Explore the Dutch capital’s streets and waterways to uncover great markets, lesser-known museums and charming bars, cafes and restaurants.
Amsterdam is not just marijuana and museums.
Related article: Amsterdam for children
Explore the Dutch capital’s streets and waterways with this helpful guide and you will not only avoid the tourist traps but uncover great markets, lesser-known museums and charming bars, cafes and restaurants.
Where to sleep
Budget: Each of the eight simply furnished rooms at Hotel Brouwer, in a house dating back to 1652, has a canal view and is named after a famous Dutch painter – with a print by that same painter inside. Prices start at 60 euros.
Mid-range: Conveniently located close to the Concertgebouw, and with a tram stop outside, Museum Square Hotel is a family-run place with bright modern rooms with large windows. Prices from around 89 euros.
Luxury: Set in an 18th-century mansion, Hotel Roemer has all the extra touches you would want from a boutique hotel – bedrooms with sitting areas, a bar and restaurant, pretty gardens, bikes for hire and a DVD library. Prices start at 155 euros.
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What to see
Budget: Enter at the unmarked rear of Amsterdam’s Historisch Museum for the Civic Guards Gallery, a street glazed over to house epic group portraits of the militia. Entrance is 10 euros for adults.
Mid-range: Noordermarkt hosts several lively markets a week, including Monday’s flea market and Saturday’s bird market and farmers’ market. Open 8 am to 1 pm Monday, 10 am to 3 pm Saturday.
Luxury: The grand Concertgebouw is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world due to its fantastic acoustics. Its 800-odd shows a year include classical, jazz and world music concerts. Prices vary.
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Where to eat
Budget: Walk through the kitchen to reach the dining room at Hein, a simple but stylish sky-lit café open for breakfast and lunch. Expect dishes such as croque monsieur. Mains start from 5 euros.
Mid-range: Indonesian food has always been popular in Amsterdam with rijsttafel (rice with loads of sides) created as a Dutch colonial feast. Tujuh Maret does a good version, plus satay and other authentic dishes. Mains from 13.50 euros.
Luxury: Inside a 17th-century former herb warehouse in the Red Light District, Blauw aan de wal is a rose among thorns. Try the refined Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the garden. A three-course menu costs 55 euros.
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Where to drink
Budget: The tasting room of Amsterdam’s leading microbrewery, Brouwerij ‘t IJ, has a down and dirty beer hall feel. Walls are lined with dry hops and bottles from around the world, and the house brew is on tap.
Mid-range: The pretty terrace of Café ‘t Smalle overlooks the canal while inside there is a distillery, a tasting house dating back to 1786 and porcelain beer pumps.
Luxury: Grab a coffee or glass of champagne, and people watch from the balcony and waterside terraces of Café de Jaren, a soaring, grand cafe.
The article ‘Amsterdam for every budget’ was published in partnership with Lonely Planet Magazine.
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