Welcome to Amsterdam
As the Dutch capital and cultural mecca, Amsterdam is considered one of the greatest small cities in the world. It is brimming with 17th century history, architectural highlights and nightlife. The city, home to only 700,000 inhabitants and more than 1 million bikes, is built around three main canals that were built in the 1600s during the Dutch Golden Age. This is the reason why Amsterdam is known as the "Venice of the North." Besides the canals, there are about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The warmest time to visit is from June to August, with temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit, though the weather is never extreme at any time of year.
Since Amsterdam is such a small city, the best way to get around is by bike. Almost all residents peddle the city - it is considered the preferred Dutch way to travel - so you'll be sure to fit right in. Walking is also popular to see all the sites, as most of them are located in or near the city center. For other modes of transportation, a direct link rail connects Schiphol Airport with the Amsterdam central station - this is the fastest and most convenient way to arrive in the city center. GVM is the public transport company of Amsterdam, providing metro, tram and bus service. Visitors should look into purchasing an OV-chipcard to travel via GVM.