Amsterdam

Windmills, Waffles & Where to Go

For a first visit, I’d generally suggest staying around Vondelpark, Oud-West or the Jordaan. They’re all beautiful, well-connected areas with a more relaxed, local feel - while still being very easy to get into the centre.

Oud-West is especially good for cafés, restaurants, bars and shops, while Vondelpark is a lovely base if you want a bit of green space nearby. The Jordaan is classic Amsterdam: pretty canals, independent shops, cosy restaurants and lots of charm.

Areas I’d be more cautious about are Dam Square, the Red Light District and the busiest parts of the central canal belt. They can be very touristy and don’t always give you the best feel for the city. I’d also think carefully before staying in Noord on a first visit - there are some great places there, but parts of it are still quite industrial and it can feel a bit less convenient.

Tried and tested by friends and family – all solid options:

Conscious Hotel Vondelpark – Eco-chic and steps from the park.
Hotel De Hallen – Once a tram depot, now effortlessly cool.
Sir Adam Hotel – Killer views, funky energy, and a free ferry to Centraal.
The Hoxton – Stylish, central, and a trusty classic.
Hotel De Hallen - Stylish boutique hotel in a converted tram depot, with industrial-chic interiors and a prime spot in lively Oud-West.

Good vibes, great food, and not wallet-crushing:

Night Kitchen Amsterdam - Mediterranean restaurant
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Glam Italian in the city centre.
Lotti's – Crowd-pleaser at The Hoxton.
Café George – Paris meets Amsterdam.
MOS - waterfront eatery spotlighting high-concept local cuisine & desserts paired with wine.
NENI - Eastern Med magic worth the tram ride.
De Foodhallen (Dutch for ‘Food Hall’) - 20+ gourmet street food options under one roof.
Café Americain - Grand old Art Deco dame.
Bar Strangelove / Lab 111 - Cinema and supper vibes (great pizza!).
The Singing Swan (De Zingende Zwaan) – Dutch gastropub, very cool.
Gitane - Top-tier and very tasty.
BAK Restaurant - Fancy pants, in a good way.
Europizza (Noord) - Hipster pizza done right.
Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant - The floating Chinese one. Iconic.
Ron Gastrobar - Casual Michelin-level eats.
Yamazato - High-end Japanese, very special.

Staring at Jacob - soulful brunch in a trendy spot
Benji's Nieuw-West - Epic all day brunch
Dignita – Brunch of champions.
Breadwinner – Bagel heaven (with Flo’s as close second).
Flo's Appetizing Amsterdam – NYC-style bagels, Amsterdam charm.
Bar Strangelove / Lab 111 – Great vibes, odd the beaten track, amazing pizza.... and a cinema.
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Glam Italian in the city centre
Lotti's – Crowd-pleaser at The Hoxton.
Café George – Paris meets Amsterdam.
Blue Amsterdam – Café & bar with panoramic city views - right in the centre.
De Foodhallen – 20+ gourmet street food options under one roof.
Café Americain – Grand old Art Deco venue with the wow factor.

Museumplein – The 4 big museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Moco Museum), and fab gardens at the Rijksmuseum (no ticket needed!).
Winkel 43 – Best apple pie in the country (voted for by Dutchies who have a thing for apple pie).
Walk around the Jordaan – lovely canal streets (the ones you see on postcards), independent shops and cafés, and a good way to escape the tourist madness.
De Negen Straatjes (9 Streets) – quirky little shops, perfect for a mooch and a coffee stop.
Anne Frank House
Pancakes – Amsterdam takes them seriously.
The Eye – Film buffs + foodies unite.
Hortus Botanicus – Peaceful, and Insta-worthy.
Tony’s Chocolonely – DIY chocolate bar with your name on it.
A'DAM Lookout – Swing into the sky (literally).
Blauwe Theehuis – Drinks in Vondelpark? Yes please.

Playhood – Play paradise (book in advance!)
NEMO – Science museum that kids actually love.
Canal Boat Ride – Classic, always fun.
Goat Farm Ridammerhoeve – Baby goats = joy.
Fab gardens at the Rijksmuseum (no ticket needed!).
WOPL! (World of Play & Learning) - Indoor playground
Zimmerhoeve – City farm + playground combo.
ARTIS Zoo – Animals galore.
Amstelpark - a café, restaurant, two galleries, an orangery, a petting zoo, a mini-golf course, kids car racing track, train, and more
Public Library (OBA Oosterdok) – Cool kids' area and views.
Candy Castle Speelparadijs – Soft play kingdom. Slides, ball pits, and energy well spent.
Best playgrounds: see this guide
VROG - An underground soft‑play paradise for kids up to 12, packed with climbing frames and trampolines
Nio House - multifunctional lifestyle and community space with an interactive space designed for children to discover and play
Club Abbey

Nio House - multifunctional lifestyle and community space with a cafe and areas where you can work (head straight to the lifts from the ground floor, and buzz yourself up to the 1st floor cafe).
Taal Coffee - specialty coffee spot with latpop tables
BounceSpace Coffee & Coworking - Meet, sip, type, repeat.
Cecconi’s Amsterdam – Italian restaurant / lounge in the city centre. Order a drink and some nibbles and they'll let you stay to work.

These spots come highly recommended by our Italian buddies living in the city:

nNea Pizza – Consistently ranked among Europe's best pizzerias, nNea offers Neapolitan-style pizzas with a modern twist. Their dough undergoes a 50-hour fermentation process, resulting in a light, airy crust that's a true delight.
Pizza Project – A nice spot known for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas. Friendly atmosphere for a genuine Italian pizza experience.
PIZZERIA DOPE – Located in De Pijp, DOPE serves up classic and gourmet pizzas that have rave reviews for their flavor and quality.
Europizza – it's a bit of a trek in Amsterdam Noord, but Europizza combines Italian pizza-making traditions with local Dutch ingredients, offering a unique twist on classic flavors.
Focacceria – not a pizzeria, but deserves a mention for its amazing Genovese-style focaccia. Handmade daily & a must-try for bread lovers looking for authentic Italian flavors.

The Netherlands is brilliantly connected by train, so you're never far from your next adventure.

🇳🇱 Haarlem (15 mins by direct train) – My top pick. Think Amsterdam's quieter, prettier little sibling, with canals, boutiques and a beautiful historic centre.
🚲 Utrecht (25 mins by direct train) – A lively university city with unique canal-side cafés, medieval streets and a buzzing atmosphere.
🌷 Leiden (35 mins by direct train) – A smaller, more relaxed version of Amsterdam, packed with canals, history and charm.
🏖️ Zandvoort aan Zee (30 mins by direct train) – Amsterdam's beach. Perfect for sunny days, beach clubs and fish & chips by the sea.
🏙️ Rotterdam (40 mins by direct train) – A complete contrast to Amsterdam, famous for bold modern architecture and excellent food.
👑 The Hague (Den Haag) (50 mins by direct train) – Home to the Dutch government, grand museums and the nearby beach at Scheveningen.
🫖 Delft (1 hour by direct train) – Picture-perfect canals, historic squares and the home of iconic Delft Blue pottery.
🌬️ Kinderdijk (~1 hr 30 mins by train + Waterbus) – The quintessential Dutch windmill experience and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🌷 Keukenhof (~45 mins by bus/train, spring only) – One of the world's most spectacular flower gardens, open from late March to mid-May.