Things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is small, walkable and endlessly photogenic, with 17th-century canal houses reflected in quiet waterways. It punches far above its size for culture, from Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum to the Van Gogh Museum and the deeply moving Anne Frank House. Cosy brown cafés and a relaxed, bike-first pace complete the picture.

April and May bring tulip season and pleasant weather, while June to August offers long evenings on the canals. Autumn is quieter and atmospheric; winter is cold and dark but charming, with fewer visitors. Anne Frank House tickets are sold online only, so book them the moment they're released.

• Evening canal cruise
• Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum
• Anne Frank House
• The Jordaan neighbourhood
• Tulip fields in spring