An important part of Dutch history is to be found in the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Next year the National Holocaust Museum will open in the area, while the Portuguese synagogue and the Jewish Museum are worth visiting to learn about Amsterdam’s Jewish heritage. ADE – Amsterdam Dance Event – is one of the biggest EDM festivals in the world, with many artists playing all over the city. In August, we celebrate love with hundreds of thousands of people during Pride – we are incredibly proud as Amsterdammers to celebrate Pride together as one. And November brings Museumnacht– museum night – when almost every museum in Amsterdam opens long into the night. Imagine seeing a Frans Hals painting while dancing!’ Interview by Derek Robertson. Originally built in the 17th century to house immigrants and the working class, this area has since been transformed into the city’s most expensive neighbourhood. Jordaan brims with elegant townhouses and spacious apartments and is dotted with art galleries, expensive boutiques and classy restaurants. But it’s not all extravagance and luxury; there are plenty of charming little stores and restaurants attracting younger crowds who live a little further west. If a sedate pace and upscale lifestyle are what you crave, this is the place to be.

A multi-storey car park might not seem the best spot for a bar, but Waterkant proves otherwise. Best enjoyed in warmer weather, they have a glorious, spacious terrace lit up with fairy lights. By day, it’s the perfect place to watch canal traffic sail serenely by, but it gets boisterous at night as a hip young crowd comes to the party. For dinner, chow down on some otherworldly tacos at the delightfully vibey Coba , or get a slice from the hip EUROPIZZA . Again, make sure to book in advance. Housed in a former diamond factory, the 90-room Sir Albert oozes understated cool. ‘Modern aristocratic’ is the vibe, with light, airy rooms filled with quirky art and a handy goodie box stuffed with travel essentials. Try to get Deluxe Room 19 – it has huge windows overlooking the street – and pop into the ground-floor restaurant Izakaya for some of the city’s best sushi.It’s also one of Europe’s most popular cities for a weekend break – which is no surprise, given the staggering amount of restaurants , bars and things to do here. And while the Dutch capital is known to many visitors as either ‘the Venice of the North’ or ‘the City of Sin,’ the reality is altogether different. Take a step away from the traditional tourist beat and you’ll discover a place that exudes both a stylish modernity and a sense of cosiness the locals call gezellig. From here, a little retail therapy. Head to the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes in Dutch) to explore an array of boutiques situated in one of the most gorgeous parts of the city. Whether it’s vintage clothes from Episode , a cookie from the famous Het Koekemannetje , or a new board game from The Gamekeeper , there’s something here for everyone. And they’re more than that, too – these joints are social hubs, creative spaces, and they often have great food menus for your munchies too. One thing to note, though, is that a few of Amsterdam's coffeeshops are really famous, and it's to their own detriment... These spots are now inescapable tourist traps, and we wouldn't recommend them (you won't find Smokey and Bulldog the First on here, for example).But if you want to visit a proper good one? Read on, friends. These are the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam. If I’m with friends or family, I often visit Café de Ceuvel in Noord. On a warm summer day, we bring our swimsuits and take a dive. One thing the Dutch are famous for is apple pie, and you’ll find the best at a café called Waargenoegen in Noord’s Neef Louis vintage design store.’ ... and there’s always loads of art to see Ignore the glitz of the trashy attractions around Dam Square and head instead to Oude Kerk , not just Amsterdam’s oldest church but the oldest building. Founded around 1213, it stands in De Wallen, in the heart of the Red Light District. Marvel at the wooden roof (the largest in Europe) and the beautiful stained-glass windows.

Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is home to one of the world’s largest flower gardens, with 79 colourful acres of blooms and 7 million bulbs planted every year. Though it’s primarily famous for its tulips, with over 800 varieties, there’s plenty more to discover. The last 10 days of the opening season, for example, are taken up by the world’s largest lily show. April is the best time to see the tulips in their wondrous glory. We just named Amsterdam the fifth best city in the world, based on the results of our annual Time Out Index survey. And so who better to tell us why ‘Dam is so hot right now than Taco Dibbits, director of the world-famous Rijksmuseum? From its progressive politics to its dazzling art scene, he tells uswhy he loves his home city. Amsterdam’s a tolerant, progressivecity For a taste of culture, head to Foam , Amsterdam’s leading photography museum. This gallery sits in a modernised canal house and displays an ever-changing set of intriguing exhibitions.The best way to take in the magnificent Old Town – particularly Oudegracht – is from the water, and you needn’t restrict yourself to traditional canal tours (although they are great). Kayaks, pedalos and even gondolas are available to rent at various spots around the city centre.

Begin your morning with a bite at Greenwoods on Keizersgracht, an enchanting canalside restaurant serving traditional breakfast fare suitable for any diet. Once you’ve had your fill of the Netherlands’ most famous painter, go for an afternoon stroll around the sprawling, leafy Vondelpark . Done? Then it’s time to head to the romantic Jordaan for dinner. If you’re after a pre-meal tipple, Bar Mimi and Cafe L'Affiche are charming spots you can stop at on your way to Men Impossible . Serving a delectable plant-based ramen menu, this is one of the city’s most unique restaurants — just make sure to book ahead. In the cosy confines of Zuiver , there’s only one option: a five-course ‘surprise’ menu that changes daily and showcases the very best local and seasonal produce. The food is consistently excellent, and it’s worth shelling out for the accompanying wine pairings. Take the (free!) ferry from Centraal across the IJ to NDSM. This former shipyard now houses a thriving artist community and is well worth a wander. Depending on the dates, you may also be able to visit IJ-hallen , Europe’s largest flea market.Amsterdam is a city of dualities. Postcard-perfect canals coexist with renovated industrial parks; innovative international cuisine is served alongside local classics like stamppot ; and centuries-old buildings contain smoke-filled marijuana stores.

Ah, Amsterdam. Our love affair with this city never ends, from its innovative food scene to its most well-known attractions. Perhaps most famous for its art galleries and museums, from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank House, Amsterdam stands proudly as one of the most culturally significant cities in Europe, but, of course, it’s got a poppin’ nightlife scene too. Culturally, Oud-West is as rich as any other neighbourhood, and not simply in terms of high-flown art galleries and museums. Some of the city’s coolest institutions can be found here: there’s LAB111 , a cinema and exhibition space that’s home to various collectives and showcases quirky independent films and documentaries; OT301 , a legal squat that’s now a live music venue, cultural centre and pay-what-you-can vegan restaurant (staffed by volunteers); and De Nieuwe Anita , a retro living-room-cum-bar-cum-basement-venue that hosts everything from live music to taco tasting.

Explore the historic Maritime Quarter , the only part of the city spared from World War II bombing. Admire the riverside’s most iconic buildings and enjoy striking views of the largest port in Europe while on a harbour boat tour. Booking is essential. Amsterdam is well-loved for its great food, scenic cycles and poppin’ nightlife, but often, its USP is its uber-cool, uber-chill and completely unique coffeeshops. And for those who aren’t yet familiar, we’re not talking about trendy croissants and latté art in the shape of little seahorses. Sure, they’ve got coffee in Amsterdam . But when we talk about coffeeshops, we mean licenced cannabis cafés, where you can choose from extensive marijuana menus. So how abouta weekend itinerary that captures all the best sides of the city? From cultural institutions and cool boutiques to big nights out and canalside brunch, Amsterdam local Callum Booth tells ushow to spend the perfect two (or three) days in ‘Dam. Billed as an ‘unconventional hotel’, the Lloyd is out of the ordinary. This historic building has served as a shelter for Jewish refugees, a prison and a juvenile detention centre – and is now a 117-room boutique hotel where no two rooms are alike. From budget twins to suites with beds that sleep seven, this is a unique place that’s the perfect base for the well-travelled and style-conscious. The Lloyd is currently undergoing a big renovation with a view to reopening in 2023, so watch this space. Arriving in the early afternoon, the first thing on the agenda is hitting some cultural highlights.