Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries, this Gerrit Rietveld-designed building houses the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world. It’s just around the corner from the Rijksmuseum and forms part of Amsterdam’s Holy Trinity of culture alongside the Stedelijk Museum next door. The post-impressionist painter is one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art, and his work remains as captivating today as it was in the 19th century.

This is Amsterdam’s greatest, grandest, and most classical museum, with a huge collection of Dutch art dating back to the Golden Age. There’s over 8,000 bits of art and history on display, over 1 million objects, a small but mighty Asian collection, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a café on site. Plus the guided tours are ace. Need we say more?

The ‘Museum of Our Lord in the Attic’ was once Amsterdam’s best-kept secret. The reason? This former church, spread across the top three floors of a 17th-century canal house, was where Catholics would come to pray after public displays of worship were banned by the Alteration of 1578. The church has been beautifully preserved and offers brilliant insight into 17th-century life and religious persecution through the ages.

This 17th-Century canal house, where Anne Frank, her family and four others hid from the Nazis for two years, is now a museum and educational centre. There’s a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne, and you can visit the cramped ‘secret annexe’ they called home. The museum is a fundamental part of 17th century history, and a chance to see Anne’s words come to life. The house is a chilling reminder of the Second World War and a moving testament to the her bravery and optimism.

With a rich history as a trading nation, the Dutch appreciate bargaining and value for money. Albert Cuyp Markt, in the heart of De Pijp, is the place to go to observe locals at their bantering, bartering best. The street-length market has an incredible range of food, clothes, knick-knacks and souvenirs. For fresh fish, chicken, meat and veg, it’s pretty hard to beat. It’s also a great place to meander, soak up the atmosphere and mingle with genuine Amsterdammers.

One of Amsterdam’s must-do activities, though a cliché, is still the best way to explore the city. Sure, Amsterdam’s bikes are iconic, but a canal tour requires zero physical effort, so you can finally relax. There are many tour operators with boats, most of which depart from around Centraal. There’s not much difference between most operators, but it’s worth going on a longer tour that also heads out onto the IJ (the best ones are around 75 minutes). Oh, and there's cocktail cruises too.

This is Amsterdam’s original microbrewery, quaintly housed in a working windmill, is still among the city’s finest. They’ve been pulling superb blonde beers, pilsners and IPAs since 1985. We hate to point out the obvious, but a trip here will lead you to beer heaven. The hoppy libations are served up in small glasses, so you should be able to taste a decent range without hitting the deck. If you’re visiting in warmer weather, grab a seat on the terrace and and nibble on traditional bar snacks.

The lungs of the city, Vondelpark was once the only public park in the world where one could legally barbecue, smoke joints, and have sex. The latter has since been outlawed (again), but there’s still a relaxed vibe to this green giant’s vast open spaces and wooded trails. Locals come here to run, cycle, play sports or chill, and there are plenty of activities for those looking to make a day of it. On a sunny day, it feels like Vondelpark is the centre of Amsterdam.

This retro arcade is situated in a warehouse in Amsterdam Noord, which is easily accessible with a free ferry from behind Centraal Station. Blast Galaxy contains over 100 machines, ranging from old-school classics to new consoles, like the Nintendo Switch. In other words, it’s a gamer’s paradise. Once you’ve paid your entry price, all the machines are free-to-play. Plus there's reasonably priced food and drink, too.

What began life as an old tram depot is now known as De Hallen, a cultural hub in the heart of the Oud-West. Home to a cinema, boutique shops, a hotel, and a food hall, it’s an ideal place to go for some top-quality entertainment. Feeling peckish? Take your pick from delectable dim sum, delicious Dutch meatballs, stupendous sushi, kick-ass smoky barbecue and much more. If the sun’s out, park yourself on a bench outside. Is it a rainy afternoon? Then catch a movie!

If you’re after a once-in-a-lifetime dinner experience, nothing comes close to Vuurtoreneiland. A special boat takes you to this small, rugged island in the IJmeer with just a lighthouse, an old abandoned fort and a large greenhouse dining room. The ethos here is ‘eating in and of nature’ – a five-course set menu of the freshest regional produce, lovingly prepared and cooked entirely on open flames.

A former shipyard on the northern banks of the IJ, this area – reached by a free ferry from the back of Centraal – has blossomed into a cultural hotspot with a rich mix of arty events, bars and restaurants. Enjoy beach-front food and drink at Pllek, Europe’s largest flea market and a packed programme of festivals, exhibitions and other goings-on. The city is in the process of building thousands of homes here, turning it into a ‘district for urban pioneers’.

One of Amsterdam’s weirdest museums, and a place you’ll never forget visiting. This spot is dedicated to art works of cats, whether that’s paintings, sculptures, or, well, really anything else you can think of. Like cats? Then you’ll love this quirky shrine to our feline friends. If simply looking at representations of the popular pets isn’t enough, don’t worry, there are a number of cats strolling around the museum you can play with.

Refurbished as part of a drive to regenerate Noord, this 22-storey tower looms over the waterfront across the River IJ from Centraal. Formerly the HQ of Shell, it’s now home to an array of young music, bars and restaurants. Sip a signature cocktail in the Skybar, eat in one of the two gourmet restaurants on the top floors (one of which revolves), and if you’re really brave, head to the observation deck to Over The Edge, Europe’s highest swing, and enjoy the views as you rock back and forth.

Just a few metres from the shopping madness of Kalverstraat, this secluded garden and courtyard is overlooked by a set of medieval houses built for the Beguines, a group of unmarried religious women who lived in a closed community under vows of chastity. Come here for a surreal, restorative experience and a fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of Amsterdam’s religious heritage. You can also marvel at the city’s oldest wooden house, which has stood unchanged since 1425.

One of Amsterdam’s modern icons, this striking building next to the A’dam Toren (the impressive tower across the water from the central station) is much more than a cinema. It also houses a film museum, a brilliant restaurant and café, temporary exhibitions and various educational activities for kids. The shop offers an excellent range of quirky gifts and memorabilia for film buffs, and their programming is first-rate – expect cult classics, obscure documentaries and new indie releases.

If you’re based in Oost, this giant park is the place to head for a relaxing walk, cycle or just some fresh air. There are huge grassy areas for lounging and several running trails for more energetic types. Flevoparkbad, the city’s only outdoor swimming pool, is here, but you can also go wild swimming in the Nieuwe Diep. There’s also a tennis club, and when you’re done exercising, head to microbrewery Distillery ‘t Nieuwe Diep, bag a spot on the terrace and order a craft beer or ale.

Although somewhat overshadowed by Vondelpark, Westergasfabriek is a prime destination in its own right. Come here for a chilled-out break after a stroll through the city centre. This complex of former industrial buildings on the edge of Westerpark, one of the city’s three main parks, has been turned into a cultural hub featuring an art-house cinema, coffee roastery, a microbrewery, exhibition spaces and an excellent gin and mussels joint.

Yes, this is ground zero for Amsterdam prostitution, where sex workers advertise themselves in the famous red-lit shop windows. It’s also party central for stag and hen-dos – things get rowdy and continue until the small hours. Clearly, anyone of a hedonistic bent will fit right in here. But the Red Light District is also the city’s oldest neighbourhood and home to monuments, churches and quaint little squares that are well worth visiting.