torture was a widely known punishment for almost all crimes committed, ranging from rape…

The Canal Hopper runs three fixed routes, stopping near major attractions (Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank's House, etc.). You can get on or off as often as you like, but it is relatively expensive with

Metro Nieuwmarkt· Moderate

Slowly becoming an institution, this hugely popular Mandarin Chinese restaurant seems to have found a perfect balance between food, price and ambiance.

Hullenbergweg 6

In 2015 the first monastery - the Kleiklooster - opened in the Bijlmer, and as good monks do, they started brewing beer. Good beer, if somewhat eccentric. This is their tasting hall where you can sample the current Kleiburg brews.

tram or metro to Centraal Station, then walk about 10 min eastwards along Oosterdokskade, pass the library and cross the bridge

One of Amsterdam's hidden secrets, Hannekes Boom is a cosy, somewhat ramshackle, bar with a waterfront along the IJ. It's a great place to just hang out and have a beer.

Tram Leidseplein

Sometimes referred to as a nightclub, it feels more like a nightly music venue and is the safest bet in town. Its interior is phenomenal as it is housed in a former church, but the main room has relatively bad acoustics.

Tram 14 to Pontanusstraat, or tram 7 to Hoogte Kadijk

Its label with an ostrich egg is a visual pun, as IJ and 'ei' - the word for egg - sound the same in Dutch. East of the centre, close to Artis Zoo, in a former bath house beside a windmill.

Metro Nieuwmarkt· Moderate

This used to be just the little "Thai snackbar around the corner", but since a raving review in the local newspaper Het Parool, big crowds are waiting in line to get seated during dinnertime.

Tram 9 going towards Diemen (Sniep). Get out at Alexanderplein and it's a 5-minute walk to the hostel.· Expensive

This former university building can host up to 564 guests in twin and quadruple rooms. It has spacious social areas with creative design touches all over the building.

tram 4 or 14 to Rokin, metro 52 to Rokin, metro 51, 53 or 54 to Nieuwmarkt· Moderate

Stayokay operates a network of 27 hostels in the Netherlands, and is the Dutch affiliate of Hostelling International. A little smaller than Stayokay Vondelpark, this location does not take groups. Free WiFi and pay internet terminals.

Tram Stadhouderskade· Moderate

Fairly large youth hostel, very clean and professional, operated by the Dutch affiliate of Hostelling International. Next to the pleasant Vondelpark, puts you on the south-western side of the city center and just a few blocks from the Van…

Ferdinand Bolstraat 333· Expensive

Five-star Japanese-owned and -operated hotel with an excellent range of Japanese food, clothing, and book shops in the basement, and wireless internet in the lobby, bar, and conference rooms.

tram 14 to Zeeburgerdijk

This 480-bed hostel is located to the east of the city centre in a typical Amsterdam neighbourhood. Amsterdam's historic centre is less than 15 minutes away by bike or tram.

Staalmeesterslaan 410

The Ramada is a solid property, but calling it "Amsterdam Centre" was not even close to reality, as the hotel is at the remote end of Rembrandtpark, close to the A10 ring road running across Amsterdam-West.