FABULOUS AND FUSS FREE
Hands down one of my favourite cities in Europe, especially in the summertime!
More than most cities that I’ve been to, Amsterdam seamlessly merges the two worlds of boho and luxury like they complement each other perfectly. Rustic pop-up cafes share the same real estate as plush establishments; trendy upmarket shops stand next door to urban graffiti dens; even trendy upmarket restaurants back right onto red light district windows! As we cycled from one street to the next it became increasingly apparent that almost everyone and everything blends together in a cool non-hierarchal balance. It’s not to say Amsterdam doesn’t have ANY class distinction, of course inevitably every city does… but somehow this place has evolved without the same level of blatancy you usually find in other cities around the world. It’s possibly the most unfussiest city I’ve ever been and there’s a huge sense of ease that comes with being in that environment.
#LessFussMorePersonality
I love it, especially in the warmer months when you can embrace the true local vibe and use a bicycle to get you around town – it’s one of their most common forms of transport (indeed there are more bicycles registered in Amsterdam than residents!). It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO or a school student, cycling is embraced by everyone from all walks of life which, again, blurs the line between status and wealth. Additionally it’s also contributed to Amsterdam's status as one of the most eco-friendliest cities in Europe. In fact, Amsterdam is a pioneer in environmental awareness and back in 2009 initiated a number of innovative energy management projects (with new power hookups for electric cars, solar panels, and household wind turbines etc) with the goal to reduce emissions by 40% before 2025. There's lots to love about this place! #CityWithAGoodConscience
HOW TO SPEND YOUR 24HRS
Every time we visit Amsterdam, my husband and I claim we could live there. No trip is ever long enough but even on the tightest of schedules we have a hoot! Here’s how you can spend 24 hours in the capital city and leave feeling just as carefree and cultured as we do...
8:30am HIRE A BIKE
It’s easily the most fun way to get around town and have a laugh at the same time – the simplicity of it is exhilarating and in ways I felt like a kid all over again. For me it really made the whole Amsterdam experience and also allowed us to feel part of the environment (as opposed to tourists looking in). Some hotels have their own bikes for hire or there are lots of different hire point locations around the city which you can Google.
9:30am BRUNCH BREAK
If you want to skip the hotel brekky and go for something a little more local, then try De Ysbreeker which is an Amsterdam institution. Situated next to the river it’s both scenic and peaceful... houseboats line the banks and boats slowly glide past while you’re enjoying your meal. Food is good and the coffee I rate 7/10.
11am MUSEUM MOSEY
Amsterdam museums are among the main tourist attractions. The Rijks Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Anne Frank House are the most popular but there are loads of great smaller ones also. Each time I visit Amsterdam I tick another one off the list and one of my favourites is the Van Gogh Museum. This trip I decided to head to the Moco Museum to check out their Banksy exhibition #HugeFanOfBanksy. We were very lucky that the owner took us into a back room where she was about to launch a Banksy swat van that she had just purchased from Churchill’s grandson – it was absolutely incredible!! Apparently Banksy had produced this work for his infamous ‘Barely legal’ exhibition held in Los Angeles in 2006, however it had been sitting in horse stables since because it was too large to display in the previous owners home.
1pm LUNCH AT VANDAM
A couple of years back, our hotel concierge gave us the hot tip about this place and we now pop in every time we’re back. Vibey but still relaxed, the food is always good especially when enjoyed with a cocktail!
2pm SHOP STOP
The P.C. Hooftstraat is Amsterdam's most exclusive shopping street and features brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren and more, within a few short blocks. Whether your window shopping or on the hunt to treat yourself, it’s a lovely spot to explore and tick off the list.
3pm PARKLAND PARADISE
Just a block from PC Hooftstraat is Vondelpark, a stunning leafy oasis of sprawling gardens, foot bridges, ponds & an open-air theater. In the warmer months when the sun is shining, hundreds of people line the grass on their picnic blankets, while fitness fans workout and kids play ball games. I found it absolutely magical and could have easily kicked off the shoes and enjoyed the rest of the sun rays here, but instead I made do with an ice cream and did some people watching before continuing our adventure into Old Town.
4pm OLD TOWN TREK
At the centre of Amsterdam is this distinctive hub of ambience, history and architecture. Old canals are fanned around the area (each with their own unique story to tell), while gorgeous boutiques and cafes consistently beckon you inside. Personally I just loved cycling along the cobblestone streets and over the bridges, taking in the medieval architecture and terraced houses along the way. So pretty!!
5pm CANAL CRUISING
It’s definitely time for some bubbles by now and I highly recommend renting a small electric boat and cruising the canals while you enjoy a glass. Being on the water is always special, especially in this cruisy environment where food and drink merges perfectly with a small canal boat and your loved one, or a small group of friends. It’s also a fantastic way to discover other areas of Amsterdam you might otherwise not get to see. One of the things I loved most is that you don’t even have to leave the waterside to replenish your stores! All along the canals are stalls where you can buy deli food, beers, wine and champagne. There’s even a place called Pizzeria San Marco which serves freshly made pizza #OnlyInAmsterdam #YumAndUnique
8pm SUNSET COCKTAILS
It may not be the highest rooftop bar in Amsterdam but it is the newest and definitely one of the coolest. The W Hotel has fab views over the city and when the sun is setting across the rooftops, it certainly creates an unforgettable scene. Word on the street is that this is the place to be seen right now.
9:15pm IZAKAYA
If you’re a fan of Japanese food with a bit of ambience and vibe, then this is my top recommendation in Amsterdam. We’ve made a habit of coming here every time we come to Amsterdam because the food is delicious and the cocktails are on equal par. It’s definitely one of those more sceney type restaurants with a price tag to match but ho hey, if you’re only in Amsterdam for 24hrs you want to make the most of it.
11:30pm THE SECRET IS OUT
Now this is the part I probably shouldn’t be writing about as it’s supposed to be a secret… but what’s the point of having a blog if I can’t share a few secrets every now and then?
So... there’s this place called The Butcher and as per the title, it looks just like a butcher shop. BUT it’s so much more than a butcher shop! When you walk through the store you'll see a little black door at the back. Get to the door and you are prompted for a password before the door opens. Now if you had dinner at Izakaya, chances are the waitress will oblige you with the password (I’ve got a feeling they’re somehow connected) but otherwise I have no idea how you’ll get it. The password changes daily and it only circulates to those in the know. If you do manage to get a hold of it and through that black door, what awaits you is this tiny den of pumping beats and ridiculous cocktails. It’s the perfect venue to kick start the long night ahead!
From here I think the charms of Amsterdam will steer you on a fabulously spontaneous evening which you may or may not remember in the mooring!
Enjoy!
Sx