Amsterdam family holidays and breaks

Because the capital of the Netherlands, while notorious for its red-light district and its 'coffeehouses', can be a refreshing bet for a family city break, provided you approach it in the right frame of mind. The city centre is hectic and touristy, while the Dutch laidback, hippyish approach to drugs, road rules and life in general can be both refreshing and frustrating. But if you plan what you want to do in advance and go armed with a masterplan, there's no reason why you won't enjoy the 'Venice of the North' and its manifold attractions.

See also our feature on Amsterdam With Young Kids.

Flying Time	1.25 hours
Carbon Footprint	0.44 tonnes CO2
Timezone	GMT +1
Local Currency	Euro

What to Do

Amsterdam is compact, with less than a million inhabitants, and it's very easy to get around on foot or bike or tram. If your visiting for just a couple of days there's plenty to keep the family occupied. And if you have longer then check out the nearby beaches in the summer, De Efteling theme park and the Hague.

An all-weather 'must-do' is a canal trip. It's best to opt for ones that let you get on and off at numerous different stops. And it's a great way to start your visit to Amsterdam.

Nemo is brilliant for kids aged 3 to 13 and their parents, it's a massive 'hands-on' science centre housed in a building resembling a ship. And on sunny days you can enjoy views of the city from the rooftop cafe.

Artis is the oldest zoo in mainland Europe, complete with aquarium and planetarium and enough places to take shelter from the rain should the weather be less than perfect.

The Vondelpark is delightful smaller version of New York's Central Park and you can rent bikes (including kids bikes, bikes with baskets and tandems that are suitable for kids) nearby. Or rollerblades.

And though you wouldn't travel from the UK especially for an indoor playground, if you're stuck because of the weather then try Tun Fun, an innovative way to use a former traffic underpass in the centre of Amsterdam.

Further afield, you can get to the beach at Zandvoort in under an hour from Amsterdam. Or take the train to the Hague in 50 minutes and visit Madurodam, as well the historic centre.

Where to Stay

There are hundreds of three, four and five star hotels in Amsterdam to suit every kind of budget. Less common are the very popular Citadines type apartments which are so convenient for families. Options to consider include the Crowne Plaza, with pool and central location. Or go for a smaller 'inn' in a residential area near the Vondelpark.

When

Amsterdam is a truly year round option. Of course, it's nicer to be anywhere when you've got good and warm weather. So April to October is better and the summer should guarantee enjoyment outdoors.

How

Fly to Schiphol Airport (derived from 'ship hole' because it used to be a lake where so many ships sank) in less than an hour from numerous UK airports with numerous airlines, many of them offering cheap weekend deals.

From the airport your family can take an easy and frequent 20 minute train ride to the centre or jump in a cab.

Or you can sail to the Hook of Holland on a variety of fast or slow ferries from the UK.

Eat

The Dutch do not have a reputation for cuisine in the way the French do and the staple fare is meat and two veg (and meat and cheese rolls for lunch). Yet Amsterdam offers every conceivable cuisine including, of course, chips (albeit served with mayo) and pizza. A couple of worthwhile restaurant options include Cafe de Jaren for magnificent canal views when the weather allows eating on the terrace and the Cafe-Restaurant Amsterdam near Jordaan which can seat a few hundred families at a time and does so with a smile.

Cost

Getting to Amsterdam has never been cheaper thanks to competition from Easyjet and others. Book well in advance to get the best deals. Once there prices are similar to those you'd find in London or other large European cities.

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