Amongst the capital cities in Europe, Amsterdam belongs to the smaller siblings. It doesn't stand up to London or Paris in sheer size, and the number of sites and places to see and go to. But Amsterdam has its own unique charm, that isn't matched by any other place in Europe.

Old City

A leisurely stroll through the old city centre, quickly shows what this is all about. Lots of visual stimulation from old buildings, all built in their own unique style, next to one another. And of course the canals, that split the city center in half cirle shaped sections.

The canals by themselves make for an interesting destination as well. Taking one of the many tour boats can give you a unique vantage point to see all the beauty that's on offer along Amsterdam's characteristic water ways.

Bicycles

A unique way of exploring Amsterdam is to rent a bicycle. Just make sure you understand the unwritten rules for biking in Amsterdam, stay on the cycle lanes, and be careful not to run into any fellow tourists that may mistake the cycle lane for an extension of the sidewalk!

Entertainment

Of course Amsterdam is known for more than just innocent passtimes. For adults only, there are the sites of the red light districs, where window shopping is given a whole new definition! Although the local government has made efforts to shrink the size or the area, key parts of it are still there, and the majority of passers by are tourists and visitors who are just there to get a sense of the atmosphere.

Another type of atmosphere can be found in the many 'coffeeshops' in central Amsterdam, which serve more than just coffee. These establishments are easy to find in central Amsterdam, just be sure you know what you are in for before you enter one and place an order.

Hotels

Hotels in Amsterdam come in all forms and shapes, from the standard four and five star business hotels, to options for backpackers and budget travelers. Increasingly the trend of boutique hotels has picked up in Amsterdam, and these days you stand a good chance to find a unique place to stay, possibly right along one of Amsterdam's charming canals.

Amsterdam is in the middle range for hotel prices, it is not as expensive as London or Paris, but certainly not cheap as well. Be prepared to pay at least EUR 100 per night for a four star. Deals well below that can be found for three stars and less, and some steals are available in the hostel segment. A top range five star will easily set you back at EUR 200 or more per night.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Amsterdam.

(Photo:Fotolia:Alison Cornford-Matheson)

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