Guide to Amsterdam

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

What to Do

Amsterdam's cultural offerings span centuries of art and contemporary innovation. The city's compact size makes it easy to string several stops together in a single day.

1. 1.Van Gogh Museum — The world's largest Van Gogh collection in a stunning modern building.
2. 2.Anne Frank House — Profoundly moving. Reserve weeks ahead.
3. 3.Rijksmuseum — Dutch art from the Middle Ages onward — Rembrandt, Vermeer, the works.
4. 4.Stedelijk Museum — Modern and contemporary — Picasso, Warhol, leading Dutch artists.
5. 5.Jordaan District — Narrow streets, indie boutiques, cozy cafés, real local life.
6. 6.Vondelpark — The city's green oasis — picnics, people-watching, easy walks.
7. 7.Red Light District — Beyond the reputation: fascinating architecture, museums, unique history.
8. 8.Rembrandt House Museum — The artist's former home and studio, with his etching collection.
9. 9.Royal Palace of Amsterdam — 17th-century palace on Dam Square with opulent interiors.
10. 10.Galerie Fons Welters — Contemporary gallery — intimate alternative to the major museums.
11. 11.Canal Cruise — The best way to understand Amsterdam's geography — classic boats or floating restaurants.
12. 12.Bloemenmarkt — The world's only floating flower market — bulbs, blooms, souvenirs.

Coffee & Tea

Third-wave roasters and specialty tea shops sit alongside centuries-old cafés. Amsterdam's coffee culture embraces both precision and tradition.

1. 1.Flying Dutchman Coffee — Direct-trade single-origin roasts and expert brewing.
2. 2.Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters — Australian-style flat whites and cold brew, sustainable sourcing.
3. 3.Screaming Beans — Local favorite — excellent coffee, laid-back for working.
4. 4.Café Loetje — Known for steaks, but the house-roasted coffee holds its own.
5. 5.Toki — Japanese-inspired precision brewing in a zen minimalist space.
6. 6.Koffie Onan — Neighborhood shop with expertly prepared drinks and homemade pastries.
7. 7.Café de Prins — Traditional brown café that's leveled up its coffee.
8. 8.White Label Coffee — Consistently excellent across multiple locations.
9. 9.Café Central — Classic Amsterdam atmosphere paired with modern coffee standards.
10. 10.Rusland — Cozy café serving coffee alongside Russian-inspired plates.

Breakfast & Brunch

From Dutch pancakes to inventive avocado toast — a scene that ranges from quick coffee-and-pastry to leisurely weekend feasts.

1. 1.Winkel 43 — Their warm Dutch apple pie with fresh whipped cream is a pilgrimage.
2. 2.Café de Prins — Traditional Dutch breakfast in a charming brown café.
3. 3.Granger & Co. — Australian import — famous ricotta hotcakes and inventive breakfast plates.
4. 4.Café Loetje — Hearty breakfast and excellent coffee at a local institution.
5. 5.Bakers & Roasters — New Zealand-style café with creative brunch dishes.
6. 6.Café de Reiger — Neighborhood favorite blending Dutch and international breakfast.
7. 7.Café Soundgarden — Great music, innovative breakfast — young, local, spirited.
8. 8.Café Toussaint — Elegant historic building, both grand and intimate.
9. 9.Café Thijssen — Authentic Amsterdam morning culture.
10. 10.Café Kobalt — Cozy, fresh, local — hearty brunch done right.

Bars

Centuries-old brown cafés, innovative cocktail bars, and cutting-edge wine bars — a nightlife scene that honors tradition and rewards curiosity.

1. 1.Door 74 — Arguably Amsterdam's best cocktail bar — a hidden speakeasy in dark art deco near the Tuschinski Cinema.
2. 2.Flying Dutchman Cocktails — House-made ingredients and classic technique.
3. 3.Hiding in Plain Sight — Dark, cozy, intimate, great music, feels genuinely secret.
4. 4.Bar Central — Brown-café atmosphere with an impressive craft beer and spirits list.
5. 5.Pulitzer's Bar — Sophisticated cocktails inside the Pulitzer hotel.
6. 6.Bar Bukowski — Literary-themed with creative cocktails and a deep wine list.
7. 7.Café 't Smalle — One of the city's most picturesque — canal-side terrace, golden hour perfection.
8. 8.Skatecafe — Skate culture and excellent drinks in a casual, spirited room.
9. 9.Glouglou — Natural wine bar with organic and biodynamic bottles and small plates.
10. 10.4850 — Seasonal, inventive cocktails — as beautiful as they are delicious.
11. 11.Murmur — Cozy wine bar with a great natural-wine selection and small plates.
12. 12.Brouwerij 't IJ — House beers in a historic windmill, with guest taps and Dutch snacks.

Coffeeshops (Marijuana Bars)

Legal, regulated cannabis cafés — a distinctive slice of Amsterdam's liberal culture. Atmospheres range from tourist-friendly to locals-only hideaways.

1. 1.Paradox — Serene retreat with a relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.
2. 2.Coffeeshop Smokey — Neon wonderland — vibrant, friendly, quality product.
3. 3.Katsu — Artsy — attracts creative types with a carefully curated selection.
4. 4.Coffeeshop Abraxas — Wide selection, comfortable, welcoming to tourists and locals.
5. 5.Coffeeshop Bluebird — Intimate atmosphere and an excellent selection.
6. 6.Coffeeshop Dampkring — Movie-famous, authentic, with knowledgeable staff.
7. 7.Coffeeshop Kashmir — Local favorite — laid-back and authentic.
8. 8.Coffeeshop Tweede Kamer — Comfortable, friendly, quality product.
9. 9.Coffeeshop Greenhouse — Consistent quality and welcoming rooms across locations.
10. 10.Coffeeshop Bulldog — Famous chain — reliable and tourist-friendly.

Bakeries

Traditional Dutch baking meets international influence — from centuries-old recipes to contemporary invention.

1. 1.Saint Jean Bakery — Authentic Parisian pastries and breads — croissants that rival Paris.
2. 2.Van Stapele Cookie Maker — One product done perfectly: warm chocolate cookies with a molten white-chocolate center.
3. 3.Bakkerij Wolf — Traditional Dutch bakery blending old-world technique with modern sensibility.
4. 4.Fort Negen — Artisanal sourdough with traditional fermentation and local ingredients.
5. 5.Choux — French patisserie specialized in choux — éclairs to seasonal invention.
6. 6.Lanskroon — Serving Amsterdam since 1890 — traditional Dutch pastries and seasonal specialties.
7. 7.Patisserie Holtkamp — Luxury patisserie for special occasions — beautifully designed cakes.
8. 8.Bakkerij Koket — Neighborhood bakery — daily breads and international pastries.
9. 9.Petit Gâteau — Delicate French-inspired pastries with meticulous detail.
10. 10.Bakkerij Troost — Local favorite — everyday breads and special-occasion cakes.

Shopping & Design

From cutting-edge Dutch design to vintage treasures and artisanal crafts. The city is made for shopping on foot.

1. 1.Concrete Matter — Concept store showcasing contemporary Dutch design.
2. 2.Fromagerie Abraham Kef — Incredible selection of Dutch and international cheeses with expert tastings.
3. 3.The Frozen Fountain — Contemporary Dutch furniture and home accessories — the best of current design.
4. 4.Droog — Conceptual Dutch design that challenges conventional thinking.
5. 5.Restored — Mid-century modern furniture — carefully curated European classics.
6. 6.Zipper — High-quality second-hand designer pieces.
7. 7.Episode — Affordable second-hand fashion — locations across the city with different eras and styles.
8. 8.Hutspot — Vintage clothing meets contemporary design — eclectic and Amsterdam-y.
9. 9.Pols Potten — Contemporary home accessories and furniture from Dutch and international designers.
10. 10.Dille & Kamille — Natural materials, sustainable design — kitchenware to home decor.
11. 11.Zoldering — Vintage and antiques — carefully curated furniture, lighting, and objects.
12. 12.BAK — Contemporary art space with a design shop featuring emerging artists.

Instagram-Worthy

Beyond the obvious canal shots — hidden gems, trendy openings, and creative experiences that capture the city's contemporary energy.

1. 1.Zoldering — Curated displays and unique pieces — the perfect lifestyle-shot backdrop.
2. 2.BAK — Rotating exhibitions and installations for fresh visual content.
3. 3.Café Central — Classic Amsterdam café atmosphere with perfect lighting.
4. 4.Concrete Matter — Minimalist aesthetic ideal for flat-lay design shots.
5. 5.Fort Negen — Rustic breads and pastries in warm morning light.
6. 6.Murmur — Moody wine-bar lighting for sophisticated evening shots.
7. 7.Toki — Minimal Japanese-inspired shop — beautiful coffee photography.
8. 8.4850 — Innovative drinks and stylish interiors for evening posts.
9. 9.Galerie Fons Welters — Rotating exhibitions for art-focused feeds.
10. 10.Skatecafe — Skate culture plus drinks — dynamic, energetic content.

Day Trips

Amsterdam's central location and excellent rail connections make it an ideal base for exploring the Netherlands.

1. 1.Zaanse Schans — Traditional windmills, cheese-making, wooden shoe crafting — 18th & 19th century Dutch life.
2. 2.Keukenhof Gardens — Open March–May — millions of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths in themed displays.
3. 3.Giethoorn — The 'Dutch Venice' — car-free farmhouses connected by canals.
4. 4.Utrecht — Medieval architecture, unique canal-side terraces, and the iconic Dom Tower.
5. 5.Haarlem — Stunning historic center and the famous Grote Markt — 15 minutes by train.
6. 6.Marken and Volendam — Traditional fishing villages with authentic Dutch culture.
7. 7.Alkmaar — The Friday cheese market, medieval architecture, and market culture.
8. 8.The Hague — Government seat with world-class museums and nearby Scheveningen beach.
9. 9.Rotterdam — Cutting-edge architecture, innovative dining, Europe's largest port.
10. 10.Delft — Birthplace of Delft Blue and Vermeer — historic canals and traditional crafts.

Essential Travel Info

Amsterdam is walkable and bikeable, with excellent trams, buses, and metros. The Euro is currency; contactless is common, but it's smart to carry a bit of cash.

Insider Tips

Amsterdam's real character shows when you step off the tourist trails and embrace its laid-back, egalitarian spirit. The best moments tend to be spontaneous.