48 hours in Amsterdam: A short break in a changing European capital
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A diverse, often misunderstood city, Amsterdam has morphed into a bona fide cultural hotspot.
In contrast to the ever-shrinking gritty side, its tranquil canals, picture-perfect waterside houses, world-class museums, cool dining scene and of course, famous coffee shops, all combine to create an alluring city that exudes cultural gravitas, style, and edge, with a side order of chill.
Easily navigated thanks to great transport options — including meandering canal-side cycle paths and walkways — the Dutch capital is enduringly seductive for a short break.
Most people will advise you to visit the state museum, Rijksmuseum, and it’s good advice.
Home to Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Vermeer, plus ever-changing exhibitions, make the best of your visit by booking a guided tour (€7.50) and traverse the museum with a tour guide in search of the best it has to offer, from the Night Watch and The Jewish Bride to Asian temple guards and Breitner.
Don’t skip the Asian collection on the ground floor.
The Van Gogh Museum contains the world’s largest collection of original paintings and drawings by the legendary Dutch post-Impressionist.
If modern art is more your jam, head to the Stedelijk Museum where Marina Abramovic is exhibiting until July.
Welcoming over 1 million visitors every year, a visit to Anne Frank House reveals the home and annex where the young Jewish diarist hid with her family during the Nazi occupation of Europe.
Tickets are tricky to secure, only available through the website and every Tuesday at 10am (local time) for upcoming six-week blocks.
- Tickets €16/€7 for students and children.
- annefrank.org
If you miss out on tickets for the Anne Frank House, a good alternative is a visit to the Jewish Cultural Quarter, revealing four centuries of Jewish culture in four locations.
One ticket (€30/€8 for children) allows access to the city’s Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, the newly renovated Hollandsche Schouwburg and the National Holocaust Museum.
A’dam Lookout is not your run-of-the-mill observation deck. With 360-degree views over the city, ‘Over the Edge’, Europe’s highest swing, audio tours, interactive binoculars and an Amsterdam virtual reality rollercoaster, this attraction has something for everyone.
If you still have an appetite, head to the Sky Bar and Panorama Restaurant or linger for longer with a meal at the revolving restaurant, Moon.
In a vast airy building that was built as a pump station, Café Restaurant Amsterdam is a great choice for a casual lunch or dinner that won’t break the bank.
Open from 10.30am, it buzzes all day long with people enjoying dishes like snow crab with cocktail sauce, oysters, lobster and steak frites, not forgetting the local delicacy of ‘bitterballen’, deep-fried croquettes of slow cooked beef in béchamel, best served with a sharp mustard.
A small side salad will set you back 25cent so there is no excuse for not eating your greens.
Expect the unexpected when dining at Pesca — Theatre of Fish.
There are no menus, instead, guests are invited to choose their fish from an in-house fish market with prices that decrease as the evening progresses to ensure all the fish is sold by the end of the day.
Wine is then chosen at the wine market before you are escorted to your table.
Pesca could easily descend into gimmicky territory but the saving grace is quality seafood, cooked with skill and confidence. There is a lively buzz and it’s all great fun. Don’t skip the homemade limoncello.
Vesper Bar is a relaxed cocktail bar with a cool neighbourhood feel.
Named for Vesper Lynd, apparently the only woman James Bond ever loved, Vesper is dotted with Bond memorabilia and serves a creative cocktail list is highly regarded by industry pros.
For nearly 140 years, Waterlooplein has been home to a daily flea market selling vintage clothing, vinyl, books, antiques and bric a brac.
Allow a couple of hours to trawl the stalls and if you happen to be in the market for a vintage leather jacket, then you are in the right place.
Haggling is not only expected but actively encouraged.
The only floating flower market in the world, Bloemenmarkt has been delighting locals and visitors since 1862.
The colourful stalls are on boats moored on the canals and you can pick up tulip bulbs to bring home along with wooden clogs, cheeses and flowers by the bunch or singular.
The area of the Jordaan, in the canal belt, flanked by Raadhuisstraat and Leidsestraat is known as De 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets), and is Amsterdam’s most stylish shopping locale.
Shop leather goods at Oh My Bag or Bobbies, 1950s clothing from Laura Dols and jewellery from Parisienne Amsterdam. Cheese lovers should make their way to De Kaaskamer.
Just 25 minutes by train from the city, an afternoon in Zandvoort is a no-brainer if the weather permits. With 9 km of beach, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beach clubbing or water sports.
Keep refuelled at the abundance of restaurants, cocktail bars, ice cream parlours and beach bars in this popular spot.
If the weather permits, combine sightseeing with a culinary tour, dining on a brunch or dinner cruise along the canal.
An idyllic way to spend a few hours on a balmy Amsterdam day.
Boat Boys offer private dining cruises on a luxury 1920’s classic canal boat, with meals delivered to you on the boat from a selection of Amsterdam’s finest restaurants.
- From €430 for a brunch cruise for up to 4 people.
- www.amsterdamprivateboat.com
Located in 25 restored canal houses that date from the 17th and 18th centuries, Pulitzer Amsterdam is very special indeed.
Once home to many notable Dutch aristocrats, you too can live like a noble if only for a night or two, enjoying cocktails in the stunning Pulitzer Bar, or dinner in the highly recommended Jansz restaurant. The location, in the upscale Jordaan area only adds to the appeal.
- From €339 per night.
- www.pulitzeramsterdam.com
If sleeping in a vintage tram carriage or in a hidden room off the library is something that you might enjoy, then the oh-so-quirky Hotel Not Hotel could be the one for you.
Every room in the hotel is unique, each with a story and personality all of its own. As if that wasn’t enough for the cool quota, the restaurant is called Kevin Bacon.
- From €127 per night.
- www.hotelnothotelamsterdam.com
With hotels at Museum Square, Vondelpark, Westerpark and Amsterdam City, Conscious Hotels are leading the way in sustainability by utilising thermal energy, operating fully organic restaurants with an 80% vegetarian menu, using less plastic and water-saving shower heads to name but a few.
- Rooms from €75.
- www.conscioushotels.com