Just a short distance from Amsterdam, IJmuiden has beaches, sand dunes and picturesque scenery, as well as the country’s biggest fish market. It's considered to be North Holland's gateway to the North Sea and it's at the head of a canal that leads directly to Holland’s capital, Amsterdam. While the city has a reputation for free-spirited and very liberal lifestyles, Amsterdam is a cultural center of Europe, as exemplified in its more than 140 art galleries and 40 museums. In addition, it is famous for its baroque architecture, canals, and cobblestone streets where the favored mode of transportation is the bicycle.