Artis Zoo

Small but beautifully formed, Amsterdam’s zoo – one of the oldest in Europe – makes the most of its canal-side setting in Oost. There’s the standard array of wild animals (big cats, elephants, giraffes, apes) but also an impressive aquarium, a planetarium and Micropia, the only microbe museum in the world.

Why go? It’s a great place for a family day out, and in summer the zoo opens late on Saturdays for music, special tours and one-off performances – you can even order a picnic or barbecue in advance.