Amsterdam : what to see
Even though a small city, the sights in Amsterdam are endless and the hidden gems are even better. They have such an eclectic mix of things to experience here in the city from boats and art to markets and museums (so so many museums) - you’ll never run out of things to see. We love art, live performances and basically any kind of unique experience so this is a little collection of our current favourite gems in Amsterdam and places we think are worth a visit.
The Moco Museum
Art lovers unite. There are endless exhibitions to absorb around the city but our favourite is the Banksy Exhibition at the Moco Museum. We also love that the museum was founded with the mission of attracting broader and younger audiences, and making art accessible to the public. There are so many other pieces of contemporary and modern art to explore here so definitely visit the basement if you like interactive art.
Tuschinski Theatre
We are suckers for a cool interior and a cinema so this huge, Art Deco cinema blew us away. If you love films like we do then this is definitely the place for you - we always visit here just for the architecture alone. The interior and exterior blend several designs, with a heavy emphasis on Art Deco. And like the décor, the movies are also a mix of styles; Hollywood blockbusters play next to art house darlings. You can even book private balcony seats to make the visit extra memorable. The Movies is another cinematic contender in Amsterdam, being the oldest cinema in Amsterdam, it has a real sense of cinematic history.
Rent a Boat
This is the perfect way to see the city from a different angle. You can hop on a tour boat with the tourists or if you want to do things your own way, boats are rentable along the canal which allows you to create your own route - take a speaker, moor up and hang out on the water with drinks and pizza from Dope. The dream.
Vondelpark
Beautiful in every season, walk or cycle around this stunning park and soak in the scenery. In the summer months, catch an open air concert or take a picnic and graze on the grass for hours.
The Jordaan
Often overlooked, this artistic neighbourhood is a maze of cafes, small shops, restaurants and art galleries to explore - an Amsterdam treasure in our eyes. Every Saturday, the Lindengracht Market takes over the streets with over 200 vendors selling everything from fresh flowers, fish, and cheese, to traditional snacks like Dutch stroopwafels. The Noordermarkt also pops up every Saturday along the nearby canal, filled with antiques and vintage clothing.
De Food Hallen
An old tram depo turned elevated indoor street food hub, with 47 stalls serving every cuisine imaginable alongside a bar and communal seating, this is a really cool vibe. The burgers from The Butcher are *chefs kiss*
Hannie Dankbaarpassage 16, 1053 RT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Museums
Famed for its Museum Quarter, rich in art, culture, design, fashion and food, you will never be short of places to wander around Amsterdam on a rainy day. The Amsterdam Museum Quarter is home to the three most important museums in the Netherlands: the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Van Gogh Museum. The Rijksmuseum is the star of the show, but a performance at the Concert Hall is not to be missed in this area.
NDSM
A former industrial shipyard converted into a cultural hub, now filled with cafes, restaurants & bars, art galleries, working spaces and weekend markets. You can also catch concerts and festivals here throughout the year - Circo Loco is here in 2024 so keep an eye out for that. In the summer months, spend a day at Pllek, a beach bar that turns into a disco when sun sets for those in the know.
Waterkant
A tropical place for sunbathing, dancing, drinking and eating at the Amsterdam waterside. The vibes here in summer are elite but it can also get super busy in the summer months.. even so, it’s a perfect spot to socialise or just to sit and watch the boats go by.
Tulip Fields
If you’re in town in spring, then a trip to the Tulip fields is a must. To see the country in full bloom, time your visit between late March and early May, when its flower fields are carpeted in eye-popping streaks of pink, orange, and yellow and to wander through the pretty tulip fields. The Keukenhof is a 40-minute drive from downtown Amsterdam, where you’ll find dazzling flower displays, with 79 acres of tulips (7 million bulbs!)
The Hague
Just 50 minutes outside of Amsterdam, take a day trip to The Hague to find the most beautiful beaches and cool beach bars. Head to Patagonia Beach and hang out on cool bean bags in the summer months to really soak up the beach club vibes.