Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands Dec 29, 2023

Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of the Netherlands intrigues visitors from all over the world with its historic canals, versatile architecture, and laidback atmosphere. The city"s history can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was a fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River. Today, it boasts institutions like the Van Gogh Museum, the Eye Film Museum and the National Maritime Museum, which offer insights into the country"s history and arts legacy. Amsterdam"s canal ring area, built around the turn of the 17th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also home to its fair share of restaurants, vintage shops and outdoor markets, especially in neighbourhoods like Oud-West, pictured in today"s image. Get ready to pedal because Amsterdam"s cycling culture is ubiquitous. With approximately 514 kilometres of bike lanes, it"s one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

© George Pachantouris/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

The butterfly effect
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
Dec 29, 2025St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 5, 2024Tufa formation on Mono Lake, California, United States
Jun 10, 2026Hnausapollur crater lake, Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Iceland
Oct 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest, Minnesota, United States
May 8, 2024Marseille welcomes to Olympic torch
Jul 26, 2026International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Centuries of time in a Delicate Arch
Nov 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Jul 31, 2025Kalalau Beach on the Nā Pali Coast, Hawaii, United States
Celebrating the tropics
Mar 3, 2026Celebrating Holi
Jul 5, 2025Tour de France
In the spotlight
Feb 28, 2026Oloupena Falls, island of Molokai, Hawaii, United States
Aug 16, 2026Ross Errilly Friary, County Galway, Ireland
Hangin around
Aug 2, 2026Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
A remote oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
Feb 5, 2024Monarch butterflies
The epitome of luxury
Dec 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
A day for giving
Apr 1, 2026The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
Mar 19, 2026Short-beaked echidna, Adelaide Hills, Australia
A grand view
Jan 29, 2026Milwaukee City Hall, Wisconsin, United States
Jul 30, 2024San Gimignano, Siena, Italy
Nov 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
Jul 3, 2024Meerkat family