Mercure's travel guides

Two of the world's best art museums, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, draw art aficionados to Amsterdam; scores of others – the Historical Museum, Amstelkring Museum, the Katten Kabinet gallery of feline paintings and the newMetropolis Museum of science and technology to name a few – make the city a cultural mecca. The 14th-century Oude Kerk (Old Church) is the oldest building in Amsterdam, while the 16th-century Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is not much younger and hosts international art exhibitions. The Heineken Experience is a top attraction of the non-cultural type, tracing the story of this world-famous Dutch lager.

Hermitage

Nieuwe Herengracht 14, Amsterdam, 1018 DP
+ 31 20 530 7488
http://www.hermitage.nl

Description:

Able to exhibit only around five percent of its massive three million-strong collection of art and antiquities, Russia's famous State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg has recently opened a satellite museum in Amsterdam devoted to staging rotating exhibitions. Its home is within the monumental Amstelhof, which dates from 1683 and is an impressive example of Dutch classicist architecture. Along with six-month temporary exhibitions focusing on themes such as "Matisse to Malevich" and "The Immortal Alexander the Great" there are two permanent exhibitions, one on Dutch-Russian relations and the other on the history of the Amstelhof.
Thu-Tue 10am-5pm; Wed 10am-8pm
Visa, MasterCard

Anne Frankhuis

Prinsengracht 263, Amsterdam, 1016 GV
+31 20 556 7100
http://www.annefrank.org

Description:

Thanks to her diary, the story of Anne Frank's hiding from the Nazis is a well-known historical event. Nevertheless, visitors to the actual building where she, her family and friends hid during the German occupation will find themselves thrown into instant contemplation in the face of this tangible reminder. Once-hidden rooms still contain period memorabilia, along with the haunting presence of those who spent two years of their lives secreted behind walls, dreaming of eventual freedom. Although only Otto Frank, Anne's father, would realize that hope, the experience of the rest will never be forgotten. Come early – or in the evening – to avoid the lines at this humbling site.
Mid Mar - Jun  Sun-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-10pm
Jul - Aug  Daily 9am-10pm
Sep - mid Mar  Sun-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-9pm
Visa, MasterCard

Begijnhof

Gedempte Begijnensloot, Amsterdam, 1012 PP
+31 20 622 1918
http://www.begijnhofamsterdam.nl

Description:

Secreted away in the midst of the city is this enclosed courtyard, ringed by a series of white-trimmed, brick dwellings. The peaceful enclave was, in former centuries, home to a community of religious women (although not nuns) who supported the church with their charitable endeavours. This cluster of buildings was their domain, the area from which they provided succour and devoted their lives from the 14th century until 1971, when the last of the order expired. The secluded area offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect, to pause, and to take in the area's history. Of particular note are the four panels on the pulpit of the church designed by a young Mondriaan, as well as the city's oldest wooden house (dating from 1477) at No. 34. And don't miss the 'other' church - a covert Catholic place of worship which is cleverly concealed behind the façade of a house here.
Mon 9am-5pm