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 515 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:

Mar. 8, 2025International Womens Day
Where the humpback whale sings
Celebrating art in the city
Aug. 4, 2025Great grey owls in their nest, Finland
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Mar. 17, 2024St. Patricks Day
Aug. 31, 2023Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
Apr. 2, 2026Wildflower bloom, Central Valley, California, United States
Oct. 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Dec. 21, 2025Winter solstice
Jun. 6, 202581st anniversary of D-Day
Mar. 15, 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Dec. 2, 2025Whistler, British Columbia
A window to the Pacific
Mar. 10, 2026Bláhver, Hveravellir, Iceland
Jun. 12, 2025Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
A time-worn medieval marvel
Nov. 29, 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
A salty situation
Jan. 27, 2025Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
The buffet is open
Sep. 5, 2025Pacific Park, Santa Monica State Beach, California, United States
The origin of Canadas national parks
Aug. 29, 2025Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
When being in a rut is OK
Feb. 2, 2026Groundhog Day
Sep. 2, 2023Allens Hummingbird
Tomb of the Golden Pharaoh
May 5, 2024Kalaloch Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, US