ICBRKR TRAVEL GUIDE: AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
is a city built around its canals, with advanced city planning from the 17th century, and it's famous for being very easy to get around on a bike. Its architecture is rich, since it has been blossoming since the Golden Age. It is also very liberal and progressive, with relaxed regulation around its cannabis cafés long before cannabis was even legal anywhere else in the world. In addition, it has a legalized Red Light District. Not sure where else you can find such a modern and open-minded city with such fantastic architecture! It is certainly unique.
A few facts about Amsterdam
It was one of the most important cities in the 17th century because of its port
It is Europe's 4th most densely populated city and the continent's 2nd best city to live in
Amsterdam is derived from the word Amstelredamme, from its origins as a city built around a dam in the river Amstel
Some of the world's largest companies like Netflix, Nike, and others have their European headquarters there
INSIDER TIPS
The best period to visit is April - October. My favorite time is the summer and early fall (September).
Tulip season is from the end of March to mid May.
Since Amsterdam is so bike-friendly, rent a bike from your hotel or through Frederic, Bike City or Macbike to get around. It's the best way to get to know the city and it's eco-friendly. If you're up for an adventure, bike an hour to the old town and visit the countryside.
Amsterdam has amazing music festivals: Amsterdam Dance Event, The Gardens of Babylon, Drumcode Festival, Awakenings Festival, and Loveland Festival.
Take a boat trip to cruise around the canals and have a picnic.
Enjoy night-time cocktails and get tattoos at the Van Gogh Museum.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Eye Film Institute
Bike around Amsterdam to experience it
Visit a coffee shop to sample cannabis or space cake
Boating in the canal
Dine at De Kas
Stedlijk Museum -- modern art. One of the best modern art museum.
Van Gogh Museum
Eye Film Institute -- super cool architecture
Oude Kerk -- the oldest building in Amsterdam
Rijksmusem
Anne Frank House
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
Our Lord in the Attic
Hermitage Amsterdam
FOAM
Heineken Experience
WHERE TO STAY
There are so many cool design boutique hotels in Amsterdam. Experience them all by staying at a different one each time you go.
Soho House Amsterdam
Soho House Amsterdam
W Hotel Amsterdam
The Dylan
Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam
Hotel Pontsteiger
Zoku (co-work and live hotel)
Sir Adam Hotel
La Remise B&B
WHERE TO EAT
De Kas
BREAKFAST/LUNCH
Coffee & Coconuts
Toki
The Lobby Nesplein
Morgan & Mees
Bufette van Odette,
Bufette van Odette
Libertine
George (Leidsegracht)
George (Willemsparkweg)
Janzs
Pluk
G’s - really nice place
Bakers & Roasters
Gartine
SPECIALITY
Cheese: Fromagerie Abraham Kef
Desserts: Pastisserie Kuyt v.o.f, Van Stapele
Pizza: Sotto Pizza Roelof Hartstraat
Pita: Leeman Doner
Fried food: Febo
All types of food: Foodhallen
Dutch apple pie: Winkel 43
Classic Dutch food: Cafe Loetje, Café Binnenvisser
Sandwich: Broodjeszaak t Kuiltje
Cafe Restaurant: De Kroon
Nepalese food: Bhatti Pasal
DINNER
Restaurant GUTS
Daalder
Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs
Restaurant Blauw
BAK
Café-Restaurant Stork
BREDA
Salmuera
Toscanini
La Fiorita
The Duchess
Izakaya
Mr Porter
Little Collins
Balthazars Keuken
Maris Piper
Choux
Rijks
Scheepskameel
Wilde Zwijnen
Mos
Rijsel
MICHELIN-STARRED
De Kas
Yamazato
Ron Gastrobar
The White Room -- the oldest restaurant in Amsterdam
For more, check out this great list from The Eaters
WHERE TO HANG OUT
De Marktkantine - photo from www.clubbable.com
Coffee shops:
Green House Centrum
Amnesia
And below, some more recommendations from ICBRKR and Amsterdam local, Hannake W. Connect with her in ICBRKR app when you travel to Amsterdam.
Cocktail bars:
A'DAM Toren
Tunes Bar
Petit Caron
Hoppe
Hoxton
PLLEK
Brandon
Café Stork
Glou, Glou
Alex + Pinard
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Bar Bukowski
Flying Dutchmen
Tales & Spirits
Clubs:
De School
Schelter
De Loft
De Marktkantine
Claire
Chicago Social Club
WHERE TO SHOP
Nine Street (it's an area) is the best area to shop for independent designers, and Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk are really nice as well. Noorderkerk is great for its Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Flea Market on Mondays. There are so many cute shops around the city, I would bike around and explore.
Liberty London (photo from londontopia.net)
Here is a list made with help from one of our ICBRKR Member and Amsterdam local, Hannake W:
Four
Tenue de Nimes
OU boutiques
Baskets
Jutka & Riska
Anna + Nina
Bijenkorf
Pauw
Unrecorded
Ace & Tate
Patta