Amsterdam … A capital open to all, in the shape of a large village, whose canals, bordered by sumptuous mansions, seem to have not changed since the Dutch golden age. Amsterdam is also – and above all – a place brimming with life, whose streets are full of surprises. There are lots of reasons to love Amsterdam. Here are ten, to test for a weekend…

Herengracht, Singel, Keizersgracht or Prinsengracht … Under the sun or the rain, they make the charm of Amsterdam. Deploying in a half-moon around the city center, they are bordered by superb mansions, mostly built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Baroque, Renaissance, neoclassical or Art Nouveau, the diversity of styles reigns, to the delight of the eyes!

On Prinsengracht 267 is the home of Anne Frank, where this Jewish girl and her family hid during the Nazi occupation from 1942 to 1944.

We love the atmosphere of this district, with its small cafes, its markets, it’s cool shops. Formerly popular, the Jordaan has now conquered sores, artists and students. Adjoining the north of the great canals, it is full of bohemian charm and tranquility.

The historic district of the 9 Straatjes (the 9 streets between the Prinsengracht, the Herengracht, the Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht), should satisfy bargain hunters and lovers of small original shops.

The green lung of Amsterdam, right next to the museum district. Vondelpark is a superb 48-hectare park with beautiful trees, small hidden places and lakes dotted with islets. A very pleasant place to stroll, where on certain summer evenings you can attend free concerts or plays.

Amsterdam is one of the cultural capitals of Europe. In the museum district, one dazzles before the paintings of the brilliant Vincent at the Van Gogh museum, whose collection contains more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings.

Right next to it is the temple of 17th century Dutch painting, known as the “Golden Age”: the Rijksmuseum, now completely renovated, where you come across Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and the others … Exceptional.

Contemporary art lovers will not miss the Stedelijk Museum, which, in an ultra-modern building, houses an exceptional collection (Matisse, Mondrian, De Kooning, Chagall, Malévitch, Picasso …)

Mythical thanks to Brel’s song, the port of Amsterdam has changed a lot. North of Plantage and Jodenbuurt and east of the central station, the new port districts, Oosterdok and Zeeburg, have taken over long-lived warehouse areas.

A residential district with surprising contemporary architecture, this new Amsterdam, little visited by tourists, is also a place of creation thanks to a number of more or less alternative structures, dedicated to the arts and music.

The memory of Amsterdam around the counter. The “brown cafes”, most of which date back to the 17th century, seem to have changed little since. In these places of life, as beautiful as warm, you drink beer, juniper and you can even eat there. The ceilings and walls have been tanned by centuries of smoking. A unique patina which is the sign of recognition of “brown coffee”.

You can find a lot of them in Jordaan (where you can even smoke), like café Chris (the oldest in Amsterdam, dating from 1624!) Or Papeneiland, superb with its Delft tiles and copper lamps.

Also called “grand cafes” or “designer cafes”, they are spacious and bright, high-tech and modern: the opposite of “brown cafes”. Lively and trendy places frequented mainly by young people. Most “white cafes” open before “brown cafes”. Ideal for eating on the go or having a drink in the afternoon.

Our favorite: the splendid De Jaren, with its terrace at the edge of the Amstel and its bright layout, signed by the local star of design, Onno de Vries.

Amsterdam or the European capital of Indonesian cuisine. Taste the rijsttafel, “the rice table”. This famous dish, originally from Java, consists of cooked rice and a host of small side dishes, containing meat, vegetables, tasty sauces, more or less spicy spices … Indonesian tapas, in a way, that the server places the whole on the table. Next, it’s up to you …

In the Vondelpark district, Blauw is one of the best and most authentic Indonesians in town. Fabulous!

Amsterdam or the Mecca of revelers … for quite some time. The city has legendary clubs like the Paradiso or the Melkweg , which have crossed the decades without losing their madness. We also come out quite a bit on the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein side. There is

something for all tastes, ages, desires … Bind with Amstellodamois, follow them on their night trip. In Amsterdam, the night is yours.

To find out more, read our Amsterdam page, sleepless nights.

Created in 1921, this superb Art Deco cinema is one of the most beautiful in Europe. We owe it to tycoon Aram Tuschinski. A real monument dedicated to the 7th Art. Whatever the film, the Tuschinski can be visited like a monument, with its superb cupola in the lobby, its impressive staircases, its stained-glass windows… The magic of cinema continues to act after the screening when you walk along the illuminated canals. Amsterdam, dream setting!

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