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The historic city of Amsterdam is famed for its culture, including a wide range of festivals and museums. Visitors are drawn to the Dutch capital by its canals, cycle routes, restaurants and nightlife.
Amsterdam is an exciting destination all through the year, but some of its top events take place during the spring. Koningsdag, King Willem Alexander's Birthday, is celebrated on 27th April, or a day earlier if the birthday itself falls on a Sunday. Amsterdam stages a big open-air market to mark the occasion. Another good date to visit is Bevrijdingsdag on 5th May, when there are festivities marking the anniversary of the end of the Nazi occupation.
When taking a taxi, it's advisable to ask the driver for an estimate of the cost to avoid an unexpectedly high bill. Behind the main station there is a free ferry, "het pontje", sailing across the IJ to NDSM, a former wharf which is now a centre of culture. Amsterdam is known for its multi-national cuisine and has many restaurants featuring dishes from its former colonies, Indonesia, Surinam and NL Antilles. Prices for eating out can be cheaper than in the UK, but the cost of living is expensive in the tourist centre. The time zone in the city is one hour ahead of the UK.
After landing at Amsterdam's airport, visitors can travel into the centre of the city by direct train in just 15 minutes, for a ticket price of around 4 euros. Alternatively, the 197 bus takes around 35 minutes to travel to Leidseplein in central Amsterdam, or it is possible to travel by taxi for about 50 euros. Cheap hostels start from about 20 euros for a night, while a hotel could cost from around 45 euros upwards.When travelling around the city, it's worth being aware that taxis are expensive in Amsterdam, with a charge of approximately 15 to 20 euros for a 10-minute journey. Public transport is a cheaper option, with a 24-hour ticket costing around 8 euros, or about 3 euros for children aged from 4 to 11. Trams also sell single tickets if preferred.