The Editors of Time Out - Time Out Amsterdam

1 Van Gogh Museum

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While theres a whole town in China pumping out Van Gogh copies for the hotel walls of the world, theres still nothing quite like admiring the real thing just ask the almost 1.5 million people who visit this museum every year. The permanent exhibition features some 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Van Gogh, and temporary shows explore his contemporaries and his influence on other artists. To avoid the queues, be sure to book tickets online, or try visiting around noon or late afternoon.

2 Rijksmuseum

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The nations treasure house makes one proud to be human which is always refreshing. Its also reassuring to discover that Rembrandts The Night Watch and Vermeers The Milkmaid are not at all overrated. The Rijksmuseums refurbished palatial interior all gold leaf and intricate art nouveau woodwork and patterns is worthy of a days admiration in itself. As for the artworks, youll need a week. And dont forget to practise some Mongolian throat-singing under the vaulted ceiling of the bike path that runs through the building.

3 Canal cruising

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Sure, you can enjoy the birds-eye view of Amsterdam from the new public library tower. But its the eels-eye view best enjoyed from a watery cruise that gives you the most insightful and scenic views of the city. And if you can arrange to navigate your own smaller boat, so much the better.

4 Anne Frank Huis

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One of the 20th centurys most famous and best-selling authors was dead at 15. Her book, The Diary of Anne Frank, documented the two years her Jewish family spent hiding from the Nazis in a small back house. After being betrayed, the family members were sent to concentration camps only her father survived. The familys preserved hiding place and the accompanying exhibitions resonate with a simple message Never again which remains as relevant as ever.

5 Begijnhof

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This hidden courtyard near the chaos that is high-street shopping strip Kalverstraat is the perfect place to regain a sense of peace. Just avoid treading on the slab of pink granite by the walkway: its the grave of a nun and former resident. Begijnhof and its two churches are also handily adjacent to the bookish square Spui (with its Friday book market and numerous bookshops and cafs) and the freely accessible Civic Guards Gallery of the Amsterdam Museum.

6 Red Light District

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Yes, this is a red-light district where women get paid for sex. But Amsterdams sleaze zone also remains one of the citys oldest neighbourhoods, and as such contains many ancient houses, squares and churches, along with nurseries, schools and locals casually and socially going about their business. Chief annoyance: roving packs of drunken British stag partygoers oh, the shame.

7 Jordaan

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The laid-back Jordaan is a compelling neighbourhood and the perfect place for a spot of aimless wandering. Higgledy-piggledy streets offer a surprise around almost every corner: it may be a seemingly forgotten caf, a hip art gallery or a window into a living room filled with plain weird stuff. In fact, a semi-random approach can also be applied to the rest of Amsterdam with its eternally looping streets. But keep an eye out for the bikes.

8 Amsterdam Museum

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A couple of hours in this rather high-tech historical museum will certainly enhance your future wanderings around the city. Marvel at how Amsterdam evolved out of bog. Respect how local business people gave the middle finger to royalty while creating their own Golden Age. Dig the wacky antics employed by local hippy activists during the halcyon 1960s. Raise your eyebrows at how much ecstasy was consumed in the clubbing heyday of the 80s and 90s.