visit Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Prostitutes, cannabis and stag dos, while all still hosted by the city of Amsterdam, have long been sinking into the back of people’s minds when they think of The Netherland’s capital. These days it’s more the canals that stretch around the city reflecting Dutch Baroque buildings that hold a firm mental image.

Cafés settle on the ground floor where regulars spill out onto the pavement, sipping everything from a mid-afternoon espresso to a powerful red wine late into the night. You might be pulled in by any number of museums, home to everything from Rembrandt to Banksy, but you’ll keep coming back for the easy-going and creative food scene where every “must-try” dish is a walkable distance from the last.

bridges over the Keizersgracht canal — Keizersgracht, ‘Emperors canal’, is the second of the three main canals in Amsterdam.

Winkel Cafe can be seen on Noordermarkt 43 with green and white striped awnings — Winkel 43, at Noordermarkt, is very well known for their homemade apple pie in the heart of the Jewish quarter (Jordaan).

looking across Spiegelgracht at traditional Dutch architecture — Spiegelgracht is a canal in Amsterdam built in the 16th century.

Little Collins Cafe awning is out on a busy sidewalk filled with bicycles — Brunch spot Little Collins at de Pijp, Eerste Sweelinkstraat 19F. A must for Bloody Mary lovers.

A street is seen from across the canal with a house boat and row boat in the foreground — Spiegelgracht Canal

Hoxtom Amsterdam is seen from across the canal with a red row boat in the foreground — Hoxton Amsterdam on Herengracht canal, part of The Nine Streets.

BUFFET van Odette is on a corner with white awnings and table and chairs laid out — BUFFET van Odette, started by Odette Rigterink who started serving her food at Enfant Terrible in 1994 before opening her own place in 1998. All these years later the restaurant still follows her simple philosophy, “everybody deserves a wholesome plate of real food”. Well loved dishes include the truffle cheese omelette as well as sticky toffee pudding.

A busy Food Hallen — Founded in 2014, Foodhallen curates a wide range of high-quality concepts in a casual setting.

Purple footballs surround a light at Moco Museum — Moco Museum, Amethyst Ball Cavern by artist Daniel Arsham

Looking for more restaurants, bars or hotels in Amsterdam? Maybe our map can help.

Herman Koch’s ‘The Dinner’ from our book club picks is a suspenseful story that unfolds in a Dutch restaurant after events taking place in the streets of Amsterdam.

For more European city break destinations check out our photo journal for Edinburgh and photo journal for Lisbon.