Travel Blog Amsterdam

Amsterdam, The Venice of the North

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Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Due to its huge number of canals, Amsterdam is informally known as the “Venice of the North“.

Amsterdam began as a modest fishing village in the late 12th century and grew to become one of the world’s most important ports during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, as well as the leading center for finance and trade. The city grew in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and numerous new neighborhoods and suburbs were planned and created. The canals of Amsterdam from the 17th century and the Amsterdam Defence Line from the 19th–20th centuries are both on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sloten, annexed by the municipality of Amsterdam in 1921, is the city’s oldest district, dating back to the 9th century.

The city is also highly renowned for its nightlife and festival activity, with several of its nightclubs (Melkweg, Paradiso) being among the most famous in the world. The city is most recognized for its cultural legacy, extensive canal system, and narrow buildings with gabled façades, all of which are well-preserved remains of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Cycling is an important part of the city’s identity, and there are numerous bike trails.

 The Dutch capital is regarded as one of the world’s most multicultural cities, with at least 177 countries represented. Among the renowned residents of Amsterdam throughout history are the painters Rembrandt and Van Gogh, the diarist Anne Frank, and the philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

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Free Walking Tour of Amsterdam

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Explore the city of Amsterdam on foot with a local tour guide!

You’ll get to see all the best spots, from the Dutch East India Company Headquarters, to the many canals, The Jewish Quarter, and even walk past Anne Frank’s house.

Experience the capital of the Netherlands your way and book the Free Walking Tour of Amsterdam!