Your friend in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Like a Local
Skip the tourist traps. These are the spots my friends and I actually go to. Hotels, restaurants, bars, and things to do — from someone who actually lives here.
What are you looking for?
I have split my recommendations into the four things everyone asks me about. Pick one and start exploring.
Things to Do
Hidden gems, museums worth the hype, walking routes, and the stuff my friends actually do on weekends.
Going Out
Bars, clubs, live music — the places I go when I text my friends "drinks tonight?"
Sleep
Hotels and stays I actually recommend to friends visiting. No chains, no tourist traps.
Eat & Drink
The restaurants, cafes, and street food spots where you will see zero tour groups.
Local Favorites
The places I keep coming back to. If you only have a few days in Amsterdam, start here.
Local FavoriteThe Hoxton Amsterdam
Friends of mine stayed here last spring and literally tried to extend their trip by a week. Right in the Jordaan, canal view, and weirdly affordable for what you get.
Local FavoriteHotel V Nesplein
My friend Lisa stayed here for a work trip and ended up booking a personal weekend the next month. Right on the Nes, walking distance to literally everything.
Local FavoriteCafe de Klos
My coworker Thomas has been going here every Friday for three years straight. The spare ribs are stupid good and the portions are honestly aggressive.
Local FavoriteBakers & Roasters
My roommate has been going here every Saturday for two years. The banana french toast is genuinely life-changing and the vibe is peak De Pijp.
Local FavoriteBrouwerij 't IJ
A brewery in a windmill. Yes, really. My friend Sara brings every single visitor here and it never disappoints. Try the IJwit and sit outside if the weather is decent.
Local FavoriteParadiso
A concert venue in a former church. My roommate saw her favorite band here and said the acoustics gave her goosebumps. Check what is on — the lineup is always solid.
Local FavoriteRijksmuseum
Yes it is touristy, but it is also genuinely incredible. My friend who hates museums spent three hours here and did not want to leave. Go on a weekday morning.
Local FavoriteAnne Frank House
Book tickets six weeks ahead. Seriously. My friend showed up without tickets and could not get in. It is one of the most powerful museum experiences you will ever have.
Things to Do
Beyond the tourist checklist. These are the experiences my friends and I actually do on weekends.
Local FavoriteRijksmuseum
Yes it is touristy, but it is also genuinely incredible. My friend who hates museums spent three hours here and did not want to leave. Go on a weekday morning.
Local FavoriteAnne Frank House
Book tickets six weeks ahead. Seriously. My friend showed up without tickets and could not get in. It is one of the most powerful museum experiences you will ever have.
Local FavoriteVondelpark
My roommate and I come here every Sunday with cheap wine and a blanket. Free, beautiful, and the best people-watching in Amsterdam.
Local FavoriteAlbert Cuyp Market
The biggest street market in Amsterdam. My neighbor goes every Tuesday for fresh stroopwafels and cheap flowers. Go hungry and bring cash.
Local FavoriteNine Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
Nine tiny streets connecting the canals, packed with boutique shops, vintage stores, and cute cafes. My coworker Lotte does all her birthday present shopping here and always finds something you would never see anywhere else.
Local FavoritePadel Amsterdam
My coworker got our entire office addicted to padel in one session. Book a court, grab a racket, and see why every Dutch person under 40 is obsessed right now.
Not sure where to start?
Let me plan your trip
Answer five quick questions and I will build you a personalized Amsterdam itinerary based on what my friends and I would actually do.
Plan My AmsterdamExplore Amsterdam
All my favorite spots on one map. Click around — everything here is personally vetted.
Tips from a Local
The stuff my friends always ask me before they visit. Guides, neighborhood breakdowns, and honest advice.
The Ultimate Amsterdam Guide for First-Timers
Everything my friends ask me before their first trip to Amsterdam. Transport, neighborhoods, what to skip, and what to actually do.
Where My Friends Stay: 7 Hotels That Aren't Tourist Traps
The hotels I recommend when friends visit Amsterdam. Tested by people I trust, not sponsored content.
The Neighborhood Guide: Amsterdam Like a Local
Jordaan, De Pijp, Noord, Oud-West — which neighborhood is right for you? A local breaks it down.
Amsterdam on a Budget: How My Broke Friends Do It
How to visit Amsterdam without going broke. A local shares budget tips for accommodation, food, transport, and free things to do.
The Best Bars in Amsterdam (According to My Friends)
The bars, brown cafes, and cocktail spots where locals actually drink in Amsterdam. No tourist traps, just real recommendations.
Where to Eat in Amsterdam: A Local's Restaurant Guide
A local's honest guide to eating in Amsterdam. Brunch, casual dinner, fine dining, and cheap eats — all tested personally.
Amsterdam in 3 Days: The Itinerary I Send My Friends
A local's 3-day Amsterdam itinerary. Day-by-day plans covering the Jordaan, De Pijp, Noord, museums, food, and nightlife.
Get my Amsterdam tips before you go
My friend Sara said this email saved her trip. I send out my best tips, new spots I discover, and seasonal recommendations. No spam — just the stuff I would text a friend.
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