Best hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
Stadhouderskade 12, 1054
Perfectly located for exploring Leidseplein, one of the city’s grandest squares, and nearby Vondelpark, the well-appointed Marriott makes for the perfect Amsterdam bolthole. Stroll to the main sights, then relax in plush, modern rooms that are fully-equipped smart amenities and tech.
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 323, 1016
A series of linked 25 Golden Age 17th-century canal houses make up the stunning boutique Pulitzer. Each room and suite is quirkily decorated with antiques and features a marble bathroom. You’ll also enjoy sensational canal views and easy access to the likes of the Anne Frank House.
Sir Albert Hotel
Albert Cuypstraat 2-6, 1072
Fittingly, for a hotel built in a former diamond factory, the Sir Albert is a real jewel. It’s in the buzzy De Pijp district, home of the Albert Cuypmarkt and surrounded by independent shops and restaurants. The hotel’s own eatery, Izakaya, is highly regarded and serves exquisite Japanese cuisine.
Where to eat in Amsterdam
Jansz
Reestraat 8, 1016
Unpretentious, yet refined, European food is served here in a number of stately rooms. In what was once an apothecary, the kitchen carry off their dishes with aplomb. Whether it’s a classic, like steak tartare, or an indulgent lobster risotto with pumpkin and pistachio, their cuisine delights the senses.
Yamazato
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072
Yamazato doesn’t just have a Michelin Star, it was the first Kaiseki restaurant outside of Japan receive one – thanks to its focus on seasonal, multi-course menus. It sits in the elegant Hotel Okura, serving sparkling sushi, sashimi and impeccable dishes such as eel with aubergine and grilled seabass with miso.
Wilde Zwijnen
Javaplein 23, 1095
Sample the best of modern Dutch food in a place that combines industrial-chic décor, with a menu that changes every day. Seasonality and freshness are to the fore in courses such as herring with apple or dill or skate served with snails, marrow and bacon. Quirky and welcoming, no two meals here are ever the same.
Best attractions in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1, 1071
One of the world’s premier art destinations, the Rijksmuseum hosts a staggering collection of masterpieces. Arrive early or late in the day for your best chance to get up close and personal with luminous classics from Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer and more. Look out too for the Delftware, antique dolls houses and the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant.
Anne Frank House
Westermarkt 20, 1016
Make sure you book tickets online to experience to this essential, sobering but ultimately inspiring building. Anne Frank’s famous diary is housed here, but it’s her bedroom and the secret annexe where her family sheltered from the Nazis that will leave a lasting impression.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam
Gorgeous all year round, Vondelpark is the green heart of Amsterdam. This huge park encompasses manicured lawns, old-fashioned cafes, ponds, cycle routes, playgrounds, statues and a charming bandstand. It’s where the city descends in summer and makes for a pleasant stroll, whatever time of day.