I visited Amsterdam on a stag night a couple of years ago and I am ashamed to say that I was too drunk so see any of the sights. I am going again in September, and would welcome any tips on what to see and do.

Asks danmiller103

The best modes of transport around town is either by tram or bicycle and it is easy to cover on foot too once you get the hang of where the bridges over the canals lie. The centre of town is in Dam Square, with the medieval streets surrounding Centraal Station forming the hub of the city, which is dissected by the River Amstel and several canals that date back to the 17th Century.

Some of the city's main attractions include the following:

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Museums - If you're an art fan you'll be at home in Amsterdam's museum quarter. The famous Van Gogh Museum is a must see for any visitor as it houses over 200 of his paintings including The Potato Eaters.

The Rijksmuseum is considered the best art gallery in Holland and houses work by Rembrandt (including his most famous picture, The Night Watch), Hals, Steen and Vermeer.

Fans of modern art should stop by the Stedelijk Museum (next door to the Van Gogh Museum) as it houses some great modern pieces including work by Picasso, Matisse, Manet, Monet, Bonnard, Ensor, Van Gogh, C�zanne, Chagall and Rothko.

But it isn't all art that is on display. If you are interested in the history of pornography visit the Seksmuseum off Dam Square, or if you just happen to be in the Red Light District check out the Tatoo Museum and the Hash and Marijuana Museum.

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Vondelpark - this is one of the city's nicest parks, named after the 17th Century Dutch poet, Joost van der Vondel. During the summer it hosts plays and concerts and it a great place for a picnic or a leisurely walk.

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Heineken Brewery - although no longer in production, you can take a guided tour around the brewery and find out about brewing methods, before tucking into free beer and snacks. The brewery is located on Stadhouderskade (near the Rijksmuseum).

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Anne Frankhuis�- Ann Frank hid here from July 1942 to August 1944 with her family during the Nazi occupation of Holland, her diary was found here after the war and has since been translated into 55 languages. Over 600,000 tourists visit this site every year, so expect it to be busy. Early morning is the best time to visit.

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Dutch Resistance Museum (near Amsterdam Zoo) pays tribute to the Dutch opposition to the Nazi invasion during WW2.

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Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) was built in 1648 as Amsterdam’s City Hall. Although the palace is still the official royal residence, the Royal Family lives in The Hague. Located on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147.

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Rembrandt’s House – located in the Jewish quarter on Jodenhoek you’ll find the house that Rembrandt lived in for over 20 years, it houses some of his early sketches. Also in the Jewish quarter is the Portuguese Synagogue, which dates back to 1645 and is one of the largest in the world and the Jewish Historial Museum .

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Canals – they are all pretty dirty so don’t go in them, but a boat trip along the canals is the best way to see the city. You can pick up a tourist boat all over the city, or hire a pedal boat and take off under your own steam.

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Begijnhof – if you visit in summer when the streets are crowded this enclosed courtyard can offer some welcome peace and quiet. It dates back to the 14th Century and was once inhabited by the Beguines a Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women from wealthy families who cared for the elderly and lived a religious life without taking monastic vows.

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Red-light district – Most people visit the red light district on a trip to Amsterdam just to see what its like, and while the architecture in this part of town is great it can be a bit depressing as it houses sex theatres, sex shops and windows full of prostitutes.

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Q. Is it easy to get around the city

A. It is easy to travel by bicycle or on foot, or alternatively by using Amsterdam’s excellent public transport network – trams and buses are equally comfortable and reliable. You can purchase a day ticket (dagkaarten) or a strip of tickets (strippenkaart) from the post office, newsagents or train stations and instructions on how to use them are printed in English near the entrance to a bus or a tram. The main place to rent a city bicycle is from the Centraal Station.

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Q. When is the best time to go

A. The summer months are the best, but also the busiest. The weather in Amsterdam is similar to that in the UK so the winter months can be a bit depressing. If you can plan your visit around a festival you may enjoy your stay more. A great Blues Festival is held in March; Queens Day on 30 April is a great time to visit as Amsterdam comes alive with street theatre, live music and a free market; the Holland Festival, a huge arts event is held in the city throughout June; and the Cannabis Cup is held in November.

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Q. Can you recommend any good bars

A. This city is teeming with good bars, but a few recommendations include:

Caf� Vertigo is located in Vondlepark and forms part of the Film Museum – it has a great terrace overlooking the park.

’t IJ (located on Funenkade 7)- this bar is in a windmill and sells some great home brewed beer.

Koophandel (located on Bloemgracht 49, Jordann) This is one of the best bars in town, located in an old warehouse, nobody goes here before midnight.

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By Karen Anderson