Amsterdam Holidays

Whether it’s on foot, from the water or in the air, there are plenty of ways to explore the best Amsterdam has to offer.

• Hire a bike: Fun fact about Amsterdam – there are more bikes than people. So what better way to see the sights (and blend in with the locals) than from the saddle of your own 2-wheeler? You can hire manual and electric bikes from shops across Amsterdam, and take advantage of the complex system of cycle lanes that lattice across the city. Once you’ve done a couple of loops, head over to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to explore a 12th-century village idyll packed with historic sights.
• Cruise along canals: Lined with magical, gabled houses – all with a slight tilt – and pierced with iconic bridges, Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals are best seen by boat. Hop on board to hear about the city’s history, see hidden corners (and the canals’ highly coveted houseboats) and discover fascinating facts. Many boats come with open bars, while other cruises offer cheese and wine-themed trips or after-dark sailings with live jazz bands.
• Explore urban parks: Amsterdam’s green spaces make for a relaxing retreat after a heavy day of sightseeing. Vondelpark is affectionately known as the ‘lungs of the city’ thanks to its vast open spaces, wooded trails, bike paths, gardens and open-air theatre. Another outdoor spot is Flevopark, with its huge grassy areas, running trails and the city’s only outdoor swimming pool. If that’s not gnarly enough for you, you can also go wild swimming in the Nieuwe Diep.
• Smell the tulips: Tulips are a symbol of The Netherlands. And while bouquets are sold in flower markets across Amsterdam, one of the best ways to see them is on a day trip to the world-famous tulip fields, known as Bollenstreek. A short 20-minute journey from the capital, these fields are usually in full bloom during April, with thousands of flowers stretching out in colourful stripes. If you’re after another Dutch cliché, Zaanse Schans is famous for its windmills.
• Swing from a rooftop: Located across the River IJ in Amsterdam-Noord, the 22-storey A’DAM Tower is one of the city’s newer attractions. What was once the offices for Shell now houses a hotel, restaurant, bar and observation deck with panoramic views across the city. It’s also home to Over The Edge, Europe’s highest swing, which rocks back and forth over a 100-metre drop. Heights not your thing? There’s also This is Holland, a cinematic 5D flight experience that’ll take you on a sensory journey around the country.

Scratch the surface of Amsterdam’s rich history and culture with a visit to one of its many museums. Here are a handful of our top picks:

• Anne Frank House: Prinsengracht 263 is synonymous with Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who for 2 years, along with her family and 4 others, hid from the Nazis inside an annexe above her father’s former workplace. Open year-round, the front-of-house is now a museum, telling the chilling story of the Second World War, while the annexe remains preserved, exactly how it was when Anne lived there. Explore the rooms where the families lived and get a glimpse of Anne’s notebooks and world-famous diary.
• Rembrandt House Museum: Visit the spot where Rembrandt van Rijn lived and worked between 1639 and 1558. Have a nose around each room of this monumental building, from his living room to his studio, all filled with art, objects and 17th-century furniture that tell the story of this legendary artist.
• Royal Palace: While not technically a museum, Amsterdam’s Royal Palace – an official residence of King Willem-Alexander – is a living museum in its own right. This lavish Baroque building in Dam Square was once a town hall before being transformed into a palace for Louis Napoleon. Inside you’ll find plenty of empirical relics and ornate state rooms filled with masterful paintings and impressive sculptures.
• Red Light Secrets: The world’s only museum of its kind, Red Light Secrets delves into the world of prostitution. Housed in a brothel in Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District, the museum provides a glimpse into one of the world’s oldest professions. See inside workers’ rooms, hear their stories and uncover secrets that surround this mysterious lifestyle.
• Our House Museum: Another world-first, the Our House Museum is dedicated to the thriving electronic dance music scene. As well as traditional exhibits tracing the rise of the genre, and iconic objects like one of Daft Punk’s helmets, there are heaps of interactive displays too. Make new tracks on drum machines, keyboards and turntables, immerse yourself in a 4D sound and light show or bust some moves to the soundtrack of legendary DJs on a hydraulic dance floor.

From buzzy Rembrandt Square to lively Leidseplein, Amsterdam is a hedonist's haven, filled with hipster bars, pub crawls and huge warehouse raves.

• Brown pubs: With over 2,000 whiskies to choose from Whisky Café L&B is a one-stop-shop for lovers of ‘the water of life’. Hunker down in a corner or sit up at the bar in this tiny ‘brown pub’ and try a dram from the selection of Scotch, Irish, Japanese, single-malt, blends and bourbons they have on offer. Or why not sample a few at one of the bar’s regular tasting sessions?
• Coffee shops: If you’re looking for a more laid-back evening session, you could always indulge in one of Amsterdam’s infamous pastimes with a trip to a coffee shop. Open day and night, these licensed ‘bars’ sell all different kinds of weed, alongside edibles and soft drinks (and sometimes coffee). Some of the most popular are the Bulldog Palace, Original Dampkring and Coffeeshop Smokey.
• Cocktail bars: For classic cocktails in an intimate setting overlooking the canal, head to Flying Dutchmen Cocktails. With its dark walls, velvet sofas and flickering candles, this place oozes with ambience. The drinks are inspired by recipes up to 400 years old, and with more than 800 bottles behind the bar, you’re guaranteed to sample something new.
• Karaoke: Need to let off some steam? We know just the place. Duke of Tokyo is a quirky karaoke bar that transports you to the streets of Japan. Grab your mates and head to your own private booth where you can sing your heart out to chart-topping hits and rehydrate with Japanese-inspired cocktails and sake.
• Nightclubs: If you don’t want the night to end just yet, you can always boogie the night away at one of Amsterdam’s world-class nightclubs. AIR is one of the city’s biggest superclubs, with 5 bars and 3 rooms playing R&B, hip-hop and dancehall classics. Over in Rembrandtplein, Escape regularly sees the world’s finest DJs hit the decks (think David Guetta and Paul van Dyk), with pumping party sounds continuing until 6 in the morning.

A must-visit for art aficionados, Amsterdam is chock-full of street talent and art galleries, many of which reside in the famous Museumplein. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Rijksmuseum: The grandest and most classical of the galleries, Rijksmuseum houses a huge collection of Dutch Masters that dates back over 800 years to the Golden Age. Explore on your own or join a guided tour to see more than a million objects on display, including masterpieces by Vermeer, Frans Hals and even Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. When you get peckish, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant on site.
• Van Gogh Museum: Home to the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world, this museum is dedicated to the masterpieces of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. Peruse sketches and etchings by one of the most influential post-impressionist artists in the world, known for his bold colours and expressive brushstrokes, and see iconic pieces like The Potato Eaters and Sunflowers.
• Electric Ladyland: Billing itself as the first and only museum dedicated to fluorescent art, Electric Ladyland in Jordaan offers a different take on modern art. Inside this 1-room exhibit, you can discover minerals and stones that glow under ultraviolet light, and even shift from being merely a viewer to participating in the creation of a piece of art. You can view the gallery by appointment only, so be sure to get in touch before you visit.
• Stedelijk Museum: From Mondrian and Jeff Koons to Andy Warhol and Steve McQueen, the Stedelijk Museum houses the big names in modern art and design. Visit this red-brick gallery to explore an extensive collection of impressionist and expressionist art, photography displays and contemporary designs.
• Moco Museum: A fairly new addition to the city’s art-gallery catalogue, the Moco Museum is filled with inspiring modern and contemporary masterpieces alongside inspiring street art. Immerse yourself in exhibits covering the likes of Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Tracey Emin, alongside more up-and-coming names at this private museum in the historic Villa Arlsberg.

Trying new flavours is part and parcel of visiting a new place – and Amsterdam’s options are not to be missed.

• Stroopwafel: This moreish sweet treat is made from two layers of thin, circular waffles held together with a sticky caramel filling. At Wonderen Stroopwafels, they even come covered in a selection of toppings, from melted chocolate to marshmallows.
• Patat: These thick Dutch chips served in paper cones come slathered in all manner of sauces and tasty toppings. Vleminckx de Sausmeester is one hole-in-the-wall chippery that has 25 sauces to choose from, including classic mayonnaise to satay sauce and even apple sauce.
• Raw herring: While it may not be top of your list of foods to try, this traditional snack is worth giving a go! Sold out of haringhandels (herring carts), herring is cured in vinegar, cider and spices and eaten on the go. Or you could ease yourself in with broodje haring, a herring sandwich packed with pickles and onions. The best time to try is between May and July when the fish is at its sweetest.
• Poffertjes: A popular sweet treat at Amsterdam’s Christmas markets, poffertjes are tiny, puffy pancakes that are baked on an iron skillet. Served with melted butter and a dusting of icing sugar, they’re like fluffy clouds of goodness.
• Jenever: Once used for medicinal purposes, this spirit distilled from juniper berries is now one of Holland’s signature drinks. Traditionally served in a tulip-shaped glass, it’s customary to bow before taking your first sip and to slurp from the brim-filled glass. A great place to try jenever is at Wynand Fockink, a 17th-century pub that boasts an assortment of intriguing flavours.

Whether you’re after on-the-go eats or the best restaurants in Amsterdam, you’re sure to find something that’ll tantalise your taste buds in the Dutch capital.

• Foodhallen: Set in an old tram depot in Oud-West, Foodhallen is a prime spot to stop for lunch. With more than 30 food stalls and bars cooking up everything from tacos to dim sum, falafel to dessert pastries, you’re guaranteed to find something to satisfy your cravings. Another great place for street food is NDSM Wharf.
• Vuurtoreneiland: Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime dinner experience at Vuurtoreneiland. You’ll start your evening by boarding a boat to take you out to a small island in the IJmeer, on which stands a large greenhouse-style dining room. Once inside, you’ll tuck into a 5-course set menu of regional produce cooked entirely on open flames. Can’t get a table? Try plant-to-plate dining at De Kas – it’s also set inside a greenhouse.
• Moeders: Decorated with photographs of customers’ actual mothers, Moeders (which translates to ‘mothers’) is famous for its hearty, home-cooked meals based on family recipes. There are plenty of generous plates to choose from, but the jewel of the crown is Stamppot – mashed potato and cabbage served with sausage, bacon and a meatball.
• Wilde Zwijnen: The Wild Boar’s shabby-chic interior is one reason to come to this modern Dutch restaurant. Another is its ever-changing menu. Simply choose the number of courses you want to eat, and the kitchen will do the rest, whipping up delicious dishes centred around seasonal game and native produce. There are veggie options too!
• Restaurant Bellezza: This adventurous eatery inside a converted warehouse is one for the foodies. Extending over two hours, Bellezza’s high-concept 6-course menu is experienced across multiple rooms, each accompanied by an impressive audio-visual spectacle and an optional drinks pairing. The final course will even have you eating dessert among angels.

Despite Amsterdam’s reputation as a party haven, there are plenty of exciting (and free) things to do for families too. So do like the locals and bundle your kids into bakfiets (wooden boxes on the front of bikes) to cart them around the city’s sights.

• Animal adventures: Head to Artis Zoo, one of the oldest zoological parks in Europe, to get close up to an array of animals. But it’s not only mammals, insects and birds you’ll find here, but an aquarium, planetarium and microbes too. As part of your ticket, you’ll get access to Micropia, the world’s only microbe museum, where you’ll discover the world of microorganisms like never before.
• Scientific discoveries: Become a scientist at the Laboratory, build gigantic structures in Constructions or learn all about gravity in Sensational Science – just some of the exhibits you’ll find at the NEMO Science Museum. Shaped like a copper-green ship, this state-of-the-art exhibit has 5 floors of hands-on, educational fun for all ages, from giant bubble-making to building a water dam.
• Photographic fun: Pose for a one-of-a-kind family portrait at the Milkmaid Project. Dressed in 17th-century attire, children and adults can feature in their very own Vermeer-inspired artwork at this unique photo studio. Play a starring role in The Milkmaid or show off heavy robes or armour in another Renaissance masterpiece.
• Quick eats: Indulge in every kid’s fantasy by eating lunch out of a vending machine. FEBO is Amsterdam’s answer to fast food, all of which you can buy out of tiny glass windows built into the wall. Just slot in your coins to grab goodies like fresh fries, hot dogs, hamburgers and croquettes to eat on the move.
• Theme parks: In the city for more than a few days? Take a day trip to Efteling Theme Park, an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. Based on fairytales, myths and legends, the country’s biggest theme park plays host to a variety of theatrical shows and rides for all ages. There’s a steam carousel and pedal trains for the youngest, while daredevils and older kids may prefer the vertical drop of rollercoaster Baron 1898.

A popular destination for twosomes, Amsterdam has endless amounts of romantic activities to fill more than a few weekend breaks. Here are a handful to get you started:

• A pair of pints: Beer lovers can’t miss a trip to the Heineken Experience, where you can learn all about what goes into making one of the world’s most famous pints. Wander around the brewery, have a peek inside the brew room and uncover Heineken’s heritage before sitting down for a couple of complimentary beers at the Best ‘Dam Bar.
• Red Light District: While it might not seem like the most romantic place to visit, a walk around the Red Light District may ignite more than just the red-hued ‘shop’ windows. If that’s not your cup of tea, you could always visit Amsterdam’s Sex Museum, famous for its collection of erotic objects, paintings and much more.
• Whimsical wanders: A stroll around Jordaan and De Negen-Straatjes (The Nine Streets) is hard to beat. Originally a working-class area, this micro-neighbourhood is now one of the city’s most desirable quarters. Labyrinthine narrow lanes are lined with vintage stores, independent boutiques and charming cafés perfect for people-watching.
• Tempting tipples: Surprise your other half with a reservation at one of Amsterdam’s hidden bars. Start your private bar crawl at Door 74, the first speakeasy in the Netherlands. Its dark interiors and unique cocktails are tucked away behind a front door that’s so inconspicuous, you’ll really have to look to find it. Afterwards, head to Hidden in Plain Sight, adorned in 1920s décor and chandeliers, with drinks served in vintage crystal glasses.
• Fun and games: Or forego sophistication altogether and release your inner children at Ton Ton Club. This ballpit-come-retro-arcade is home to all sorts of old-school games like Super Mario Kart and pinball, as well as pool and board games. Add in food and plenty of craft beer and you’ve got your own slice of adult paradise.