IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Photo

Amsterdam

Known for its iconic Dutch windmills, Amsterdam is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands.

/ 13 PHOTOS
In this photo taken on April 17, 2009, a canal boat with tourists negotiates a lock near the harbor in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The inner city of the Dutch capital is a compact warren of heritage buildings, of museums both grand and odd, of hidden gardens and outdoor markets, all within easy reach by any mode of transport except the unwelcome car. No longer the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam is still a city of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

City of wonders

A canal boat with tourists negotiates a lock near the harbor in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The inner city of the Dutch capital is compact with heritage buildings, museums both grand and odd, hidden gardens and outdoor markets — all within easy reach by any mode of transport — except the unwelcome car.

Peter Dejong / AP

Flower power

No longer the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam is still a city of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free.

In this photo taken on April 17, 2009, a vendor at a stand selling flowers and plants hands over a bag to a customer at Albert Cuyp market in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The inner city of the Dutch capital is a compact warren of heritage buildings, of museums both grand and odd, of hidden gardens and outdoor markets, all within easy reach by any mode of transport except the unwelcome car. No longer the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam is still a city of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Fresh picks

A vendor selling flowers and plants hands over a bag to a customer at Albert Cuyp market. The market is the busiest in all of the Netherlands and is said to be the largest daytime market in Europe.

Peter Dejong / AP
Red tulips in bloom

Sign of spring

Varieties of red tulips in bloom in Amsterdam.

Undated file picture shows the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. Dog owners in Amsterdam are angry after the city legalised public sex in one of the city's most famous parks.Councillors agreed that heterosexual and gay couples could have sex in the Vondelpark which has ten million visitors a year. But they promised to clampdown on dog owners who let their pets walk in the park without a lead. AFP PHOTO netherlands out - belgium out (Photo credit should read Barbara Opitz/AFP/Getty Images)

Urban escape

People relax at Vondelpark in Amsterdam. In the park are a film museum, an open air theatre, a playground, and several food service facilities. Vondelpark sees around 10 million visitors a year.

Barbara Opitz / ANP FILES

Waterfront property

Loenersloot castle is located between Utrecht and Amsterdam, on the Angstel River. The castle was first inhabited by the Van Loenersloot family who played an important part in the life of the village in the 12th century.

Large copper kettle's used in brewing beer are seen at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday Dec. 9, 2008. The Heineken Experience, a museum where visitors can learn about brewing and the history of Heineken, reopened in December after a major renovation. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Have a Heineken

Large copper kettles used in brewing beer are seen at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, a museum where visitors can learn about brewing and the history of Heineken. The museum reopened in December after a major renovation.

Peter Dejong / AP

IJburg Bridge

IJburg is a residential community currently under construction east of Amsterdam. The neighborhood is being built on man-made islands situated on IJ Lake.

Museum Square

Four museums are located around Museumplein (the museum Square): the Rijksmuseum (center), the Van Gogh Museum (left), the Stedelijk Museum, and the Diamond Museum.

A visitor visits the exposition \"Barcelo

Artsy city

A visitor visits the exposition "Barcelona 1900", at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The exposition shows the artistic and social life in the Spanish city in the period 1880-1909.

Afp / AFP

Holland icon

Once a corn mill, the Molen De Gooyer windmill is now a brewery and tourist attraction. The windmill was built in 1725 and towers over the Nieuwevaart Canal.

Sound architecture

The Music Building, located on Amsterdam's IJ Lake, has a restaurant, theater, plaza, and outdoor cafe.

Amsterdam harbor at night, with traffic racing through the streets, and lights illuminating the various historic buildings

Humming harbor

Amsterdam harbor and historic buildings are illuminated at night by traffic racing through the streets. The harbor is one of the most important commercial centers in Europe.

Hugo De Wolf / 36Clicks Creative
1/13