Ferries to Holland

Amsterdam

Of course, Amsterdam. Holland's capital and best-known city is, for many, a short-hand way of saying "The Netherlands". And there is so much more to this fascinating city than red lights and hazy coffee shops: the famous network of canals, bridges and bicycles, historic houses, museums, markets and shops will keep you exploring.

Amsterdam is a charming, laid-back city, welcoming to visitors and very easy to get around. The historic streets and buildings, along with a general lack of cars, give the whole city a friendly and inviting atmosphere. The Dutch made an art of canal building, so make sure you take a boat tour along the canals that made this iconic city one of Europe’s top short-break destinations. Amsterdam's best known attractions are all deserving of a visit: from the poignant intimacy of Anne Frank's House, to the vibrant intensity of the Van Gogh Museum, and the stunning life and detail of the old masters in the Rijksmuseum, each will leave you with a lasting impression of your visit.

Just a stone's throw from the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum lies the Vondelpark. Created in 1867, the Vondelpark is a hugely popular area for people to play sports and in the summer is full of people sitting on the grass under the shade of the trees. This charming park has several ponds and small bridges with walkways all around, along with children’s playgrounds and a children’s swimming pool.

Also close to the Riijksmuseum is the area known as De Pijp, and central to this is the Albert Cuyp Market. Hugely popular with locals, but often overlooked by visitors, this is a daily market (except Sunday) which sells household items, furniture and fruit & veg, and is well worth a browse. Around the area are a number of highly popular bars and cafés. Another market to visit is at the old "weighing house", De Waag, in the historical centre on Nieuwmarkt Square. Today, De Waag is a restaurant, and the square holds regular markets. The surrounding cafés and bars have nice terraces, perfect to take a break and watch the city go by.

Another area to explore is the Jordaan, a charming neighbourhood with lots of small boutiques, restaurants and terraces. Originally an area for immigrant workers who flocked to the booming city in the 17th century, the Jordaan is situated on the outskirts of the Canal Ring (the Prinsengracht) close to the Anne Frank House and its narrow streets are great to explore. In the 19th Century it became a socialist workers neighbourhood and was still a poor area in the first half of the 20th century, but following major renovations in the 1990s, the area turned into a more gentrified location, home to a mixed community of artists, the elderly and young families.