Helmer’s Personal Recommendations For Amsterdam

Lunch: An old jazz & writer’s cafe, come taste the relaxed atmosphere at De Engelbewaarder.

Lunch: Enjoy the light atmosphere and tasty bites on the lovely terrace of Stroom.

Lunch: Pay a bit more and you’ll eat like a lion at De Plantage, situated next to the city’s zoo.

Lunch/dinner: For typically Dutch food and a festive atmosphere, swing by Eetcafé Sonneveld.

Dinner/dance: Open on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, visit unique concept Skatecafé for their great food and afterwards buzzing dance music!

Dinner/take-out: Wonderful Indonesian food at Kantjill en de Tijger, enjoy on the spot or get your meal at the take-out counter.

Try before you die: Poffertjes, enjoy these small pancakes lathered in butter and powdered sugar. Good for the soul, maybe not so for the heart. Get yours at sweet-tooth paradise Metropolitan.

Bar: My old favourite pub, cafe De Wetering has no website – but a dedicated Facebook page.

Bar: Get ready for a wild night at Café Weber, a hip bar close to Leidseplein’s entertainment area with night clubs Melkweg & Paradiso

Bar/restaurant: Enjoy a beachy vibe near the river at Pllek. Ask for their menu to fill up before partying.

Clothing & accessories: Undeniably the main shopping street of Amsterdam, you will find your quality garment on the Kalverstraat.

Clothing & accessories/handcrafts: For more exclusive shopping, wander through the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets), where independent designers have set up shop.

Clothing/souvenirs: Located centrally, the Leidsestraat has a variety of shopping options on offer.

Coffeeshop: One of the oldest and most renown coffeeshops in the city, De Tweede Kamer is your first hit in Amsterdam.

Coffeeshop: De Dampkring is a famous coffeeshop, known locally for its good quality resell.

Coffeeshop: Stylish and quality-branded, Kadinsky offers a great assortment.

Top Choice: If you want to pick one of the main museums I would personally go to the Rijksmuseum. It’s the biggest museum in Amsterdam and they have the art of all the great painters from the 17th century.

Museum: Are you left wanting more after two hours of my talking during the tour? Delve deeper and go to the Grachtenmuseum.

Alternative Museum Choice: For an idea and feeling of an old Amsterdam house, step into the Rembrandthuis and see where the famous Rembrandt lived and painted.

Top Choice: The #1 hangout spot in Amsterdam and biggest park, chill out at the Vondelpark.

Park: The Sarpathipark is a lovely, smaller park in the beloved area of De Pijp (South Amsterdam).

Family-friendly park: Great for biking and hiking, take a stroll around the Oosterpark.

Forest: The place for nature lovers, the Amsterdamse Bos is a large woodland situated right outside the city. Beautiful walking opportunities.

Entertainment/leisure: My favourite place to go out and have a great time, the unofficial North Entertainment Area at the Gedempt Kamerkanaal has a great selection of leisure activities. Go with your loved one for a view at the river.

The Amsterdam Experience: The historic neighbourhood De Pijp is where the young Amsterdammers reside. Here you will find a typical Dutch market, great restaurants & bars and a great selection of shops.

Cruise the canals: Your visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without taking a boat trip. For a quality tour with excellent service, I highly recommend Flag Ship.

Escape Room: From the Roald Dahl-inspired Chocolate Factory to the horrific Cabin In The Woods, each themed room has a challenge at the Escape Room Amsterdam.