Arty attractions to visit in Amsterdam

If you're planning to explore Amsterdam, the best way to do so is by boat. The city is comprised largely of canals, so booking a boating holiday in Holland will mean you can get around with ease and will be within reach of the city's best galleries.

Amsterdam is renowned for its vast collection of masterpieces and is a must-visit for established artists, budding painters and anyone with an interest art. Read on to learn more about the city's top spots for witnessing awe-inspiring artworks.

The Rijksmuseum

Arguably Amsterdam's most famous art gallery, the Rijksmuseum dates back to 1885 when a winning design by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers was created to house the collections of art amassed by local lord lieutenants. Combining Gothic and Renaissance elements, the structure is beautiful to behold, featuring stained glass windows, spires and columns.

What is housed inside is equally breathtaking, and you'll find masterpieces by famous names like Vermeer, Frans Hals and Rembrandt on show throughout the gallery. Historical artefacts, Asian paintings and the stern of the HMS Royal Charles can also be seen in the Rijksmuseum.

You'll find the gallery on Museumplein, a square home to a number of interesting centres and art museums.

The Van Gogh Museum

Also situated in Amsterdam's centre, the Van Gogh Museum houses the world's largest compilation of works by famous Dutch painter. The permanent collection comprises more than 200 of Van Gogh's paintings, a selection of letters and drawings by the artist.

Various other exhibitions are also held at the museum on topics like art history, as well as displays relating the painter's techniques.

The Jopie Huisman Museum

Head to Workum as part of your boating break and pay a visit to the Jopie Huisman Museum. Here, you can admire works by the former scrap metal merchant and second hand goods dealer, who was essentially a rag and bone man. The artist represented many of the worn goods he handled in his paintings with such precision that they have an uncanny realism.

Call in at the museum to admire famous works, including his well-known portrayal of a pair of worn out underpants.

The ArTicKs Gallery

As well as its clutch of well-known galleries, Amsterdam has a number of hidden gems worth visiting during a boating holiday, among which is the ArTicKs Gallery. This art centre displays exhibits of underground and street art, such as stencil images and graffiti.

Numerous art collectives are represented at the gallery, including Mokum Zoo and Hot Mama Hot, as well as individuals like Peter Meyn and Blade.

Clement Gallery

The Clement Gallery is located close to the Rijksmuseum and specialises in abstract art. Images and sculptures by artists like Adri Frigge, Jan Baas, Christian Verhelst and Ronald Tolman can all be seen here, and the gallery has a print shop where a large collection of prints are on sale.

To the rear of the store is an old workshop where prints have been made by master printer and gallery owner Piet Clement for many years. Prints of David Hockney and Jim Dine were produced here.

Collection d'Art

The contemporary art gallery Collection d'Art is well regarded in Amsterdam. Paintings from the 20th century on display here include works by important Dutch artists like Ger Lataster. There are also pieces by German painters like Georg Baselitz, among others.

Gallery Hug

Photography fans should make their way to Hug in order to indulge a passion for captured imagery. The gallery showcases the works of around 20 contemporary photographers, many of whom are British, alongside exhibitions of classical photography.

Among the names you can expect to see works from are Suschitzy and Lartigue.

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is an established centre for modern art and design, located on the Museumplein. Containing almost 90,000 works of art and objects, the museum houses pieces by such well-known names as Tracey Emin, Marlene Dumas and Gilbert and George.

In addition to its contemporary paintings, there are numerous modern classics in the collection, such as pieces by Matisse and Picasso. The museum also boasts one of Europe's largest libraries devoted to books about modern art. Currently closed for renovation, the museum will open again to the public at the end of September 2012.