The ultimate guide to visiting Amsterdam
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The capital of the Netherlands and one of the main culture hubs in Europe is also one of the most popular and visited cities on the old continent, attracting over 4.5 million international visitors annually.
Heritage, art, architecture, stunning canals, over 140 festivals and events, a center of bicycle culture – these are just a few things that make Amsterdam a must-visit location.
This vibrant city offers an impressive array of things to do and places to see, so we have put together a short list to help you make the most of a weekend stay. We have chosen special places you may not discover on travel sites, to ensure that your Amsterdam experience is as unique and inspiring as the city itself.
Stay
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The INK. Hotel Amsterdam has plenty of history written inside its walls, as it used to be the home of “De Tijd” newspaper, first published in 1845. Located in the Old Town, the building has been transformed into a 149-room hotel under the supervision of Concrete Architects. The decor has a cosmopolitan ambience and references the building’s past, with typeface letters and handwritten notes adorning the walls. In the Pressroom restaurant you can find international dishes made with local ingredients. For those looking for a more immersive experience, the Hôtel Droog located in a 17th century building is ideal. This one-of-a-kind hotel has only one room, with the rest of the 700 square meters dedicated to an art gallery, a fashion store, a garden, a dining room and a spa. The hotel also offers access to exclusive exhibitions and lectures throughout the year.
Get Around
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Everyone knows that Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, but it may come as a surprise to see just how widespread and popular cycling really is. A famous statistic from 2003 acknowledged that there are more bicycles than citizens in the city. If you want to blend in and look like a local, you may want to avoid the majority of renting services that offer bikes plastered with ads. The Frederic Rent a Bike provides ad-free bikes with a charming vintage design and they cost just $14-a-day. It’s the best way to see the city and you’ll have access to numerous bike racks.
Food And Drinks
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De Foodhallen is a recently opened interior food market, located in an old tram station. Inside, you can find various food stalls where you can buy artisan cheeses, fresh meat and fish, as well as various types of food, from authentic Italian and Spanish to Indian, Vietnamese, or Indian dishes. A cinema, art gallery and a public library provide a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in some culture or to enjoy a bit of entertainment after your meal. The food hall is beloved by locals, so it’s a great place to visit to get a feel of real Amsterdam.
The trend of producing craft beers on a smaller scale started much earlier here in Amsterdam, when Brouwerij ‘t IJ opened its doors in 1985. It was one of the first microbreweries to challenge the quality of mass-produced beer, and it’s still located in the same bath house, right under the famous De Gooyer windmill. You can choose from around forty types of beer, available all year round, or try the seasonal and limited edition beers.
For delicious French patisseries and tarts, go to the Petit Gâteau. It’s a small family-run patisserie, recently-opened by Meike Schaling. A pastry chef trained in Paris, she has decided to move the successful patisserie back home in Amsterdam, after six years of business in the French capital. She makes up to 100 sweet and savory tarts every day, all beautifully decorated, with authentic macarons and eclairs also available.
If you’re planning a picnic, don’t forget to visit De Kaaskamer to find an array of artisan cheeses, from all over Europe. The shop is located in the middle of Amsterdam’s 9 Streets. You can also buy quality wine and preserves, crackers and pesto. Check out the shop’s opening times here.
Enjoy a refined dining experience at Vinkeles, a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers classic and contemporary French cuisine. You can also reserve a private dining room for 2-14 people or even eat at the chef’s table, located in the kitchen, for a unique opportunity to see how the dishes are prepared. The restaurant is open Monday – Saturday from 7 pm till 10.30 pm.
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