The Dutch capital is a leading financial and cultural centre. Find out what makes the city tick, and what to do during your stay.</em></p> Home of financial innovation</strong></p> Amsterdam is a longstanding and thriving financial centre. It’s where many financial innovations originated, including the first stock exchange and the first European options exchange. </p> It’s since grown to become a world-leading hub for fintechs and green finance. Home to branches and subsidiaries of more than 50 European and international banks, an increasing number of financial companies are attracted to Amsterdam thanks to its strong infrastructure. From transport links to real estate opportunities, plus a first class legal sector, the city provides a high energy business environment and the perfect backdrop for Sibos 2022. </p> A city of distinction</strong></p> Bikes are Amsterdam residents’ favourite way to travel, and you’ll likely see more cyclists than ever before during your trip. Less well known is the fact that 25,000 bikes disappear into Amsterdam’s canals every year, and there’s a special municipality boat tasked with their recovery.</p> If you walk along the city’s beautiful canals you’ll notice most canal houses have a very small entrance. This is because taxes used to be based on the size of the facade, making high and long houses the order of the day. You can find the smallest facade in the world at Het Singel 7, just one metre wide!</p> Amsterdam is a city built on poles. A lot of poles. Eleven million to be precise. The city is positioned a metre or so below sea level. The train station Amsterdam Centraal alone is supported by 9,000 poles, whereas a normal house needs only 10. These wooden poles are 15-20 metres long and placed in a sandy layer which is around 11 metres deep.</p> Top attractions</strong></p> Sibos will certainly keep you busy with our packed programme</a>, but if you do have downtime during your visit, Amsterdam has plenty of entertainment options. </p> Museumplein</strong> is unbeatable for art lovers. Home to the Rijksmuseum</a>, the Van Gogh Museum</a>, the Stedelijk Museum</a> and The Royal Concertgebouw</a>, it’s the centre of the leafy and architecturally astounding 19th-century district of Oud-Zuid. </p> Built in the 17th century to keep the sea at bay, Amsterdam’s canal belt is picture-perfect. Floating along the canals by guided boat tour</a> is a great way to get under the skin of the city, and you’ll learn lots along the way – such as why the tilting homes along the canals are known as ‘dancing houses’. </p> Located in the hip Oud-West</a> neighbourhood, De Hallen</a> is the place for foodies to visit. Housed in a refurbished industrial building dating from 1902, visitors can munch their way through a selection of street fare from many vendors located around a central bar. </p> We look forward to seeing you in the wonderful city of Amsterdam from 10 -13 October! Register now</a> for your pass, and for more inspiration and information on Amsterdam please visit I amsterdam</a>. </p>