Amsterdam

Amsterdam: One week itinerary

Jeanne Tan
Amsterdam Insider
Amsterdam's botanical gardens (Photo: AAP Image)
Visit Hortus, one of the world's oldest botanical gardens
After a week in Amsterdam you won't want to leave. Check out the surrounding countryside, catch up on nanna-napping, hang out at a bar or cafe.

Day one — Jordaan, Westerpark and Red Light District

See day one of my 48-hour itinerary. Replace 9 Straatjes with the very cool Westerpark.

Day two — city centre, 9 Straatjes and Kinkerbuurt

Start with a morning of monuments in the centre at the Oude Kerk. Next, it's on to Ons' Lieve Heer Op Solder, and then De Prael, a socially operated boutique brewery. Continue on to Dam Square, the Royal Palace and National Monument and drop into Amsterdam's newest chocoholic's paradise MetropolitanDeli (Warmoesstraat 135; phone +31 20 3301955) where the hand-made (experimental) chocolates, ice cream and poffertjes are utterly irresistible.

Wander the 9 Straatjes, Elandsgracht and then Kinkerstraat. If you're feeling a bit of a culture vulture, make time for Jan Pieter Heijestraat as well.

Now it's time to try your hand at bar hopping — part one. Try brown cafes (see "Where the locals dine") or some of Amsterdam's grander cafes, like Café Schiller, Wildschut or De Jaren. The cool kids should then head to Lime (Zeedijk 104; phone +31 20 639 3020), Diep (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 256; phone +31 20 420 2020) or Lux (Marnixstraat 403). And those of you who are hip-hop cats will like Struik (Rozengracht 160) or Duivel (Reguliersdwarsstraat 87; phone +31 20 626 6184). Caffe Oslo, Waldorf and Golden Brown are great (trendy) local hangouts.

For something a bit quieter, go for wine at Vyne or Café Graves (Gravenstraat 10, +31 20 420 7741) which serves a wonderful, boutique selection of French wines. Or, if you're a feeling a bit more Carrie Bradshaw, Herrie and Harry's both do great cocktails.

Day three — city centre and south

Begin at the Begijnhof. Explore the canals around Leidseplein and weave through Spiegelkwartier towards Museumplein. Visit a museum or the PC Hooftstraat, Amsterdam's poshest shopping street. Wander through Vondelpark, stopping at Vertigo or 't Blauwe Theehuis for a tea along the way.

Bar hopping part two: Try any of my recommendations from before that you didn't have time for.

Day four — city centre and south

See more of the city centre, starting your day at Nieuwmarkt. Explore the Staalstraat, Waterlooplein and Rembrandt House. Now it's time to cruise down Utrechtsestraat to see the iconic view of the Canal of Seven Bridges on Reguliersgracht. Down at De Pijp there's Albert Cuypmarkt and/or the newly renovated Heineken Experience. If it's a Friday, pop into the Van Gogh Museum for the evening program.

Day five — architecture and harbour tour, west to east (bike required)

Start in the west and cover Silodam, Westerdok and Prinseneiland, a lovely island full of small houses. Stop at Amsterdam's library along the way to enjoy the top floor view from the cafe. Now it's time for the reclaimed Eastern Docklands, Dappermarkt and a visit to Hortus, one of the world's oldest botanical gardens.

Quench your thirst at Brouwerij aan't IJ, a brewery next to a windmill, or cycle to Park Frankendael for tea at the lovely Merkelbach.

If your muscles need attention by now, visit the Deco Sauna or seek a massage along the Kinkerstraat.

Day six — full-day trip

Trains leave from Central Station. Your out-of-towner today options include Utrecht, Leiden or Rotterdam and Delft. Near Arnhem, the Kröller-Müller Museum offers a substantial collection of Van Goghs, and is located in a national park you can ride around on free bicycles. Alternatively, the Zuiderzeemuseum is a reconstructed open-air village. Both are worth the trek, and wherever you go you'll be glad for a countryside respite from the city.

Day seven — half-day trip and concert

For a village adventure, take the train to Zaanse Schans, Volendam or Edam. Then, if there's time on your return, check out a small museum back in the city — my pick is the canal house of Museum van Loon. Wrap your trip up with a cultural evening and visit the Concertgebouw or Muziekgebouw. If you're not feeling high-brow you can always just catch a flick at the glorious Deco Tuschinski Cinema before calling it a night.

Have you tried any of the places on this itinerary? Got any ideas we haven't thought of? Have your say using the comments form below.

See for yourself! Get great deals on hotels and super-cheap flights to Amsterdam now on Expedia.com.au

Next: Hotel reviews

 
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