Amsterdam

Netherlands

Cityscape: Townhouses and waterways
City life: Laid-back laissez-faire

The city with a village mentality, where ducks compete for canal-bank space with disoriented tourists.

Once you’ve dipped into the heady club and bar culture, jump on a tram to the picturesque Nine Streets area; hire a bike to explore architecturally interesting Zuid; or hit the beach – it’s only 30 minutes away. It’s time to graduate from the red-light district and explore one of Europe’s most picturesque, liveliest cities.

Pictured: The Dylan

Boutique hotels in Amsterdam

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Amsterdam

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Amsterdam has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Eating, drinking & dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Amsterdam. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…

Smith Maps

Here is the map of Amsterdam; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.

Taxis: There are ranks all over, but you can usually hail; tip ten per cent. Beware of unlicensed mini-cabs.
Tipping culture: The Dutch aren’t big tippers; ten per cent is usually about right, and it’s common to give the bartender a euro with every round.
Packing tips: Bicycle clips; puncture kit; an open mind.
Recommended reads: The Diary of Anne Frank; Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach; Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.
Cuisine: Hearty, rib-sticking Northern fare, as well as herring, smoked eel, and Indonesian rijsttafel ('rice table'), an army of small spicy dishes.
Currency: Euro.
Dialing codes: Country code for the Netherlands: 31. Amsterdam: 20.
Do go/don't go: Weekends are busy all year round, and September is a big time for conferences, so book ahead.