Visitors with a limited amount of time should head straight for the Dutch Masters on the first floor, where the star painting, Rembrandt’s Nightwatch, hangs alongside several Vermeers and Van Hals. A pamphlet describes all of the museum’s highlights and there are audio tours available. Although part of the Rijksmuseum and included in the price of the museum ticket, the South Wing has its own entrance, at Hobbemastraat 19. Exhibits include 18th- and 19th-century paintings, Oriental objets d’art and a textile and costume section. Each year, more than a million people visit the Rijksmuseum. The museum employs around 400 people, including 45 curators who are specialised in all areas.

The real reason for the name, however, is much more simple - the bridge used to be so narrow that two people could barely cross at the same time. As time passed the bridge was replaced by a wider example and the name 'Skinny' was not quite so appropriate as it was. The Magere Brug is still one of the most beautiful bridges in Amsterdam. The bridge is illuminated every evening with thousands of lights and is a popular location for both lovers and photographers. Of Amsterdam's 1280 bridges, the Magere Brug, or “ Skinny Bridge” is the most famous. It is a traditional double-leaf, Dutch draw-bridge connecting the banks of the river Amstel. Approximately every twenty minutes, the bridge opens to let boats through. The original bridge was built in 1670, but as the traffic on Amstel increased, a wider bridge was built to replace the narrow one.