Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands Dec 29, 2023

Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Welcome to Amsterdam! The capital of the Netherlands charms visitors with its historic canals, versatile architecture, and laid-back vibe. 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. Institutions like the Van Gogh Museum, the Eye Film Museum, and the National Maritime Museum offer insights into its history and arts legacy. Amsterdam"s canal ring area, built at 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 in neighborhoods like Oud-West, pictured in today"s image. Get ready to pedal because Amsterdam"s cycling culture is ubiquitous. With approximately 320 miles of bike lanes, it"s one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

© George Pachantouris/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 29, 2018When science looks like magic
Dec 29, 2019Helloooooo, Innsbruck
Dec 29, 2020Where the glow of the holidays lingers
Dec 29, 2021Mountain goats
Dec 29, 2022Silver-studded blue butterflies
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
Dec 29, 2025St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 8, 2023World Octopus Day
Sep 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Dec 16, 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
Jul 29, 2020Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
Jun 9, 2025Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
Mar 18, 2018Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks, San Francisco
Mar 2, 2019You won’t see this on Mulberry Street
Feb 5, 2019Welcome to the Year of the Pig
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Feb 13, 2023El Valle de la Luna, Chile
Jan 18, 2020Sands of time
Dec 2, 2022Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
Jul 23, 2019A state-of-the-art lookout on the Rock of Gibraltar
Mar 12, 2023Lucian Blaga National Theater, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mar 28, 2021Cherry blossoms spring to life
Sep 18, 2018A red knot on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Jul 10, 2022Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Jun 9, 2019Crown Fountain by Jume Plensa at Millennium Park in Chicago
Jun 20, 2024Summer solstice
Nov 20, 2023World Childrens Day
May 20, 2020It s World Bee Day
Feb 8, 2023Uredd Rest Area, Norway
Oct 10, 2023Mount Sopris, Colorado
Dec 27, 2025Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota
Jan 31, 2026International Zebra Day
Dec 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway
Apr 6, 2020Castle on a hill
Nov 28, 2021Celebrating Panama s independence
Aug 21, 2022International Lighthouse Weekend
Jul 2, 2018Keep watching the skies