Hotels The Netherlands
Amsterdam
Find your perfect stay in boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts in canal houses in this city, known for its world-famous museums and beautiful canals. Or explore the traditional fishing villages near the IJsselmeer or the historic towns of Muiden and Naarden. Haarlem and the beach of Zandvoort are also worth a visit.
Musea
Van Gogh Museum
The permanent exhibition of this popular museum contains more than 200 paintings, including Van Gogh's most famous works, such as the Sunflowers and Self Portrait as Painter. Also with drawings and letters from painter, who inspired so many other artists.
Rijksmuseum
Admire the well-known works of the 17th-century Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals. With of course the Night Watch (De Nachtwacht) but also large decorated dollhouses from the 17th century, giving you a good picture of the chic Amsterdam canal houses during the Golden Century. All in an impressive building and the landmark of Amsterdam, designed in the 19th century by the Dutch architect Cuypers (also the architect of the Central Station in Amsterdam).
Anne Frank House
On the Prinsengracht is the house where Anne Frank lived. The girl who became world famous for her diary that she wrote during the Second World War, while she was in hiding with her family in the back of this canal house. Inside it is still exactly as it was was when she was living her, like the bookcase that shielded the secret annex.
Tropenmuseum
Museum about the history and life of the people of the Tropics. With a beautiful large hall. There are also interesting temporary exhibitions. Also many interactive activities and very nice for children.
Rembrandt House
Between 1639 and 1658 Rembrandt lived and worked in this house. Now being a museum it shows his studio, living room and kitchen, all furnished as it was during Rembrandt’s life.
Bansky - Mocomuseum
In this traditional mansion (designed by the nephew of the architect Cuypers of the Rijksmuseum and Central Station) you can see the highlights of the mysterious British street art artist Banksy. Located at the Museumplein, between the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum.
IJ Coast
Behind the Central Station you can take the ferry to Amsterdam Noord:
The special designed building of the Eye Film Museum is a cinema and you can enjoy beautiful views in the bar/restaurant.
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Bike from Amsterdam Noord through the beautiful landscape and the lovely villages of Waterland, such as Zunderdorp, Watergang and a little further Monnickendam.
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Enjoy performances at the NDSM Wharf, an old shipyard with cultural events.
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At the NDSM Wharf you can also take a tour with the Pancake boat. Eat pancakes as you sail past the modern architecture of the IJ-Oever.
Shopping
Markets
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Albert Cuyp: Big market in the Pijp area, with clothing, fruit and lots of fresh food (herring, syrup waffles and cheese). And very tasty French fries (on the corner of Van Woustraat), open every day except Sunday.
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Flower Market - flowers, bulbs and all sorts of souvenirs (on the Single near the Munt square)
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Noorder Market: an almost 400 year old market with lots of antiques, art, books and flowers. At the Noorderkerk, between the Westerstraat and Prinsengracht, on Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 and on Monday from 9:00 to 13:00.
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Waterlooplein; Oldest flea market in the Netherlands, open every day except Sundays.
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Designer boutiques, restaurants and fun to walk through:
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Utrechtse street and the Nine Streets (connecting streets between the canals in the area from the Rozengracht to the Leidsestraat)
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Jordaan: traditionally a working-class neighbourhood with beautiful canals and alleys with small shops, cafes and restaurants. The Noordermarkt is also held here.​
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Chic brands from top designers (Chanel, Armani etc.): PC Hoofdstraat (just behind the Museumplein)
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Shopping area (mainly clothing and shoes) with the well - known international retail chains: Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat
Begijnhof
Close to the Spui square is a small stone gate, through which you enter he Begijnhof. Experience the peace in the middle of the city in this courtyard surrounded by houses built in the 15th century for nuns. Now there are single women living here. There is also a nice chapel.
The Old Church
The oldest (early 14th century) church in Amsterdam, now in use as a Reformed Protestant church. There are also regular art exhibitions. https://oudekerk.nl/en/
Vondelpark
Stroll through the Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam. In the summer there are many outdoor performances. Relax on the terrace of the Blue Tea House, a national monument that was built almost a hundred years ago as a teahouse and is now a café, restaurant.
Around Amsterdam
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Zandvoort : Sand and Sea (20 minutes by train)
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Haarlem: old courtyards, the Frans Hals Museum
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Zaanse Schans: Cheese, Mills and Wooden Shoes
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Volendam, Marken and Monnickendam: traditional fishing villages near the IJsselmeer
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Abcoude, Muiden, Naarden Vesting: beautiful cycling, castles and fortress villages
Cats and Mice
For over 50 years, this boat has been taken care of stray cats. On their website you'll find when you can visit. Singel 38
Cat Cabinet
In the so-called Golden Bend, Herengracht 497, you can learn everything about cats in arts and culture. Many paintings and prints and you can do a virtual tour. The building has been used as a location for the film Ocean's Twelve.
The Mouse Mansion Studio
Eerste Tuindwarsstraat 1. Dutch children's book writer makes beautiful picture books about two mice, based on a model house with fantastically furnished rooms, all made by hand. Certainly not only fun for children!
In the Central Public Library, Oosterdokskade 143 you can see the entire ‘Muizenhuis’. It is almost three meters high, and has more than one hundred rooms.
And if you are in the Library, go to the top floor, have a drink and enjoy the spectaculair views from up here.
Hotels Amsterdam
De Ware Jacob Boutique Hotel
Jacob Obrechtstraat 69, 1071 KJ Amsterdam
From 130 Euros. Hotel in an authentic house near the Museum Square (Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum) and the Vondelpark. From modern to classically furnished rooms, also family rooms and apartments. With shared lounge and patio/interior garden.
Outside Inn
Ellermanstraat 31, 1114 AK Amsterdam
From 80 Euros. Especially for people who like to camp, but guaranteed dry, warm and comfortable. In Amsterdam Southeast, an old industrial hall has been transformed into a camping site. You can sleep in a vintage caravan from the sixties or in a chalet. With towels, linen, clean sanitary facilities and there is a separate activity room. With the metro you are in the center of Amsterdam in no time and by bike you are at the Amstel river in 10 minutes, where you can make beautiful bike rides.
Bed in Boat
Schellingwouderdijk 410, 1023 NM Amsterdam
Minimum stay of 2 nights. Accommodation in a boat with private entrance, shower, toilet and terrace on the northeast side of the IJ. Beautiful cycling in the area around Durgerdam or other nice places in Waterland.
A half hour of cycling or by bus to the center of Amsterdam.
Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
Zandpad 5, 1054 GA Amsterdam
25 Euro (dormitory) to 60 Euro (double room). Popular hostel in the Vondelpark, near the Leidseplein. Once the building of the 'Amsterdamsche Huishoudschool' (where girls learned the skills to make a good household), later it became an inn. Rooms up to 6 people, as well as double rooms and beds in dormitories.
Muiden, Naarden and Abcoude
Just 15 minutes south-east of Amsterdam you can visit the villages of the Gooi and Vechtstreek. A region characterised by protected nature, the river Vecht and historic fortified towns. In Muiden you'll find the Muiderslot, a castle from the 13th century, where you step back in time into the Middle Ages. Very nice for children. Naarden Fortress is built in a unique star shape. Upon the fortress wall you can walk all the way around this town. Or walk through the small streets and visit the beautiful big church. Also nice restaurants and small shops.
From Amsterdam Central station take the train to Weesp (15 minutes). Rent a bike at the station and cycle to Muiden, visit the Muiderslot and cycle over the dike to Muiderberg (stay overnight) or bike to Naarden vesting (overnight).
Cycle from Weesp to Abcoude along the picturesque Gein route, stay overnight, and cycle along the Amstel via Ouderkerk back to Amsterdam.
There is also a train from Abcoude to Amsterdam and a bus from Amsterdam Amstelstation to Muiden and with the bus you can continue to Muiderberg and Naarden Vesting.
Boerenhofstede de Overhorn - Weesp
's-Gravelandseweg 50, 1381 HK Weesp
From 90 Euro. Rustically furnished rooms with or without private bathroom in a renovated farmhouse. Also larger apartments for rent. Beautifully located near the river Vecht and the protected nature area Naardermeer. From Station Weesp by bike or by bus and then a fifteen minutes walk.
Haarlem
Haarlem is best known for its old courtyards, the Frans Hals Museum and the St. Bavo Cathedral.
The Teylers Museum about arts, science and history is the oldest museum (from 1784) in the Netherlands. The train station of Haarlem (decor for the film Ocean’s Twelve) is a famous example of Dutch Art Nouveau. Also worth visiting is The Dolhuys, a mental health institution from 1320 and now a museum about how people dealt with lunacy over the centuries.
You'll find nice terraces on the Grote Markt with the Town Hall built in 1250 and surrounded by nice and trendy shopping streets.
to Zandvoort - 10 minutes by train, 30 minutes by bike
to Amsterdam - 30 minutes by train
Bed & Breakfast Het Hart van Haarlem
Gedempte Oude Gracht 65 d, 2011 GM Haarlem
130 euros. Classically furnished large rooms in this bed and breakfast in the center of Haarlem. With a beautiful garden and a delicious breakfast. Very high ratings especially about the hospitality, the tranquility and the rooms. Close to public transportation.
Bed & Breakfast Hotel Malts
Zijlstraat 56-58, 2011 TP Haarlem, Netherlands
From 90 euros. Bed and breakfast in a monumental house in a nice shopping street, right in the center of Haarlem. With private bathroom and with rooms for 4 people and rooms with a balcony. Very friendly owners, who are happy to tell you more about what to do in the area.
You can rent bicycles through the accommodation. Within walking distance of the train station.
