Attractions in Amsterdam

The Royal Palace on Dam Square is one of three palaces at the disposal of the Dutch monarch. Built as the city hall in the 17th century, it is a masterpiece of Dutch Golden Age architecture.

The Westerkerk is a 17th-century Protestant church in the Jordaan district, with the tallest tower in Amsterdam at 85 metres. Its distinctive blue imperial crown is an Amsterdam landmark.

The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is Amsterdam's oldest building, dating from around 1213. Located in the Red Light District, it now serves as both a church and a contemporary art exhibition space.

Artis Royal Zoo is one of Europe's oldest zoos, founded in 1838. Located in the Plantage district, it combines a zoo, aquarium, planetarium, botanical garden, and geological museum in one parklike campus.

The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) on Dam Square is a 15th-century Gothic church used for Dutch royal inaugurations and major cultural exhibitions. It hosts world-class exhibitions on art, photography, and culture.

The Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) is a white wooden drawbridge over the Amstel river, and one of Amsterdam's most photographed landmarks. It is especially beautiful when illuminated with 1,200 lights at night.

The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the world's oldest botanical gardens, founded in 1638 as a medicinal herb garden. It houses over 4,000 plant species across greenhouses and outdoor gardens.

The Begijnhof is a tranquil medieval courtyard hidden behind a doorway off the Spui. Founded in 1346 as a residence for the Beguines (Catholic lay sisters), it contains Amsterdam's oldest surviving house.

A'DAM Lookout is an observation deck atop the 22-storey A'DAM Tower on the north bank of the IJ, offering 360-degree views of Amsterdam's skyline, harbour, and polders beyond.

The Portuguese Synagogue is a grand 17th-century Sephardic synagogue, one of the largest in Europe. Still in active use, its interior is lit entirely by candles and low windows, unchanged since 1675.