Three days in Amsterdam
A canal boat cruise is a great way to get your bearings on the first day and departure points are across the city. Disembark towards the trendy Jordaan district and explore one of the 70 cafes in the area. Moods is popular with a hip, eco-conscious crowd (it’s touted as Europe’s first carbon neutral cafe) or for a more traditional “bruin cafe” – named for their dark brown interiors and cigarette smoke-stained walls – the historic Café Chris has been operating since 1624 and is the oldest bar in the district. Unwind in the evening by trying a traditional Dutch dish at the friendly De Eetkamer restaurant.
Start your second day by stretching your legs in the Vondelpark, a 47 hectare sprawl, handy for the museum quarter. Within the park, Groot Melkhuis is a good place for coffee and, to see as much as you can in a morning, you can hire inline skates at the south-west entrance. Stop for lunch at Brasserie De Joffers, an art deco style venue that does a great line in mini burgers, and finish your day at one of the world-class museums: the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam’s home of modern and contemporary art, will show a major Matisse exhibition from March to August 2015. If you’re looking for world-class accommodation that’s handy for this part of town, the canal-side Hilton Amsterdam offers spacious and contemporary guest rooms and an award-winning restaurant.
Day three kicks off with a burst of colour and fragrance: the floating Bloemenmarkt is situated on the Singel canal and the houseboat flower stalls are open daily. Tarifa is handy for tapas once you’ve finished your floral browsing, or if you’re hankering after Dutch dishes, head to Haesje Claes, also on Spuistraat. Keep the floating theme going in the afternoon with a visit to the Houseboat Museum and finish your day with cocktails at super cool Chapter 21, tucked away beneath the legendary Supper Club.
Five days in Amsterdam
If you’re staying five days, spend one of them on a bike: after a canal boat, it’s the best way to see the city. Join Mike’s City Bike Tour if you want a guide, or rent a bike and see the city under your own steam.
On day five discover the Plantagebuurt district on the eastern side of the city centre. This area is home to the Natura Artis Magistra zoo and the beautiful Botanic Garden (Hortus Botanicus). Keep the natural theme going by dining at De Kas, a little further to the east, where you’ll eat organic Mediterranean dishes in a giant conservatory.
Seven days in Amsterdam
With the luxury of a week-long stay, get out into the Dutch countryside. You could hire bikes or another affordable option is to take an EBS bus from Amsterdam Central Station. Broek in Waterland is a 20 minute bus ride away and boasts beautiful wooden houses and its own waterways – or travel a little further to Monnickendam, a heritage site that is a small and charming fishing village today but was once a powerful port.
Your final day should be reserved for shopping. As well as jewellers, boutiques and art galleries, the Nine Streets area is great for vintage lovers and the permanent Waterlooplein is a great flea market. Top off your trip by dining at one of Amsterdam’s 12 Michelin Starred restaurants: French technique and Dutch ingredients are fused at Lastage (a small restaurant, so book ahead) near the red light district – well-placed if you want to round off your trip by experiencing the upfront sights and sounds of Amsterdam’s most notorious area.
