The top 5 things to see in Amsterdam

Discover the best places to visit during a short trip to the Dutch capital, with tips from Adam Shaw

1. Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands’ premier art museum boasts around 8,000 objects, including several masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Rembrandt’s The Night Watch is at the heart of the museum, while works by the likes of Van Gogh and Van Ruisdael are dotted throughout. An Asian Pavilion is dedicated to art from the East.

Specialist exhibitions this year include a programme focusing on Vermeer, running until June 4.

2. Vondelpark

Get a fix of greenery in the city’s biggest park. Take a stroll or explore in true Dutch style on a bike. There are occasional free concerts performed at the open-air theatre and bandstand, spanning everything from classical music to modern pop.

3. Anne Frank House

A visit to the former home of diarist Anne Frank, who died in the Holocaust aged 15, is a moving experience. See where she hid, along with her family and other Jews, in a secret annex concealed by a bookcase, and study her original diary. As well as Anne’s story, visitors can learn about the wider discrimination faced by Jewish people during the Nazi occupation.

4. Heineken Experience

Beer enthusiasts should head to the old Heineken factory, where they can take an interactive tour charting the brewing giant’s history. Self-guided visits, which last an hour and a half, take a deep dive into Heineken’s brewing process. Tickets include a visit to the company’s original brew room – and two beers.

5. Negen Straatjes

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the ‘Nine Streets’ area is filled with trendy boutiques and stylish cafes. Built around the city’s canals and with architecture dating from the 17th century, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon people watching. Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market, is just a short walk away.

PICTURES: Shutterstock/Kavalenkau, Sergii Figurnyi, Nicole Kwiatkowski, Kavalenkava.

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