IDFA: International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
The international documentary film festival brings premieres, competitions, children’s documentaries and a packed programme to venues across the city.
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ℹ️Practical info — Amsterdam
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Pay close attention to bicycle lanes; never walk on the reddish paths marked with bike symbols.
- Book your tickets for major museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank House) online weeks in advance.
- Use the free GVB ferries running behind Centraal Station to explore the trendy Amsterdam Noord district.
- Public transport is cashless; simply tap your contactless bank card when boarding and exiting.
- The Red Light District gets extremely crowded at night; visit in the early evening for a more relaxed walk.
🍽 Food
🍽
Stroopwafels
Get a freshly made, warm syrup waffle at a stall in the Albert Cuyp Market.
🍽
Raw herring
Try it at a traditional herring cart around the city center, usually served with onions and pickles.
🍽
Rijsttafel
Reserve a table at an Indonesian restaurant in the Jordaan neighborhood.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
The Nine Streets
The absolute best area for independent boutiques, vintage clothing, and unique design shops.
🛍
Albert Cuyp Market
The largest outdoor market in the city, selling everything from fresh food to clothing.
🛍
Waterlooplein Market
A great destination for hunting down second-hand goods and quirky antiques.
🧘
Begijnhof
A hidden, historic, and exceptionally quiet courtyard located right in the busy center.
🧘
Vondelpark
Arrive early in the morning for a peaceful walk or run before the park fills up with crowds.
🧘
Amstel River walk
Walk south along the river, away from the city center, to enjoy a much calmer atmosphere.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
8
Museum Night Amsterdam
On the first Saturday of November, many museums stay open late with special programmes, music, workshops and guided tours.
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
The world's leading electronic music conference and festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 with more than 3,000 artists across over 200 venues around the city. The event takes place from 21 to 25 October 2026.
TCS Amsterdam Marathon
One of Europe's fastest and most scenic marathons, starting and finishing in the Olympic Stadium. On Saturday 17 October the 7.5 km race and kids runs take place, and on Sunday 18 October around 32,000 runners take part in the marathon and half marathon.
Amsterdam Fringe Festival
This eleven-day festival brings new theatre, performance and dance to around two dozen venues across Amsterdam.
Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival)
The Netherlands' largest classical and jazz festival brings orchestras and ensembles to unusual spots along Amsterdam's canals for ten days, often on floating stages. The 29th edition runs from 7 to 16 August 2026.
Grachtenfestival Amsterdam
This multi-day music festival fills Amsterdam’s canals and distinctive venues with concerts by young artists in classical, jazz and other genres.
Canal Parade (WorldPride)
The famous boat parade through Amsterdam's canals is the highlight of WorldPride 2026. More than 80 decorated boats set off on 1 August from the Scheepvaartmuseum, sailing along the Amstel and Prinsengracht to Westerdok.
Amsterdam is the capital and cultural heart of the Netherlands, world-famous for its iconic 17th-century canal network, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the Golden Age, the city transformed from a small fishing village into one of the world's most vital commercial hubs. Its urban landscape is defined by over 1,500 bridges and grand merchant houses lining the concentric canals of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht. Amsterdam is home to prestigious cultural institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House, attracting millions of visitors annually. Geographically, the city lies on the river Amstel and the IJ bay, with large areas consisting of polders situated below sea level. As a tolerant global metropolis, Amsterdam is renowned for its spirited nightlife, liberal atmosphere, and extensive cycling culture. Today, the city functions as a major financial center and European transport nexus, boasting one of the continent's largest seaports.
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A postcard from Amsterdam
Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.
Create a postcard- Location: North Holland, Netherlands
- Highlights: Plein Theater · Tobacco Theater · De Kleine Komedie
- Nearby: Diemen (5 km)
- Population: ~741.636
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 64 | 53 | 40 | 57 | 63 | 81 | 90 | 70 | 78 | 76 | 81 |
Geography
Facts
- Amsterdam has more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris.
- The Royal Palace on Dam Square stands on exactly 13,659 wooden piles.
- Amsterdam officially received its city rights in the year 1306.
- There are approximately 881,000 bicycles in the city, exceeding the population.
- The Rijksmuseum is the only museum in the world with a bicycle path running through it.
- The Port of Amsterdam is the fourth largest seaport in Europe.
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Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Amsterdam (15)
The Amsterdam Dungeon📍 landmark
An interactive attraction bringing Amsterdam's dark history to life through shows and effects.
🌐 thedungeons.com🕒 Su-Th 11:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-19:00
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you plan for Amsterdam?
At least 3 days to see the main museums and canals.
What is the best way to get around the city?
By bicycle or public transport (tram).
Which museum is the most popular?
The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are the highlights.
Should boat tours be booked in advance?
Yes, especially in high season, a reservation is advisable.
Is Amsterdam safe for tourists?
Yes, but like in any large city, watch out for pickpockets.
Amsterdam: where is it located?
Amsterdam is located in North Holland, Netherlands.
Amsterdam: what is there to see?
Highlights include Plein Theater, Tobacco Theater, De Kleine Komedie.
Amsterdam: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Amsterdam: why is it worth visiting?
Amsterdam is the capital and cultural heart of the Netherlands, world-famous for its iconic 17th-century canal network, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Nearby cities
Haarlem
Haarlem, the capital of the province of North Holland, is a picturesque city with a lot of historic charm, located just a few kilometers …
Zaanstad
Zaanstad is a municipality north of Amsterdam, known for its industrial heritage and distinctive green wooden houses.
Hoofddorp
Hoofddorp is the main town of the Haarlemmermeer municipality, located in a reclaimed polder.
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a charming historic city in North Holland, known worldwide for its traditional cheese market, which is held weekly in summer.
Purmerend
Purmerend is a city in North Holland that became known as a historic market town.
Hoorn
A historic harbor city on the Markermeer lake, renowned for its rich Dutch Golden Age past and beautifully preserved 17th-century archite…
Den Helder
Den Helder is located at the northern tip of North Holland and is the main naval base of the Netherlands.
Heemskerk
Heemskerk is located in the province of North Holland.
IJmuiden
IJmuiden, the port of Amsterdam, is famous for its huge sea locks, wide North Sea beach, and raw, industrial atmosphere.
Bergen aan Zee
A popular North Sea seaside resort known for its wide beaches, sea aquarium, and proximity to the artists' village of Bergen.
Diemen
A charming town near Amsterdam, offering a peaceful retreat with easy access to the vibrant metropolis.
Heiloo
Heiloo is located in the province of North Holland.
🗺️
Hillegom
Hillegom is a charming town in the heart of the Dutch Flower-bulb region, famous for its colorful flower fields and proximity to the Keuk…
Zandvoort
Often referred to as Amsterdam Beach, Zandvoort offers wide sandy beaches, impressive dunes, and a famous Formula 1 racing circuit.
Mijdrecht
Experience the Green Heart of Holland in Mijdrecht, a vibrant town close to the Vinkeveen lakes, ideal for water sports, cycling, and exp…
History & landmarks
Volendam
A world-famous fishing village on the Markermeer, known for its traditional costumes, picturesque harbor, and smoked eel.
Enkhuizen
A historic port city on the IJsselmeer, famous for its rich maritime heritage and the open-air Zuiderzee Museum.
Monnickendam
A charming small town featuring significant historic buildings and a traditional carillon tower in the heart of North Holland.
Marken
A former island in the Markermeer with characteristic wooden houses on stilts and the iconic 'Paard van Marken' lighthouse.
Amsterdam Centraal Station
Amsterdam Central Station was designed in the Neo-Gothic style.
Nature
More places
Oude Kerk Amsterdam
The Oude Kerk is the oldest building in Amsterdam.
Tuschinski Theater Amsterdam
The Tuschinski Theater is a historic cinema in Amsterdam.
Royal Palace Amsterdam
The Royal Palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam is one of the official palaces of the Dutch royal family.
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.
St. Nicholas Basilica Amsterdam
St.
NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam
NEMO is a science museum in Amsterdam.
Westerkerk Amsterdam
The Westerkerk is a reformed church in the city center of Amsterdam.