Welcome to Amsterdam

When in Amsterdam … why not try one of the four following cultural highlights.

• Visit the Hermitage, the unique dependence of the Hermitage of St. Petersburg
• Or the spectacular show Cirque MechanicsAnd remember: Amsterdam, the city of music;  a Mahler-symphony at the world famous Concertgebouw or jazz in the new Bimhuis!

Ask the Amsterdam Welcome Team for the flyer at the City Desk in the ICNC registration area.

Discover additional information about excursions, tourism and what you can do in the city.

Additional Things to Do:

	Take a canal cruise With more canals than Venice, Amsterdam does more than live up to its nickname “Venice of the North.” Boat tours provide a unique perspective of the city that can only be seen from water level. It may seem a bit touristy, but it is the best way to see Amsterdam.
	Van Gogh Museum Containing over 200 of his paintings, 500 drawings and 850 letters written by him, the museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work anywhere in the world. Vincent Van Gogh painted for only nine years of his troubled life, yet he remains widely recognized as one of the most brilliant painters in history. This collection was put together mainly by Vincent’s younger brother Theo, an art dealer who received many of the written letters. There are also works housed here by friends and contemporaries of Vincent's, such as Gauguin, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec and Bernard.
	Rijksmuseum Like the Louvre in Paris, the Rijksmuseum cannot be seen in a single visit. With over 5000 paintings, Asiatic art, sculptures and a print room, you will need to have an idea of what you would most like to see. The most important collection is made up of paintings by Dutch masters from the 15th to 19th centuries such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals. Some areas of the museum are being renovated and paintings have been moved, but the most famous pieces will still be on view in the south wing.
	Anne Frank House The World War II hiding place made famous in “The Diary of Anne Frank” is now transformed into an exhibition of Anne and her family’s confinement. The second floor annex concealed by a revolving bookcase is recreated by Otto Frank’s model. Downstairs is a museum dedicated to the persecution of Jews in WWII. It is a moving experience regardless of whether or not you have read the book.
	Walk around the city Amsterdam is a compact city meant to be walked. With 1,000-plus bridges to cross, stunning architecture to photograph and countless charming cafés for breaks along the way, exploring Amsterdam by foot offers hours of sightseeing.
	See the city by bike Biking in Amsterdam is a quintessentially Dutch experience and by far the most popular (and most efficient) form of getting around.  Bike paths connect the entire country and cyclists are well respected on the roads, making cycling an efficient as well as healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around. Tips how to cycle safely - There are a few basic pointers to keep in mind after hiring your bike: Don't do as the locals do: adhere to all traffic lights and signs. Make sure you signal when turning. Be careful not to get your wheels stuck in tramlines. Always lock up your bike to something secure and immovable.