Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Amsterdam has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- Owing to topography and building-height restrictions, nothing is that high up, but your best shot is the café on the sixth floor of Metz department store on Leidsestraat.
- Arts and culture
- Van Gogh Museum (www.vangoghmuseum.nl), Rijksmuseum (www.rijksmuseum.nl), Stedelijk Modern Art Museum (www.stedelijk.nl).
- Something for nothing
- In April or May, take a drive out to the tulip fields and feast your eyes.
- Shopping
- For designer labels, go to PC Hooftstraat. We prefer the Nine Streets – a grid within the canal network that is packed with boutiques and curiosity shops. We love DOM on Spuistraat, for all kinds of items you never thought you needed. Spmrkt is a warehouse of all things retro and cool: books, fashion, furniture, art. Spiegelstraat is renowned for antiques. For markets, on Saturdays and Mondays head to Noordermarkt for organic food and bric-à-brac, or the bigger, touristier Waterlooplein market for second-hand clothes. Albert Cuypmarkt in the Pijp claims to be Europe’s longest street market.
- And...
- Go with the flow in restaurants – Dutch service can be very laid-back.
Diary
30 April Queen’s Day – the whole of Amsterdam is on holiday and the canals come alive. May National Cycling Day on the second Saturday sees thousands pedalling through town. August Classical concerts on the canals; Gay Pride, when the city is awash with revellers (www.amsterdampride.nl). 5 December St Nicholas Day kicks off the Christmas festivities.
