Insider’s Guide to Amsterdam: Where to Stay, Eat & Play

I landed in Amsterdam one summer morning years ago. Caught between the jetlag and being in a vibrant city, my traveling companion and I set out on a bike tour. In the U.S., biking is not one of my active past-times. However, here in Amsterdam — a city with more bicycles than inhabitants — it seemed to be the perfect way to experience a little local color. Our guide gently weaved us in and around the quaint neighborhoods stopping only to sample some coffee and explore a couple of local shops. It is a fun memory I still carry with me several years later.

Amsterdam has a pervasive, pleasant coziness in the air. Because of its small size, you can cover a lot of ground and really experience the city in a short amount of time. Marvel at the colorful canal houses, most of which are crooked: the houses were built atop wooden beams plunged into mud. Over the time, the wood eroded and the houses tilted.

Below is an overview of where to stay, eat and play in the Netherlands’ capital city. The city is small and mighty, and this guide is just a starting point. Connect with me, we’ll work together to plan a trip according to your personal preferences.

As Vincent says, the color of Amsterdam will bring enthusiasm into your life.

Need to Know

Currency: €, Euro (EUR)

Languages: Dutch

Airports: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Transportation: The city’s public transportation is excellent: there are trams, trains, a metro and more. Stick to that, rent a bike or walk. Avoid taking a car when you can.

Best Time to Visit:  Spring and fall are the sweet spots. On April 27, the Netherlands celebrates Koningsdag, or King’s Day, and Amsterdam becomes one big party. It can get quite hot in the summer, and A/C is sometimes sparse. And don’t rule out winter; it’s coz, less expensive and less crowded. Plus, Amsterdam is fickle. One moment it’s dreary, and then a few minutes later, the sun returns.

Ideal Length of Stay: Four nights is ideal. Extend your trip a few days if you want to take a few day trips to the countryside or other Dutch towns. The Netherlands is small, so you can easily use Amsterdam as a homebase for exploring the rest of the country.

Signature Dishes: bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs paired with mustard), pannenkoeken (thin pancakes), ontbijtkoek (ginger cake), stroopwafels (thin caramely waffles), broodje haring (herring sandwich).

Key Phrases: hallo (helloo), alstublieft (please | als-too-bleeft); dankjewel (thank you | dank-yuh-vel); how are you (hoe gatt het met u | hoo khaht ut meht ew); proost (cheers | prohst)

Dress Code: Colorful prints and patterns or a sleek monochromatic ensemble. Keep it casual, though keep it chic.

Special Considerations: Amsterdam is an open city, and some of the rules and regulations may be more lax than what people are used to. Note that “coffee shops” are in fact cannabis shops, while “cafes” are where to go to get your morning cuppa.

Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Generous King Canal Room | Pulitzer Amsterdam

De L’Europe Amsterdam: Sophisticated and exceptionally tasteful, with a fine collection of Dutch artwork and the well-placed pop of color. Book with me to receive a $100 food/beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.

Pulitzer Amsterdam: This hotel is truly delightful and you cannot beat the location on the main canal (and a short walk from the Anne Frank House). It’s an elegant (though not pretentious) five-star stay composed in 25 canal houses from the 17th- and 18th centuries. Book with me to receive a $100 food/beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Hoxton, Amsterdam & The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam: Hip and cool, with a buzzy local vibe. Book with me to receive an exclusive rate, welcome amenity and an upgrade.

Kimpton de Witt Amsterdam: Playful and contemporary, with a boutique vibe and eclectic art. Book with me to receive a $100 hotel credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily, an upgrade and late check-out.

Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht: A fun downtown getaway with a rooftop pool and bar. The hotel also offers in-room spa services and custom-designed bikes for riding around town. Book with me to receive IHG Luxury & Lifestyle perks such as a $50 hotel credit, welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: An elegantly restored 15-century convent with a French flair. Book with me to receive VIP Accor STEP partner perks including a hotel credit, welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park: A boutique newcomer with a tranquil aesthetic and five-star taste. Book with me to receive a $50 hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.

Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam: A regal stay neighboring the city’s best museums. Book with me to receive a $100 hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out.

What to do in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

Much of Amsterdam’s allure lies in its laid-back, relaxed vibe. You won’t want a packed itinerary. Instead, allow plenty of time for wandering around the city’s charming, colorful streets. De 9 Straatjes, or Nine Streets, is a lovely district brimming with local boutiques and cafes. The boho De Pijp neighborhood is youthful and hip. Explore the vibrant Albert Cuypmarkt, where local artisans sell produce, clothes, flowers, Dutch treats and more. (With over 250 stalls, the market is one of Europe’s largest.)

Amsterdam has an excellent museum scene. Several of the museums are located in Museumplein, a cultural hub centered on a pleasant park where musemgoers can picnic between visits. (The sprawling Vondelpark is also nearby.) The Van Gogh Museum displays both famous and lesser-known works by the artist, all housed within a sleek, modern building. Head to the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands’ national museum, to see work created by Dutch artists from 1200 A.D. up to the present day. The museum is akin to a mini MET, and also shows pieces beyond paintings. Also, in Museumplein are the Stedelijk Museum and the Moco Museum, both hubs for modern, contemporary art. If you’re really into Van Goh, consider an excursion to Otterlo, in the Dutch countryside about 90 minutes outside of Amsterdam, where you’ll find the intimate Kroller-Muller Museum. It boasts the world’s second largest Van Gogh art collection, complete with paintings and drawings, plus a delightful sculpture garden.

While Amsterdam allows for spontaneity and relatively few plans, do plan ahead for a visit for the Anne Frank House. Tickets are available 30 days in advance and generally sell out quickly. Try to go on a weekday and at non-peak times when it will be less crowded.

See the city’s beauty — the charmingly crooked, colorful townhomes, the houseboats bedecked with hanging pots of flowers — from its network of canals. Those Dam Boat Guys is a fun and casual canal tour option, though there are many choose from, including some hotels with their own boats. I can assist you in planning any of these experiences and many others.

Where to Eat in Amsterdam

Oriole Restaurant | Amsterdam

Vuurtoreneiland, located on a tiny island just outside the city, is a glass-walled, sleek restaurant that offers a hyper-local tasting menu. In Amsterdam proper, hotel De L’Europe’s two Michelin-star Restaurant Flore excels at nourishing vegetable-forward cuisine composed of seasonal, local, sustainable and organic ingredients. The hotel’s bar, Freddy’s, is also not to be missed; it’s a fun local hangout named after Alfred “Freddy” Heineken. For additional farm-to-table cuisine, Kaagman & Kortekaas is a cool, casual option. Head to Oriole, a plant-filled bistro for Mediterranean-inspired fare. The swanky Nazka is great for modern Peruvian in a playful, cheery space, while SAAM Restaurant is a must for contemporary South African paired with a masterful wine list.

Delight in the elevated garden-to-table prix-fixe menu at De Kas, a chic and airy space with on-site gardens and hydroponic greenhouses. Sister restaurants Collins (brunch and dinner) and Little Collins (just brunch) are hip local haunts. For a sweet, feminine all-day cafe’ moment, head to the brick walled Ree 7. For a cool Nordic-chic coffee moment, Wandu Cafe is an excellent choice. Also, a coffee must is Uncommon Cafe’ whose beautiful, handcrafted ceramics are reason enough to visit.

Enjoy artisanal, out-of-this-world cocktails at Bar Brassierie OCCO, located within The Dylan Hotel. Another excellent spot for cocktails is the Pulitzer’s Bar, found within the Pulitzer hotel, overlooking the canal below.

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