If you want to feel like a local when you’re on a city break to Amsterdam, you need to choose hip area De Pijp to stay in. It’s only a ten minute meander on foot into the heart of the ‘Dam, so you can easily take in the museums, canals and red light district, but once you’ve had your fill for the day you can escape the crowds and hang out in the vibrant neighbourhood.
We were there last weekend with a group of friends to celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday, and we had a such a fabulous time I wanted to share my top tips in case you were planning a visit and wanted to experience the city from a local’s perspective. My friend’s lovely brother lives there with his partner, so we had experts on the ground, cherry picking the best places to go. It was a similar story a few years ago for a weekend with my best girlfriends, so after two amazing experiences of Amsterdam, the city has firmly planted itself in my heart.
Accommodation
We were lucky enough to be staying with friends right in the heart of De Pijp, but there are a whole host of options from air bnb to the rather swanky Sir Albert Hotel to choose from depending on your budget.
Getting around
We did a lot of walking, such a great way to take the city in. There was a heavy covering of snow when we were there, so crunching about in the snow felt extra magical. Especially wandering through the Vondelpark filled with snowmen and kids pelting each other with snowballs.
I have to mention the bus service which was fantastic, really straightforward and efficient. We got to and from the airport with one bus for just €5 per person each way. Oh yes, and there’s free wi-fi on there too!
Drinks
For a cosy afternoon drink we headed to Carels where we gathered around a big wooden table and bantered over red wine, beers and nuts. What could be finer? The staff were ultra friendly and the vibe supremely cosy and soft lit.
Carels
Frans Halsstraat 76
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://caferestaurantcarels.nl
Brunch
We tried a couple of places, both of which were uh-mazing.
Los Feliz
Take a stroll along the amazing street market on Albert Cuypstraat and then duck into Los Feliz for the most amazing Cali Mex food and cocktails and their simply incredible Mexican Weekend Brunch. The staff were easygoing and attentive, the decor light and breezy. The Chili Cheese Fries were frankly one of the tastiest things I’ve ever eaten for breakfast. Just. too. good. Paprika-spiced fries loaded with chilli, chopped tomatoes, melted cheese, spring onions, sour cream and two sunshine-up fried eggs. It was so good I had to re-create a version of it for our dinner the other night!
Los Feliz
Albert Cuypstraat 88
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.losfeliz.nl
CT Coffee & Coconuts
Packed with millennials, three light filled floors of achingly cool exposed brick, every inch instagrammable, CT Coffee & Coconuts is located in an old sandcastle-like theatre. It’s all rustic wooden furniture, comfy linnen cushions, long shared tables, and green plants. The menu is wholesome, happy food, much of it organic and locally sourced. I had a divine croissant with jam, a blackberry cooler and a perfectly crafted flat white. The others had avocado toast with eggs and bacon.
Dutch rules apply though, don’t get in the way of the smiling yet fierce staff! You join a queue to be seated and do as you’re told! They’re all startlingly good looking and smile a lot, so get away with being so formidable.
CT Coffee & Coconuts
Ceintuurbaan 282 – 284,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://coffeeandcoconuts.com
Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
As we were a big group we got the whole of the upstairs of this funky restaurant… some of the vegan desserts were a bit tepid but the rest of the food was lovely. €30 for a three course fixed menu – spicy sweet potato soup to start… a big choice of mains then a tasting bowl of desserts for each table to share. Chaotic service but pretty charming experience overall.
Golden Temple
Utrechtsestraat 126
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.restaurantgoldentemple.com/en/
Relaxation
We let it all hang out, and I mean ALL hang out at this the Spa Sport Hotel Zuiver – you can only wear your swimwear on Tuesdays and Thursdays zoinks! A simple 20 minute bus ride away from the Rijksmuseum, the Hotel Zuiver is pure luxurious escapism. We got a great value spa treatment package which gave us use of all of the facilities, a delicious buffet lunch, coffee and cake and a facial or a massage. Once we adjusted to the fact that everyone was starkers and didn’t give two hoots, we just got on with it. There’s something very liberating and levelling about it to be honest. There were all ages, and a myriad of shapes and sizes, and no one was looking at you at all – we felt totes European by the end of our day there! The highlight was swimming nude outside in the snow with steam coming off the top of the pool – really magical! There are loads of different steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs to try, plus a wonderful relaxation area with beds where you can have a little nap.
Spa Sport Hotel Zuiver
Koenenkade 8,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.zuiveramsterdam.nl/spa-en/
Entertainment
I also wanted to give special mention to the place where we celebrated the evening of Matthew’s 40th birthday – Ginger Burger, Steak & Karaoke Bar. They served incredible steaks and burgers, wonderful cocktails, and we had the use of a private room for both the meal and karaoke hilarity which was absolutely ideal to make Matthew’s 40th feel really special. There’s a main bar area too, so if the singing gets too much for your guests they can slip out for a bit of peace and a chat. Funnily enough I was practically glued to the microphone for the entire evening… some things never change!
Ginger Burger, Steak & Karaoke Bar
Ferdinand Bolstraat 13-15
Amsterdam
https://gingeramsterdam.nl
We flew to Amsterdam from Newcastle with KLM
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