Things to do in Amsterdam

Compact, walkable, and well-connected by tram — the canal ring is roughly 2.5km across, and most stays put the Rijksmuseum within a 20-minute walk. Hotel inventory is tight inside the Grachtengordel (canal ring) and pricing reflects it; staying just outside in De Pijp, Oud-West, or Oost cuts costs by 20–35% without losing convenience. April for tulip season and December for the Light Festival are the peak windows; January and February deliver the best value, often below £100/night for a central 4-star. Schiphol Airport sits 15 minutes from Centraal Station by direct train — taxis are rarely worth the £40+ premium. Avoid stays advertising "central" outside the A10 ring road; transit is good but not Tokyo-good after midnight.