On the
canals

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without cruising through the canals. Book ahead to avoid higher walk-up fees…especially at popular departure points like Centraal Station or Anne Frank House. Boat companies also vary in style and quality. Flagship Amsterdam is slightly more expensive but uses smaller or historic boats with options, while Blue Boats offers kid-specific cruises.

If you’re familiar with maritime signage and can comfortably navigate on water, Mokumboat offers self-drive electric boats. Alternatively, SUP SUP Club rents standup paddle boards at a few locations in the city.

Museums and
historic sites

Amsterdam is home to world-renowned works of art and history. The best time slots for famous attractions like the Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk and the Anne Frank House book several months in advance, so do plan ahead. FOAM and Amsterdam Museum are smaller and tend to be less crowded. The Hortus Botanical Gardens are also a joy to explore on a leisurely rainy day.

However, the best attraction is the streets and neighborhoods in the central districts. The canal ring has been officially designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Jordaan and Negen Straatjes offer endless hours of exploring, snacking and window shopping. The Albert Cuyp Markt is open daily with a variety of stalls. Shopping at Noordermarkt is our Saturday routine – you’ll find fresh produce, delicious breads and pastries, beautiful flowers and a few flea market-style stands

Food
favourites

Traditional Dutch food can be summed up in four words: 'functional' and 'fit for purpose'. Simple meat, potatoes and cheese dishes are dietary staples. A kapsalon or Febo box meal offers life support at 3am. Thankfully Amsterdam’s diversity has finally reached its kitchens. A few suggestions for good eats while you’re in town:

Inexpensive and low fuss - Cafe Cook, Cafe Lennep, de Ysebreeker, Waterkant
Moderately priced sit down spaces - Pllek, Binnenvisser, Cafe Plantage
Splurge - Lars, de Kas, Coulisse, de Scheepskameel

A
little
tipple

Beer - honestly the website would be twice the current length if we listed all of the good spots. Skip the overpriced Heineken experience unless you’re a big fan of the brand. Our favorites include: Arendsnest, Gollem aan het water, Two Chefs, Brouwerij T‘Ij and Homeland.

Note for our British and American guests – as with many things in life, it’s not the size that matters but what you do with it. The 25cl (~half a pint) of speciaalbier is typically between 6.5-9% ABV.

Wine - the Dutch are not famous for wine production. However, they make up for it by importing a diverse range from around the world. Natural wines are still trendy, as are niche varietals from tiny corners of Europe. We love GlouGlou or Bar Centraal, 4850 and Cafe Twee Prinsen.

Cocktails - while there is something iconic about tulip-shaped cordial glasses of genever, Amsterdam has become very creative in its approach to spirits. Several local gin makers liven up the G&T scene (look for Bobby’s or Copperhead over Damrak) along with a few closet-sized bars like Vesper, Bar Oldenhof, Hiding in Plain Sight and Door 74 serving more inspired mixes.

For the
children

Amsterdam is a remarkably kid-friendly city. The city parks are beautiful and have super creative play structures. Flevopark and Westerpark often have organized activities. Many museums have well-crafted, interactive kids programs. A few suggestions for our younger visitors:

Nemo - designed by Renzo Piano (who also designed the California Academy of Sciences), the city’s science museum looks like a ship rising out of the water. Be sure to check out the Makery for interactive fun.

Straatmuseum - paying homage to Amsterdam Noord’s graffiti scene, their treasure is hunt fun for both kids and adults alike.

Artis - the royal zoo is small but fun for animal lovers. Next door is Micropia, the world’s first museum dedicated to microbes.

Houseboat museum - living on a floating home is a unique lifestyle. This museum gives you a little window into that world.

Vrog - if the weather is horrendous and the kids need to burn off excess energy, this is your place.

Kid-friendly eats - most restaurants welcome well-behaved children, but few have dedicated kids menus. A British blogger documents her favorites in the city.

Further
abroad

For windmill enthusiasts - de Zaanse Schans is a great alternative to the overcrowded Vollendam. Accessible via NS trains.

The Hague (Den Haag) - the city is home to the International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration. Both courts are housed inside the Peace Palace, which features a stunning collection of artifacts from countries around the world gifted in the name of human unity. Tickets must be reserved in advance. You can also find Vermeer’s famous 'Girl with the Pearl Earring' at the nearby het Maritushuis.

Rotterdam - the city was leveled during World War 2, and has been rebuilt in a distinctly more modern style. Great for architecture fans who want to see some wild creations. The city is also home to Europe’s largest container port, de Maasvlakte; the Futureland exhibition is probably one of the most fascinating explanations of the Dutch water control system.

Aalsmeer flower auction - for the serious flower nerds, take the #357 bus to the Royal Flora Holland. The bidding starts at 7am and lasts about 1.5 hours. It’s also possible to tour the historic sites after the auction ends. 

Long-distance road cycling - with immaculate cycle paths and few hills, it’s no wonder there are more bikes than people in the Netherlands. Serious road cyclists can rent high quality gear and leverage the train system to cover large areas of this small country. 

Outside the Netherlands - European rail travel has expanded with investments from the EU and member nations. Book early for affordable Eurostar trains to Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London without the hassle of the airport. The German Nightjet trains offer overnight options for access to Berlin, Innsbruck or Vienna.