The Royal Palace

Amsterdam’s Royal Palace is a building brimming with secret symbols and hidden meanings and is still used by the Dutch royal family for official visits. Its use – a century and a half as Amsterdam’s City Hall, five years as a Royal and Imperial Palace, and almost two centuries as a reception palace for the House of Orange – have all left their mark. Visitors can learn about the building’s rich past, and an annual changing summer exhibition illustrates its fascinating history, including as a monument from the 17th century.

DAM SQUARE, PALEISAMSTERDAM.NL

Hortus Summer Nights

Heineken Experience

After Heineken constructed a new brewery on the outskirts of Amsterdam, they converted their former home into a museum. This interactive experience will take you on a behindthe-scenes journey through the world of Europe’s most popular beer. It offers four floors of multimedia exhibits, historical brewing artefacts, a tasting bar and the opportunity to engrave your very own beer bottle.

STADHOUDERSKADE 78, HEINEKENEXPERIENCE.COM

Zoomeravonden

Every Saturday from July to September, the Artis grounds remain open until sunset for their unmissable Zoomeravonden (Summer Nights) evening programme. Lay your picnic blanket between the blooming flower beds as musical talent takes to the bandstand with a backdrop of golden skies.

8 JULY-2 SEPTEMBER, ARTIS.NL

From delicate little cacti to towering palms, those with even a mild interest in botany will be truly taken by one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Don’t miss the Hortus Summer Nights programme, when the gardens and greenhouses are open every Thursday and Sunday (3 June-29 August) until 9 pm. Relax on the terrace with a drink, enjoy an evening stroll through the plant collection or take part in guided tours, lectures, yoga sessions and classical concerts in the historic Palm tree house, a heritage monument.