With its refreshing and easy-going atmosphere, a cruise break to Amsterdam reveals one of Europe's most relaxed cities. Stroll, or better still, cycle past its elegant canalside townhouses.

Learn more about the German occupation at Anne Frank's House, come face to face with genius at the Van Gogh Museum or explore the specialist shops of Jordaan.

From the buzzing nightlife of Leidseplein and the renowned Concertgebouw concert hall, to its infamous Red Light District, Amsterdam caters for every taste. The city is served by regular DFDS Seaways cruise ferry sailings.

Places to Visit

The Jordaan neighbourhood
A concentration of charming little shops and boutiques. Many secondhand and antique shops as well as designer fashion outlets.

Markets
Amsterdam has many markets such as Albert Cuyp street market selling exotic fruit and vegetables. Don’t miss the famous Waterlooplein fleamarket or floating flower market on the Singel canal. There is also a farmers’ market, a stamp and coin collectors market, plus Sunday antique and book markets.

Diamonds
For centuries, diamonds have been sailed into Amsterdam for finishing. It is the centre of the diamond trade and prices are often cheaper than elsewhere. Many diamond houses offer conducted tours where you can see diamonds being cut and polished in the traditional Dutch way.

Restaurants
There is a huge choice when it comes to eating out. From simple sandwich shops selling the filling Dutch “broodjes” to congenial inexpensive cafés and intimate bistros. There are also hundreds of restaurants serving international cuisine. Party restaurants with themes such as medieval banquets or live Dutch shows are available.

Concertgebouw (Concert Hall)
Part of the international circuit for the world’s major orchestras and theatre companies.

Theatres
A wide variety with shows in English, plays, cabaret, musicals and even a puppet theatre. The Stadsschouwburg is the oldest and most well-known theatre with both light and serious productions as well as music and ballet. A host of smaller theatres such as the Kleine Komedie and Nieuwe de la Mar specialise in cabaret, modern and experimental theatre. In the summer there are many open air and street theatre performances.

Art galleries and antiques
A ferry cruise to Amsterdam gives you access to over 100 galleries, specialising in areas such as modern art, primitive art, photography, ceramics and cartoons. Ideal for those on a short cruise break.

Madame Tussaud Scenerama
Over 100 well known personalities and living images of famous people and the times during which they lived.

Music
Amsterdam is an eldorado for music lovers of every kind. The Concertgebouw is world famous for its excellent acoustics, whilst the Beurs van Berlage is home to the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra. Pop is catered for in Paradiso and Melkweg with experimental music in IJbreker and jazz in the BIM-huis. For opera lovers, visit the Muziektheater.

Van Gogh Museum
No short cruise break to Amsterdam is complete without a visit here. Permanent exhibition of paintings by Van Gogh, and other 19th century artists such as Toulouse- Lautrec, Gauguin, Monet and Monticelli.

Rijksmuseum
This famous museum contains approximately one million objects on display in 200 rooms. See 15th-19th century paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals, sculpture and applied arts, Delftware, doll’s houses, glass, silver, models and Asiatic arts from China, Japan and India.

Amsterdam Historical Museum
A treasure house of objects, paintings, prints and models together with audio-visual programmes.

Canal cruises
Rent a pedal powered canal bike or take a water taxi or canal bus, and sail along the famous waterways. Canal sightseeing and candle-lit dinner cruises available.

Rembrandthuis
The 17th century house in which Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639 until 1658. A complete summary of his typographical works, drawings and paintings of his tutors and pupils.

Hortus Botanicus
A large botanic garden dating back from 1638 with a large number of exotic and unusual plant species. The historical buildings combined with the three-climate greenhouse now form an exotic oasis in the centre of the city.

Vondelpark
A beautiful park with open air theatre (Jun-Aug), cabaret, music and craft shows.

Leidseplein/Rembrandtsplein
Bustling city centre squares where you will find restaurants, cafés, bars, discos and clubs, as well as street entertainment and a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Die Nieuwe Kerk
A church built in the 15th century and restored in the 17th century with ornaments by noted Dutch artists. Since 1914 this is the place where the coronation of Dutch Kings and Queens takes place.

Nightclubs
Everything from house to hip-hop, disco, old soul and sixties style with clubs for every taste. You can dance until dawn in most clubs.

Schhevaartmuseum
The Dutch Maritime Museum and one of the largest of its kind in the world. It houses a 17th century naval depot, collection of nautical charts, model ships, paintings and navigation aids. See the city's sailing history first hand.

“Red Light” district
Amsterdam is well known for its red light area but is also home to many popular cafés and bars, as well as cabaret shows and themed museums and exhibitions. Worth a visit if just to soak up the neon lights and sample the bustling atmosphere.

Anne Frank House
A museum dedicated to the Jewish teenager Anne Frank who was killed in the second world war located in the house where she hid and wrote her famous diary.

Werf ’t Kromhout
One of the oldest shipyards of Amsterdam with wooden ships in all stages of restoration, steam engines and a museum vividly telling the story of ancient shipbuilding. Brings the sailing history of Amsterdam to life.

The Royal Palace
Built as Amsterdam’s city hall and converted to a palace in 1805 by King Louis. The sculptures and art galleries are well worth a visit on any sailing trip to Amsterdam.