Moon Amsterdam Walks

AMSTERDAM WALKS

Step off the plane and head right for the newest, hippest café in town. Find out where to get the best fish in the city or where they have locally brewed beer on tap. In Moon Amsterdam Walks, our authors give you inside information on numerous hidden gems. Skip the busy shopping streets and stroll through the city at your own pace, taking in a local attraction on your way to the latest and greatest concept stores. Savor every second and make your trip a truly great experience.

AMSTERDAM-BOUND!

Amsterdam is a compact city and a multicultural melting pot with open-minded inhabitants. There’s a reason people say that anything goes in Amsterdam. But as far as we’re concerned, what makes Amsterdam so special are its numerous, splendid museums and the incredibly diverse range of shops—from vintage and design to trendy pop-up stores—all to be found in central neighborhoods, together with the most varied restaurants, new eateries, and pubs. The suburbs also provide a raw industrial feel with numerous festivals, underground parties, and secondhand markets. We’ll take you to Amsterdam’s most fascinating places.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

In this book, locals share the genuine highlights of their city. Discover the city by foot and at your own pace, so you can relax and experience the local lifestyle without having to do a lot of preparation beforehand. That means more time for you—what we call “time to momo.” Our walks take you past our favorite restaurants, cafés, museums, galleries, shops, and other notable attractions—places we ourselves like to go to.

None of the places mentioned here have paid to appear in either the text or the photos, and all text has been written by an independent editorial staff. This is true for the places in this book as well as for the information in the time to momo app and all the latest tips, themed routes, neighborhood information, blogs and the selection of best hotels on www.timetomomo.com.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The six walks in this book allow you to discover the best neighborhoods in the city by foot at your own pace. The walks will take you past museums and notable attractions but, more importantly, they’ll show you where to go for good food, drinks, shopping, entertainment, and an overall good time. Check out the map at the front of this book to see which areas of the city the walks will take you through.

Each route is clearly indicated on a detailed map at the beginning of the relevant chapter. The map also specifies where each place is located. The color of the number tells you what type of venue it is (see key at the bottom of this page). A description of each place is given later in the chapter.

Without taking into consideration extended stops at various locations, each walk will take a maximum of three hours. The approximate distance is indicated at the top of the page, before the directions.

PRICE INDICATION

We give an idea of how much you can expect to spend in each location next to its address and contact details. Unless otherwise stated, the amount given in restaurant listings is the average price of a main course. For sights and attractions, we indicate the cost of a regular full-price ticket.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

In addition to Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost (whose dates vary each year), the Dutch celebrate the following official national holidays:

January 1 > New Year’s Day

April 27 > King’s Day

May 5 > Liberation Day

December 25 & 26 > Christmas

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Amsterdam hosts a number of different festivals held throughout the city, especially in the summer.

Rollende Keukens—May and June (www.rollendekeukens.nl)

During this festival, the Westergasterrein and Westerpark turn into one giant outdoor restaurant with food trucks, live music, and lots of finger food.

Amsterdam Roots—June (www.amsterdamroots.nl)

This world music and culture festival features around 60 concerts each year at different locations throughout the city, plus the Roots Open Air festival in Oosterpark.

ITs Festival Amsterdam—June and July (www.itsfestivalamsterdam.com)

A new generation of national and international performing artists present their graduation show performances at the International Theater School Festival.

Amsterdamse Bostheater—June, July, and August (www.bostheater.nl) Outdoor performances, including theater (Shakespeare and other classics), concerts, and children’s shows are held in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam’s largest wooded park).

Summer in the Tolhuistuin—June, July, and August (www.tolhuistuin.nl) This cultural festival in North Amsterdam, in Tolhuistuin Park, is complete with an outdoor stage, music, a wooden dance floor, and good food.

Keti Koti Festival—July 1 (www.ketikotiamsterdam.nl)

This festival is a celebration and remembrance of the abolition of slavery in the former Dutch colonies, with an exuberant music party in Oosterpark.

Over het IJ Festival—July (www.overhetij.nl)

This is a pop-up theater festival in Amsterdam-Noord that features performances at various locations, including the NDSM shipyard area.

Julidans—July (www.julidans.nl)

Performances take place throughout the city, from West to Zuid-Oost, during this renowned festival of international contemporary dance.

Appelsap—last Sunday of July (www.appelsap.net)

This is a music festival in Oosterpark with hip-hop, urban, soul, and contemporary jazz.

Kwaku Summer Festival—July and August (www.kwakufestival.nl)

This multicultural festival takes place over four consecutive weekends in Bijlmerpark.

Grachtenfestival—August (www.grachtenfestival.nl)

Classical concerts are held at special locations on and near the canals in the city, the IJ waterfront, and in Noord.

Amsterdam Gay Pride—early August (www.amsterdampride.nl)

The largest gay event in the Netherlands, this festival features cultural and sporting activities, parties, and the flamboyant canal parade.

Parade—first half of August (www.deparade.nl)

This traveling outdoor theater festival in Martin Luther King Park showcases unique (and surprising) theater, music, and dance.

Magneet Festival—August (www.magneetfestival.nl)

Two weekends revolve around all things creative with crazy themes and a mix of music, theater, and art at the tip of the Zeeburgereiland.

Uitmarkt—last weekend of August (www.uitmarkt.nl)

A sneak preview of Amsterdam’s upcoming cultural season, featuring performances, festivities, and market stalls at locations such as Museumplein and Leidseplein.

IDFA—November (www.idfa.nl)

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam screens the best documentaries.

HAVE ANY TIPS?

Shops and restaurants in Amsterdam come and go fairly regularly. We do our best to keep the walks and contact details as up to date as possible, and this is reflected in our digital products. We also do our best to update the print edition as often as we can. However, if despite our best efforts there is a place that you can’t find or if you have any other comments or tips about this book, please let us know. Email info@momedia.nl, or leave a message on www.timetomomo.com.

TRANSPORTATION

Amsterdam is most easily reached from other European destinations by train. Exiting Centraal Station takes you directly into the city center. If you come by car, it’s best to use a parking lot if you want to park in the center. Parking rates on the street vary depending on the district—from €1.40-€5 per hour. The closer to the center you are, the higher the rates. Day tickets are also available. If you want to keep costs down, head for P+R (Park & Ride) from Amsterdam Arena, Sloterdijk train station, VU Medisch Centrum, Bos en Lommer, Olympisch Stadion, and Zeeburg. The rate is €8 per 24 hours (with a maximum stay of 96 hours).

The Amsterdam transport authority (GVB) will provide you with a P+R chip card for travel to the city center by tram, bus, or metro. From Sloterdijk and Arena you will be given a train ticket to travel into the city center. Check the website www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/plan-your-trip/getting-around/parking for details.

You will need an OV chipkaart (smart card for public transport) with credit when traveling around Amsterdam. You can buy one from the machines in train and subway stations, or you can buy an hour or day ticket on the tram, although this is generally more expensive. See www.ov-chipkaart.nl.

In the city center, the tram is your best option. Amsterdam has 15 tram lines, most of which depart from Centraal Station to the city’s various districts. The bus is a good option if you’re heading further out. There are special bus services from Centraal Station at night. Check www.gvb.nl for details.

Metro lines 53 and 54 connect Amsterdam Centraal Station with the Zuidoost area. Line 51 runs from Centraal Station via Buitenveldert to Amstelveen, and line 50 takes you from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station via Station Zuid to Gein. Taxis can be hailed on the street, and you’ll find various taxi stands in the city center. You can always catch a taxi from Centraal Station. The best-known taxi company is TCA (t. 020 7777777). The initial rate is €2.89 plus €2.12 per kilometer and €0.35 per minute. Make sure the driver observes the rules. You’ll see bright yellow electric taxis, too, which are clean, silent, and resemble London cabs. In the center, try a bicycle taxi for €1 per person per 3 minutes.

Real tourists take the “hop-on, hop-off” boat (with four lines and 20 stops). The boats navigate the canals and stop near the most important museums, shopping areas, and places of interest. A day ticket (€22) allows you to hop on and off all lines for the entire day. Evening tours are an option as well (reserve at www.canal.nl). Or take a trip with one of the canal boats departing from the Rokin. You’ll also have nice views from the “hop-on, hop-off” bus (12 stops). A day ticket is €18 (www.citysightseeingamsterdam.nl).

BIKING

If you really want to experience Amsterdam and get around fast, hop on a bike. There are lovely cycling paths throughout the city, and it’s a great way to explore the suburbs. You can also take your bike on the ferry and cycle around Amsterdam Noord. The signs for cyclists are everywhere—look for the white signs with red letters. You can also buy maps of various cycling routes at the VVV tourist office at the Centraal train station.

Amsterdam is, of course, a cyclist’s city, so most drivers are aware of the many cyclists on the road. But do be careful—it can get really hectic and busy, especially in the center around Dam Square. As a cyclist, remember to watch out for pedestrians, other cyclists (visitors from abroad are not used to cycling here), buses, trams, and cars. Follow the rules of the road even if most Amsterdam-mers don’t, and, most importantly, steer clear of the tram tracks. A bike bell is highly recommended.

Bicycles can be rented from many places around Amsterdam, but first check if your hotel has them for free. If not, you can try Macbike (www.macbike.nl) or Yellowbike (www.yellowbike.nl). Both offer particularly nice guided tours in and around Amsterdam. If you really want to make a special afternoon of it, hop on a vintage Velox bike and cycle around Amsterdam-Noord to picturesque Waterland, where a farmer will welcome you to Zunderdorp and invite you to milk the cows with him. Enjoy a fresh glass of milk afterwards, which is a typically Dutch thing to do. The farmer’s tour takes two and half hours and costs €29.50. For more information about this and other tours, visit www.veloxbikes.nl.

Do you live in the Netherlands? If so, you can arrange an OV-fiets season ticket before you visit Amsterdam. This free ticket is linked to your OV chipkaart and allows you to rent a bike at nearly every train station (including Amsterdam Centraal) for €3.85 a day per bike. You can take two bikes at a time per ticket (www.ns.nl/en/door-to-door/ov-fiets).

TOP 10: RESTAURANTS

1   Experience amazing CT Coffee & Coconuts. > click here

2   Rijsel offers French food with a Flemish twist. > Marcusstraat 52

3   Try a little of everything at De Hallen’s food court. > click here

4   Everything at Café Modern is wonderful. > Meidoornweg 2

5   For delicious pizzas and Bloody Marys, head to Bar Spek. > click here

6   Order a great dish for just €10 at Bar Mick. > Spaarndammerstraat 53

7   Savor high-quality Dutch cuisine at Wilde Zwijnen. > click here

8   Thrill Grill has Amsterdam’s best burger. > Gerard Doustraat 98

9   Enjoy a sustainable meal at creative hang-out Pllek. > click here

10 Visit Buffet van Odette for great classics. > Prinsengracht 598

TOP 10: MUSEUMS

1   Enjoy unusual films and exhibitions at EYE. >click here

2   The renovated Rijksmuseum is a must-visit. > click here

3   Explore worlds and cultures at Tropenmuseum. > click here

4   Tassenmuseum Hendrikje: history of handbags > Herengracht 573

5   View amazing images at Foam photography museum. > click here

6   There’s plenty to do at action-museum NEMO. > click here

7   Travel back in time at the Scheepvaartmuseum. > click here

8   Visit the Hermitage for treasures from around the world. > click here

9   Admire the Amsterdam School architectural style at Museum Het Schip. > click here

10 Learn about resistance during WWII at the Verzetsmuseum. > Plantage Kerklaan 61A

TOP 10: SUNDAYS

1   Get a good start at the breakfast club. > Bellamystraat 2-h

2   Have a peaceful wander around scenic Prinseneiland. > click here

3   Relax at Doctor Feelgood Massage Company. > click here

4   Yoghurt Barn offers a great high tea. > 1e van der Helststraat 80

5   Visit the beautiful greenhouses at Hortus Botanicus. > click here

6   Grab an afternoon drink on lively theater street Nes. > click here

7   Browse the lovely little boutiques on Utrechtsestraat.

8   Take a bike ride through the Amsterdamse Bos. > click here

9   Sample beers outdoors under the windmill at Brouwerij ’t IJ. > click here

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