Best places to stay 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 five-star hotel makes for the perfect Amsterdam bolthole. Stroll to the main sights, then relax in plush, modern rooms, some with canal views, and fully equipped with smart tech.
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 323, 1016
A series of 25 linked 17th-century canal houses make up the stunning five-star boutique Pulitzer. Each room and suite quirkily decorated with antiques with marble bathrooms. You’ll also enjoy tranquil canal views and easy access to nearby places of interest, including 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 restaurant, Izakaya, is highly regarded and serves exquisite Japanese cuisine.
Best places 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 aim to delight your senses with superb classic dishes like steak tartare, or indulgent lobster risotto with pumpkin and pistachio.
Yamazato
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072
Yamazato was the first Kaiseki restaurant outside Japan to receive a Michelin Star, thanks to its focus on seasonal, multi-course menus. It sits in the elegant Hotel Okura, serving fresh 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 the focus 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 things to do in and around 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 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 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 folk find peace and tranquillity in summer but makes for a pleasant stroll at any time of year or day.
