7 reasons why you NEED to visit Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of my favourite places. It's the perfect destination for a city break or a long weekend away and with under an hour flight time - it's ideal for a much needed getaway.

The Dutch city is notorious for its "coffee shops", red light district and is often regarded as a go-to place for stag weekends, but there is so much more to it than that.

I've visited Amsterdam three times now and never get bored of this place, having just returned from an amazing bank holiday weekend away in the city, I've come up with seven reasons why you need to visit Amsterdam!

1. The beautiful scenery. Ok, so I know I may sound like a middle aged woman when I say that, but really Amsterdam is a lovely looking place. From the grand architecture in Dam Square, to the buildings that run alongside the many canals - you don't have to pay to do something to simply enjoy this city.

2. The food! Amsterdam has such a wide selection of restaurants and bars to eat in. On the first night I went to an Argentinian steak house called Gauchos. If you are a steak lover, this place is definitely a must and the deserts are ridiculously yummy! Chinatown has some great eateries and if you want some of the best nachos around try The Mexican - just a five minute walk from Dam Square. La Place is one of my favourite cafe's and does pretty much any food you can think of! The city is full of great places to eat and around every corner there is something new to try - just make sure you have some waffles and maple syrup, just because yum.

3. The range of attractions. There is literally SO much to do in Amsterdam. I have been to The Heineken Experience and the IceBar Amsterdam tours which were really enjoyable and good value for money - and with free drinks included in the price, who can complain!? Madame Tussauds and The Amsterdam Dungeons are also popular attractions. The city is full of museums from the Van Gogh museum to the Diamond Museum, to the Red Light Secrets tour. You will be spoilt for choice here. One of the most popular attractions and something I think everyone visiting Amsterdam must go to is Anne Frank's House, which takes visitors on a tour around the actual attic of the house where Anne and her family hid during the Second World War.

4. Sightseeing. There are plenty of bus, bike and canal tours which take you round the sights. But if you prefer to do things at your own pace, everything is really close and if the weather is good, it is a great place to walk around. Dam Square, Remembrandtplein Square, the I Amsterdam sign and the flower market are just some of the great free sightseeing spots.

5. Shopping! From boutiques, to your favourite high street shops, to big department stores, when it comes to retail therapy, Amsterdam has it all. Kalverstraat is probably one of the busiest high streets in the city lined with popular stores like River Island, Urban Outfitters and H&M. De Bijenkorf is also a big department store in Dam Square. De 9 Straatjes is nine small streets crammed with lots of small, interesting boutiques in the old city of Amsterdam - the ultimate avid shoppers heaven.

6.  The Red Light District. This is somewhere you have to see and I would recommend going at night. It really is an eye opener! Erotic shops and theatres line the streets with bright flashing lights and a busy bustling atmosphere, which makes it a place like no other... If you were unaware, sex work and prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and their liberal and tolerant attitude towards this profession has meant that the women, who stand in their own window booths which line the streets and alleyways of the Red Light District, have even become a tourist attraction in their own right.

7. The night life. Amsterdam has great bars, pubs and clubs for all tastes. You can go on organised pub crawls which can be arranged at the many tours and tickets offices around the city. Rembrandtplein Square has some great night life spots including some of the larger, trendier nightclubs. There are plenty of good Irish and British bars scattered around Amsterdam and of course the Coffee Shops, which are also really good in the day including the famous Bull Dog which was the first coffee shop (place to legally sell and smoke weed) in Amsterdam, which plays good music and has a really relaxed atmosphere.