Hi darling LGBT travellers! Whilst I’m not quite an Amsterdammer I’ve lived in this wonderfully progressive, chaotic, and bike-clogged city for nearly a decade now. Whether you’re here for the first time or returning to soak up some more Dutch charm, I’ve curated a two-day itinerary that celebrates Amsterdam’s queer spirit, rich culture, and unbeatable vibes. Pack your comfiest shoes and let’s go!
🌈 Getting into Town: Schiphol to City Centre
Flying into Schiphol Airport? Getting to the heart of Amsterdam is a breeze.
- Train (NS): Trains to Amsterdam Centraal depart every 10 minutes. Journey time is around 15–20 minutes.
🧭 Buy tickets at: www.ns.nl or use an OV-chipkaart.
🚉 Departure point: Schiphol Plaza (follow signs after baggage claim). - Alternative: The Connexxion Bus 397 gets you to places like Museumplein and Leidseplein if your stay is more central/southwest.
🚌 Info: www.bus397.nl
🛏️ Where to Stay (LGBTQ+ Friendly)
Hotel Mercier
Situated in the Jordaan neighbourhood with vintage charm and queer-friendly vibes.
📍 Address: Rozenstraat 12, 1016 PX
🌐 www.hotelmercier.nl
Or if you’re on a budget:
The Generator Amsterdam (trendy hostel in a former zoological university building!)
📍 Address: Mauritskade 57, 1092 AD Amsterdam
🌐 generatorhostels.com
🥐 Day 1: Queer Culture & Iconic Canals
10:00 – Brunch at Dignita Hoftuin
Fuel up with a top-notch brunch in a serene garden setting. LGBTQ+ friendly and sustainably focused.
📍 Address: Nieuwe Herengracht 18a, 1018 DP Amsterdam
🌐 eatwelldoelgood.nl
Transport Tip: From Centraal, take Metro 51, 53, or 54 to Waterlooplein, then it’s a short walk.
12:00 – Visit the Homomonument and Anne Frank House
Pay tribute to LGBTQ+ lives lost in WWII at the world’s first gay monument. Walk along the canal to the Anne Frank House — deeply moving and essential.
📍 Homomonument: Westermarkt, 1016 DK
📍 Anne Frank House: Prinsengracht 263–267
🌐 annefrank.org (Book well in advance)
15:00 – Coffee & People-Watching at Soho or ‘t Mandje
Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ café scene is thriving. Try:
- Soho – Classic gay bar in Reguliersdwarsstraat
📍 Reguliersdwarsstraat 36
🌐 sohoamsterdam.com - Café ‘t Mandje – One of the oldest queer bars in the world!
📍 Zeedijk 63, 1012 AS
🌐 cafetmandje.amsterdam
20:00 – Dinner at De Kas (Fine dining in a greenhouse)
For a splurge-worthy experience, head to De Kas for farm-to-table magic.
📍 Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam
🌐 restaurantdekas.com
Getting there: Tram 19 to Hogeweg, walk 5 minutes.
22:00 – Night Out in Club Church or Club NYX
Two of the most beloved queer venues in the city.
- Club Church – Sexy, themed, unapologetically wild. Older crowd.
📍 Kerkstraat 52, 1017 GM
🌐 clubchurch.nl - Club NYX – Three floors of dance, pop, drag, and neon joy. Younger crowd.
📍 Reguliersdwarsstraat 42
🌐 clubnyx.nl
🚲 Day 2: Arts, Parks & Queer Stories
10:30 – Vondelpark Picnic & Stroll
Pick up coffee and snacks from Coffee Concepts (📍Jacob Obrechtstraat 5) and head into Vondelpark. On a sunny day, you’ll spot locals lounging, couples smooching, and queer families walking their dogs.
12:30 – Drag Brunch at The Queen’s Head
Catch some of the best local queens over mimosas and Dutch bitterballen.
📍 Zeedijk 20, 1012 AZ
🌐 queenshead.nl
14:30 – Rijksmuseum or Moco Museum
If you love classics: Rijksmuseum for Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Dutch Golden Age drama.
📍 Museumstraat 1
🌐 rijksmuseum.nl
For modern & queer-friendly pop culture art: Moco Museum
📍 Honthorststraat 20
🌐 mocomuseum.com
Tip: Both museums are reachable by Tram 2 or 12 to Museumplein.
17:00 – LGBTQ+ Book Browsing at Boekhandel Vrolijk (Queer Bookstore in the Heart of Amsterdam)
For a cozy, inspiring literary stop, head to Boekhandel Vrolijk, Amsterdam’s most beloved LGBTQ+ bookstore. They stock queer fiction, non-fiction, poetry, zines, and art books — mostly in Dutch and English — and the staff are warm, knowledgeable, and always up for a recommendation.
📍 Address: Paleisstraat 135, 1012 ZL Amsterdam
🌐 www.vrolijk.nu
Closest Tram Stop: Dam (Trams 2, 12, 13, 17)
Located just behind Dam Square, this spot also gives you a chance to stroll through the city center or grab a coffee at nearby de Koffieschenkerij in the Oude Kerk courtyard.
20:00 – Sunset Drinks at Bar Buka (Lesbian-owned, all welcome)
Wrap it all up with cocktails at this easygoing queer gem.
📍 Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 60
🌐 barbuka.nl
🏁 Before You Go…
Amsterdam is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities on earth, but like anywhere, staying alert and aware at night (especially outside the center) is smart. Dutch people are direct but kind, and most speak English fluently.
Need to get back to Schiphol? Reverse your train or bus route — give yourself 1 hour of wiggle room for check-in.
Final Tips:
✅ Download the 9292 app for real-time public transport planning
✅ Get an OV-chipkaart or buy digital tickets via www.gvb.nl
✅ Want to bike? Rent from MacBike: macbike.nl
More Accomodation Options
Happy travels! 🌈💛
– Love from Amsterdam, your local LGBTQ+ insiders
🏳️🌈 About Cramberts
From our home base in Amsterdam, we frequently explore some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we’ve compiled detailed guides to share our insider knowledge. Whether you’re seeking the canals and culture of Amsterdam itself, the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria, the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, the bustling energy of Barcelona and Madrid, the refined elegance of Paris and Munich, the unique character of Sitges, or the diverse landscapes of the Randstad region, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations in the links below.
🔗 See Also
Amsterdam | Barcelona | Chicago | Cologne | Gran Canaria | Iceland | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Munich | Paris | Porto | Randstad | Sitges | Sydney | Washington DC
Note: Some of these links are affiliates which means using them won’t cost you any extra but we do receive a small commission for each referral. You’re not obligated to use them but we appreciate it if you do. Thanks in advance for supporting our site if you choose to use our links.