By Lucy Connors
Whatever your idea of a good day involves, Amsterdam can provide it. It doesn’t matter if you’re happiest exploring museums and standing face to face with Van Gogh’s self-portraits; getting lost in the lanes surrounding the 9 Streets and browsing the unique independent shops that fill them; or cycling around the beautiful Vondelpark and basking in the sun, you can do it all. Here are some of my favourite places to see and be seen, and to bring together the essential Amsterdam travel guide
Museums
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh is perhaps what Amsterdam is most famous for, and the museum showcases his phenomenal feats as an artist were. Almost all his magnum opus works are on display in the museum: The Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and his many self-portraits. Staring face to face with his changing self-portraits, viewing them as your juxtaposed reflection is a special experience.
Rijksmuseum
Neighbouring the Van Gogh Museum is the Rijksmuseum. With over 8000 works of Dutch historical and artistic significance, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more Van Gogh, this museum is a real treasure trove. The main focus of the museum is currently on Rembrandt’s ‘Nightwatch’: the painting is incredible but even more so is the restoration work being undertaken. The museum has been working on varnish removal techniques and there are test squares all over the painting where the underlayers are revealed. They used an ultrasound to show thirty or so layers of varnish and touch-ups over the original paint - these are all being removed, and the painting will be left as authentic as possible. The restoration is undergoing in an observatory for museum attendees to see – which is a truly unique experience.
Anne Frank House
An incredibly poignant, emotional and unequivocally significant site to visit – this piece of history is so well honoured and preserved by the museum. Keep in mind, that bookings for the House are released six weeks in advance, and fill up almost immediately, so you do need to be prepared before your trip.
Shopping
De 9 Straatjes
The Nine Streets is one of Amsterdam’s most popular shopping neighbourhoods: with a focus on independent stores. The charming area is overflowing with character, always bustling and unmissable for an afternoon bouncing between boutiques and cosy cafes, mooching around the quaint and quintessential streets, and admiring the special pieces on offer. Head from here over into The Jordaan district, where the style and vibe of the Nine Streets continues; draping over the tables pulled onto cobblestones as revellers overflow from chic restaurants and bars.
Nieuwe Speigelstraat
This street is lined with vintage and antique shops; and art galleries. It’s a much quieter section of the city but that only increases the joy of exploring it - you could find anything in this treasure trove. One of our favourite spots is Carmen Shop and Kitchen - the style here exudes effortlessly cool vibes, and it’s a gorgeously aesthetic spot to sit and enjoy a coffee. Nearby, The American Book Center is an independent family-run bookstore and a magical institution which is absolutely worth a visit - and the antique book market that pops up outside it is equally fantastic to browse.
Sightseeing
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s largest green space spans 45 hectares of land within the city. The perfect space to explore on a run, or as the Dutch do, on a bike, or to sit and escape the pace of city exploration for a few hours. The park is stunning, luscious and with monuments and ponds to find dispersed throughout.
Albert Cuypmarkt
The largest outdoor market in the Netherlands has over 250 stalls and is open every day except Sundays. Its popularity is as diverse as its offerings, you will find everyone and everything here - it’s a particularly exciting spot because there are endless opportunities for discovering. Use the market as a starting point to explore the De Pjip area - Amsterdam’s lively Latin quarter. It’s a perfect representation of the city as a whole; there truly is something for everyone here.
Amsterdam has something for everyone, from world-class museums and charming shopping districts to beautiful parks and lively markets. Whether you're an art lover, a shopaholic, or just exploring the city, Amsterdam offers an unforgettable experience at every turn.
Undoubtedly, after all the touring round the city, you will have worked up an appetite, and luckily for you we have wrapped up our go-to spots for dining in Amsterdam here.
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