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.

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.