Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore on foot. No other city boasts as many attractions per square meter. Nearly all tourist attractions are located within walking distance from each other. The many unique, beautiful and wacky things that you will see en route ensure that you will have a great time.

Public transportation is well organized and easy to figure out. The center has a vast tram network, which will pretty much take you wherever you want to go.

Most tram and subway services start at 6am and run approximately to midnight. The subway trains and trams are usually faster than the city buses. You do not have to buy a ticket on the tram/subway but you use the so-called 'strippen card'.

The 'strippen card' is valid throughout the country for travel on buses, trams and subways. It is also valid on trains which travel within the city boundaries of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has been divided into transportation zones with set tariffs. To travel one zone you have to pay two 'strips'. You pay an extra 'strip' for each subsequent zone. Within the same zone you may change within a time limit mentioned on the back of the card.

You can buy a 'Strippen Card' with 15 strips or with 45 strips. You can buy 'strippen cards' at railway stations, in post offices, department stores and tobacconists. You can also buy it on the tram or bus, but the price is quite a bit higher.

You can also buy 24, 48 and 72 hour passes for unlimited travel on all trams, buses, metros and night buses. You can purchase them at the GVB ticket offices at all major train stations. The 24 hour pass can also be bought from the driver/conductor (at a higher price), at tourist offices and at some hotels. More information can be found on the GVB website.

The canals are one of the major attractions of Amsterdam, also called 'Venice of the North'. By daytime the canals are charming, by night they become even more enchanting, as many canal houses and bridges are beautifully illuminated. The four main canals in the canal belt are Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal), Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) and Singel. Canal Bike rents sturdy pedal boats, called canal bikes. Rental outlets are located at strategic points throughout the city, including near the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum.

Canal bikes seat two or four and come with a detailed map, route suggestions, and information about the places you'll pedal past

Named after a famous Dutch poet, the Vondelpark is the largest park of the city, close to the Leidseplein and the famous museums. The park is by far the most popular with visitors and locals alike, especially during the summer and on sunny winter days. The park extends over several hundred acres with bike paths, walking paths, an open-air concert venue, three large outdoor cafes and the Film Museum. The NFM is more a theater than a museum: several films from the museum's collection of 30,000 are shown nightly on its three screens. There is always something to do and see in the Vondelpark: walk, rollerblade, listen to African drums, classical quartets or jazz singers, or just relax and watch the people.

In the summer months, the Vondelpark Open Air Theater stages regular performances. There are several cafes, all with outdoor terraces. Rollerbladers meet once a week for the Friday Night Skate. Film screenings, pop concerts are also held here.

Most stores are open six days a week, but many open late on Monday. In the city center stores are open seven days a week, but open late on Sunday and Monday.

Souvenir shops can be found on Damrak and around Leidseplein. The Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) area is recommended for its small and original boutiques and specialty stores, as well as the Jordaan with quirky shops and galleries.

• Floating Flower Market

  This pretty market is full of flowers and plants and it is unique in that the merchandise is displayed on floating barges. This is a relic from the days when the flowers and plants sold at this market were shipped in from the horticultural areas around the city by barges. Typically Dutch souvenirs are sold too. The market is open Mondays through Fridays from 9am-6pm and Saturdays from 9am-5pm year round. The flower market is located on the corner of the Singel and the Koningsplein.

• Albert Cuypmarkt

  Amsterdam's most famous market is crowded with stalls and shoppers, it's big and great! You'll find everything here, from fruits and vegetables to clothes and hardware. The market is located on the Albert Cuypstraat between Ferdinand Bolstraat & Van Woustraat and open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm.

• Waterlooplein Market

  Immensely popular with both locals and tourists, this flea market sells clothing, furniture, collector's items, accessories, household items, music and much more. It's easy to spend a couple of hours wandering around and don't forget to bargain here! Open Mon-Sat from 9am-5pm.