Netherlands
Amsterdam travel guide
Amsterdam is compact enough to walk across in an hour, and biking is the way locals move. The canal belt is a UNESCO site for good reason. Stay away from the Red Light District at night unless that's specifically what you want — the rest of the city is far more interesting.
When to visit
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep
Spring (especially mid-April for tulips at Keukenhof) and early summer. September has fewer crowds and decent weather.
Avoid: November-February can be gray and wet.
Where to stay
Jordaan
canals, narrow streets, brown cafés · best for first-timers
De Pijp
former working-class, now hip, market · best for food
Oost
residential, parks, multicultural · best for repeat visitors
Noord (across IJ)
post-industrial, cool, ferry-accessed · best for art, younger travelers
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Sample itineraries
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