Things to do near me this weekend in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, a city known for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, offers an array of activities for an exciting weekend. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something happening. Let’s explore the best things to do near you this weekend in Amsterdam.

Introduction

As the weekend approaches, the bustling city of Amsterdam comes alive with an array of exciting activities for everyone. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a foodie, or someone who enjoys outdoor adventures, Amsterdam has something special for you. Let’s dive into the vibrant tapestry of events and experiences waiting for you this weekend.

Explore Local Events

Kick off your weekend by exploring the local events happening in and around Amsterdam. Check out community gatherings, markets, or live performances. Local event listings can be easily found online or at community centers. Embrace the energy of the city and discover hidden gems that might be just around the corner from you.

Best Things to do in Amsterdam.

Outdoor Activities

Amsterdam’s charm extends beyond its historic buildings; it’s a city that invites you to embrace the outdoors. Start your Saturday with a leisurely stroll through Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s most famous park. Rent a bike and explore the city like a local, discovering quaint streets and picturesque canals. Consider taking a boat tour along the canals for a unique perspective of the city.

Cultural and Artistic Pursuits

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural and artistic scene of Amsterdam. Visit renowned museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re looking for a more eclectic experience, explore the city’s independent galleries and street art. Amsterdam’s cultural landscape is diverse and offers something for every art lover.

Food and Dining Experiences

Amsterdam is a haven for foodies, and the weekend is the perfect time to indulge your taste buds. Visit local eateries and try Dutch specialties like stroopwafels or bitterballen. Consider booking a food tour to explore the city’s culinary delights. For a unique dining experience, check out one of Amsterdam’s many floating restaurants along the canals.

Sports and Recreation

For sports enthusiasts, Amsterdam has a lot to offer. Check the schedule for local sports events or join a recreational sports group. Whether you’re a fan of football or enjoy a game of tennis, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and involved in the sports community during the weekend.

Amsterdam Museum.

Family-Friendly Options

If you’re spending the weekend with family, Amsterdam has family-friendly options aplenty. Visit the Artis Royal Zoo, where both kids and adults can enjoy a day surrounded by nature and wildlife. Explore the NEMO Science Museum for interactive and educational exhibits that make learning fun for the whole family.

Fitness and Wellness

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city by indulging in some wellness activities. Join a weekend yoga class or pamper yourself with a spa day. Amsterdam offers a variety of wellness options, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge for the week ahead.

Live Entertainment

End your weekend with a dose of live entertainment. Check out the local theaters for performances ranging from plays to comedy shows. Amsterdam’s nightlife also offers live music venues where you can enjoy performances by talented musicians, adding a perfect ending to your weekend.

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Explore Amsterdam’s Iconic Canals and Architecture

Amsterdam’s canal network and gabled row houses form the backdrop to many of the city’s top attractions. Getting out on the water or wandering the idyllic neighborhoods allows you to soak up the scenery.

Take a Canal Cruise for Scenic Views

Gliding down the curved waterways aboard a canal boat tour takes you past Amsterdam’s gabled facades tilted at endearing angles.Trees line the canals as boats float under quaint bridges. Or opt for a nighttime cruise when the buildings glow with vivid reflections. Several companies near Dam Square offer canal tours lasting about an hour or 75 minutes.

Bring your camera – this relaxing ride provides amazing photo ops along some of Amsterdam’s iconic waterways!

Wander Through the 9 Streets District

The 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes) comprise a charming area perfect for simply meandering. These narrow lanes are dotted with creative boutiques, galleries, jewelers, and home décor shops, often housed in historic buildings. Cafés, chocolate shops, and cheese shops round out the neighborhood’s offerings. Spending a few hours wandering here is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam when you want to see some beautiful canal houses.

Unique Shops and Boutiques

The little stores tucked amid these cobbled lanes make for some special finds. Head to Het Fort van Sjakoo for an excellent selection of international magazines and secondhand books. The Dylan Amsterdam sells chic leather bags and accessories. For eclectic housewares, pop into FEBO. Or pick up some Dutch candies at Papabubble.

Amsterdam boat tour.

Charming Canal-side Cafes and Restaurants

After shopping, stop at one of the 9 Streets’ cafés for a bite with a water view. Blauw aan de Wal is an Amsterdam institution serving salads and sandwiches either inside or on the canalside patio under alluring strings of lights. At Restaurant Café de Bellamy, locals come for Belgian fare like shrimp croquettes or beef and beer stew on a lovely al fresco deck.

Visit the Van Gogh Museum and See the Artist’s Greatest Works

Housing the largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh, including masterpieces like “The Potato Eaters” and “Almond Blossoms,” the Van Gogh Museum provides a comprehensive look at the Post-Impressionist pioneer’s oeuvre. Located in Museumplein, the museum offers excellent temporary exhibitions in addition to its core collection. Just make sure to buy tickets online beforehand as they often sell out.

After your visit, relax at the onsite café with some apple pie and appreciate Van Gogh’s dreamy “View of the Sea at Scheveningen.”

Relax at Vondelpark and People-watch

Vondelpark serves as Amsterdam’s “Central Park” – a welcoming green space in the middle of the city where locals go to bike, picnic, walk their dogs, and more. Sprinkled with ponds, gardens, and cafés, it’s a lively spot for people-watching.

Picnic and Recreation

On a nice day, pick up some tasty to-go fare from Foodhallen (an indoor food hall in De Hallen) and have an impromptu picnic while soaking up Vondelpark’s laidback vibe. There’s also a playground, free putting course, and paddling pool to enjoy during summer months.

Free Outdoor Events and Performances

Vondelpark frequently hosts free concerts, dance performances, film screenings and other public events, especially on summer weekends. It’s always lively – you never know what kind of delightfully eccentric entertainment you might catch!

Experience the Aroma of Fresh Flowers at the Bloemenmarkt

Adjacent to the Singel canal, the Bloemenmarkt is a floating flower market whose houseboat stalls overflow with colorful bouquets. The vibrant tulips, roses, lilies and more infuse the air with sweet floral scent for a quintessential Amsterdam spring experience. Wander through and admire the displays – just mind the cyclists cruising along the narrow path!

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Sample Iconic Dutch Cuisine

In addition to picturesque waterways and gabled buildings, Amsterdam boasts some truly tasty local fare. Be sure to try a few specialties during your visit.

Indulge in Sweet and Savory Pancakes

Known as pannenkoeken, Dutch pancakes come stuffed with savory fillings like cheese, bacon, onions, shrimp and more served for lunch or dinner. Or you can enjoy a custard-filled dessert version dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet treat. Pancake bakery’s abound but locals recommend the cozy Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs for its broad menu and charm.

Taste Gouda Cheese at the Albert Cuyp Market

Amsterdam’s best open-air market, Albert Cuyp, bursts with over 260 vendor stalls six days a week. Here you’ll find the famous wheel-shaped Gouda cheese in varieties ranging from mild young rounds to pungent aged slabs laced with cumin seeds or nettles. Ask for samples before you buy a wedge then pick out some bread, fruits, veggies, fish, spices, or sweets from the plentiful stands to assemble the perfect picnic!

Cozy Up in a “Bruin Cafe” Pub

Bruin cafés (brown cafés) refer to Amsterdam’s traditional pubs, many dating back centuries. Expect a brownwooden interior, candlelit tables, friendly locals, and good food alongside excellent beer, wine, and cocktails. Some historic picks include the 440-year old ‘t Smalle and In de Wildeman, inside a former distillery. But cozy neighborhood spots like Bar Centraal or Café de II Prinsen lend just as much old-world atmosphere.

Check Out Amsterdam’s Hip and Artsy Side

In contrast to the old-world Dutch charm, Amsterdam also boasts plenty of cutting-edge creativity and cool.

Wander Through the Jordaan District’s Charming Streets

Once a working class area, the pretty Jordaan district is now beloved for its small specialty boutiques, tiny gardens, houseboats lining the canals, and hip spots to eat and drink. Meander narrow side streets and canalside paths past 17th century homes. Make sure to weave over to the Noordermarkt square for the bustling organic farmers’ market on Saturdays.

See a Show at the Stadsschouwburg Theater

The Stadsschouwburg theatre complex houses multiple stages hosting a continuous whirl of dramatic works, dance performances, comedy acts, musicals and other creative spectacles. Pop into the bar even if just for a drink to admire the venue’s architectural splendor inside the former 17th century anatomy theater.

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Dance the Night Away in Rembrandtplein

When the sun goes down, the area around Rembrandtplein square lights up with trendy nightlife. You’ll find charming candlelit bars, raucous pubs and several of Amsterdam’s top dance clubs here too – some inside incredible historic concert halls.

Trendy Bars and Lounges

For pre-party drinks, the CODA lounge mixes up delicious cocktails alongside sharing plates in a relaxed atmosphere or try the Proeflokaal Arendsnest pub specializing in Dutch craft beers.

Famous Nightclubs

When you’re ready to hit the dancefloor, head to escapist club NYX, set across four rooms inside a striking Gothic church building with soaring ceilings. Or check out Sugar Factory, a legendary converted warehouse space known for wild theme party nights.

Admiring picturesque canals by day and bar-hopping by night? Getting lost among tiny shops then dancing as the sun rises? In Amsterdam, history harmonizes perfectly with modern urban flair. By balancing iconic sightseeing with artsy local finds, you can experience this one-of-a-kind city from all angles over an eventful weekend. What will you get up to first?

FAQs

What is there to do in Amsterdam at night?
At night, visitors can check out Amsterdam’s lively bar and club scene, especially in areas like Rembrandtplein. Trendy cocktail lounges, eclectic pubs, and large dance clubs keep the nightlife going well into the early morning hours.

What is Amsterdam known for?
Amsterdam is most famous for its elaborate canal system lined with gabled row houses dating back to the city’s 17th century Golden Era. The city also boasts world class museums like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk, as well as cutting-edge design and fashion.

What is the best way to see Amsterdam canals?
Taking a canal cruise or water taxi offers gorgeous panoramic views of the curved waterways and the bridges and buildings that line them. You can also view the canals from street level – wander along the small cross-streets in areas like the Jordaan or 9 Streets District.

Where should I avoid in Amsterdam?
The area called the Red Light District around Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Oudezijds Voorburgwal has legal prostitution shop windows that some travelers wish to avoid, especially at night when large drunken bachelor groups frequent it.

What food is Amsterdam known for?
Iconic Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam include sweet and savory pancakes called pannenkoeken, Gouda cheese (typically aged and served with mustard), Indonesian rijsttafel (a rice table meal), and iconic Dutch bitterballen snacks. Herring stands also dot the local streets.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Amsterdam is a city that never sleeps, especially on weekends. From cultural explorations to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone. Embrace the diversity of experiences, and let Amsterdam surprise you with its hidden treasures and vibrant energy. Whether you’re a solo explorer or spending the weekend with loved ones, Amsterdam guarantees a memorable experience.

This weekend, immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Amsterdam, and let the city’s energy guide you to unforgettable experiences.