Top 10: Amsterdam
Amsterdam Photo Safari (Image supplied)
Hop on a bike
The best way to see the so-called “Venice of the north” is to do as the locals do and hop on a bike. There are rental stations throughout the city and it’s an affordable way to get around ($17 AUD for the day). If you want a bit more guidance, join an organised bike group such as the three-hour city tour offered by We Bike Amsterdam ($28AUD), which will take you off the beaten track and will allow you to discover some hidden gems but still catch all the city’s main sites.
See some art
The famous Rijksmuseum is always worth a visit in Amsterdam for its extraordinary collection of work by Rembrandt and Vermeer (among many others). But it’s particularly good to stop by when they have one of their annual blockbuster shows on display. From now until June, it’s a survey of 17th century Dutch painter Frans Hals. The exhibition (which features his famous work ‘The laughing cavalier’, on display outside of the UK for the first time in nearly 150 years) was a hit during its previous run at London’s National Gallery and is one of the hottest tickets in town.
Taste the local drop
The Dutch have a long way to go in the art of beer brewing if they want to catch up to their Belgian neighbours. Yet business has been booming in recent years for micro-breweries around Amsterdam and there are many places to visit if you’re interested in tasting the local golden nectar. Brouwerij ‘t IJ is a charming canal-side pub that makes its own beers and offers a vast selection (including same seasonal and one-off options). For the full experience, head to the tasting room at their mill, which is open seven days.
Marvel at the buildings
The architecture in Amsterdam is nothing short of stunning, and anyone interested in design will want to put aside some time to wander the streets and canals and soak up the streetscapes. Take yourself on a stroll through the city centre and see some of the city’s most iconic building such as the Centraal Station and the Renzo Piano-designed NEMO Science Museum. Or book a tour lead by a local architect through Architour. The Golden Age Tour (through the historical city centre) will give you the best bang for your buck.
Stay in style
The Hoxton group recently opened their second hotel in Amsterdam and it has already become the place to be. With bright modern interiors that nod to Dutch culture, it’s located in Lloyd Amsterdam in the city’s eastern docklands surrounded by lush greenery and water views. The hotel’s brasserie and cocktail bar both offer plates that blend European and South American flavours (think spicy lobster rolls and beef merguez sausages with chimichurri) plus oyster happy hour every week-day.
Taste the city
The complex colonial history of The Netherlands has created a rich and diverse food culture in the country’s capital – and the best way to explore it is with the help of a local. Eating Europe offers various small group food tours throughout the city but the best one is their four-hour tour through the trendy Jordaan neighbourhood. You’ll get a chance to try Dutch delicacies such as herring and bitterballen (fried nuggets of meat) as well as some of the best Surinamese and Indonesian food in the city.
Paddle the canals
The canals weaving through Amsterdam are picturesque, and on a sunny day the smart way to experience them is by boat. Take the flexible option and hire a self-driven electric six-person boat from MokumBoot. No boat license needed, and for $158AUD you’ll be armed with a map and will get two hours to putt about and see the city from another angle. If you really want to relax, they also offer skippered boat options.
Find hidden culture
There are plenty of museums to see in Amsterdam (including the famous Anne Frank House) but for something a little different stop by the Our Lord in the Attic Museum. This perfectly preserved 17th century canal house has historically decorated living quarters on the lower levels. But visitors are encouraged to head all the way up to the attic where (as the name suggests) you’ll find a tiny Catholic church that harks back to the days when Protestant rulers outlawed Catholic worship. This unusual site is well worth a visit, but it contains several tight staircases so it’s not great for visitors with mobility issues.
Get exotic
A new and welcome addition to Amsterdam’s impressively multicultural food scene is Peruvian café Moche. Short for “modern ceviche”, this eatery lives up to its name and offers a wide range of fresh flavours. Try their salmon ceviche with avocado, mango and crispy banana, but save room for the chicken croquettes and the pointed cabbage glazed with miso. For dessert, the best pick is their epic cheesecake made with three different cheeses (idiazabal, classic cream cheese and kicky roquefort) and designed to share.
Go on safari
Amsterdam is objectively one of the most beautiful cities in the world and there’s a photo opportunity around every corner. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll around and snap those memories. If you want some help capturing the nicest views of the city, book a session with Amsterdam Photo Safari. Run by three local photographers, these group tours are focused on helping you capture the city in its very best light. If you’re there in springtime (April or May) do their tulip and windmill tour; otherwise their night photography tour is a popular choice.
