Time Out Amsterdam City Guide with Pull-Out Map (Travel Guide): Travel Guide with Pull-out Map

Product Information

Since the sixteenth century Amsterdam has welcomed immigrants and, along with them, their many cultures and beliefs. Nowadays, Amsterdammers work hard on upholding and redefining tolerance as one of the city’s essential values.’ You can walk or get around by bike A traditional, small inn in nearby Lisse, Het Wapen van Noordwijkerhout is known for its friendly, helpful staff and great-value, fuss-free food. Parking is free, and the breakfast spread is sumptuous (as is everything else served here). Explore the historic Maritime Quarter , the only part of the city spared from World War II bombing. Admire the riverside’s most iconic buildings and enjoy striking views of the largest port in Europe while on a harbour boat tour. Booking is essential. And they’re more than that, too – these joints are social hubs, creative spaces, and they often have great food menus for your munchies too. One thing to note, though, is that a few of Amsterdam's coffeeshops are really famous, and it's to their own detriment... These spots are now inescapable tourist traps, and we wouldn't recommend them (you won't find Smokey and Bulldog the First on here, for example).But if you want to visit a proper good one? Read on, friends. These are the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam. We just named Amsterdam the fifth best city in the world, based on the results of our annual Time Out Index survey. And so who better to tell us why ‘Dam is so hot right now than Taco Dibbits, director of the world-famous Rijksmuseum? From its progressive politics to its dazzling art scene, he tells uswhy he loves his home city. Amsterdam’s a tolerant, progressivecity

Looking for somewhere that combines genteel Amsterdammer sophistication with a touch of urban chaos? Lush, leafy – yet fast-changing – Oud-West is the area for you. With the vast expanse that is Vondelpark, a smattering of hip bars and boutiques, and some first-rate restaurants, there’s no end of excellent things to see and do here. Overtoom and the bustling De Clercqstraat, in particular, are now home to a vibrant community of chefs, creatives and entrepreneurs; Oud-West as a whole has become second only to Oost for those looking to explore the city’s food and drink scene. So take a day or two, hire a bike, and soak up all this wonderful neighbourhood has to offer.The best way to take in the magnificent Old Town – particularly Oudegracht – is from the water, and you needn’t restrict yourself to traditional canal tours (although they are great). Kayaks, pedalos and even gondolas are available to rent at various spots around the city centre. A multi-storey car park might not seem the best spot for a bar, but Waterkant proves otherwise. Best enjoyed in warmer weather, they have a glorious, spacious terrace lit up with fairy lights. By day, it’s the perfect place to watch canal traffic sail serenely by, but it gets boisterous at night as a hip young crowd comes to the party. Nothing is more ‘De Pijp’ than just chilling out, and the small but perfectly formed Sarphatipark is the perfect place to do it. Grab some food and coffee to go – try Scandinavian Embassy , CT Coffee & Coconuts or Little Collins – and bag a spot in this tranquil inner-city haven; on a nice day, there is nothing finer. And while you’re here, wander around some of the cute little boutiques on the surrounding streets. Unlike some cities, visitors to Amsterdam often find themselves wanting to go again and again and again. This city is known for its innovative food scene and great attractions, but the thing that will forever linger in your mind? Amsterdam’s bars. The nightlife scene here is second to none, and there’s a bar for (literally) every mood.

There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, but for sundowners with the best view, Strandpaviljoen ‘t Badhuys – the island’s only beach bar – is the place to head. Grab a table on the terrace just a few feet from the golden sands. From here, a little retail therapy. Head to the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes in Dutch) to explore an array of boutiques situated in one of the most gorgeous parts of the city. Whether it’s vintage clothes from Episode , a cookie from the famous Het Koekemannetje , or a new board game from The Gamekeeper , there’s something here for everyone. Refuel with some Korean street food at The Bab Oud West . When you’re done, head to Lab111 . This cinema shows a revolving mix of classic, contemporary, and cult movies — plus its bar is an excellent place to sit with a drink and discuss what you’ve seen, both on the screen and in the city.Ah, Amsterdam. Our love affair with this city never ends, from its innovative food scene to its most well-known attractions. Perhaps most famous for its art galleries and museums, from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank House, Amsterdam stands proudly as one of the most culturally significant cities in Europe, but, of course, it’s got a poppin’ nightlife scene too. It’s beautiful, vibrant and bustling, but it’s also very approachable and relaxed. Because it’s small, you can visit everything on foot and by bike, and there’s always something going on or somewhere to explore.’ It comes into its own in summer

The Netherlands’s second-biggest city has a distinctive, ultra-modern feel, born out of the huge rebuilding projects undertaken after World War II. Some of the 20th century’s most renowned architects have worked here, and the city’s warm, diverse character is shared by the enthusiastic, can-do locals. Housed in a former diamond factory, the 90-room Sir Albert oozes understated cool. ‘Modern aristocratic’ is the vibe, with light, airy rooms filled with quirky art and a handy goodie box stuffed with travel essentials. Try to get Deluxe Room 19 – it has huge windows overlooking the street – and pop into the ground-floor restaurant Izakaya for some of the city’s best sushi. Arriving in the early afternoon, the first thing on the agenda is hitting some cultural highlights.For a taste of culture, head to Foam , Amsterdam’s leading photography museum. This gallery sits in a modernised canal house and displays an ever-changing set of intriguing exhibitions. Ignore the glitz of the trashy attractions around Dam Square and head instead to Oude Kerk , not just Amsterdam’s oldest church but the oldest building. Founded around 1213, it stands in De Wallen, in the heart of the Red Light District. Marvel at the wooden roof (the largest in Europe) and the beautiful stained-glass windows. An important part of Dutch history is to be found in the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Next year the National Holocaust Museum will open in the area, while the Portuguese synagogue and the Jewish Museum are worth visiting to learn about Amsterdam’s Jewish heritage. Amsterdam is a city of dualities. Postcard-perfect canals coexist with renovated industrial parks; innovative international cuisine is served alongside local classics like stamppot ; and centuries-old buildings contain smoke-filled marijuana stores.

For dinner, chow down on some otherworldly tacos at the delightfully vibey Coba , or get a slice from the hip EUROPIZZA . Again, make sure to book in advance. Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is home to one of the world’s largest flower gardens, with 79 colourful acres of blooms and 7 million bulbs planted every year. Though it’s primarily famous for its tulips, with over 800 varieties, there’s plenty more to discover. The last 10 days of the opening season, for example, are taken up by the world’s largest lily show. April is the best time to see the tulips in their wondrous glory. If exploring the official garden isn’t physical enough for you, opt to rent a bike and cycle through the commercial bulb fields that surround Keukenhof. There are several routes to choose from (ranging from 4km to 7km), and whizzing past tulips in full bloom on two wheels is about the most Dutch experience possible. Culturally, Oud-West is as rich as any other neighbourhood, and not simply in terms of high-flown art galleries and museums. Some of the city’s coolest institutions can be found here: there’s LAB111 , a cinema and exhibition space that’s home to various collectives and showcases quirky independent films and documentaries; OT301 , a legal squat that’s now a live music venue, cultural centre and pay-what-you-can vegan restaurant (staffed by volunteers); and De Nieuwe Anita , a retro living-room-cum-bar-cum-basement-venue that hosts everything from live music to taco tasting. Begin your morning with a bite at Greenwoods on Keizersgracht, an enchanting canalside restaurant serving traditional breakfast fare suitable for any diet.

Many places in Amsterdam claim to be big on sustainability, but The Tire Station (a 112-room eco-designer hotel) really does practise what it preaches. Energy from renewable sources, an eco-garden on the roof with beehives, and tables made from recycled yoghurt pots: their credentials are impeccable. And none of this impinges on style or comfort (the rooms are hip and funky) – making this a great base to explore West and beyond. Originally built in the 17th century to house immigrants and the working class, this area has since been transformed into the city’s most expensive neighbourhood. Jordaan brims with elegant townhouses and spacious apartments and is dotted with art galleries, expensive boutiques and classy restaurants. But it’s not all extravagance and luxury; there are plenty of charming little stores and restaurants attracting younger crowds who live a little further west. If a sedate pace and upscale lifestyle are what you crave, this is the place to be.