When in Amsterdam it is essential to look up. If you don't, you'll miss a lot.
Look up at the flags
I am quite sure you have noticed the many Dutch flags with dangling schoolbags, books and exercise books suspended to it. You will only see them this time of year. Each flag represents a student who graduated from VWO, HAVO or MAVO, in other words from secondary school or high school. It is customary for the flag to flutter day and night as long as graduation parties are being organised. This means usually two to three weeks after graduation. A second wave of flags will appear in August. These are the unlucky students who failed their exams the first time.
Look up at tilting façades
Don't worry! The tilt is deliberate as it allows goods to be winched to the attic without crashing the windows. No risk of the building collapse into the street, because a law dating from 16th century restricted this lean to 1:25.
Look up at Pathé Tuschinski Theatre
The theatre's façade at Reguliersbreestraat 26-34 is a blend of Art Deco and Amsterdamse School. Study the delightful details and look at the central hall. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11 am in July and August you can join a guided tour. Just turn up in front of the theatre, no booking needed. (€ 8 p.p., cup of coffee or a soft drink is included. The tour takes 1h 30 mins.)
Look up at Munttoren
Mint Tower at Muntplein is topped with a steeple and openwork orb. The tower got its present name in 1672. The Dutch were at war with the French and English and had to mint their own coins.
Look up at The House with the Three Heads
Keizersgracht 123 is an elegant step-gabled canal-side house with six heads adorning its façade. Legend has it that one evening the housemaid was alone in the house and caught six burglars red-handed. She cut off their heads and put them on show in front of the house. In actual fact the sculptures depict six Roman deities: Apollo, Ceres, Mars, Minerva, Bacchus and Diana.
Look up at Begijnhof
The entrance to Begijnhof is at Spui. This sanctuary was originally built for a lay Catholic sisterhood who educated the poor and looked after the sick. Today it is a sought-after place to live as it is right in Amsterdam's old centre. Look up at the plaque above the door of number 19. It depicts the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. There are more plaques on the wall behind number 32.
This is only a small selection of high-placed sights. Enjoy your Amsterdam stay and look up!