Amsterdam Central Station

One of Europe's largest stations, Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal Station) is housed in a magnificent Neo-Renaissance building dating back to the late-19th century. The station is an important starting point for exploring many of Amsterdam's most popular attractions and is used by more than a quarter of a million passengers each day.

Museums

The Dutch capital is home to an extraordinary wealth of museums and art galleries, one of the most famous of which is the Rembrandt House Museum. Here, you can explore the house that the eminent painter Rembrandt once lived for a time in the mid-17th century, until he fell into bankruptcy. The venue attracts close to 200,000 visitors each year and features a reconstructed interior that mirrors the building's original design.

The Rijksmuseum, meanwhile, was moved to Amsterdam from The Hague in 1808 and includes around 8,000 artefacts on display, although there are approximately 1 million artefacts in total spanning a period of around 800 years. Another must-see attraction is the Anne Frank House, which was designed in the early 17th century and was the hiding place of the famous Jewish diarist Anne Frank in the Second World War.

Dam Square

Within walking distance of many hotels near Amsterdam Central Station, Dam Square has long been a popular meeting point for locals and is overlooked by the National Monument, built in 1956 to commemorate the Second World War. The square is also the venue for a major funfair on King's Day and several other occasions throughout the year, and is adjacent to the enchanting 17th-century Royal Palace.

Eating out

For some superb Mediterranean-themed cuisine, head to the Wink Restaurant on Govert Flinckstraat. You can also enjoy some delectable French and international dishes at the Vinkeles Restaurant on Keizersgracht, or try some authentic Dutch seafood at the elegant Rob Wigboldus Vishandel on Zoutsteeg.

Shopping

A haven for shopping lovers, Amsterdam is home to the Nieuwedijk, which is within easy reach of hotels near Amsterdam Central Station and features numerous souvenir stores and clothes shops. The city is also home to the renowned Flowermarket at Kalverstraat, and plenty of world-class shopping malls and department stores at the De Bijenkorf at Dam Square.