IJmuiden (Amsterdam)

IJmuiden is the port for Amsterdam, about 30 minutes away by shuttle, bus, or train. The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket covers trams, buses, and trains across the city and is the cheapest way to get around. Taxis exist but cost significantly more. Remember to check in and out when using trams or buses, as the system requires it for ticket validation. Amsterdam itself needs little introduction: the canal ring, the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the Jordaan neighbourhood. Book museum tickets online in advance, as queues are long. If you'd rather stay near the port, IJmuiden has a long sandy beach and a few seafood restaurants along the harbour. The Forteiland, a 19th-century island fortress in the North Sea Canal, runs guided tours in summer. Most people head straight to Amsterdam, which is fair enough, but IJmuiden holds its own for a quieter afternoon.