Time Out Amsterdam City Guide with Pull-Out Map (Travel Guide): Travel Guide with Pull-out Map

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In the autumn, the Rijksmuseum will present two great exhibitions. One is called ‘Clara’, about an eighteenth-century rhinoceros who grew to be the most famous in history. The other is ‘Crawly Creatures’, an exhibition which explores the appreciation of little creatures such as toads, lizards and spiders in art and science, featuring work by artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Peter Paul Rubens, and Maria Sibylla Merian. Unlike some cities, visitors to Amsterdam often find themselves wanting to go again and again and again. This city is known for its innovative food scene and great attractions, but the thing that will forever linger in your mind? Amsterdam’s bars. The nightlife scene here is second to none, and there’s a bar for (literally) every mood.

Since the sixteenth century Amsterdam has welcomed immigrants and, along with them, their many cultures and beliefs. Nowadays, Amsterdammers work hard on upholding and redefining tolerance as one of the city’s essential values.’ You can walk or get around by bike

Ah, Amsterdam. Our love affair with this city never ends, from its innovative food scene to its most well-known attractions. Perhaps most famous for its art galleries and museums, from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank House, Amsterdam stands proudly as one of the most culturally significant cities in Europe, but, of course, it’s got a poppin’ nightlife scene too. The best way to take in the magnificent Old Town – particularly Oudegracht – is from the water, and you needn’t restrict yourself to traditional canal tours (although they are great). Kayaks, pedalos and even gondolas are available to rent at various spots around the city centre. Ignore the glitz of the trashy attractions around Dam Square and head instead to Oude Kerk , not just Amsterdam’s oldest church but the oldest building. Founded around 1213, it stands in De Wallen, in the heart of the Red Light District. Marvel at the wooden roof (the largest in Europe) and the beautiful stained-glass windows. There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, but for sundowners with the best view, Strandpaviljoen ‘t Badhuys – the island’s only beach bar – is the place to head. Grab a table on the terrace just a few feet from the golden sands.

Begin your morning with a bite at Greenwoods on Keizersgracht, an enchanting canalside restaurant serving traditional breakfast fare suitable for any diet. Billed as an ‘unconventional hotel’, the Lloyd is out of the ordinary. This historic building has served as a shelter for Jewish refugees, a prison and a juvenile detention centre – and is now a 117-room boutique hotel where no two rooms are alike. From budget twins to suites with beds that sleep seven, this is a unique place that’s the perfect base for the well-travelled and style-conscious. The Lloyd is currently undergoing a big renovation with a view to reopening in 2023, so watch this space. Arriving in the early afternoon, the first thing on the agenda is hitting some cultural highlights. Once you’ve had your fill of the Netherlands’ most famous painter, go for an afternoon stroll around the sprawling, leafy Vondelpark . Done? Then it’s time to head to the romantic Jordaan for dinner. If you’re after a pre-meal tipple, Bar Mimi and Cafe L'Affiche are charming spots you can stop at on your way to Men Impossible . Serving a delectable plant-based ramen menu, this is one of the city’s most unique restaurants — just make sure to book ahead.

And they’re more than that, too – these joints are social hubs, creative spaces, and they often have great food menus for your munchies too. One thing to note, though, is that a few of Amsterdam's coffeeshops are really famous, and it's to their own detriment... These spots are now inescapable tourist traps, and we wouldn't recommend them (you won't find Smokey and Bulldog the First on here, for example).But if you want to visit a proper good one? Read on, friends. These are the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam. If I’m with friends or family, I often visit Café de Ceuvel in Noord. On a warm summer day, we bring our swimsuits and take a dive. One thing the Dutch are famous for is apple pie, and you’ll find the best at a café called Waargenoegen in Noord’s Neef Louis vintage design store.’ ... and there’s always loads of art to see