High Season: May through August
Low Season: Late October through mid-march. (September - January can be vary rainy and November - January just very cold and miserable. February has less rain, but still can be very cold)
Our Favorite: Amsterdam is truly a year round destination, but we love to visit Amsterdam April through beginning of September! While this is high season, the weather is just beautiful and the flowers are in bloom.
Mr Jordaan
A cute hotel attractively located in the Amsterdam City Center district of Amsterdam, Mr. Jordaan is located a 12-minute walk from Royal Palace Amsterdam, 5 minute walk from the Anne Frank House, one mile from Leidseplein and 1.2 miles from Rembrandtplein. This hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Other popular walkable points close to Mr. Jordaan include Amsterdam Central Station, Rembrandt House and Dam Square.
Hotel Estherea
Hotel Estheréa is set along the Singel canal in the center of Amsterdam, only 984 feet from Dam Square. This hotel is in a quiet area and benefits from classically-styled decor with wooden paneling. The hotel serves coffee, tea or hot chocolate free of charge in the lounge with canal view. Hotel Estheréa is located in the heart of the city center within walking distance of museums, the main shopping area and night life. You will find plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area.
Boutique Hotel The Nobleman
In a prime location in the center of Amsterdam, Boutique Hotel The Noblemen is a vibey and elegant hotel within a 9-minute walk of Rembrandtplein, Dam Square and shopping. It is located 0.7 miles of Anne Frank House. Other popular points of interest nearby include Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum and Dutch National Opera & Ballet. The hotel features a sauna, room service and free WiFi. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Royal Palace Amsterdam, Leidseplein and Rijksmuseum.
Hotel TwentySeven - Small luxury hotels of the world
Right in the heart of the city overlooking the Royal Palace, the National Monument on Dam Square and the Rokin, you will find Hotel TwentySeven. This newly opened high-end 5-star Suite hotel, offers sixteen individually designed suites along with a diverse range of personalized services and fine dining experiences. The on-site restaurant Bougainville, awarded with a Michelin star, provides exquisite gastronomy by Executive Chef Tim Golsteijn. A 24-hours room service menu is also available for guests.
Other places to stay:
- Boutique Hotel The Craftsmen
- The Hendrick's Hotel
- The Dylan Amsterdam -The leading hotels of the world
- Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
- The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
Note: If you are staying in Amsterdam is hot, make sure the hotel you pick as airconditioning. Not all of them do so it can stay hot during certain times of the year.
RESTAURANTS
Foodhallen - a fun, vibey and extremely lively spot! There’s a dj, a bar and tons of international cuisines at this indoor food hall.
Wok to Wok - best late night drunk food. Think chipotle but asian style!
Pont Neuf - best french fries in amsterdam- the curry/mayo combo or the truffle mayo is my favorite, but you also can’t go wrong with the classic mayo/ketchup option! To get there just take the ferry across the river from behind Amsterdam Centraal (into Noord). When you get off the ferry go straight ahead and it's the little stand about one block up on the left.
Stroopwafels - You can find the best stroopwafels at street markets or any little spot that is making them fresh prepared. The ones at the grocery store Albert Heijn are also great where they make them fresh! The fresh pressed (right in front of you) orange juice at grocery stores is also a must at the grocery stores.
Poffertjes - Dutch mini pancakes and are SO good. You can find them at street markets or a pancake bakery.
The Avocado Show - If you love avocados, stop here for lunch!
Bitterballen - a Dutch delicacy. They have meat and cheese options and you can pretty much get them at any bar/pub in town.
Dutch cheese - There are a TON of cheese options in Amsterdam, personal favourite is Old Amsterdam. There is a location near Amsterdam Centraal and they offer tastings of all of the cheese, so you can go see for yourself!
Blauw or Tempoe - Amsterdam is known for its amazing Indonesian food.
Winkel 43 - famous apple pie
Van Stapele - famous cookies
Humphrey’s Restaurant - vibey dinner spot
Cecconis - as always a great go to Italian restaurant
Turquois Meating - This is outside of the city center in Noord, but it has fabulous Turkish food. Sigara Boregi and the Tavuk Sote or Acili Tavuk are a few of my favorites on the menu
COCKTAIL BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Pllek - a container bar with vibey music and dj, drinks, fire pits and a spot right on the water. Take the ferry from Amsterdam Centraal or uber. It's a great night or day spot, especially during the day when the weather is nice!
DoubleTree rooftop - A great spot when the weather is nice with great cocktails, a dj and a view of the city!
Lost in Amsterdam bar
Brouwerij t’ij - Brewery in a windmill
Door 74 for cocktails
W hotel bar
The duchess
Feijoa
Duke of Tokyo - karaoke bar
Louie Louie
Options for your stay in Amsterdam:
Anne Frank House - Need tickets in advance, but is an absolute must
Canal cruise - Skip the tourist style crowded boat rides and book through airbnb experience. It’s a much more intimate experience and usually includes wine, cheese and other snacks. It’s always a small group since its a private boat and is a great way to meet other travelers in an open setting.
Heineken experience
Swing over the edge - building with a view of Amsterdam. Take the ferry directly across the river from Amsterdam Centraal towards Noord. When you get off the ferry, turn left and you'll see the building with the swing above you. This is also where you can stop for the french fries at Pont Neuf.
Shopping - Near Dam square you will find tons of shopping! Everything from Zara and Primark to your luxury brands like YSL and Louis Vuitton. Fun fact - Zara in Europe is SO much better than the US and designer brands are MUCH cheaper throughout europe.
Museums - There are so many great museums in Amsterdam. A couple that we recommend are Van gough and Rembrandt museums.
Day/evening trip to Haarlem - Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to spend an evening outside of the hustle and bustle of the city. Utrecht and Haarlem are two of my favourites. Haarlem is actually an older city than Amsterdam and has so many food options! Bistrobar Indonesia was excellent. Don’t skip grabbing a couple of beers at Jopen. Jopen is an old church turned into a brewery and the beer and vibe is fabulous! Haarlam also has quite a few vegan spots to choose from as well.
Day/evening trip to Utrecht - Utrecht is a fun and lively spot! A few restaurants that I love here - O’Panuozzo for great pizza, Bistronome for beautiful spot on the canal, Mr Finch for cocktails and is on a little side street with other great spots, Bar Brasserie Bren, and Grand Bar & Brasserie Marie is a beautiful vibe with amazing food, cocktails and most importantly creme brulee! If you’re looking for something fun to do, Bison bowling is a bowling spot with a huge bar and arcade games! So fun for a group, but make reservations if you want to bowl.
Bike rides - If you are an active person, you can spend a day riding bikes to different towns along the water. Volendam and Monnickendam are two places that I enjoyed! You can stop at little cafes for lunch and even a cheese store that's out in the beautiful green countryside.
Keukenhof - Visit during tulip season and go to Keukenhof. It is BEAUTIFUL. I did this with my mom for Mother’s Day (which is also her birthday) and stayed at a little B&B in the countryside near the tulip fields. It was a wonderful memory!
GETTING AROUND AMSTERDAM:
Tram - You can now tap to pay with your credit card or iphone wallet, you no longer need to have a purchased ticket or tram card.
Uber - They do have uber, but it's usually more convenient and cheaper to just take the tram wherever you’d like to go. Depending where you are at it can be difficult to find your driver mixed in all the narrow streets and streets that don’t allow cars.
Airport transfer - You can take a 20 minute direct train (leaving from inside the airport, tickets can be purchased there at the kiosk) to Amsterdam Centraal and then either call an uber or take the tram from just outside the train station to your hotel. Other options are taking an uber from the airport directly to your hotel or booking a car through your hotel. Don't take the taxis from the airport as they overcharge!