Guidebook for Amsterdam
Arts & Culture
It has a marvelous collection of artworks. The building itself is an architectural wonder.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatIt has a marvelous collection of artworks. The building itself is an architectural wonder.
One of the most visited concert hall in the world, this monument has been the venue of some of the best musicians. I have performed myself there with several choirs and orchestras.
476 locals recommend
The Concertgebouw
10 ConcertgebouwpleinOne of the most visited concert hall in the world, this monument has been the venue of some of the best musicians. I have performed myself there with several choirs and orchestras.
Shopping
Famous traditional market of Amsterdam. We always buy our weekly fruit provision here. Cheap and fresh!
1832 locals recommend
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert CuypstraatFamous traditional market of Amsterdam. We always buy our weekly fruit provision here. Cheap and fresh!
Are you a shopaholic, or simply looking for some typically-Dutch souvenirs? Stroll down the narrow street of Kalverstraat and see if you can get what you want.
643 locals recommend
Kalverstraat
KalverstraatAre you a shopaholic, or simply looking for some typically-Dutch souvenirs? Stroll down the narrow street of Kalverstraat and see if you can get what you want.
Nice flea market. Who knows, you might buy a very valuable antique here for 2 bucks.
182 locals recommend
Waterlooplein Market
2 WaterloopleinNice flea market. Who knows, you might buy a very valuable antique here for 2 bucks.
One of the two nicest markets in Amsterdam (the other one is Dappermarkt). Cheap stuffs, pretty good quality stuffs. The farther you walk from the entrance of the market, the cheaper it gets. There's also a very good Dutch butchery at the beginning of the market.
371 locals recommend
Ten Kate Markt
32 Ten KatestraatOne of the two nicest markets in Amsterdam (the other one is Dappermarkt). Cheap stuffs, pretty good quality stuffs. The farther you walk from the entrance of the market, the cheaper it gets. There's also a very good Dutch butchery at the beginning of the market.
Cozy and cheap! At the end of the street (towards the canal), there's this most delicious Turkish pizza and kebab once visited by the Queen.
673 locals recommend
Dappermarkt
383 Eerste Van SwindenstraatCozy and cheap! At the end of the street (towards the canal), there's this most delicious Turkish pizza and kebab once visited by the Queen.
Sightseeing
You haven't been in Amsterdam if you haven't seen Red Light District. Whether you are straight, gay, or anything in between, you will find it interesting to even just observe. The swans are beautiful!
636 locals recommend
De Wallen
You haven't been in Amsterdam if you haven't seen Red Light District. Whether you are straight, gay, or anything in between, you will find it interesting to even just observe. The swans are beautiful!
One of the most important monuments in Amsterdam. Explore its glorious halls, or just hang out for a while at Dam Square right across the street.
360 locals recommend
Royal Palace Amsterdam
147 Nieuwezijds VoorburgwalOne of the most important monuments in Amsterdam. Explore its glorious halls, or just hang out for a while at Dam Square right across the street.
Café de Magere Brug
81 AmstelA perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful Amstel River.
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
1 KattenburgerpleinA glimpse into Dutch colonial history.
Silent witness of the cruelty and absurdity of war but also courage and hope. You may have heard her story, but to be inside the house, among the poignant legacy of her struggle, is another experience
2775 locals recommend
Anne Frank House
20 WestermarktSilent witness of the cruelty and absurdity of war but also courage and hope. You may have heard her story, but to be inside the house, among the poignant legacy of her struggle, is another experience
This old church is like a sanctuary in the middle of hustle and bustle of Amsterdam centre. They often have concerts with free entrance which you should see of you're into classical or choral music.
112 locals recommend
The Oude Church
23 OudekerkspleinThis old church is like a sanctuary in the middle of hustle and bustle of Amsterdam centre. They often have concerts with free entrance which you should see of you're into classical or choral music.
This film museum stands ostentatiously on the northern bank of Ij river, with a view that will take your breath away. Don't miss the nice restaurant with huge glass pane, especially in the summer
1109 locals recommend
Eye Film Museum
1 IJpromenadeThis film museum stands ostentatiously on the northern bank of Ij river, with a view that will take your breath away. Don't miss the nice restaurant with huge glass pane, especially in the summer
We love Tropenmuseum for some obvious reasons: me being an Indonesian and Sid being an Iranian. But for whosoever, this museum is a gate to the exotic, mysterious beauty of the Orient lands.
628 locals recommend
Tropenmuseum
2 LinnaeusstraatWe love Tropenmuseum for some obvious reasons: me being an Indonesian and Sid being an Iranian. But for whosoever, this museum is a gate to the exotic, mysterious beauty of the Orient lands.
It's a few km outside Amsterdam, but really worth seeing. Here you can see some typical Dutch scenes: windmills and water.
651 locals recommend
Zaanse Schans
KraaienestIt's a few km outside Amsterdam, but really worth seeing. Here you can see some typical Dutch scenes: windmills and water.
Everything Else
One of the well-known Amsterdam canals, along which the most beautiful and historical houses in this city stand, just like the paintings in the museum. When it's dark, it's even more dramatic!
7 locals recommend
Herengracht
HerengrachtOne of the well-known Amsterdam canals, along which the most beautiful and historical houses in this city stand, just like the paintings in the museum. When it's dark, it's even more dramatic!
Also known as Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, it's the biggest public library in Europe. Free internet! Free to read any books you want, including music scores :). Wonderful view from the top floor!
188 locals recommend
OBA Library of Amsterdam
143 OosterdokskadeAlso known as Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, it's the biggest public library in Europe. Free internet! Free to read any books you want, including music scores :). Wonderful view from the top floor!
You've probably heard it somewhere, but this fisherman's village is really worth visiting. Especially when it's sunny and warm. It can get rather touristic during peak season, but otherwise very nice.
301 locals recommend
Volendam
You've probably heard it somewhere, but this fisherman's village is really worth visiting. Especially when it's sunny and warm. It can get rather touristic during peak season, but otherwise very nice.
Politie Amsterdam
1109 PrinsengrachtIn case of emergency, such as lost passport or ID card, you can report here.
Food Scene
Just next to the famous Rembrandt Square, perfect for a meeting point. Or if you miss some caramel macchiato.
66 locals recommend
Starbucks
72 OvertoomJust next to the famous Rembrandt Square, perfect for a meeting point. Or if you miss some caramel macchiato.
Our favourite coffee and bagels! You can always sit and relax outside after some shopping at Albert Cuyp market.
411 locals recommend
Bagels & Beans
52 RuyschstraatOur favourite coffee and bagels! You can always sit and relax outside after some shopping at Albert Cuyp market.
For sushi lovers, they have a very attractive set menus. www.sohosushi.nl
7 locals recommend
Soho Sushi
For sushi lovers, they have a very attractive set menus. www.sohosushi.nl
I know how important internet access can be. So in case you're out there exploring and need some Google assistance, have a cup of coffee and free wifi here.
Dam Good Coffee
10 DamI know how important internet access can be. So in case you're out there exploring and need some Google assistance, have a cup of coffee and free wifi here.
A very nice Tibetan restaurant in the cosy neighbourhood of Haarlemmerstraat. The chef is Tibetan. So is the nice lady who serves there. The food is fabulous. Definitely worth another visit.
Snow Lion Tibetaans Restaurant
50 HaarlemmerstraatA very nice Tibetan restaurant in the cosy neighbourhood of Haarlemmerstraat. The chef is Tibetan. So is the nice lady who serves there. The food is fabulous. Definitely worth another visit.
One of the best pubs (or cafes for that matter) in town. The windmill serves as a rather authentic Dutch experience.
1100 locals recommend
Brouwerij 't IJ
7 FunenkadeOne of the best pubs (or cafes for that matter) in town. The windmill serves as a rather authentic Dutch experience.
This is a restaurant unlike any other. It is situated within a greenhouse, in which almost all the ingredients are cultivated. Entirely organic, free from chemical nonsense. The park is also nice!
267 locals recommend
De Kast
3 Kamerlingh OnneslaanThis is a restaurant unlike any other. It is situated within a greenhouse, in which almost all the ingredients are cultivated. Entirely organic, free from chemical nonsense. The park is also nice!
Our most favourite Thai restaurant. Small but the food is yummy. Having lived in and often travelled to Thailand, we can assure you their dishes are of authentic style and standard.
167 locals recommend
Bird Thais Restaurant
72-74 ZeedijkOur most favourite Thai restaurant. Small but the food is yummy. Having lived in and often travelled to Thailand, we can assure you their dishes are of authentic style and standard.
Perhaps the most famous Chinese fusion restaurant. Do try their deep-fried tofu with black pepper and pine nuts. We keep going back there mainly for this dish. Other dishes are also recommended, except anything watery.
59 locals recommend
New King
115-117 ZeedijkPerhaps the most famous Chinese fusion restaurant. Do try their deep-fried tofu with black pepper and pine nuts. We keep going back there mainly for this dish. Other dishes are also recommended, except anything watery.
Cheap but good quality Chinese food. My favourite is beef fried rice and crispy Peking duck. It's just next to the Pathe cinema, so in case you're hungry while waiting for the next movie, look no further.
9 locals recommend
Asian Kitchen
5-A VijzelstraatCheap but good quality Chinese food. My favourite is beef fried rice and crispy Peking duck. It's just next to the Pathe cinema, so in case you're hungry while waiting for the next movie, look no further.
Parks & Nature
The biggest park in Amsterdam. It can get quite crowded on sunny and warm days, but otherwise you can always get a mat and do some yoga there, or simply lie in the sun. Go harvest that vitamine D!
4196 locals recommend
Vondelpark
The biggest park in Amsterdam. It can get quite crowded on sunny and warm days, but otherwise you can always get a mat and do some yoga there, or simply lie in the sun. Go harvest that vitamine D!
One of the most beautiful parks in Amsterdam. A little bit further to the east of the city, this park is far less crowded than Vondelpark or Oosterpark. You can even set up your barbecue here!
398 locals recommend
Flevopark
FlevoparkOne of the most beautiful parks in Amsterdam. A little bit further to the east of the city, this park is far less crowded than Vondelpark or Oosterpark. You can even set up your barbecue here!
Drinks & Nightlife
A gay friendly-bar at the centre of Amsterdam. It's close to Dominicus Church, so you can always have a drink or two here prior to or after a concert in the church. The atmosphere is cosy and friendly
19 locals recommend
PRIK
109 SpuistraatA gay friendly-bar at the centre of Amsterdam. It's close to Dominicus Church, so you can always have a drink or two here prior to or after a concert in the church. The atmosphere is cosy and friendly