Museums
There are over 100 museums in Amsterdam from small: Cat cabinet, pipe museum, pianola museum or Alllard Pierson museum to the more famous ones like De Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Het Stedelijk Museum.
In the surrounding area of the Duif located on the Prinsengracht, are several museums like Museum van Loon, het Willet-Holthuysen museum, Foam and de Bazel.
Van Gogh Museum
Museumplein 6
www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en (book your ticket in advance)
Stedelijk Museum
Museumplein 10
www.stedelijk.nl
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1
The Rijksmuseum is always a treat, with of course the famous so called “ere gallerij” with paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals en Johannes Vermeer. www.rijksmuseum.nl
Photo museums in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam are three museums specialised in photography. The most known is Foam situated at the Keizersgracht 609 with exhibitions of contemporary and traditional photography.
Less known is Huis Marseille, the museum is housed in two beautiful canal houses also at the Keizersgracht 401. You wonder around from room to room, normally they have two different exhibitions at the same time.
The Third is in the impressive building de Bazel, named after the architect of the building Karel de Bazel. The exhibitions in this building are always about the history of Amsterdam.
www.foam.org
Special events
Viewing days of auction house de Zwaan
Keizersgracht 474
This year the viewing days of auction house De Zwaan will be on the same dates as TAF. De auction house located on the Keizersgracht is a special place to visit. On the top floor you can find the tribal art section. And do remember to also stroll through the other rooms with beautiful, rare and special objects.
Antiekcentrum Amsterdam (De Looier)
Elandsgracht 109
Antiekcentrum Amsterdam is the largest indoor antique market in the Netherlands. 55 specialized antique dealers have their own stands or showcase. On a floor space of more than 1750 m2, you can find unique objects from all style periods. There are always some ethnographic pieces to find. There is also a small café where you can have lunch.
Drink and eat
Café- restaurant, De Plantage
Plantage Kerklaan 36
Cafe-restaurant De Plantage is located next to the main entrance of the Zoo, Artis. The restaurant and café are situated in a 19th-century wooden conservatory. Outside is an aviary with meadow birds from the North of Holland. At the end of the terrace one can admire the flamingo birds and listen to the cacophony of the animals in de zoo.
www.caferestaurantdeplantage.nl
Zoku hotel and rooftop bar
Weesperstraat 105
This hotel has a really nice rooftop bar and restaurant, from where one can see the new Holocaust monument and the towers of the Rijksmuseum in the distance. The elevator will take you to the sixth floor and arrive at the rooftop garden and Greenhouse bar/restaurant.
Capital C
Weesperplein 4B
Capital C is situated in the former diamond exchange. It is now a space with work and meeting places for the creative sector. There is also a beautiful restaurant with contemporary art and design all around you. All the products served in the restaurant are from local producers.
outside a sculpture of Gabriel Lester
Café Krom
Utrechtsestraat 76
This typical Amsterdam ‘brown’ café is situated in the Utrechtsestraat. The café which opened in the nineteen fifties, is a perfect place to meet with friends because there is no background music .
Huis Vasari
Herengracht 366
Bar Vasari, a café and espresso bar inspired by the Italian cinema and the la dolce vita lifestyle, located in the impressive 17th century Huis Vasari on the Herengracht. It is a nice stroll along the canals from the Duif.
When the weather is nice relax in the courtyard garden, an oasis of peace in the middle of the busy city.
Brasserie Marie at Hotel L’Europe
Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14
This Brasserie is situated in the five-star hotel L’Europe. It is a French-style restaurant serving dinner and lunch. You can also have a drink at the beautiful terrasse on the Amstel, overlooking the busy Muntplein. Although the weather might be too cold in October, you can enjoy a drink at the heated terrasse.
www.marieamsterdam.com
Restaurants at the Weesperzijde
Walking towards the east one will find some nice place to have diner at the Weesperzijde. Whilst walking from de Duif you first pass the impressive 5 star Amstel hotel, the first place en route to eat or have a drink. Walking further you will find De IJsbreker a large and popular restaurant. A short from distance from there you find Greek restaurant Athene, Loulou pizzabar and Bij Kees. Around the corner in de eerste Oosterparkstraat there is Italian Risto Enoteca PepeNero and Turkish restaurant Saffraan.
Restaurants in Amsterdam are often full, booking in advance is recommended
Café Schiller
Rembrandtplein 24 A
The Rembrandtplein is mainly for tourist, locals do not go there, except one place and that is café/restaurant Schiller . The café has been there for more than 100 years and has always been a place where artists meet. Schiller, the founder of the café, painted his guest and the portraits are still on the walls. When entering the café it feels like stepping back in time. The cafe opens at 4.00 pm every day.