Sightseeing
There are endless places to visit in Amsterdam. I have named a few "off the beaten path" places as well as locations that are super easy to reach from our house. But, the entire city is at your fingertips from our home so your possibilities are endless!
The Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. Wonderful for walking, cycling and running. There is a wonderful summer outdoor theater, playgrounds, children's pools, children's farms, pancake house, cafes, ropes course, lake swimming, bike rental and canoe/paddle boat rental... the adventures here are endless! A must visit just five minutes walk from the house.
547 locals recommend
Amsterdam Forest
The Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. Wonderful for walking, cycling and running. There is a wonderful summer outdoor theater, playgrounds, children's pools, children's farms, pancake house, cafes, ropes course, lake swimming, bike rental and canoe/paddle boat rental... the adventures here are endless! A must visit just five minutes walk from the house.
Great playground across the street. You can also get a fantastic cup of coffee, wine or beer while your children play!
Villa RANDWIJCK
10 Catharina van CleveparkGreat playground across the street. You can also get a fantastic cup of coffee, wine or beer while your children play!
Botanical garden-style park (and national landmark) just minutes away. A gorgeous place for a stroll!
6 locals recommend
De Braak
204 AmsterdamsewegBotanical garden-style park (and national landmark) just minutes away. A gorgeous place for a stroll!
Beautiful park along the River Amstel just a 10 minute bike ride away. Cafes, playgrounds, small, quaint children's rides, petting farm.
Amstelpark
AmstelparkBeautiful park along the River Amstel just a 10 minute bike ride away. Cafes, playgrounds, small, quaint children's rides, petting farm.
Beautiful 20 minute bike ride to this lovely lake. Beach, snack bar. Wonderful place to go on a warm day for a swim.
40 locals recommend
Nieuw en Meer
53A1 Oude HaagsewegBeautiful 20 minute bike ride to this lovely lake. Beach, snack bar. Wonderful place to go on a warm day for a swim.
Incredibly beautiful cycling route along the Amstel River! Picturesque windmill. Lovely cafe, "Klein Kalfje". Follow south towards Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (gorgeous old village) or North towards Amsterdam. Photos coming soon!
Amsteldijk
AmsteldijkIncredibly beautiful cycling route along the Amstel River! Picturesque windmill. Lovely cafe, "Klein Kalfje". Follow south towards Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (gorgeous old village) or North towards Amsterdam. Photos coming soon!
This is a beautiful lake in the Amsterdamse Bos (near the old village of Oude Dorp). Great spot for a walk or picnic.
7 locals recommend
De Poel
This is a beautiful lake in the Amsterdamse Bos (near the old village of Oude Dorp). Great spot for a walk or picnic.
Amsterdam's most famous city park and super easy to access from our house. This is a must-visit place while you are visiting for a stroll, a pizza and local beer in the Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis, outdoor eating and drinking at one of my favorite spots in the city, Vondeltuin, or a pancake and fantastic playground at Groot Melkhuis.
4195 locals recommend
Vondelpark
Amsterdam's most famous city park and super easy to access from our house. This is a must-visit place while you are visiting for a stroll, a pizza and local beer in the Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis, outdoor eating and drinking at one of my favorite spots in the city, Vondeltuin, or a pancake and fantastic playground at Groot Melkhuis.
Great park in the Rivierenbuurt neighborhood, just neighboring De Pijp. A wonderful playground and splashpad kid's pool on hot days.
167 locals recommend
Beatrixpark
21 DiepenbrockstraatGreat park in the Rivierenbuurt neighborhood, just neighboring De Pijp. A wonderful playground and splashpad kid's pool on hot days.
This is a must-visit place in the Amsterdamse Bos with children. A fully functioning goat farm where kids can pet and feed the animals. You can also have a lovely lunch at their cafe. They have a large selection of breakfast and lunch food (some super healthy choices as well!) and you must try their goat milk ice cream!
62 locals recommend
Goatfarm Ridammerhoeve
4 Nieuwe MeerlaanThis is a must-visit place in the Amsterdamse Bos with children. A fully functioning goat farm where kids can pet and feed the animals. You can also have a lovely lunch at their cafe. They have a large selection of breakfast and lunch food (some super healthy choices as well!) and you must try their goat milk ice cream!
Another amazing place to visit with kids. This pancake house has an endless assortment of sweet and savory Dutch-style pancakes as well as lots of other great food options. It is surrounded in an idyllic, picturesque setting in the Amsterdamse Bos with a fantastic playground.
25 locals recommend
Meerzicht Farm
56 KoenenkadeAnother amazing place to visit with kids. This pancake house has an endless assortment of sweet and savory Dutch-style pancakes as well as lots of other great food options. It is surrounded in an idyllic, picturesque setting in the Amsterdamse Bos with a fantastic playground.
This is a beautiful children's farm and playground deeper into Amstelveen. A wonderful farm to visit with young children. Can be coupled with a visit to the picturesque village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel.
Speelboerderij Elsenhove
1 BankraswegThis is a beautiful children's farm and playground deeper into Amstelveen. A wonderful farm to visit with young children. Can be coupled with a visit to the picturesque village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel.
Fantastic mall a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bike or bus ride from our house. Great restaurants here and a wonderful typical Dutch outdoor Friday Market selling food, clothing and more.
57 locals recommend
Stadshart
Fantastic mall a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bike or bus ride from our house. Great restaurants here and a wonderful typical Dutch outdoor Friday Market selling food, clothing and more.
This is a convenient place from our house to rent a bike. Just a few minute walk or bus stop down the road. It is on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos (forest) and from here you can cycle directly into Amsterdam on a protected, carfree bike path.
23 locals recommend
Amsterdamse Bos Fietsverhuur
1 BosbaanwegThis is a convenient place from our house to rent a bike. Just a few minute walk or bus stop down the road. It is on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos (forest) and from here you can cycle directly into Amsterdam on a protected, carfree bike path.
A wonderful museum located near the Stadshart (mall) in Amstelveen. Great to visit on a Friday when the local outdoor market is going on.
63 locals recommend
CoBrA Museum of Modern Art
1 SandbergpleinA wonderful museum located near the Stadshart (mall) in Amstelveen. Great to visit on a Friday when the local outdoor market is going on.
This fantastic outdoor market occurs at various parks around Amsterdam. It sometimes takes place at the Amsterdamse Bos, just minutes by foot from our house or in Amstelpark, just minutes by bike from the house. See their website for the agenda: https://puremarkt.nl/english/
Pure MARKT
This fantastic outdoor market occurs at various parks around Amsterdam. It sometimes takes place at the Amsterdamse Bos, just minutes by foot from our house or in Amstelpark, just minutes by bike from the house. See their website for the agenda: https://puremarkt.nl/english/
For older children and adults, this is a wonderful activity to do in the Amsterdamse Bos. You will be attached to a ropes course high in the trees with a harness.
24 locals recommend
Klimpark Fun Forest Amsterdam
3 BosbaanwegFor older children and adults, this is a wonderful activity to do in the Amsterdamse Bos. You will be attached to a ropes course high in the trees with a harness.
Neighborhoods
These are some of the most exciting and beautiful neighborhoods in Amsterdam and Amstelveen to visit during your stay, all of which are very easily accessible from our house via bike, bus or metro.
Quaint, quintessential old Dutch village in Amstelveen. Great restaurants, bars and ice cream! (photo coming soon!)
-For fantastic pizza visit Gusto
-For a fancier dining experience with amazing seafood and wine visit Wine Kitchen at Sea
-For delicious Indonesian food visit Lemon Grass
-For a lovely cup of coffee visit Amstelveen Station or La Gare
-For a bottle of wine and provisions visit The Wine Kitchen at Home
-For a great local bar visit Café Het Wapen van Amstelveen or Cafe Thijs
Oude Dorp
Quaint, quintessential old Dutch village in Amstelveen. Great restaurants, bars and ice cream! (photo coming soon!)
-For fantastic pizza visit Gusto
-For a fancier dining experience with amazing seafood and wine visit Wine Kitchen at Sea
-For delicious Indonesian food visit Lemon Grass
-For a lovely cup of coffee visit Amstelveen Station or La Gare
-For a bottle of wine and provisions visit The Wine Kitchen at Home
-For a great local bar visit Café Het Wapen van Amstelveen or Cafe Thijs
This neighborhood has literally transformed in the last 10 years. There are some fantastic restaurants as well as a wonderful outdoor market here on Saturdays! Just 10 minutes by bike or bus to this Amsterdam neighbourhood.
Olympiaplein
OlympiapleinThis neighborhood has literally transformed in the last 10 years. There are some fantastic restaurants as well as a wonderful outdoor market here on Saturdays! Just 10 minutes by bike or bus to this Amsterdam neighbourhood.
Oud Zuid is a Beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood near Vondelpark. There is a lovely Saturday market "ZuiderMARKT" at Jacob Obrechtstraat and Johannes Verhulststraat from 9:30-17:00, that is a must-visit for local products on a sunny day.
22 locals recommend
Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
Oud Zuid is a Beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood near Vondelpark. There is a lovely Saturday market "ZuiderMARKT" at Jacob Obrechtstraat and Johannes Verhulststraat from 9:30-17:00, that is a must-visit for local products on a sunny day.
The place to visit famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stadelijk Museum of Modern art, Concertgebouw, and Moco (Banksy) Museum. Very easy to access via bike, bus or tram!
1480 locals recommend
Museumplein
MuseumpleinThe place to visit famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stadelijk Museum of Modern art, Concertgebouw, and Moco (Banksy) Museum. Very easy to access via bike, bus or tram!
Amsterdam's hip neighbourhood. Super diverse and full of a mix of young professionals, families and single people. Sapharti park is a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon. Some of Amsterdam's best restaurants are in this neighborhood. My personal favorite is a tiny restaurant called Mana Mana for Israeli food or Scandinavian Embassy for a coffee and a cardamom roll. De Pijp is super quick to get to via metro or bike.
499 locals recommend
De Pijp
Amsterdam's hip neighbourhood. Super diverse and full of a mix of young professionals, families and single people. Sapharti park is a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon. Some of Amsterdam's best restaurants are in this neighborhood. My personal favorite is a tiny restaurant called Mana Mana for Israeli food or Scandinavian Embassy for a coffee and a cardamom roll. De Pijp is super quick to get to via metro or bike.
This is arguably Amsterdam's most picturesque neighborhood. Home to such landmarks as the Anne Frank Huis and Westerkerk, to name a few, as well as some of Amsterdam's most beautiful canals. We lived in the Jordaan for seven years and can give any tips needed! Just ask.
756 locals recommend
Jordaan
This is arguably Amsterdam's most picturesque neighborhood. Home to such landmarks as the Anne Frank Huis and Westerkerk, to name a few, as well as some of Amsterdam's most beautiful canals. We lived in the Jordaan for seven years and can give any tips needed! Just ask.
This is another family-friendly, leafy neighborhood of Amsterdam. Full of hip, fun restaurants and beautiful canal-lined streets to stroll, it is wonderful neighborhood to explore while visiting. Tip: Go to Cafe Toussaint Bosboom Toussaintstraat 26 with kids on a warm day for a lovely leafy outdoor snack, check out the outdoor market, Ten Katemarkt any day of the week for wonderful local Dutch Atmosphere, and stop in De Hallen, a converted train station which is now a trendy food hall with shops and an independent movie theater.
45 locals recommend
Amsterdam Oud-West
This is another family-friendly, leafy neighborhood of Amsterdam. Full of hip, fun restaurants and beautiful canal-lined streets to stroll, it is wonderful neighborhood to explore while visiting. Tip: Go to Cafe Toussaint Bosboom Toussaintstraat 26 with kids on a warm day for a lovely leafy outdoor snack, check out the outdoor market, Ten Katemarkt any day of the week for wonderful local Dutch Atmosphere, and stop in De Hallen, a converted train station which is now a trendy food hall with shops and an independent movie theater.
Food scene
I have only added restaurants near to our house to this guidebook, but feel free to ask me about other restaurants in Amsterdam, I am happy to point you in the right direction!
Anna Church Amstelveen B.V.
22 AmsterdamsewegFantastic brewery and restaurant near Oude Dorp
Famous local french bakery. There is a location in Amstelveen and also one nearby in the Olympic Stadium neighbourhood of Amsterdam.
Le Fournil de Sébastien
189 AmsterdamsewegFamous local french bakery. There is a location in Amstelveen and also one nearby in the Olympic Stadium neighbourhood of Amsterdam.
This is a favorite for incredible Middle Eastern Mezze. One of my favorite places to eat in Amsterdam, just 10 minutes away by bike or bus. It is spacious, so also quite family friendly.
19 locals recommend
NENI Amsterdam
8 StadionpleinThis is a favorite for incredible Middle Eastern Mezze. One of my favorite places to eat in Amsterdam, just 10 minutes away by bike or bus. It is spacious, so also quite family friendly.
Fantastic, inexpensive restaurant/bar with extensive indoor and outdoor seating located at the University Uilenstede. Fun scene, great food and beer!
Il Caffè
346 UilenstedeFantastic, inexpensive restaurant/bar with extensive indoor and outdoor seating located at the University Uilenstede. Fun scene, great food and beer!
Gorgeous restaurant on the Amstel River a short and lovely bike ride from our home. Great for a luxurious dinner or a simple cup of coffee. Amazing views over the river rom a covered terrace. You can get the feeling of sitting outside here even in winter!
14 locals recommend
Klein Kalfje
355 Amsteldijk NoordGorgeous restaurant on the Amstel River a short and lovely bike ride from our home. Great for a luxurious dinner or a simple cup of coffee. Amazing views over the river rom a covered terrace. You can get the feeling of sitting outside here even in winter!
Great atmosphere and good variety of delicious food. Located at the Amstelveen Stadshart (mall). Wonderful outdoor seating as well!
6 locals recommend
Day foodbar Amstelveen
52 StadspleinGreat atmosphere and good variety of delicious food. Located at the Amstelveen Stadshart (mall). Wonderful outdoor seating as well!
Fantastic croquettes, burgers, fries and more. Located on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos, just a 5 minute walk from the house. They also serve ice cream in the summertime!
De Frietfabriek
1 Nieuwe KalfjeslaanFantastic croquettes, burgers, fries and more. Located on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos, just a 5 minute walk from the house. They also serve ice cream in the summertime!
This is an incredible place for sushi. Very authentic! You'll take your shoes off and sit on low tables.
Izakaya Tanuki Amstelveen
9 Pieter LastmanwegThis is an incredible place for sushi. Very authentic! You'll take your shoes off and sit on low tables.
A very local "brown bar" style cafe typical of those found in the old city center. Fantastic "typical Dutch" food and drinks!
36 locals recommend
Café Anno 1890
1124 AmstelveensewegA very local "brown bar" style cafe typical of those found in the old city center. Fantastic "typical Dutch" food and drinks!
Fantastic Indian food just a few minutes walk away! Great for dining in, takeout or delivery.
Atchaya
503 AmsterdamsewegFantastic Indian food just a few minutes walk away! Great for dining in, takeout or delivery.
This is a very cool classic Dutch bar in the Oude Dorp (old village) of Amstelveen.
Café Het Wapen van Amstelveen
76 DorpsstraatThis is a very cool classic Dutch bar in the Oude Dorp (old village) of Amstelveen.
Wellness
A great place to get fit or unwind, just a few minutes from our house. Spa Zuiver has total spa services and packages, a gym and wellness center and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
78 locals recommend
Spa Sport Hotel Zuiver
8 KoenenkadeA great place to get fit or unwind, just a few minutes from our house. Spa Zuiver has total spa services and packages, a gym and wellness center and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
Shopping
This is a great little local boutique a few blocks from our home. Pop in for a gift for yourself or someone back home! Great clothing, jewellery, home goods and more. Many products from local companies, including gorgeous Amsterdam designs.
LOT Amstelveen
2 RandwijcklaanThis is a great little local boutique a few blocks from our home. Pop in for a gift for yourself or someone back home! Great clothing, jewellery, home goods and more. Many products from local companies, including gorgeous Amsterdam designs.
Stadshart
Large mall with fantastic shops and food located about 1km from the house.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Holy Moly Pizza- Homemade pizza truck right to your door!
https://holymoly.pizza/
Fresh, Amsterdam style pizza made in a pizza truck that comes right to your door! Have a beer or glass of wine while enjoying Italian music and pizzas made to order. A must do for a cozy night in!