| Overview | | | | The Hortus Botanicus botanical gardens and the Artis |
| Amsterdam is well known for its fierce nightlife scene | | | | Zoo are good places to visit for tourists who are |
| and youthful atmosphere. However, far less people | | | | traveling with children, as well as the beaches found on |
| are aware of the city's cultural and aesthetic | | | | the western side of the city north of Ijmuiden. The |
| attractions. The city streets are covered in | | | | Royal Place is a great historical attraction, and the |
| impressively designed buildings and transposed along | | | | city's many museums are well-renowned as some of |
| canals. Amsterdam is also home to many | | | | the best in the world. |
| world-renowned museums, including Rijksmuseum and | | | | Nightlife |
| the Van Gogh Museum. The city's center, the Dam, | | | | The other side of Amsterdam is one that is |
| surrounds the train station, a relatively small and flat | | | | considered one of the best party cities in the world. |
| area that is easily traversed on foot. To the left of the | | | | Amsterdam's Red Light District is the place to go for |
| center is the Red Light District, home to Amsterdam's | | | | the nightlife scene, an area where marijuana and |
| vibrant nightlife scene. South of Dam are the streets of | | | | prostitution are legal and bars and nightclubs are |
| Rokin and Kalverstraat, Rokin being a primarily | | | | abundant. Many visitors make their first stop at an |
| residential area and Kalverstraat being Amsterdam's | | | | absinthe bar, which are fairly easy to find in this district. |
| primary shopping district. | | | | At night, the streets of the Red Light District are |
| Sightseeing Attractions | | | | packed with college-aged students from around the |
| Amsterdam's center consists of 90 islands that are | | | | world, and the atmosphere is friendly, excited, and |
| linked by 400 bridges. This alone is a sight worth | | | | inviting. Shopping is another great thing to do in |
| seeing, not considering the more than 7000 registered | | | | Amsterdam as prices in Amsterdam are not nearly as |
| historical buildings also condensed within the city's walls. | | | | inflated as those of Europe's other main tourist |
| There are six notable places of worship that are | | | | destinations. A good place to start when shopping is |
| well-known for their architectural appeal, including the | | | | Kalverstraat, the main shopping district. However, |
| Oude Kerk, Zuiderkerk, Noorderkerk, Westerkerk, | | | | Amsterdam's many markets make for worthwhile |
| Oosterkerk, and the Portugese-Israelite Synagogue. | | | | shopping experiences as well. Check out Albert Cuyp, |
| Catholic churches were forbidden in Amsterdam for | | | | Lapjesmarkt, and Noordermarkt for a haggling |
| many centuries, and therefore most of the city's | | | | experience and some great deals. |
| Catholic churches were not built until the 19th century. | | | | |