Hotels nearby or that are recommended – we used to recommend the Doubletree Hilton by the station and the Amrath which are both lovely hotels but not super close to us (10 min walk) and not super close to the bars (15-20 min walk) or places we go so… Also you will probably see a great deal on a hotel and think it’s worth saving the €35 a night but trust us it’s easier to get a hotel within the S100 (M25 for you londoners) otherwise you will spend a lot of your weekend walking or on a tram. It’s fine if you are local or have a bike otherwise pay the extra and enjoy the weekend. Nearby | Rembrandtplein | Map | Trivago | Booking.com | Hotels.com
Nearby (Valkenburgerstraat)
There are four on our street listed here by their ratings in order of best to least best according to people who have booked on tripadvisor. Monet Garden (Nice #44 out of 417 ratings) Holiday Inn Express (Average #64 out of 417 ratings) Motel One (Average #72 out of 417 ratings) Ibis (Basic #131 out of 417 rating). Ibis though is also cheaper than the other 3 usually so take your pick biertjes or nice room!
Amstel 144, 1017 AE edenhotelamsterdam.com Booking.com The always reliable Eden hotel near Rembrandtplein is only a few minutes from us and unlike the ones on our street closer to many of the bars. It’s had a refurb during covid time so the prices may be a little higher than you remember.
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There is a map below and the list is broadly Memorials then Museums and other stuff like boat trips. Don’t forget there is a lot more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. If you are here for a few days or have been here before consider venturing outside the city. This is a list of some of the top culture in Amsterdam.
Prinsengracht 263-267 (Westermarkt) https://www.annefrank.org/en/ Book early as this is one of the most visited sites in Amsterdam and books up well in advance. The building is located on the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk. You experience her story through an audio tour, quotes, photos, videos, and original items. Important: The Anne Frank House can only be visited with an online ticket for a specific date and time. Book online here https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/
Weesperstraat and Nieuwe Herengracht https://www.holocaustnamenmonument.nl/en/home/ (Free) Seventy years after the Second World War, more than 102,000 victims of the Holocaust have their own memorial.
Shadow Bank/De Schaduwkade –
Nieuwe Keizersgracht 1, 1018 DS http://www.schaduwkade.nl/ (Free) Monument to murdered jews who lived in the houses opposite the memorial.
Stolperstein
All over the city and country https://stichting-stolpersteine.nl/ Stolperstein (stumble stones) are brass stones which commemorate the victims of National Socialism during the Second World War. The brass Stolpersteine are placed in the pavement for the last home of the victims.
Museumplein https://www.rijksmuseum.nl The Rijksmuseum is the museum of the Netherlands. The completely renovated Rijksmuseum tells the story of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more! Most famous is Rembrandt’s masterpiece the Night Watch.
Van Gogh Museum (The Sunflower guy) –
Museumplein https://www.vangoghmuseum.com/en Book early as this along with Anne Frank Huis is one of the most visited sites in Amsterdam and books up. Discover the world’s largest collection of works by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, featuring masterpieces such as Sunflowers.
Stedelijk (Museum of Modern Art) –
Museumplein https://www.stedelijk.nl/en The Stedelijk Museum is an international institution in Amsterdam dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design.
Oosterdok 2 https://www.nemosciencemuseum.nl/en/ Worth it for the roof cafe and views alone! The largest science museum of the Netherlands you will find proof that science and technology can be captivating for all ages.
The National Maritime Museum/Het Scheepvaartmuseum –
Amstel 51 https://www.hartmuseum.nl/ This museum houses collections from other museums like the Amsterdam Museum, the Rijksmuseum etc and used to be twinned with the Russian Museum Hermitage but of course no more hence the rebrand. In addition, the Hermitage H’Art Museum Amsterdam provides spaces for smaller exhibitions, such as the annual winner of the ABN AMRO Art Award.
Tropen Museum –
Linnaeusstraat 2 https://www.tropenmuseum.nl/ The Tropenmuseum is a museum of world cultures, housed in one of the most impressive museum buildings in the Netherlands. From the monumental Great Hall there is a wide view of what the museum has to offer. It has some great temporary exhibitions too so check the website for more.
Museum Het Schip –
Oostzaanstraat 45, Amsterdam https://www.hetschip.nl/ Iconic 1919 apartment building with a museum displaying works by the Amsterdam School, plus a cafe.
NXT (Digital exhibition) –
Asterweg 22, 1031 HP https://www.nxtmuseum.com Nxt Museum is the first museum in the Netherlands dedicated to new media art.
Grachtenmuseum (The Museum of the Canals) –
Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ https://grachten.museum/ History of Amsterdam’s canals through films & audio & interactive exhibits in a waterside museum.
A’dam Tower (swings and beers on the top of a tower) –
Overhoeksplein 5 1031 KS https://www.adamlookout.com/ A’DAM LOOKOUT is an observation deck with an unrivalled panoramic view of Amsterdam. Also it has SWINGS that go out over the roof.
Zaanse Schans (Windmills, chocolate and clogs) –
Kalverringdijk Schansend, Kraaienest, 1509 AZ Zaandam http://zaanseschans.com/ Riverside village with traditional windmills & workshops making wooden clogs, cheese & pewter goods.
Stationsweg 166A 2161 AM Lisse https://keukenhof.nl/ The most beautiful spring garden in the world! (allegedly). Open in Spring usually March/April/May and best usually end April/May. Important: It gets busy so midweek is best and you can only buy tickets online.
Amsterdam Light Festival (December/January) –
Amsterdam Light Festival is light art festival in the city centre of Amsterdam. National and international artists are invited and called upon to create a light artwork for the festival. This year Amsterdam Light Festival will illuminate the city for the eleventh time in a row. The route can be experienced by foot, bike or by boat. Ticket sales start in the autumn. https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/
We love a boat trip and rather than take an organised tour boat if you are up for it you can hire a boat (or ask us if we are free and we will join you). This way you can cruise around and bring your own food and drink like a picnic. Or if you want to waste your hire time you can moor up near one of the bars on the water like Hannekes Boom.
Adam’s Boats –
Mauritskade 3 (Centrum) https://adamsboats.com/ Can fit up to 10 so is a little more expensive than Mokumboot. No supermarket nearby the pick-up location so buy your snacks and drinks before you get there. Important: If it is going to be remotely warm the weekend you are here then you should reserve a boat before you get here. letsbook.adamsboats.com
Mokumboot –
Mauritskade 1 (Centrum) – More locations available including Nassaukade 351 (Centrum) Can fit up to 6 so is a less expensive that but if you want a larger group or more space then Adam’s is the way forward. No supermarket nearby the Mauritskade pick-up location so buy your snacks and drinks before you get there. Important: If it is going to be remotely warm the weekend you are here then you should reserve a boat before you get here. https://mokumbootverhuur.nl/
Bridges
Yeah, I am a little obsessed with the number of bridges in Amsterdam crossing the canals. So yeah feel free to also check out my obsession. https://bridges.cramberts.com
