Amsterdam essentials: A guide to 6 unmissable experiences

Amsterdam, steeped in history and vibrant culture, is renowned predominantly for its glorious canals, historical buildings, and more. It's a city that has offers endless experiences, from top-of-the-line museums to serene parks and age-old landmarks. This is a place that is perfect for a history buff and an art buff. However, its great blend of tradition and innovation charms everyone, and makes it one of the destiantion that one can try to visit at least once. Here's a quick guide to top things to do when here.

There are plenty of world-renowned museums here as well, which one cannot afford to miss, such as the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands that houses the Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, such as Rembrandt's The Night Watch. This is a beautiful 19th-century museum that has a great collection for art lovers. There is also a Van Gogh Museum that hosts the world's largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings and some by his contemporaries as well. Visitors can also visit the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. You can view her original work and material here, which also tells a lot about her.

You should come and see the historic and cultural landmarks here, including Dam Square, which is in the heart of historic Amsterdam. You can also see the Royal Palace here, which was originally a city hall and is currently used for royal family functions. This square is full of life, and one will find lots of shops, cafes, and historical buildings here. One can also visit the medieval churches all over the city, such as Oude Kerk (Old Church), Amsterdam’s oldest building, and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which provide a glimpse into the spiritual life of the city.

This destination is popularly referred to as the 'Venice of the North' due to the extensive network of canals found here, which has also been rated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People can also walk or cycle or can also enjoy a canal cruise from which you can see the entire city. During the canal cruise, tourists will also be informed about the historic attractions. One can take stunning photographs during sunset by the city's canals, which make them the ideal setting.

There are plenty of well-known markets here in which to shop, including Albert Cuyp, Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), and Noordermarkt, selling local food, flowers, cheese, and souvenirs. The food scene here is regarded as highly international. One must also sample the city's traditional food, including pancakes, herring, and stroopwafels, available from street vendors to high-end restaurants.

There are certain locations all over the city that are family-friendly. The ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo is the nation's oldest zoo that also features botanical gardens and an aquarium, making it a child-friendly destination. The NEMO Science Museum can also be visited here for a hands-on experience with science and technology. There is a Madame Tussauds and Ripley's Believe It or Not also located here that provides an entertaining and interactive experience situated in the city centre.

Visit the largest and most frequented park by the locals here, i.e., the Vondelpark, which is the ideal location for picnics, cycling, and outdoor concerts. Amsterdam boasts one of the world's oldest botanical gardens, 'Hortus Botanicus,' featuring thousands of plant species. There are a number of other famous parks here as well, such as Amstelpark, Westerpark, Sarphatipark, Rembrandtpark, and Flevopark.