Traveling with family in Amsterdam

Do you want to disconnect from your daily routine and spend a few days in a mythical city, just a few hours by TGV from France? Welcome to Amsterdam, Amsterdam is one of the most sought-after capitals in Europe! If you’re wondering what to do in Amsterdam, this article is for you.

Charming, cultural, alternative or even romantic, there is no shortage of words to describe this true gem of the Netherlands, capable of satisfying all travelers who visit it, whether as a couple, as a family or with friends. 

A few weeks ago, I revisited Amsterdam, this ever-moving city, and came back with my eyes and mind full of impressions. So I’m going to share with you all my favorites for your next weekend in Amsterdam. 

What is Amsterdam?

Famous worldwide for its canals, museums and port, Amsterdam is the quintessential European city. Although it is not the capital of the Netherlands, it is undoubtedly its cultural heart, resolutely focused on the future.

With a population of just over 800,000 inhabitants, Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe, with a rather young tourist population seeking new experiences as well as culture, whether classic or more alternative. 

A true blend of tradition and modernity that I was able to feel during my few days in this little Dutch treasure. Here are my favorites, my tips, and my must-see places for a perfect stay in Amsterdam. 

My must-see places in Amsterdam

Strolling through the canals

It’s hard not to marvel at the classic beauty of the city and the simple fact of simply strolling through the streets and canals of Amsterdam is a must-do in itself. These mythical canals are indeed listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s easy to see why. With a total of one hundred kilometers and more than 1,500 bridges crossing them, you have plenty to marvel at along these mythical and characteristic waterways of Amsterdam.

A walk in the Jordaan neighborhood

This is THE trendy neighborhood in Amsterdam, with a bourgeois-bohemian village atmosphere and many typical spots that evoke the city as we imagine it. Picturesque canals, designer boutiques, concept stores, and beautifully decorated houses are a true breath of fresh air for the soul as you stroll through the small streets of this sublime neighborhood that feels like a postcard. Stop in one of the famous brown cafés in the area to feel and absorb the entire atmosphere of the city.

Local color in De Pijp

Further south of the city, you’ll find the small neighborhood of De Pijp, which is more popular and on the verge of becoming one of Amsterdam’s trendiest neighborhoods. With fewer tourists and therefore more local flavor, this part of the city, once rather reserved for the working class, impresses with its much greener and more airy feel, thanks in particular to Sarphatipark, where you can stroll amidst lush greenery in an idyllic setting. 

But De Pijp is also a real hub of activity in the evening, with many concept stores, restaurants and bars all more trendy than the next, allowing you to experience the historic and dynamic soul of the city. 

My alternative Amsterdam

The NDSM neighborhood

A change in decor and atmosphere as we head north to the incredible alternative neighborhood of NDSM. To get there, board a ferry from the pier in front of the central train station and in just a few minutes, you’ll find yourself in a completely different world. 

Former industrial wastelands are now a creative neighborhood that celebrates street art, featuring former hangars and containers that have been completely transformed into museums, galleries, offices, bars, and restaurants. 

The STRAAT, a museum of graffiti and street art

Right in the heart of the NDSM district, you’ll find STRAAT, the museum of graffiti and street art. I promise you that you’ll be in for a visual treat. In a huge hangar measuring 8,000 square meters, you’ll be able to admire the more than 150 masterpieces exhibited by the biggest street artists of the moment, such as Findac, Alice Pasquini and Sipros. A sheer marvel that you simply must not miss. 

The eco-friendly neighborhoods of Schoonschip and De Ceuvel

As you leave the neighborhood to head towards the A’Dam Tower, take a few minutes to admire the crazy project of Schoonschip, a brand new floating neighborhood that is completely independent and energy-efficient. This neighborhood, developed directly by its 144 current residents, consists of 45 lofts placed on the water, all equipped with solar panels and heat pumps for an annual gas consumption of 0! 

A few meters from Schoonschip, stroll through the tiny alleys of the incredible De Ceuvel neighborhood. More than just a bar with a slightly hippie atmosphere, De Ceuvel is a real place where ideas boil over and take shape, founded on a former port that was so polluted that it was abandoned. Today, plants have cleaned this ground of all pollution and offices, workshops, associations and even a hotel can be found there. 

The Tower A’Dam

To finish this trip through Amsterdam, I suggest you take a moment to take in the view. Or rather, take in a lot of it: 100 meters above the ground, exactly, at the top of the A’Dam tower. Right there at the top, a bar and a 360° restaurant await you for breathtaking views of the entire city, with the canals and the historic center on one side and the harbor on the other. 

And what if you climb a little higher to find yourself on the roof? This is the unusual activity of the A’Dam tower, with a swing installed right there on the roof. For only 5 euros and with a heart firmly attached, you can swing above the void while admiring a breathtaking view. To have done it is impressive!

Getting around in Amsterdam

By bike

If there is one mode of transport that absolutely must be tried out throughout the city, it is the bicycle, a true symbol of the city and the Dutch way of life. Since Amsterdam is a very flat city with as many bike paths as there are roads, it is very easy to get around the city on foot and by bicycle. To give you an idea of the city’s cycling culture, it is said that 40% of all trips in Amsterdam are made by bicycle!

In the face of such a phenomenon, it is obviously very easy to rent all kinds of bicycles throughout the city. 

By tram, bus or metro

If you want to rest your tired legs that have already covered a lot of kilometers, the city’s bus and tram network is very well-equipped, with connections for both modes of transport running between 6 a.m. and midnight, all through 12 bus lines and 17 tram lines. The metro is also preferred by some, especially because it reaches more remote areas on the outskirts of the city. 

Single tickets cost 2.80 euros, but you can also buy the GVB Dagkaartest, which allows you to travel at will on the entire network for 1 to 7 days. 

By boat

With all these canals and this rich maritime network, it is obviously possible to get around by boat, especially a motorboat to explore the city from a whole new perspective, for about 15 euros for an hour of cruising.

The city also offers a large network of Bacs to quickly and free of charge connect the center and the north of the city of Amsterdam. These are managed by the same company that operates the buses, trams and metros. 

For your trip to Amsterdam, I recommend you opt for the I Amstardam City Card pass, which gives you access to more than 70 museums, the entire public transport network (including the trams), a canal cruise, and bike rental! 

Where to eat in Amsterdam?

A symbol of a city in constant motion and of successful cultural mixing, food holds a very important place throughout the city. My stomach and I have tried many places and here I list all my favorites.

• FC Hyena – Aambeeldstraat 24, 1021 KB Amsterdam

Located in the NDSM district on the water’s edge, FC Hyena is probably the most unusual restaurant I’ve ever been to, since it also serves as a cinema! Set in a (well-made) makeshift setting, the kitchen, which is completely open to the dining room, lets out its aromas and fills you with a wolfish hunger. A real treat!

• Pllek – T.T. Neveritaweg 59, 1033 WB Amsterdam

Also located in the NDSM district, Pllek is a restaurant/bar with a chic industrial atmosphere, set inside former shipping containers. A simple and high-quality menu, a superb variety of beers, and vegetables grown on site for a lower carbon footprint on the environment make this restaurant a real must-try!

• Lombardo’s – Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 50, 1017 DG Amsterdam

Located right in the city center, this restaurant specializing in street food and especially burgers is a real hidden gem that I discovered by chance, and most likely one of the best burgers I have ever eaten (and I can tell you that I have eaten quite a few of them…). I will be back, that’s for sure!

• Cafe ‘t Smalle – Egelantiersgracht 12, 1015 RL Amsterdam

Another little gem discovered by chance while strolling around, this time for breakfast. Located in the Jordaan neighborhood, this picturesque little café on the edge of a canal is perfect for taking a short break in an idyllic setting. It’s the kind of place where you stop for a simple coffee and end up spending hours there.

Where to go out in Amsterdam?

A city that is resolutely young and dynamic, the nightlife is very present in Amsterdam and again, there is something for everyone. Here are some of my favorites for a night out to have a drink after a good burger! 

• Brewery het IJ – Funenkade 7, 1018 AL Amsterdam

Simply the paradise for beer lovers! Well established at the foot of an immense windmill, this brewery is a true treasure where you can enjoy one of the many beers brewed on site in front of a small charcuterie platter. Go there relatively early as the bar is a victim of its success and very popular with locals.

• Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – Singel 460, 1017 AW Amsterdam

With its retro and intimate style, the Flying Dutchmen Cocktails bar is a real gem for all cocktail lovers. With more than 800 spirits on the menu and talented mixologists, this bar has been voted the best cocktail bar in 2018 and in the Top 10 of the best cocktail bars in Europe in 2019. Do we really need to say more? 

Where to sleep in Amsterdam?

During my stay in Amsterdam, I had the chance to experience something unusual: sleeping in the old cabins of the bridge keepers! Sweets Hotel In fact, they renovated 28 of these old cabins of all sizes to turn them into real little marvels of hotel rooms, directly placed on the city’s bridges. Design, cozy rooms that offer breathtaking views of the city’s canals, for the greatest pleasure of architecture enthusiasts. In the evening, it’s even common to watch the bridges rise up to let the boats pass from the first cabins. Playing the bridge guard and falling asleep to the sound of the water in the heart of the city—an absolutely unusual experience that I recommend 100%!

Sponsored article, produced in collaboration with the Dutch Tourist Board.