Arts & Culture
This is an important part of our history and a must-see for Amsterdam...and just around the corner from our apartment. Buy tickets online ahead of time, months ahead if you can, especially during high season; choose an available time slot.
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Indlu kaAnne Frank
20 WestermarktThis is an important part of our history and a must-see for Amsterdam...and just around the corner from our apartment. Buy tickets online ahead of time, months ahead if you can, especially during high season; choose an available time slot.
Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists in the world. I love how the museum is organized chronologically. They are open late the last Friday of every month (Vincent op Vrijdag) with events, music, and drinks. Buy tickets online well ahead of time, especially during high season.
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I-Van Gogh Museum
6 MuseumpleinVan Gogh is one of the most famous artists in the world. I love how the museum is organized chronologically. They are open late the last Friday of every month (Vincent op Vrijdag) with events, music, and drinks. Buy tickets online well ahead of time, especially during high season.
The building is beautiful. I often just go to the main gallery with Dutch master paintings. Rijksmuseum has a great app - you can select a tour and you have the option to listen (bring your ear buds!). Buy your tickets online for quicker entry.
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Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatThe building is beautiful. I often just go to the main gallery with Dutch master paintings. Rijksmuseum has a great app - you can select a tour and you have the option to listen (bring your ear buds!). Buy your tickets online for quicker entry.
The Hermitage is an interesting museum to see while visiting Amsterdam. The building was opened in 1682 as a retirement home for elderly women. Its nice to walk across the Amstel on the Magere Brug on the way to the museum.
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Hermitage Amsterdam
51 AmstelThe Hermitage is an interesting museum to see while visiting Amsterdam. The building was opened in 1682 as a retirement home for elderly women. Its nice to walk across the Amstel on the Magere Brug on the way to the museum.
Take a walk back in time and see how Rembrandt lived.
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I-Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Indlu kaRembrandt)
4 JodenbreestraatTake a walk back in time and see how Rembrandt lived.
If you want to learn more about the history of Amsterdam, including how much below and above sea level the different areas of Amsterdam lie, check out this museum. Also, there is a free hall with interesting artwork and artifacts, just outside the museum, as well as a cafe with outdoor sitting, nice for tea or coffee before or after you visit the museum (or as a break from shopping along the Kalverstraat).
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Iziko le-Amsterdam
51 KalverstraatIf you want to learn more about the history of Amsterdam, including how much below and above sea level the different areas of Amsterdam lie, check out this museum. Also, there is a free hall with interesting artwork and artifacts, just outside the museum, as well as a cafe with outdoor sitting, nice for tea or coffee before or after you visit the museum (or as a break from shopping along the Kalverstraat).
Sightseeing
This is the large grass area between the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. When big events happen, people come to the Museumplein. They also will put up huge screens to watch important Dutch sports events. In the winter, there is an ice rink and stalls selling hot chocolate, beer, soup, etc. It’s really cute.
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Museumplein
MuseumpleinThis is the large grass area between the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. When big events happen, people come to the Museumplein. They also will put up huge screens to watch important Dutch sports events. In the winter, there is an ice rink and stalls selling hot chocolate, beer, soup, etc. It’s really cute.
The palace, Nieuwe Kerk, Bijenkorf (high end department store), and war memorial monument are here. Important events, like Remembrance Day, crowning of the king, etc. happen here.
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Dam Square
The palace, Nieuwe Kerk, Bijenkorf (high end department store), and war memorial monument are here. Important events, like Remembrance Day, crowning of the king, etc. happen here.
Lots of restaurants, bars and clubs are located around the square. You can sit and watch the scene. There is interesting art in the middle of the square.
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Rembrandtplein
Lots of restaurants, bars and clubs are located around the square. You can sit and watch the scene. There is interesting art in the middle of the square.
Busy area with lots of bars, "coffee" shops, restaurants, and theaters.
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Leidseplein
LeidsepleinBusy area with lots of bars, "coffee" shops, restaurants, and theaters.
Waterlooplein has a market every day with used bikes, clothing (new and used), tchotchkes.
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Waterlooplein
WaterloopleinWaterlooplein has a market every day with used bikes, clothing (new and used), tchotchkes.
This is an area behind the houses where there was a secret Catholic church during the reformation. It’s interesting to see the gardens behind the houses, which are between many of the houses along the canals, but you can’t see them.
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Begijnhof
1 BegijnhofThis is an area behind the houses where there was a secret Catholic church during the reformation. It’s interesting to see the gardens behind the houses, which are between many of the houses along the canals, but you can’t see them.
Entertainment & Activities
Its a fun tour, taking you through the beer making process, the Heineken way, tasting, and samples of entertaining Heineken marketing. Buy tickets ahead online.
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I-Heineken Experience
78 StadhouderskadeIts a fun tour, taking you through the beer making process, the Heineken way, tasting, and samples of entertaining Heineken marketing. Buy tickets ahead online.
This is a beautiful old theater that opened in 1921. If you want to go to the movies in a grand theater, go here.
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Pathé Tuschinski
26-34 ReguliersbreestraatThis is a beautiful old theater that opened in 1921. If you want to go to the movies in a grand theater, go here.
It is a beautiful zoo that is fun for the family and kids of all ages.
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ARTIS
38-40 Plantage KerklaanIt is a beautiful zoo that is fun for the family and kids of all ages.
Hortus Botanicus
2a Plantage MiddenlaanBeautiful botanical garden.
Parks & Nature
Vondelpark is the largest park and wonderful to see by bike or, if you have time, to walk through it. There are a few cafes in the park and lots of grass to sit on. The ‘t Blaauwe Theehuis is nice on a sunny day, with lots of outdoor seating
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Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the largest park and wonderful to see by bike or, if you have time, to walk through it. There are a few cafes in the park and lots of grass to sit on. The ‘t Blaauwe Theehuis is nice on a sunny day, with lots of outdoor seating
near the Harlemmerbuurt, it is a beautiful park for a picnic with a view, on warm days there is a fountain and wading pools for the kids to play in. The Westergasfabriek is located in the Westerpark, containing restaurants, a small theater, and more. Events are hosted in the park, like Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens) and music events.
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Westerpark
4 Haarlemmerwegnear the Harlemmerbuurt, it is a beautiful park for a picnic with a view, on warm days there is a fountain and wading pools for the kids to play in. The Westergasfabriek is located in the Westerpark, containing restaurants, a small theater, and more. Events are hosted in the park, like Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens) and music events.
Shopping
Where else can you see a floating flower market? :)
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Imarike yezimbali
SingelWhere else can you see a floating flower market? :)
De Negen Straatjes (9 streets) is famous for the many small shops. It is getting more commercial with some big brand shops, but it’s still nice to wander through the streets and there are lots of cafes to stop in for coffee, tea, or a drink. But, there are more streets and some people say the 11 streets... continue on the other side of the Rozengracht for more interesting shopping. Thursdays are shopping nights (winkel avond) where many shops stay open late.
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De 9 Straatjes
De Negen Straatjes (9 streets) is famous for the many small shops. It is getting more commercial with some big brand shops, but it’s still nice to wander through the streets and there are lots of cafes to stop in for coffee, tea, or a drink. But, there are more streets and some people say the 11 streets... continue on the other side of the Rozengracht for more interesting shopping. Thursdays are shopping nights (winkel avond) where many shops stay open late.
Harlemmerbuurt (straat/dijk/plein) has for the past few years won “best shopping street.” It really is cute with lots of shops, restaurants and “coffee” shops (you smoke pot at a coffee shop and you drink coffee at a café).
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Haarlemmerbuurt
Harlemmerbuurt (straat/dijk/plein) has for the past few years won “best shopping street.” It really is cute with lots of shops, restaurants and “coffee” shops (you smoke pot at a coffee shop and you drink coffee at a café).
The Kalverstraat is a famous pedestrian shopping street with all types of shops and full of activity.
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Kalverstraat
KalverstraatThe Kalverstraat is a famous pedestrian shopping street with all types of shops and full of activity.
Its THE high-end shopping street in Amsterdam, located near the Vondelpark. Not budget friendly :)
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P.C. Hooftstraat
Pieter Cornelisz HooftstraatIts THE high-end shopping street in Amsterdam, located near the Vondelpark. Not budget friendly :)
Food Scene
Classic Dutch eetcafe with nice beer on tap and fresh food, located near Harlemmerstraat. Since they won an award for their cheese fondue, it has become more busy. When its cold outside, its cozy inside. When its nice weather, you can sit outside on the front terrace.
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't Blaauwhooft
1 Hendrik JonkerpleinClassic Dutch eetcafe with nice beer on tap and fresh food, located near Harlemmerstraat. Since they won an award for their cheese fondue, it has become more busy. When its cold outside, its cozy inside. When its nice weather, you can sit outside on the front terrace.
This was the house of Wim Sonneveld, a famous Amsterdam cabaratier (comedian, performer). It is just a short walk from the apartment for good food and drink while enjoying the local history.
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Café Sonneveld
72 74 EgelantiersgrachtThis was the house of Wim Sonneveld, a famous Amsterdam cabaratier (comedian, performer). It is just a short walk from the apartment for good food and drink while enjoying the local history.
These are not for breakfast! Dutch pannenkoeken is a specialty and they come in savory or sweet options. Definitely worth a visit during your stay.
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The Pancake Bakery
191 PrinsengrachtThese are not for breakfast! Dutch pannenkoeken is a specialty and they come in savory or sweet options. Definitely worth a visit during your stay.
De Pizzabakkers Haarlemmerdijk
128 HS HaarlemmerdijkBest pizza in Amsterdam :)
Amazing vegan restaurant. It books up quickly, so I recommend making a reservation.
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Meatless District
65-67 BilderdijkstraatAmazing vegan restaurant. It books up quickly, so I recommend making a reservation.
Fun take on a vegan restaurant. The "burger" with "cheese" is fantastic, as are the sweet potato fries. There are a few locations in Amsterdam.
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Vegan Junk Food Bar
22 StaringpleinFun take on a vegan restaurant. The "burger" with "cheese" is fantastic, as are the sweet potato fries. There are a few locations in Amsterdam.