One of the great things about Amsterdam is the close proximity of everything. Considering that Amsterdam has as many if not more tourist attractions than any other city in Europe the city takes up relatively little space. Visitors to Amsterdam can quite easily visit a number of different attractions in the city in one day without having to rush through a preset agenda. This makes Amsterdam an ideal destination for a weekend break.

Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge)

The first thing that strikes visitors upon arriving in Amsterdam are the canals. The whole city centre is a maze of waterways and bridges crisscrossing one another. Probably the most famous of these bridges is the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) in the city centre connecting the banks of the river at Kerkstraat Street, between Keizersgracht canal and Prinsengracht canal.
Amsterdam has an incredible array of culturally inspiring museums for the intrepid visitor to enjoy during their stay. A number of the most famous of Dutch artists are showcased in wonderful museums such as The Van Gogh Museum and The Rembrandt House Museum. Amsterdam is also home to the Anne Frank House, the famous hideaway of the Dutch Jewish girl whose Diary chronicling her time during the Second World War has graced so many class rooms throughout the world.

Oude Kerk Church

There are a number of inspiring historical churches and buildings in Amsterdam such as the Oude Kerk (old church) Amsterdam’s oldest parish church, located on the borders of the red light district and the Royal Palace, former city hall, built in 1648 and  situated in the west side of Dam Square.
Just like most other major cities in Europe Amsterdam has its share of Squares or Piazzas where much of the cities central activity takes place. The most important of these squares is The Dam located in the historical centre of Amsterdam, approximately 750 meters south of the main transportation hub, Centraal Station. The other big square in the city, the Leidseplein is located in the southwest of the central (canal) district of Amsterdam immediately northeast of the Singelgracht canal.

The Dam

No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a stroll through the world famous red light district, De Wallen located in a number of winding streets at the back of the Oude Kerk Church. This area of Amsterdam is a major tourist attraction in the city where people come from around the world to see the prostitutes selling their wares from behind ‘Shop’ windows.
Probably the best secret to Amsterdam is to not have too much of a plan, bookmark a couple of places that really interest you and then let the rest just come to you. The beautiful thing about this city is that there is literally something new around every corner and if you keep walking you are bound to find it all.