24 hours in: Amsterdam

Stroll down Amsterdam's picturesque canals

Creative Commons / Fedya111

EARLY RISE

First timers

Catch Amsterdam in the morning light with a canal boat tour. Gliding through its 165 canals, stretching out approximately 60 miles, makes an excellent start to your orientation. Down here, far away from the world above, thronged with traffic and bicycle commuters and other tourists, is another world. On the waterways you’ll find a peaceful zone of relaxation, where you can watch the houseboat dwellers stir, and start to plan the rest of your day.

Old hands

Start off your day in one of the city’s most overlooked institutions: the library. The Openbare Bibliothek is one of Europe’s largest libraries but it’s got far more going for it than size. More of a general hangout space than a serious study place, make sure you sample the breakfast from its lauded 7th floor café - the views from the terrace will outdo any other in the city.

MORNING 

Culture vultures will love the newly reopened Rijksmuseum
Thinkstock / iStockphoto

First timers

For art lovers, Museumplein has to be your first stop. Catch tram 2 from Central Station and try to arrive before 9am to beat the queues. Having captured the hearts and minds of visitors for more than two centuries, the Rijksmuseum is well worth a few hours of your time. Start with the model naval ships downstairs before making your way to the star of the show: Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Paintings by Vermeer and Frans Hals are here too. Depending on your stamina, the excellent Van Gogh museum and Stedelijk museum are only a few minutes’ walk away. Having an I Amsterdam City Card gets you free entry to both, as well as unlimited travel.

Old hands

Hire a bike (try Starbikes rental, a five minute walk from central station) and hop on the ferry north. Across the river IJ is Eye Film Institute, a futuristic white angular building where visitors can catch a film, enjoy interactive exhibitions, or just enjoy a coffee and slice of apple pie on the terrace. After sampling its delights, ride your bike west towards NDSM wharf, an industrial former ship yard that is becoming Amsterdam’s answer to Hoxton. Derelict factory buildings and weed-strewn pavements give off a desolate air, but under the surface, creative juices bubble, with makeshift restaurants, a popular skatepark, and artists’ studios all located here. Sit outside at Pllek (a restaurant made of shipping containers) and sip on a cool beer while children play on the adjacent gravel beach.

AFTERNOON

NDSM Wharf and the Eye Film Institute are a short ferry ride away
Creative Commons / diasUndKompott; Waag Society

First timers

Recover from the museums by way of lunch; it’s a ten minute walk into the depths of the Nine Streets, Amsterdam’s picturesque ring of canals and a haven for shopping and eating alike. Stroll down charming Prinsengracht or Keierzgracht, playing ‘spot the crooked canal house’ whilst dipping in and out of the surrounding boutiques. Curiosity shop, The Otherist sells macabre oddities such as animal skulls and taxidermy, alongside niche beauty brands and jewellery, making it a great place to pick up unique gifts. Spot the design classics at legendary design store Droog, whilst vintage-lovers can take their pick of stores. Venture further south into De Pijp neighbourhood to Hutspot, a concept store selling achingly cool clothing, art and furniture.

Old hands

Taking the ferry back to central, cycle your way east. If you like a tipple but want an alternative to the Heineken brewery tour, head eastwards to Brouwerij ‘t IJ located next to an old windmill. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you can tour the brewery and taste different varieties of home-brewed beer – choose from hoppy, wheaty and malty flavours. When you’re finished, the trams coming from Zeeburg have bike spaces, so you can drink as much as you like without having to ride back to the hire shop inebriated.

EVENING

Enjoy dinner at Baut before clubbing til the wee hours
Creative Commons / manuel MC; amsfrank

First timers

If you’re curious about Amsterdam’s Red Light District but want to go into more depth than pure voyeurism, try a walking tour. At the Prostitution Information Centre near Oude Kerk, former prostitutes are the guides, telling stories of their experiences whilst taking you through the district and explaining the sex industry. Afterwards, head back towards Prinsengracht for a touch of Dutch dining; with a choice of 75 toppings, the fresh pannekoeken (pancakes) on offer at The Pancake Bakery are some of the best in Amsterdam.

Old hands

Follow the river Amstel south, where on the eastern side of Grachtengordel neighbourhood you'll find Restaurant Utrechtsedwarstafel Amsterdam. The intimate bistro is locally renowned for the culinary compositions of head chef Igor and vino expert Sommelier Hans. Expect some of the finest French cuisine, using the freshest of local ingredients, combined with the best European wines.