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Amsterdam is a vibrant and picturesque city known for its lovely canals, charming architecture, and fascinating history. From world-renowned museums to beautiful parks and gardens and a thriving nightlife scene, the city has something for everyone. Amsterdam is also known for its liberal attitudes, and visitors can participate in a variety of activities, including coffee shops selling legal cannabis and the famous Red Light District. Amsterdam is the ideal destination for anyone interested in art, culture, history, or simply relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
The primary airport serving Amsterdam is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), located approximately 9 miles (15 kilometers) southwest of the city center. Many airlines offer non-stop flights from the United States to Amsterdam, including Delta, KLM, United, and American Airlines. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a train to the city center. The train is the fastest and most convenient option, with frequent services departing from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. Once you’re in the city, you can use public transportation, including trams, buses, and the metro, to get around. Uber is also available in Amsterdam.
Some of the top things to do in Amsterdam include visiting the Van Gogh Museum, exploring the Anne Frank House, taking a canal cruise, and checking out the vibrant nightlife in areas like Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. You can also indulge in Dutch cuisine, such as stroopwafels and bitterballen, or visit one of the city’s many markets, like the Albert Cuyp Market or the Flower Market.
De Kas is my favorite restaurant in all of Amsterdam. This restaurant, housed in a gorgeous greenhouse, serves delicious food made from seasonal, regional, and/or organic ingredients. Grilled squid with fennel and beetroot, as well as lamb with tomato and artichoke, are two staples on the ever-changing menu. A meal for two at De Kas will set you back about €150.
Restaurant Johannes — This fine dining establishment offers innovative and contemporary European cuisine. The menu features a mix of meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, and the dishes are presented with artistic flair. Prices start at around €50 for a three-course meal.
De Kas — This unique restaurant is located in a greenhouse, where the chefs harvest their own produce to create a daily changing menu of seasonal dishes. Prices start at around €45 for a three-course meal.
Restaurant C — A Michelin-starred restaurant that serves modern French cuisine with a twist. The menu changes with the seasons, and the chefs use locally-sourced ingredients. Prices start at around €65 for a three-course meal.
Cafe de Jaren — This large and stylish cafe overlooks the Amstel River and offers a wide variety of international dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and pasta. Prices start at around €15 for a main course.
Winkel 43 — Famous for its delicious apple pie, Winkel 43 is a cozy cafe in the Jordaan district. They also offer sandwiches, soups, and salads. Prices start at around €8 for a slice of pie.
FEBO — This fast food chain offers Dutch-style snacks, such as croquettes and krokets, which are deep-fried snacks filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Prices start at around €1.
Maoz Vegetarian — This vegetarian fast food chain offers falafel sandwiches and salads with a variety of toppings. Prices start at around €5.
The Pancake Bakery — This cozy pancake house offers a variety of sweet and savory pancakes, as well as soups and salads. Prices start at around €8.
Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx — This tiny fry shop offers some of the best fries in Amsterdam. The fries are served with a variety of sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and peanut sauce. Prices start at around €3.50.
Bagels & Beans — This cafe chain offers a variety of bagels with different toppings, as well as soups and salads. Prices start at around €6.
The Pulitzer Amsterdam would be my top choice if I could only stay at one hotel in the city. In the middle of the historic canal district, this 5-star hotel provides guests with a genuine taste of the Netherlands. Twenty-five canal houses built between the 17th and 18th centuries form the hotel. Each room has its own special appeal and personality. The hotel also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a cozy bar, and a beautiful garden courtyard.
The Pulitzer Amsterdam’s dedication to environmental preservation is one of the hotel’s distinguishing features. The hotel uses renewable energy and has taken steps to reduce plastic waste, among other eco-friendly measures. The hotel also provides a bicycle rental service, which is a fun and active way to see the city.
The typical cost per night for a room at the Pulitzer Amsterdam starts at around €250, depending on the season and availability.
Hotel Abba: This cozy hotel is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from many of Amsterdam’s top attractions. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Prices start at around €70 per night.
Hotel Prinsenhof Amsterdam: This charming hotel is housed in a 17th-century building and features classic Dutch architecture and décor. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, and the hotel is conveniently located near many of the city’s top museums and attractions. Prices start at around €80 per night.
Hotel Vondel Amsterdam: This boutique hotel is located in a quiet residential area, just a short walk from Vondelpark. The rooms are modern and stylish, and the hotel features a cozy lounge and bar. Prices start at around €90 per night.
The Hoxton Amsterdam: This trendy hotel is located in a beautiful 17th-century building and features stylish, contemporary design. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel features a popular restaurant and bar. Prices start at around €150 per night.
NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky: This grand hotel is located in the heart of the city, just steps from Dam Square. The rooms are elegant and luxurious, and the hotel features several restaurants, a spa, and a fitness center. Prices start at around €200 per night.
The Dylan Amsterdam: This luxury boutique hotel is housed in a 17th-century building and features elegant, modern design. The rooms are spacious and luxurious, and the hotel features a Michelin-starred restaurant, a cozy bar, and a beautiful garden courtyard. Prices start at around €300 per night.
5-Star Hotels:
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: This luxurious hotel is located in a beautiful 17th-century canal house, just a short walk from many of Amsterdam’s top attractions. The rooms are elegant and luxurious, and the hotel features a stunning spa, a fitness center, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Prices start at around €500 per night.
Conservatorium Hotel: This grand, historic hotel is located in the heart of the city’s museum district. The rooms are spacious and luxurious, and the hotel features a stunning spa, a rooftop bar, and several restaurants. Prices start at around €550 per night.
De L’Europe Amsterdam: This iconic hotel is located on the banks of the Amstel River, offering stunning views of the city. The rooms are elegant and luxurious, and the hotel features several restaurants, a beautiful spa, and a fitness center. Prices start at around €600 per night.
Amsterdam’s nightlife offers a wide variety of venues and activities. If I had to pick one thing to do, though, it would be going to the Paradiso, a famous nightclub in the middle of the city. The building has a deep history; in the 1960s, it was transformed from a church into a concert hall. Nowadays, it’s a hotspot for a diverse range of musical styles, from rock and pop to electronic and hip hop, and is frequented by both locals and visitors.
De School — This former school turned nightclub is located in Amsterdam West and offers a unique setting with a varied music selection, from techno to house. The club has an intimate feel and is known for its impressive sound system.
Melkweg — Located in the city center, Melkweg is a music venue that offers a diverse range of shows, including concerts, comedy, and club nights. The venue has a long history in Amsterdam and has hosted many well-known artists over the years.
Club NYX — This colorful and vibrant club is located in the Reguliersdwarsstraat, which is known for its lively nightlife. The club offers a mix of music styles, from techno to R&B, and has multiple floors and rooms, each with its own unique vibe.
Boom Chicago — For a night of comedy, head to Boom Chicago, located in the Leidseplein area. The venue offers improv and sketch comedy shows in English, and has a relaxed atmosphere with a fully stocked bar.
Carré Theatre — For a more upscale night out, consider visiting the Carré Theatre, a historic theatre that hosts a variety of shows, including musicals, theatre performances, and circus acts. The venue has a grand and elegant atmosphere and is located along the Amstel River.
Café De Dokter — This small and cozy bar is located in the city center and is known for its extensive selection of jenevers, a traditional Dutch liquor. The bar has a vintage feel, with wooden paneling and a low ceiling, and is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Café Sound Garden — Located in the Jordaan neighborhood, this laid-back bar has a rock and roll vibe and offers live music performances throughout the week. The bar has a large outdoor terrace and a diverse clientele.
Café De Wetering — This unpretentious bar is located in the De Pijp neighborhood and is popular with locals. The bar has a friendly atmosphere and offers a range of beers and snacks at affordable prices.
Café Chris — This classic Amsterdam brown café is located in the Jordaan neighborhood and has been serving locals and tourists for over 100 years. The bar has a vintage interior with wooden paneling and stained glass windows, and offers a range of beers and traditional Dutch snacks.
Café Belgique — This small and cozy bar is located in the Grachtengordel neighborhood and is known for its extensive selection of Belgian beers. The bar has a rustic feel, with exposed brick walls and a wooden bar, and is popular with beer lovers.
Breakfast: Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Coffee & Coconuts, located in an old art deco cinema.
Morning Adventure: Visit the Van Gogh Museum to see some of the most famous works of the Dutch painter.
Lunch: Head to De Kas, a restaurant located in a beautiful greenhouse where the chefs use fresh produce grown in the adjacent gardens.
Afternoon Adventure: Explore the Jordaan neighborhood, known for its charming canals, trendy boutiques, and art galleries.
Snack: Stop by the famous Winkel 43 for a slice of their famous Dutch apple pie.
Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Restaurant C, which offers modern European cuisine with a focus on local ingredients.
Nightlife: Paradiso is a nightlife staple, a music venue located in a converted church that plays host to a wide range of musical styles from jazz to electronic.
Breakfast: Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Bakers & Roasters, which offers a unique blend of New Zealand and Brazilian cuisine.
Morning Adventure: Rent a bike and explore Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam, with plenty of paths, lakes, and cafes to discover.
Lunch: Head to De Foodhallen, an indoor food market that offers a variety of international cuisine.
Afternoon Adventure: Take a canal cruise to see the city from a different perspective and learn about its history.
Snack: Stop by the famous FEBO for some traditional Dutch fast food, including krokets and frikandels.
Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Rijsel, which serves delicious French cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
Nightlife: End your night at Club NYX, a popular club that offers a variety of music genres and a vibrant atmosphere.
Breakfast: Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Pancakes Amsterdam, which offers a variety of sweet and savory pancakes.
Morning Adventure: Visit the Rijksmuseum to see some of the most important works of Dutch art and history.
Lunch: Head to The Seafood Bar, which offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes.
Afternoon Adventure: Visit the Anne Frank House, the former hiding place of Anne Frank and her family during World War II.
Snack: Stop by Van Stapele Koekmakerij for their famous chocolate cookies.
Dinner: Enjoy dinner at Breda, which offers creative cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients.
Nightlife: De School is a former school that has been converted into a club with a wide selection of electronic music and a one-of-a-kind vibe.
Amsterdam is a unique and vibrant city with something to offer for everyone. From its picturesque canals and museums to its bustling nightlife and delicious cuisine, Amsterdam is a city that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
If you’re looking for another city to explore, I would highly recommend Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is a city that blends the traditional and the modern seamlessly, offering visitors a glimpse into the past while still being at the forefront of technology and innovation. The city is home to incredible food, beautiful temples and shrines, and exciting neighborhoods like Shibuya and Shinjuku. Whether you’re interested in art, fashion, technology, or food, Tokyo has something to offer everyone.