No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a boat journey down the canal. Pick from drive-your-own cruises to luxurious historic saloon boat tours, or learn about the dark side of the Golden Age on The Black Heritage Tour of Amsterdam, which draws attention to the African diaspora in the Netherlands, highlighting the city’s colonial legacy.

Take a short 20-minute ride along the picturesque River Amstel to the historic polder drainage windmill that dates back to 1636. The still-working mill was a favourite of Rembrandt’s to sketch. Avoid the orange rental bikes if you don’t want to stand out as a tourist, and instead hire from independent cycling companies scattered around town.

Dutchmen in the 17th century fell so in love with tulips that they paid the same price for one bulb as an elaborate canalside mansion. It came to be known as Tulip mania, one of the most famous asset bubbles and earliest devastating stock market crashes. At Keukenhof Gardens, a short 45-minute drive from Amsterdam, you’ll find out what the fuss was all about.

Amsterdam rewards those that give it time with plenty of cultural and historic knowledge. From the Van Gogh Museum, to Anne Frank’s House and while Rijksmuseum or Rembrandthuis for the best of Golden Age paintings, there’s plenty of art, history and culture to immerse yourself in. In recent years, modern art has been passionately embraced too, at Moco Museum, Bright Side Gallery, and Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam.

Stop by Albert Cuypmarkt, the city’s largest outdoor market since 1905, in the heart of De Pijp and one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam to try freshly baked stroopwafels. Organic treats can be found at Noordermarkt and Boerenmarkt, or head to Foodhallen in a former tram depot for mouth-watering international cuisine all under one roof.

The city’s skyline is peppered with the steeples of medieval churches like Oude Kerk and Westerkerk, but among its most intriguing religious sites is Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder, literally translating to “Our Lord in the Attic”. Tucked away in a 17th century house, the “schuilkerk” or clandestine church was used by Catholic dissenters who were not allowed to hold mass in public.

Behind the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square are nine attractive streets in the Unesco World Heritage Canal Belt, where Golden Age structures hold a mix of clothing boutiques, vintage stores, gift shops, and art galleries like Galerie de Salon in a former-barber shop and bookstore-slash-art gallery Mendo, plus lively places to eat and drink.

Most of its streets are named after painters: van Gogh, Jan Steel, Frans Hals, which sets the tone for De Pijp’s beatnik charm. There are plenty of things to do in Amsterdam’s coolest hood, from watching an arthouse movie at the 1920s cinema Rialto, exploring Amsterdam School architecture, wandering through leafy Sarphatipark and touring the Heineken factory.

NDSM Wharf, on the banks of the River IJ, has blossomed into a cultural hotspot for electronic music aficionados, street artists, yogis and bargain hunters, who enjoy a treasure trove of vintage and antique goods at the IJ-Hallen flea market. Shipping containers have been transformed into graffiti-clad cafes and an urban beach bar, which is the perfect place for sundowners.

Take a short 20-minute ride along the picturesque River Amstel to the historic polder drainage windmill that dates back to 1636. The still-working mill was a favourite of Rembrandt’s to sketch. Avoid the orange rental bikes if you don’t want to stand out as a tourist, and instead hire from independent cycling companies scattered around town.

Dutchmen in the 17th century fell so in love with tulips that they paid the same price for one bulb as an elaborate canalside mansion. It came to be known as Tulip mania, one of the most famous asset bubbles and earliest devastating stock market crashes. At Keukenhof Gardens, a short 45-minute drive from Amsterdam, you’ll find out what the fuss was all about.

Amsterdam’s parks have a long history and continue to play a key role in the lives of its residents. Aside from the most popular: Vondelpark and Westerpark that boast a lively cafe and bar scene, are a collection of hofjes (a court for elderly people) with beautiful gardens. Bring a picnic to Begijnhof, where handsome buildings surround a sheltered square.