Amsterdam City Breaks

Convivial, cosy and compact; it’s easy to forget that Amsterdam is a capital city. It’s affable and easy-going, attractive to look at and a delightful place in which to wander. The Dutch metropolis has justifiably charmed its way to become one of Europe’s most popular short-break destinations.

A beguiling blend of the provincial and the international, Amsterdam displays a very amiable attitude towards visitors, helped by the fact that nearly everyone you meet is able to speak several languages fluently, and prides itself on being young at heart. On Amsterdam city breaks you can wander or cycle at your leisure amongst its lanes and quarters to discover the many delights of this golden age city. Beautifully painted gabled buildings frame its waterways, pretty bridges and trams dissect the city’s cobbles, shopkeepers create exquisite pavement-side displays of their produce and cafes, bars and restaurants exude considerable kerb-side appeal. For culture, city breaks to Amsterdam offer two of the finest art galleries in the world, and is at the forefront of classical music and contemporary European film, drama and dance.

Travelling around the city

Thanks to its compact size and extensive network of cycle paths, Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore on two wheels. With bicycle rental shops all over the city, it’s quite simple to pedal away. Amsterdam also boasts an impressive public transport network including metros, buses, trams, ferries and trains to help you get around the capital. In addition you can easily explore the city on foot and, of course, there’s nothing quite like seeing Amsterdam from a boat on its many canals.

Food and drink

Amsterdam has no shortage of restaurants, and serves visitors a culinary melting pot reflective of the diversity of the city itself; from tapas to tajine and from Modern Dutch to the Mediterranean via Indonesia. For those on luxury Amsterdam city-breaks there is a whole range of gastronomic experiences to choose from. Whether you're looking for a cosy local diner or one of its ten restaurants boasting coveted Michelin stars, you'll find plenty of palate pleasing dishes. Amsterdam is also the perfect place to enjoy a tipple whether you seek a local cosy joint, a traditional Dutch brown café or a luxurious grand café, don’t miss out on one of the city’s many terraces and thriving bar scene.

When to go

Tulips might make spring the definitive season in which to visit the Dutch capital, but any season in Amsterdam for luxury city breaks has its appeal. As it’s a northern capital, rain and grey skies are not uncommon, but chairs and tables of the pavement cafés go out occasionally over-optimistically at the slightest hint of fine weather. Summer means enjoying the outdoor terraces, waterways, events and festivities to the full, whilst the falling leaves of autumn make a canal-side walk an irresistible must. In winter hunker down in a convivial, wood panelled café and enjoy the cosy atmosphere of this laid-back capital.

Art & Amsterdam

Per square kilometre Amsterdam might well house more art masterpieces than any other capital city. The Van Gogh Museum is home to the world's largest collection of works by its troubled son Vincent, as well as Gaugin and Monet. The Rijksmuseum and The Museum het Rembrandthuis feature a prolific number of Rembrandt’s golden age treasures. The Hermitage Amsterdam, a Dutch outpost of Russia's State Hermitage Museum, regularly selects objects from its three-million-piece treasure trove home to stage superb exhibitions.

The Van Gogh Museum

With over 700 paintings and drawings by Gaugin, Monet, Toulouse- Lautrec, the eponymous Vincent and his younger brother Theo, this museum is one of Amsterdam’s must-sees. The museum chronicles Van Gogh’s artistic journey from Holland to Paris and Arles.

Anne Frank Huis

Nearly a million visitors a year converge on the hidden annexe where Anne Frank and her family lived in secretive and silent fear until they were inexplicably betrayed. Anne’s actual diary sitting alone in a glass case is particularly poignant.

Vondelpark

On a sunny day head to Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, to see and meet people from all walks of life who are there to enjoy its party atmosphere amongst lawns, gardens, ponds and winding footpaths.

Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam’s premier art museum and one of the finest galleries in the world, this is something of a must see attraction, home to countless priceless treasures and several hundred masterpieces.

Albert Cuypmarkt

With more than 300 stalls this is Amsterdam's largest general market selling practically everything. Look beyond the largely run of the mill clothes to find a unique souvenir.

Amsterdam in 3 days

To help you get the most out of your city break to Amsterdam we have put together an 'Amsterdam in 3 days' itinerary.

Day 1

One of the best ways to see all of Amsterdam’s considerable charm is from the water. Cruise the waterways on a canal boat before alighting at Museum Square to visit the Rijksmuseum, famous for Rembrandt's Night Watch, and the neighbouring Van Gogh Museum. For lunch head over to the city’s most famous shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat, try herring snacks in the Albert Cuypmarkt before taking the tram to the Nieuwmarkt in the city centre to enjoy an early evening drink in a bar. Maybe go Indonesian for dinner before sampling a concert at the internationally renowned Concertgebouw.

Day 2

Go local and rent a bike to explore the charmingly quaint Jordaan area; nowhere does the city feel more like a village with its collection of little streets populated with unique, boutique shops. Browse to your heart’s content before experiencing a poignant visit to the Anne Frank House. After a cosy, Dutch café lunch in the Singel area head over to the only floating flower market in the world on the Koningsplein. Take in the many sights and sounds of Vondelpark before riding your bike canal-side to the windmill brewery for refreshments on the terrace.

Day 3

Enjoy a pavement-side bakery breakfast before heading to the East Docklands. Marvel at some of the city's most stunning new architecture including the whale apartment building and the red python bridge. Enjoy a leisurely drink and the wonderful panorama at the sky lounge bar of Amsterdam Central Station. The city’s largest flea market is at Waterlooplein and from here it’s just a couple of minutes to the Hermitage Amsterdam or the Heineken Experience.