However long you’re visiting for, a packed (and personalized) sightseeing schedule can be cobbled together in no time. With everything from tranquil boat rides through gorgeous, tree-shaded canals to world-class art museums and cannabis-stocked coffee shops, you’ll never be bored in this town. Read on to find out the spots are a must for any Amsterdam itinerary.

PEDAL POWER

First things first—rent a bicycle. With a tally of over 800,000 bicycles in Amsterdam, there are more bikes than people in this freewheeling city. Cycling in Amsterdam is a way of life, and it’s made easier by the city’s unbeatable network of cycle routes and flat landscape. Amsterdam is regularly listed as one of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities, and with a climate that’s fairly mild year-round, there’s no better way to explore the region’s attractions than by pedal power.

You can easily rent a bike at one of the many cycle rental shops dotted around the city, so shop around to source the best deal at the location that’s most convenient for you.

CHILL OUT ON A CANAL CRUISE

Created in the 17th century to keep the sea at bay, Amsterdam’s UNESCO protected canal belt is the image many visitors conjure when they think of the city.

A canal tour is the perfect way to start off your trip to Amsterdam and learn more about the history of the city. There are tons of different options available, including everything from hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tours to atmospheric candlelit night time cruises with food and wine. The popular I amsterdam City Card even includes a free canal tour (as well as a full day’s bike rental) with purchase.

TLW tip: At dusk, the bridges over the canal are lit up by fairy lights and the whole area takes on a magical feel. Book a sunset cruise for an ultra-romantic evening.

WANDER THROUGH RIJKSMUSEUM

Amsterdam is chock-full of grand, classical museums and galleries, but Rijksmuseum is the granddaddy of them all. A Dutch national museum located in Museum Square, the Rijksmuseum was reopened in 2013 after a 10-year, $441 million refurbishment. This magnificent Gothic and Renaissance building houses a dizzying array of Dutch masterworks from the Golden Age.

14 themed guided tours are available through the museum’s (free) app, and if you start to feel overwhelmed by trying to take in the 8,000 works on display, there’s also a library, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a café on site.

VISIT THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM

If you’re up for a full day of culture, the Van Gogh museum is located just around the corner from Rijksmuseum. Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh, this Dutch institution houses the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world, including The Potato Eaters, Wheatfield with Crows and the postcard-perfect Sunflowers series.

In addition to over 200 paintings and 400 drawings, the museum has more than 700 letters that help to tell the story of such the brilliant and troubled artist behind the canvas.

The museum itself regularly tops the list as the most-visited museum in the Netherlands, so pre-purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid lengthy museum lines. Another reason to consider investing in the I amsterdam card? It will allow you to bypass the lines by booking your space online.

DINE AT VUURTORENEILAND

If you’re after a once-in-a-lifetime dinner experience, nothing comes close to Vuurtoreneiland (lighthouse island). Vuurtoreneiland is a tiny island that also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a lighthouse, an old abandoned fort and a large greenhouse dining room. The eponymous restaurant serves up fresh, local food cooked entirely on open flames.

Your €85pp booking includes your hour-long boat trip, aperitif and snacks on the boat, a six course menu, water, coffee and tea. Wines or drinks with dinner are extra and are paid for on the boat on your return.

TLW tip: To make a reservation at this in-demand spot, you’ll need to go online at exactly 1pm (Central European Time) two months before the day you wish to dine as spots fill up extremely quickly.

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT

Amsterdam is synonymous with its red light district, known to locals as De Wallen. A quick walk through the Red Light District at some point during your trip will take about ten minutes, and is plenty of time to see what all the fuss is about.

Taking up only a few blocks near the Central Station, the Red Light District is full of adult stores, coffee shops stocked with cannabis and the brothels that have made it notorious, but there’s also a variety of touristy souvenir shops and even a handful of donair stalls mixed in.