Here’s our Amsterdam Anti-Tourist Guide to make you experience Amsterdam as a local
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands but is also the most famous city in the country. Its iconic neighborhoods, rich history, and cultural experiences and events make it the perfect place for many tourists. Check out our Amsterdam Anti-Tourist Guide to experience this city as a local and discover it in a whole new way!
Amsterdam has a lot to offer, besides an amazing nightlife also a lot of famous museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank Museum, and much more. But that’s not all! Behind the scenes, Amsterdam has an incredible, undiscovered side just waiting to be explored!
How many days should I stay in Amsterdam?
The answer to this depends on what you’re interested in and why you’re visiting Amsterdam. If you’re staying for three days, you’ll be able to check everything off your bucket list. If you love museums, you might want to stay an extra day or two so you can really experience all the museums. We tell you more in our Anti-Tourist Guide of Amsterdam.
What are the main highlights in Amsterdam?
1. Amsterdam’s Music Scene
a) Live Music In Amsterdam
Jazz Café Alto
If you are a hugh music fan, the Jazz Café Alto is a great place to chill and hang out with some friends or family. In this café are there everyday some jazz performances you can listen to while drinking or eating something. They invite young upcoming talents and known artists to perform at the café which guarentees entertainment for the night. This Jazz evenings start everyday at 20:00h and end in the early morning around 03:00h!
P60
The P60 in Amstelveen is a pretty nice place if you love live music. This café organizes a lot of live music events, from smaller touring bands to local bands and ABBA tribute nights. It’s the ideal spot to discover local new artists and upcoming musicians.
b) Festivals in Amsterdam
Kingsday Festival
Kingsday, also called “Koningsdag,” is a huge holiday in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. There are tons of parties, like this festival, during this day. It’s the King’s birthday.
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
This festival is all about electronic music and its industry. It’s huge — we’re talking over 1,000 events spread out over almost 200 locations. It’s a massive event that brings the whole city to life for five days!
c) Clubbing in Amsterdam
Club3
Club3 in Haarlem is a pretty new spot. They’ve got a wide variety of music, so pretty much everyone can find something they like. They bring in local and up-and-coming DJs, as well as some international techno and house artists.
Woodstock 69
This is a well-known beach club on the shore of Bloemendaal aan Zee. It’s known for its relaxed beachy vibes and awesome parties. The club hosts a bunch of big-name celebrities during their parties, but they also have more laid-back evenings with live music.
2. Where to Eat in Amsterdam
a) (Food)Markets
Albert Cuypmarkt
The Albert Cuypmarkt is a popular local market in the Albert Cuypstraat. It’s right in the heart of the historic 19th-century neighborhood known as the ‘Quartier Latin.’ The market boasts 260 stalls selling a wide variety of products. You can find everything you need here. Besides fresh vegetables, fish, and meat, you find also delicious Dutch dishes. But it’s not just food, further are also cool accessories and clothes to be found. It’s no surprise that the Albert Cuypmarkt is a favorite among the locals.
De Hallen
De Hallen is a cultural building that used to be a parking lot for trams in the west side of Amsterdam. It has a ton of activities, which is why they also call it “the center of fashion, art, culture, and hospitality.” Besides apartments and a hotel, you can also enjoy the art gallery, cinema, shops, food stands, and pubs in the food hall.
b) Instagrammable foodspots in Amsterdam
CHUN Café
If you’ve done your research on Amsterdam, you’ve probably already heard of the sandwiches from the CHUN Café. These beautiful, stuffed toasts are a must-try. You might have to wait in line for a while, but it’s totally worth it.
Secret Garden
The name of this place is self-explanatory. This secret restaurant serves amazing food and has an incredible interior. They have an indoor garden with futuristic stained glass and a lot of plants. It’s the ideal restaurant with amazing vibes for a cozy night with your friends.
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This restaurant is a real hidden gem in Amsterdam. It’s got an amazing view of the NDSM Wharf, and you can enjoy great food like oysters for just 1 euro and some great cocktails. They mostly serve dishes based on international cuisines from around the world.
3. What to see in Amsterdam
NXT Museum
The NXT Museum in Amsterdam is all about art and technology. It’s an experimental exhibit that combines art, technology, science and sound. It’ll transport you to another world and delight all your senses.
Wondr Experience
If you’re looking for a place to let your inner child out for a bit, look no further. This experience has 15 different interactive spaces that are certainly delighting your senses. You’ll find rooms filled with teddy bears, a giant marshmallow puddle, a rainbow ball pit, and plenty more.
A’dam Tower
The A’dam Tower is the ultimate thrill for daredevils. At the top, you’ll get an amazing view of the city center and its canals. But that’s not all—there’s also a special attraction (if you dare). There’s a giant swing that takes you over the edge of the 100-meter-high tower. It’s a must-do activity for thrillseekers!
4. Alternative places in Amsterdam
Python Bridge
The Python Bridge is an architectural piece that’s definitely worth a visit. It looks like a snake, and it’s fun to walk over once.
NDSM Wharf
The NDSM Wharf is one of the trendiest spots in the city right now, and it’s no surprise why. Despite it’s an old shipyard, it turned into a cultural hub afterwards and got something for everyone. You can chill on the “beach” with a drink, check out the cool art, or even try out some underground techno at one of the festivals. You will also search for your ideal vintage items at one of the flea markets, or catch an underground techno festival like the DGTL festival. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even sleep and bungee jump from a crane! There’s plenty to do at the NDSM Wharf, being that it’s definitely worth a visit. If this isn’t really for you, check out the rest of our Anti-Tourist Guide Amsterdam!
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Brouwerij ‘t IJ is Amsterdam’s main brewery and with 16 different beers for sale at the moment such as ‘IJwit’ and ”T Gouden Ei’. Meanwhile you take a 20-minute tour through the brewery, you will learn how they make the beer. There are three ‘Proeflokalen’ which is translated to ‘tasting rooms’ in Amsterdam where you can taste all the ‘t IJ beers.
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