Amsterdam is full of lovely cafes, places to explore, and streets to stroll. I have chosen a few places to share that I really enjoy. One can spend hours if not a full day in the Museum Quarter strolling though the well-known museums of Amsterdam. You have your choice of The Rijks Museum, Van Gogh Museum, The Stedelijk Museum, and The Moco Museum. Each one offering a peaceful place to sit and take in the magnitude of this area. My favorite place to meet a friend and sip a drink is at The Rijks Museum. In the winter one can sit inside the museum or in the warmer months the outdoor garden is stunning! I always find myself spending a small window of time in this area especially on a sunny day. FYI, within a short stroll one can walk to fashionable PC Hoofstraat for luxury shopping.
Here is a place to linger, chill and rest in between strolling The Jordaan neighborhood and De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets). Hotel bars are relatively a newish thing for Amsterdam. I am digging the Amsterdam spin to them. The Lotti’s at The Hoxton Hotel is a hot spot for locals and tourists located on the Herengracht. It has a welcoming vibe that offers cozy and comfortable places to sip a drink and nibble on some food. Honestly a place that you can find yourself hours later departing. Love a new place to add to my long list of places to enjoy.
Next is an alternative posh spot. I am a huge fan of Dutch designer Marcel Wanders! He has designed the Andaz Amsterdam Hotel with a Alice In Wonderland theme. There is no detail that he has not thought of or delivered. Delft Blue is prominent and complimented by the over sized furnishings that creates a playful twist. The Andaz is hip and modern. It offers a cool lounge area for all to enjoy. A perfect place for tea time or cocktail hour! It is worth just popping in to experience this interior masterpiece and be surrounded by everything Dutch. If you need a place to stay, I wouldn’t hesitate booking this hotel.
Here are two lovely additions that I enjoyed and are in close proximity to each other. The Secret Church, Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Soder located in the Red Light Distract of Amsterdam is a must see. I never knew that Amsterdam at one time was filled with secret churches that were hidden in private homes and canal houses. This occurred during a period of political and religious changes in the early 17th century. This particular church I visited was housed in a wealthy merchant canal house. One gets to tour the canal house and the church. It is so amazing to travel back in time and experience how people lived back then. The museum does a lovely job explaining the history of this canal house through an audio guide. So many gems to explore and delighted I had the opportunity to learn more about the rich history that makes this city so special.
Nacarat, a city oasis located in the hustle and bustle of Dam Square. A roof top restaurant in the new Hudson’s Bay offering a fresh take on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine. The views of the city are stunning along with the impressive and creative use of glass. A very Missoni feel through the play of patterns, color tones of pink, orange, and green while walking on the mosaic flooring makes the restaurant feel posh with a casual twist through the street food inspired menu. One feels miles away from the tourist packed center but by the end of your meal you are ready to rejoin the fast-moving city.
Amsterdam is an easy city to move around. Walking is my preferred way to move around the city with riding a bike a close second. Walking allows you to feel the city and embrace its charm. Biking gets you places quickly with a sense of freedom peddling from one place to another. As you quickly appreciate how Amsterdamers move along in their everyday life. The tram is efficient and dry when it is raining. You decide what is best for you!
