Jozefien’s local guidebook of Amsterdam
History
The Anne Frank house is an absolute must when you stay in our apartment. It is only a 1 minute walk away. Don't waste your time standing in line and book your timeslot online:
https://www.annefrank.org/nl/museum/tickets/
2775 habitants recommandent
Maison Anne Frank
20 WestermarktThe Anne Frank house is an absolute must when you stay in our apartment. It is only a 1 minute walk away. Don't waste your time standing in line and book your timeslot online:
https://www.annefrank.org/nl/museum/tickets/
Neighbourhoods
The Jordaan is my favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam. It is much less touristy than the '9 straatjes' or the city centre. On Monday and Saturday morning there is a lovely market at the Noordermarkt. When you're there, go and have a coffee and apple pie (best in AMS) at cafe Winkel.
For lunch in the Jordaan I would recommend Libertine, Madre.
For dinner in the Jordaan I would recommend Toscanini, Kiki, Parlotte, cafe Parel or Donna Sofia.
For drinks I would recommend de Nieuwe Lelie (old school), cafe Nol (typical old Jordaan) de Blaffende Vis (party), cafe Thijssen (local) or cafe de 2 prinsen (hip).
66 habitants recommandent
Jordaan
The Jordaan is my favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam. It is much less touristy than the '9 straatjes' or the city centre. On Monday and Saturday morning there is a lovely market at the Noordermarkt. When you're there, go and have a coffee and apple pie (best in AMS) at cafe Winkel.
For lunch in the Jordaan I would recommend Libertine, Madre.
For dinner in the Jordaan I would recommend Toscanini, Kiki, Parlotte, cafe Parel or Donna Sofia.
For drinks I would recommend de Nieuwe Lelie (old school), cafe Nol (typical old Jordaan) de Blaffende Vis (party), cafe Thijssen (local) or cafe de 2 prinsen (hip).
The area between the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht contains an intimate shopping area known as ‘De Negen Straatjes’ (The Nine Streets). These picturesque streets connecting the canals are filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques, stylish cafés and galleries. De Negen Straatjes are only a 5 minute walk away.
Have a coffee at Bussia or in the garden of the Pulitzer hotel. For lunch go to Wolf bakery or Pluk Amsterdam. It's great to have a drink at cafe van Puffelen at the Prinsengracht, or cross the water to the Elandsgracht and sit down at cafe Eland.
1405 habitants recommandent
De 9 Straatjes
The area between the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht contains an intimate shopping area known as ‘De Negen Straatjes’ (The Nine Streets). These picturesque streets connecting the canals are filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques, stylish cafés and galleries. De Negen Straatjes are only a 5 minute walk away.
Have a coffee at Bussia or in the garden of the Pulitzer hotel. For lunch go to Wolf bakery or Pluk Amsterdam. It's great to have a drink at cafe van Puffelen at the Prinsengracht, or cross the water to the Elandsgracht and sit down at cafe Eland.
Museum
The Royal Palace at the Dam square is sometimes opened to the public. The palace has been a home to the royal family of the Netherlands, the municipality of Amsterdam and even the Napoleon family. It has a very rich history and beautiful art and furniture! I recommend you book your time slot in advance through the website: https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en/visit/.
Note that it is sometimes closed, as it is still in use.
360 habitants recommandent
Palais royal d'Amsterdam
147 Nieuwezijds VoorburgwalThe Royal Palace at the Dam square is sometimes opened to the public. The palace has been a home to the royal family of the Netherlands, the municipality of Amsterdam and even the Napoleon family. It has a very rich history and beautiful art and furniture! I recommend you book your time slot in advance through the website: https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en/visit/.
Note that it is sometimes closed, as it is still in use.
Probably the Netherlands' most famous museum. It is almost impossible to see the entire collection in one day, but just a visit to the 'Eregalerij' (Gallery of Honours) is worth it. Go and see Rembrandts' famous Nightwatch.
Order tickets online:
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/tickets/artikelen
3186 habitants recommandent
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatProbably the Netherlands' most famous museum. It is almost impossible to see the entire collection in one day, but just a visit to the 'Eregalerij' (Gallery of Honours) is worth it. Go and see Rembrandts' famous Nightwatch.
Order tickets online:
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/tickets/artikelen
Are you into modern art? Then go to the 'Stedelijk Museum' at the Museum square. I can also really recommend the cafe inside the museum.
Order tickets: https://www.stedelijk.nl/en
1544 habitants recommandent
Musée Stedelijk d'Amsterdam
10 MuseumpleinAre you into modern art? Then go to the 'Stedelijk Museum' at the Museum square. I can also really recommend the cafe inside the museum.
Order tickets: https://www.stedelijk.nl/en
This museum used to be a hidden catholic church and it is situated right in the Red Light District.
Tickets: https://opsolder.nl/
172 habitants recommandent
Musée Notre Seigneur dans le grenier
38-40 Oudezijds VoorburgwalThis museum used to be a hidden catholic church and it is situated right in the Red Light District.
Tickets: https://opsolder.nl/
Do you love photography? This museum for photography is situated in a beautiful canal house at the Keizersgracht. You can walk there from our apartment.
Check out the current exhibition on the website: https://huismarseille.nl/en/
99 habitants recommandent
Huis Marseille, Musée de la Photographie
401 KeizersgrachtDo you love photography? This museum for photography is situated in a beautiful canal house at the Keizersgracht. You can walk there from our apartment.
Check out the current exhibition on the website: https://huismarseille.nl/en/
Another great museum for photography lovers, also situated at the Keizersgracht.
Check out their current exhibition:
https://www.foam.org/
792 habitants recommandent
Mousse
609 KeizersgrachtAnother great museum for photography lovers, also situated at the Keizersgracht.
Check out their current exhibition:
https://www.foam.org/
Sightseeing
Amazing light show in an old factory building.
Book tickets in advance:
https://www.fabrique-lumieres.com/nl
7 habitants recommandent
Fabrique des Lumières
37 PazzanistraatAmazing light show in an old factory building.
Book tickets in advance:
https://www.fabrique-lumieres.com/nl
Food & Drinks
No nonsense food in a great ambiance, great value for money.
Highly recommend making a reservation:
https://cradam.nl/en/
284 habitants recommandent
Café Restaurant Amsterdam
6 WatertorenpleinNo nonsense food in a great ambiance, great value for money.
Highly recommend making a reservation:
https://cradam.nl/en/
Pacific Parc
23 PolonceaukadeGreat place for food and drinks and has a fantastic terrace.
This super relaxed terrace is hidden behind a parking garage. When the sun's out, this is where you'll find the locals.
436 habitants recommandent
Waterkant
55 KapelwegThis super relaxed terrace is hidden behind a parking garage. When the sun's out, this is where you'll find the locals.
Discover Noord, aka the North of Amsterdam by taking the (free) boat behind Central Station. Have a beer and/or burger at Oedipus brewing. My favourite beer is 'Mannenliefde'.
105 habitants recommandent
Oedipus Brewing Taproom
85 Gedempt HamerkanaalDiscover Noord, aka the North of Amsterdam by taking the (free) boat behind Central Station. Have a beer and/or burger at Oedipus brewing. My favourite beer is 'Mannenliefde'.
Get some drinks and quick bites in this old tram depot right in the beating heart of Amsterdam-West.
615 habitants recommandent
De Hallen Amsterdam
47 Hannie DankbaarpassageGet some drinks and quick bites in this old tram depot right in the beating heart of Amsterdam-West.
Good restaurant in an exceptional building, make reservations:
https://cafenieuwamsterdam.nl/reserveren/
Café Nieuw Amsterdam
75 HaarlemmerstraatGood restaurant in an exceptional building, make reservations:
https://cafenieuwamsterdam.nl/reserveren/
Cute restaurant for lunch or dinner, which is super close to the apartment. Make reservations: https://brasseriedeluwte.nl/
14 habitants recommandent
De Luwte
26-28 LeliegrachtCute restaurant for lunch or dinner, which is super close to the apartment. Make reservations: https://brasseriedeluwte.nl/
Café De Prins
124 PrinsengrachtHave a drink on the Prinsengracht at cafe de twee prinsen!
Cute lunch spot. The chicken and the melanzane sandwich are the best. Recommend to make a reservation: https://bonnie.goudvisch.nl/en/
10 habitants recommandent
Bar Bonnie
226h AmstelveensewegCute lunch spot. The chicken and the melanzane sandwich are the best. Recommend to make a reservation: https://bonnie.goudvisch.nl/en/
A favourite in the Pijp: having a drink at Het Paardje. Great place to relax after having visited the Albert Cuijp market.
105 habitants recommandent
The Paardje B.V.
1 Gerard DoupleinA favourite in the Pijp: having a drink at Het Paardje. Great place to relax after having visited the Albert Cuijp market.
Tap Zuid
70 MaasstraatMy favourite place in the Rivierenbuurt!
Lovely place to have lunch, because of the menu and the interior!
141 habitants recommandent
Bar Botanique
581 Eerste Van SwindenstraatLovely place to have lunch, because of the menu and the interior!
Want to spend a bit more and have a fine dinner? Go to Kaagman & Kortekaas. Book a table: https://kaagmanenkortekaas.nl/en/
51 habitants recommandent
Kaagman & Kortekaas
43 Sint NicolaasstraatWant to spend a bit more and have a fine dinner? Go to Kaagman & Kortekaas. Book a table: https://kaagmanenkortekaas.nl/en/
This cafe is well known for it's terrace overlooking the Amstel.
119 habitants recommandent
Café de Jaren
20-20 Nieuwe DoelenstraatThis cafe is well known for it's terrace overlooking the Amstel.
Local favourite to hang out at the terrace and look at the boats passing by on the Amstel.
399 habitants recommandent
Café Restaurant De Ysbreeker
23 WeesperzijdeLocal favourite to hang out at the terrace and look at the boats passing by on the Amstel.
Great food and natural wines in a hip restaurant. They don't take reservations!
57 habitants recommandent
Café Binnenvisser
36 BilderdijkstraatGreat food and natural wines in a hip restaurant. They don't take reservations!
Glou Glou
3 Tweede van der HelststraatWinebar
TEDS
60 Bosboom ToussaintstraatThe perfect breakfast, brunch or lunch place.
Pluk Amsterdam
19 BerenstraatCute cafe for breakfast or brunch.
Bit more fancy restaurant. Make reservations: https://www.pekelhaaring.nl/#menu
232 habitants recommandent
Fa. Pekelhaaring
127 Van WoustraatBit more fancy restaurant. Make reservations: https://www.pekelhaaring.nl/#menu
This restaurant is situated right next to Artis Zoo and from the terrace you can see the flamingo's. I would recommend making a reservation: https://www.caferestaurantdeplantage.nl/
224 habitants recommandent
De Plantage
36 Plantage KerklaanThis restaurant is situated right next to Artis Zoo and from the terrace you can see the flamingo's. I would recommend making a reservation: https://www.caferestaurantdeplantage.nl/
This cafe serves Dutch craft beers and has many of them on draft. I love this place!
65 habitants recommandent
Proeflokaal Arendsnest
90 HerengrachtThis cafe serves Dutch craft beers and has many of them on draft. I love this place!
Party
Live Amsterdam Pianobar
16 ThorbeckepleinThe place where the locals like to end a night at the Rembrand square.
Shelter
3 OverhoekspleinTechno club on the other side of the IJ, in the North area.
Music venue and culture centre that has great live music. See what's on: https://www.melkweg.nl/en/
444 habitants recommandent
Melkweg
234A LijnbaansgrachtMusic venue and culture centre that has great live music. See what's on: https://www.melkweg.nl/en/
Club and live music venue. See what's on: https://www.paradiso.nl/en/
937 habitants recommandent
Paradiso
6-8 WeteringschansClub and live music venue. See what's on: https://www.paradiso.nl/en/
Escobar
10 Eerste SweelinckstraatNice bar in which a relaxed evening can turn into dancing!
Club/cultural institution. See if there's something going on for you: https://radionamsterdam.stager.nl/web/tickets
98 habitants recommandent
RADION Amsterdam
1 LouweswegClub/cultural institution. See if there's something going on for you: https://radionamsterdam.stager.nl/web/tickets
A night in the East of Amsterdam isn't complete without a stop at cafe Kuijper.
115 habitants recommandent
Café Kuijper
79 LinnaeusstraatA night in the East of Amsterdam isn't complete without a stop at cafe Kuijper.
Tapmarin
130 Van WoustraatA local pub-like cafe, great to end your night at!
Conseils sur la ville
Déplacements
Car parking
Park your car in one of the P+R parkings. When you travel back to the parking using public transport, you will receive a huge discount. Do read the instructions very carefully and check out parking availability on the website:
https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/parking/park-ride/
Déplacements
Tourist traps
In my opinion there are some places you can skip. Even though I work for Heineken, I really would not recommend going to the Heineken experience.
The Red Light district is something you can skip as well, it has become a trashy district full of drinking bachelor parties.