Written by Ilze Vitola
Canalside terraces, bustling markets and a thriving urban wellness scene, all within a mere bike ride: Amsterdam has it all for a perfect weekend getaway.
Friday evening
Classic Dutch street scenes, complete with gables / Image: Getty Images
From Schiphol, a 20-minute train pulls into Centraal, which is itself a short walk from Jordaan, one of the city’s oldest and most charming neighbourhoods. Wander to Kamer, once a classic brown cafe that now goes beyond the conventional wine bar, with small plate menu. One more round before bed? Stroll down to Prinsengracht, where Twee Prinsen and adjacent Kikkie van de Prinsensluis hold the most coveted terraces: the place to see and be seen.
Saturday morning
Dutch herring with onion and pickles from Noordermarkt / Image: Getty Images
Start in Jordaan and a good brew at Toki, on a quiet side street close to lively Haarlemmerdijk, where the city’s cool kids get their caffeine fix. Drift up to Noordermarkt farmers’ market – on Westerstraat every Saturday – it’s an integral part of any local’s weekend. Wedges of Gouda, stroopwafels, herring and other Dutch dainties sit alongside Surinamese and Turkish stalls, vintage trinkets and fresh bouquets, plus meaty North Sea oysters for as little as €1. Sampling easily turns into lunch.
Saturday afternoon
Treasures and trinkets at IJ-Hallen / Image: ©Nichon Glerum
Hop on the free ferry behind Centraal station to Noord. Mere minutes across the IJ and the city changes: industrial shipyards reimagined as design studios, event spaces and bars. Once a month, sprawling IJ-Hallen turns into Europe’s biggest flea market; otherwise, pop-ups fill former warehouses like Studio Wieman and Klaproos. For something more leisurely, swing by Badhus, the laid-back social sauna tucked behind Café Soleil.
Saturday evening
Comfort food with an Asian twist at Nikotin / Image: Valerie Kholostova
Stay in Noord for Europizza, doling out creative pizzas (think mustard-and-cornichon toppings) alongside inventive starters and approachable wines. Next door, Nikotin from chef Tim van der Molen (ex-Coulisse, Michelin-starred) spins elevated comfort food with an Asian twist: Szechuan hot wings, mussels cooked in kimchi. Both have generous terraces with golden-hour sunsets. In the same complex, Benelux Bar runs a DJ programme to dance off the dinner.
Sunday morning
Chocolate olive oil cake at Carmen / Image: Maxime Van Namen
Start with breakfast in the courtyard at Carmen, a concept guesthouse, cafe and shop set in 17th-century canal houses. Then head to the Museumkwartier for Golden Age masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum and blockbusters at the edgy Stedelijk. Photo spaces FOAM and Huis Marseille are no less captivating, while for a gift with glitz, nearby Bonebakker is the country’s oldest jeweller.
Sunday afternoon
Discover the story of the Netherland’s bestselling beer at the Heineken Exerience. Follow this with some much-needed food and coffee at one of Ottolenghi’s favourite cafés, Uncommon, which serves ingenious creations like Pain Suisse with smoked béchamel and kimchi. Then, it’s onto the Nine Streets for retail therapy. The narrow cobbled streets gather more independent names than the usual high street line-up. Think Samsøe Samsøe, Diptyque and MAAP cycling. Nearby Elandsgracht has sneaker concept store Baskèts and Misc for cute stationery.
Sunday evening
Relaxing times at Café Binnenvisser / Image: @samirakafala for @cafebinnenvisser
To round off the weekend, book a table at Café Binnenvisser, the natural wine scene trailblazer: a corner brown bar reborn as a wine bar with a seasonal five-course tasting menu at €52. From there, tram 19 to Sloterdijk meets the airport train and the flight home.
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