Attractions in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a photographers dream location, and not just because its so picturesque.

Photography galleries, museums and festivals are in abundance here, the picks of the bunch being FOAM, Huis Marseille, Edouard Planting Fine Art Photographs, Rockarchive gallery, the annual World Press Photo Exhibition in De Nieuwe Kerk and Unseen Photo Fair in Westergasfabriek.

Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer and Piet Mondrian are just a handful of world famous artists & old masters from The Netherlands. Pay homage to these artists and more at the fabulous Rijksmuseum, which chronicles 800 years of Dutch history through 8,000 artworks and artifacts.

The Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum are across Museumplein from the Rijkmuseum. Stedelijk Museum boasts an exquisite collection of international modern art. The Rembrandthuis Museum celebrates the work and life of the great artist while the Hermitage Amsterdam is Western Europe's sole independently-managed branch of St Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum.

If you are a contemporary art lover, then a visit to the visionary de Appel Arts Centre and Cobra museum are a must.

Enjoy performances at venues across Amsterdam, many of which are free concerts.

• Listen to recitals for free at the 125 year-old Concertgebouw (12.30pm on Wednesdays)
• Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ (one Thursday each month)
• Rock & blues in café Maloe Melo (entrance is free weekdays)
• Central Public Library (free recitals)

For more contemporary music with intellectual exchange, visit Melkweg or Paradiso, housed in a former church. The swanky Hotel Arena hosts live bands in its popular nightclub.

Amsterdam is a great place for those who love to be outdoors. Hire a bike or a boat or go ice skating along the frozen canals in winter, join a Friday Night Skate, a free, three-hour roller skate city tour, which starts at 8.30pm in Vondelpark and ends in the pub.

A visit to the expansive Artis Royal Zoo and pretty Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Gardens) are both essential Amsterdam activities.

1. Amsterdam's rich history and culture can be explored in detail in the innovative Amsterdam Museum.

2. The UNESCO World Heritage canal belt can be studied in depth at the interactive Het Grachtenhuis Museum.

3. Amsterdam's clandestine churches, museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder and the Begijnhof chapel can be marveled at on a city stroll.

4. The lavish lifestyles and art collections of wealthy 17th century merchants in the Van Loon & Willet Holthuysen museums can easily be appreciated.

5. The Anne Frank House should not be missed & it's best to buy tickets online to avoid the lengthy queues.