Amsterdam is one of those cities you lose time in - not just because you are living in a city where they present menus to you whilst buying your weed at your local café either. There is so much to see and do here that you lose track of when you arrived, so each day it seems less important when you are supposed to leave.

Take a walk from Centraal station up Nieuwendijk, round to the canals and you will stumble across the outskirts of the red light district. Maybe you might have a gander in one of the many ‘coffee shops’ along the way. There will usually be a small counter towards the back where you can choose your poison. Thai, Indian, Dutch . . . it all may be a little overwhelming so there is no shame in asking for some guidance from the shopkeeper. They are always happy to describe its effects and sometimes even let you sample before you buy. Even if smoking it up isn’t your scene, check out a coffee shop anyway, just to experience it firsthand.

Remember when walking anywhere in the ‘Dam never be tempted to buy anything from the hawkers on the street - they prey on tourists and will only rip you off.

Now it’s time to check out the windows. No, you aren’t window shopping (. . . or maybe you are) but seeing firsthand some of the 5000 window prostitutes in Amsterdam’s red light district. The law was changed in October 2000 in The Netherlands; prostitution is now a completely legal profession. It’s best to visit this place at night, when you can really see the seedy glowing red neons in full flight.

It’s not all drugs and prostitution in the ‘Dam though. Amsterdam is one of the best cultural havens in Europe. The Van Gogh museum has some of his famous creations in-house, like Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters. Rembrandthuis, where the artist lived and worked, is another popular attraction as is the Rijksmuseum for Dutch National History. There is also, of course, Anne Frank Huis, where she wrote her diary about hiding to escape persecution in WW2. There are always lines so be prepared to queue or try to get there early.

Most of these museums are about 5-7 euro, but you can buy a museum card if you think you might check out a few of them.

Very importantly, there is also the Heineken Brewery which runs tours Tues-Sun; for 5 euro, you get a free glass and officially 3 beers. Officially, that is. But you can be a lucky and end up rolling out of there. In summer months, the lines are huge and you need to get your arse out of bed early, a mean feat in this city.

On the subject of sex, so synonymous with the word Amsterdam, for the price of 2.50 euro, it’s a short walk up Damrak from Centraal station to the Sex Museum. It’s completely tacky and unstylish, and that’s exactly why you have to see it. Really funny. Vibrating penis chairs, individual padded booths that play pornos, animal sex fetish displays, a guy who walks around randomly flashing people (I assure you, he does work there . . . ). It’s not for those easily offended but a laugh for those who can take it for what it is.

So there you have it, I could go on and on. There is also the Hash Museum, ‘Dam Square, bike riding around the city (be really careful of kamikaze tram drivers), sitting in cafés and people watching, the floating flower market, lazing about in Vondelpark, nightlife in Leideseplein. Avoid ‘The Bulldog’ coffee shops (tourist trap) and do lock up everything in your hostel.

Get your clogs on and do it.

Recommended accommodation

Flying Pig downtown hostel
www.flyingpig.nl
Great atmosphere, free breakfast, own bar, 24 hr access and huge window facing the street complete with beanbags and cushions (best spot for sitting back and people watching). Dorms are pretty cluttered but it’s got a really good location for exploring the city.
Dorms about 20-25 euro depending on season.
They also have a hostel near Vondelpark and a new beach hostel 20 mins out of the city on the coast at Noordvijk.

Camping Zeeburg
www.campingzeeburg.nl
20 mins out of the city centre by bus (usual deal for camping grounds) but cheap with good facilities. Own bar, restaurant, shop and only 4.50 euro per tent! You can also hire cabins if you get rained out, but they don’t have kitchen facilities.