Here at Cheap UK Ferries we are going to run an occasional series on our favourite European short break destinations to travel by ferry. Our first city is Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’ due to its similar canal-and bridges based urban structure. A relatively small city (pop @750,000), Amsterdam nevertheless punches above its weight in terms of visitor experience.

The city enjoys a relaxed atmosphere, which is very different from cities in the UK. There is no excuse for boredom in Amsterdam. You may wish to enjoy lazing the afternoon away in one of the multitude of cafes and bars that are peppered throughout the city, or you could enhance your cultural faculties by visiting one of the many excellent museums.

Here are the top 5 things that we would do in Amsterdam!:

1. Cruise along Amsterdam’s Canals

Travelling along the canals is the only way to get a truly experience the uniqueness of Amsterdam. Infact, if you only have a short period of time in the city, we would recommend a canal cruise above all else. You can jump into an open-top canal boat or do-it-yourself on a canal bike. You can cruise doen the canals and soak in the atmosphere, viewing 17th-century mansions, tree-lined neighborhoods and stunning architecture, both ancient and modern. A night or sunset cruise is probabaly the best time to take a cruise.

Relax by the water in Amsterdam

2. Take in The Van Gogh Museum.

There are so many superb museums in Amsterdam that the choice for visitors can be overwhelming. However, there is no doubt that the Van Gogh Museum is one of the best. This houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work, which is obviously quite remarkable. The museum itself has undergone a recent refurbishment and this has improved the visitor experience no end: There is also an option for an English language self guided tour.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

3. Go for a walk

A walking tour of Amsterdam offers hours of sightseeing fun. Its also a great option if you are on a budget. Simply pick up a map at one of the Amsterdam Tourist Offices and choose one an area to explore. We would stick to Jordaan (trendy), the “Nine Streets” of the Central Canal Ring; Oude Zijde (historical area); or the Eastern Canal Ring and its stately mansions. There are over 1,000 bridges and an opportunity for a photograph around every corner.

4. View the Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands largest national museum, the Rijksmuseum offers the finest collection of 17th-century Dutch works of art in just one wing of its massive Neo-Gothic frame (a sight in itself). “The Masterpieces” exhibition is a must see, featuring works by Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

5. The Anne Frank House (Anne Frankhuis)

Anyone at all interested in 20th century european history shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to see where Anne Frank penned her world-reknowned diaries during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War 2. Visiting this museum is a profound experience. Avoid the queues by visiting early or late in the day, or by purchasing tickets in advance. The museum is situated in Westermark which is central Amsterdam.

These are just a few of the attractions of this amazing city, but it should be more than enough to get started with. If you have any recommendations for Amsterdam essentials please let us know.

As we have posted previously you can get a ferry to Amsterdam daily from the UK.