15 great trips Amsterdam offer

Amsterdam is a vibrant and diverse city. It is a shopping Walhalla, has countless terraces and great parks to escape the crowds now and then. You can admire stately mansions, practice your photography skills along the canals or visit one of the numerous theatres or museums. To celebrate 15 years of expertise – Htel Serviced Apartments celebrates its 15th birthday this year – we’ve listed 15 must do’s during your stay in our capital.

1. Canal Cruise

Did you know Amsterdam has 165 canals? There is no better way to explore the city than by boat. Opposite Central Station you will find the departure docks of various shipping companies. Whether you are coming to Amsterdam for a city trip with your partner, friends or family, the canal cruises are just as diverse. There is a Pizza Cruise, a Kids Cruise and the 100 Highlights Cruise.

2. Panoramic view from the A’DAM Lookout

On top of the 22nd floor of the A’DAM Tower, which is located right at the IJ, you will find the observation deck A’DAM Lookout. Expect a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the historic centre with its iconic canals, the harbour and the polder landscape. For the dare devils among us: you can also take place at a swing at a height of 100 meters!

3. Comedy at Boom Chicago

The City Council of Amsterdam saw no potential in the idea of two young Americans to open an American comedy club. But Boom Chicago is an unprecedented success: the team is celebrating Boom Chicago’s 25th anniversary this year.

4. Pub quiz

At Café Lust in the lively district ‘De Pijp’, an English pub quiz takes place every Tuesday night. Join to experience the Dutch culture first hand! And with a bit of luck you will take home the first prize: a bottle of champagne. Winners also get a spot on the cafes Wall of Fame. Café Thijssen (Monday) and Gollem’s Tasting Room (Monday and Tuesday) also organize pub quizzes in English.

5. Hollandsche Manege

An inconspicuous entrance gate at Vondelstraat 140 gives access to the most beautiful city centred riding school in Europe: the Hollandsche Manege. Settle down at the cafe – built in impressive 18th  century Baroque style – with a good cup of coffee or tea to admire the horses and their talented riders.

6. Moco Museum

The Moco Museum is located at Museum Square, in a beautiful monumental building. The museum was founded by Lionel and Kim Logchies, who worked with the biggest names from the modern art industry for years. Thanks to their personal network you can now admire items from artists like Banksy and Andy Warhol.

7. Hortus Botanicus

The Hortus Botanicus was founded in 1638 as a medicinal herb garden. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, an oasis of peace amidst the bustle of Amsterdam. You will find an outdoor garden and five greenhouses with different climates and collections. On Sundays you can join a free tour at 14:00.

8. Amsterdam markets

You will really get to know Amsterdam by strolling down one of the markets. To the Albert Cuyp you go especially for the fresh vegetables, flowers and beautiful fabrics. On the Sunday Market at city park Westergasfabriek designers, artists and craftsmen sell their goods and at the Noordermarkt you can nose around between antiques, curios, vintage clothing and oriental carpets.

9. Local beers

The number of microbreweries in and around Amsterdam is growing. From dark brown bock beer to fresh wheat beer or something in between, you can try them all in one of the tasting rooms. It is of course even more fun to see how your favourite beer is brewed. Guided tours are given at Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Brouwerij De Prael, De 7 Deugden and Poesiat & De.

10. Foodhallen

In Amsterdam you can find the first indoor food market of the Netherlands: the Foodhallen. This hotspot in Amsterdam West is inspired by the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid and the Borough Market in London. Enjoy Vietnamese rolls, petit fours, sushi wraps with quinoa and the best grilled cheese sandwich in town in this former tram depot.

11. Historic courtyard

Hidden behind an inconspicuous door at the Spui is a 14th-century courtyard. The historic courtyard used to be the site of a group of religious women, but today houses a chapel and an English Reformed church which is open to public during the day.

12. Green oases

Amsterdam is blessed with many green spaces and quiet oases. So fill up your picnic basket and visit the Vondelpark, the Oosterpark, the Westerpark or the Rembrandtpark. Fact: Every year an average of 10 million people visit the Vondelpark, which is about 21 visitors per square meter. By comparison, Central Park in New York receives approximately 5 visitors per square meter every year!

13. Free concerts

In Amsterdam you can attend free concerts almost daily. At the National Opera & Ballet there are free concerts every Tuesday at 12.30 pm and the Royal Concertgebouw organizes free lunch concerts on Wednesdays at 12.30. The Badcuyp organizes free Sunday Night Jazz sessions.

14. Amsterdam North

Amsterdam North is a bit isolated on the other side of the river IJ, but it’s a bustling, hip district. You can take the ferry to the Buiksloterveerweg to visit the EYE Film Museum. At the NDSM shipyard you will find various art studios and creative companies, which make it a great area to drink a cup of coffee. For example at Noorderlicht Café.

15. City of Diamonds

Amsterdam is known as the ‘City of Diamonds’ for four hundred years. The Amsterdam diamond company Gassan Diamonds is located at the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat. You can take a free tour through the diamond factory to get acquainted with all facets of diamond grinding and of course to get astonished by all the beauty.

Special offer: 15% discount on Tours & Tickets trips

This year Htel Serviced Apartments celebrates its 15th birthday. That is why we’ve created a special offer in collaboration with Tours & Tickets Amsterdam: a 15% discount on selected Tours & Tickets trips when staying at Htel Serviced Apartments in the period 20-08-2018 untill 31-10-2018! This promotion runs until October 31. Htel Serviced Apartments is the perfect residence for a vacation to Amsterdam, so you can experience the above tips yourself. More information about the terms and conditions and to book your apartment: click here.

‍