It may be an overstatement to call Amsterdam the perfect city but only just barely. A compact capital with a population of just over a million residents, Amsterdam manages to be a bustling metropolis and intimate little town at the same time. The museums are world class, the best bands always perform here and the population is decidedly international. But the lines for exhibitions are manageable, gig tickets aren’t sold out in minutes and the varying nationalities mingle happily in Amsterdam’s many parks and squares and along the canals.

Ah, the canals. Built to rein in the river Amstel (the damming of which gave the city its name), the canals survive today for boat cruises, Queensday celebrations, houseboat moorings and drunken slapstick as stoned tourists fall in. On either side stand Amsterdam’s 17th century merchant homes, its iconic Amsterdam School architecture and scores of cafes and bars. This guide takes you through the best Amsterdam has to offer, from The Dylan’s private boats to the famous vintage stores, from the cheeriest summer cafes to the thriving bar scene, and to some coffeeshops too. Try Amsterdam our way and you’ll never want to leave.