amsterdam

Amsterdam, reimagined.

There’s a quiet kind of beauty to this city—less about grand monuments, more about the small moments: morning light on the canals, the clink of wine glasses in a tucked-away bistro, the hum of a bike as it slips past a 17th-century townhouse. Amsterdam moves slowly, stylishly, with a rhythm that’s all its own.

Beyond the postcard clichés lies a city of real depth—bold design, experimental kitchens, a layered creative scene that feels effortless but never tries too hard. Whether you’re here for the art, the atmosphere, or just the pleasure of wandering, we’ve mapped out the version of Amsterdam we always return to: unfussy, cultured, and full of quiet surprises.

Where to go. Where to stay. What to skip. What to savor.

Every moment, considered.

Where we eat

From canal-side institutions to modern kitchens hidden behind unmarked doors, Amsterdam’s food scene is thoughtful, globally aware, and surprisingly intimate.

Explore restaurants
where we sleep

A city that does boutique especially well—think historic buildings, minimalist interiors, and windows that open onto quiet canals or leafy courtyards.

View Stays
what we do

Design-forward galleries, natural wine tastings, and small pleasures like flower markets and local cycling tours—the kind of activities that sneak up on you and stay with you.

See experiences

Need to know

Late spring and early autumn are ideal—mild weather, fewer crowds, and the city in full bloom or soft golden light. Summer brings energy and long days, but also heavier foot traffic. Winter is crisp and atmospheric, especially around the holidays.
Stay central, but not too central. The Jordaan offers charm and walkability without the tourist overload, while Oud-West and De Pijp bring a more local rhythm. For a boutique hotel moment with canal views, find something along the Nine Streets.
Polished but not pretentious, Amsterdam is a city that rewards curiosity. The best experiences aren’t always announced—some of the most memorable places are behind closed doors, above shops, or off the usual path. It’s worth slowing down and letting the city reveal itself.

Hala hit list

A few of our forever favorites.

Cheese Tasting at KAES, Amsterdam

Set in a former butcher shop, this tiny raw-milk cheese room is appointment-only and deeply personal. The pairings—natural wine, aged Dutch wheels—are quietly revelatory.

Canal Cruise with Pure Boats

A far cry from the tourist barges, these small teakwood vessels feel more like floating living rooms. Pillows, good wine, no guide on a microphone.

The light hits just right here. Come for the natural wine and snack board, stay for the energy—fashion kids, neighborhood locals, no one trying too hard.

Golden Hour at Bar Centraal, De Pijp

Dinner at Choux, Amsterdam-Noord

Inventive and vegetable-forward, this tasting menu surprises without showing off. The crowd is understated and the pacing lets you actually breathe.

Studio Drift at the Stedelijk Museum

The permanent kinetic installation alone is worth the visit—movement, light, and engineering as quiet poetry. Even if you’ve been before, go again.

Part curated shop, part urban greenhouse. A favorite for locals looking to bring a little green home—also a great place to pause and reset.

Plant Hunting at Wildernis, Oud-West

if you have 48 hours

START IN THE JORDAAN

Begin with apple pie at Café Winkel 43, then wander canal-side through one of Amsterdam’s quietest, most romantic neighborhoods. Pop into a gallery or two, stop by The Otherist, and walk all the way to the Rijksmuseum just as it opens. Late lunch at Bakkerij Loof, then decompress back at your hotel before the night begins.

GLIDE INTO EVENING

Board a private boat with Pure Boats—wine in hand, cushions underfoot, the water reflecting the city in gold. Dinner at Choux: slow, surprising, and entirely its own thing. If you’re still curious, hunt down Door 74 or Bar Oldenhof for a drink behind a nondescript door.

WAKE IN OUD-WEST

Breakfast at Scandinavian Embassy—their coffee game is serious. Spend the morning at the Stedelijk Museum, letting the permanent collection and newer exhibitions unfold at your pace. Stop by Wildernis on the way back, where the air smells like green things and potting soil.

WIND DOWN WITH STYLE

Lunch at Café Binnenvisser—always lively, always local. Browse the boutiques and bookshops in De 9 Straatjes, or sit canal-side with one last glass at Bar Centraal. Dinner at Bistrot Neuf, then let yourself take the long way home. This city rewards the slow exit.

Haarlem

Just 15 minutes by train, but quieter, prettier, and full of charm. Think cobblestone streets, a spectacular Grote Kerk, and some of the best vintage shops and concept boutiques in the country. Stop for lunch at DeDAKKAS—set on a rooftop greenhouse.

Zaanse Schans

Yes, there are windmills—but also working bakeries, wooden houses, and historic Dutch crafts still in motion. It’s a tourist destination, but a beautiful one. Go early, go midweek, and don’t skip the ferry ride across the Zaan River.

The Hague

Sleek and serious in a good way. Visit the Mauritshuis for Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, stroll through the regal Lange Voorhout, then have dinner at a beach club in nearby Scheveningen if the weather holds. A city with real range.

Utrecht

A university town with canals that run below street level, Utrecht feels like a younger, looser Amsterdam. The café scene is strong, the art is compelling, and there’s a slower, literary rhythm here that’s hard not to fall for.

Dunes of Bloemendaal & Zandvoort

Wide beaches, windswept dunes, and surprisingly chic beach clubs—just 30 minutes away by train. Spend the afternoon walking the national park trails or lingering over seafood with a view of the sea. Best on a weekday or shoulder season when the locals outnumber the crowds.