I amsterdam Magazine Spring 2026

City Animals

Wildlife in Amsterdam

Eat & Drink

Where to indulge

What’s On

Must-see shows and exhibitions

City Guide

Best spots in town

THE AMSTERDAMMER WHO TURNED FOOTBALL INTO ART

The Cruyff Legacy

Singer Laren

Your key to arts+culture

Collaboration Enlightenment Expression Innovation Sculpture Partnerships

Creativity Movements

Symbolism Perspectives

Meaning Beginnings

Art Unlock Beginnings

Inspiration Hidden gem Performance

Local secrets

HIDDEN GEM IN CITY CENTRE

Discover the Kalverpassage #Fashion #Food #Drinks #View #Art #Parking #Toilets #Open7days

This spring, Amsterdam looks to commemorate football legend Johan Cruyff. Discover his legacy in different places across the city!

06 All the Animals

WELCOME

Amsterdam might look like it’s filled to the brim with buildings and people, but if you open your eyes, you’ll be astonished by the animal life of the city.

13 Eat & Drink

WHERE TO INDULGE IN AMSTERDAM

Wine bars for every kind of wine lover, insider tips from our local foodies and the best fine-dining places. Plus: pancakes!

27 What’s On

WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE TO GO

Everything you need to add to your diary for this spring, from art exhibitions and concerts to musicals and film.

49 City Guide

EXPLORE AMSTERDAM’S NEIGHBOURHOODS

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

WFor more information about Amsterdam, visit our website: iamsterdam.com

There's something new to discover around every corner. Find out all about the upcoming Hamerkwartier, the best shops and the new cafés in town.

65 Beyond the City

DISCOVER THE AMSTERDAM AREA

Explore beyond the city borders of Amsterdam and find unique villages, breathtaking nature and the most beautiful botanical gardens.

81 Sending You Off

MY AMSTERDAM & COLOPHON

An artist’s view on Amsterdam, plus the people behind this magazine share their personal favourites with you.

ith its busy streets, thousands of people and as many – or more – bikes, you wouldn’t think a tightly packed city such as Amsterdam has much space left for animals. But it does. Beyond the usual suspects like pigeons and rats, many other animals call this city home. The heron is our uncrowned mascot, working as a supervisor for local street markets (courtesy of the fish, of course). Other birds such as the coot, the grebe and ducks grace the canals, while the trees are filled with sparrows, starlings and the exotic rose-ringed parakeet – a newcomer who is quickly becoming a strong contender for the title of city mascot (watch your back, heron). The tall towers of the Zuidas are nesting favourites for falcons, and the Amstel and IJ Rivers are home to as many species of fish as there are nationalities in this city. In our cover feature, journalist Senay Boztas gives you a glimpse of all these animals and more. The ones you’ll spot on every corner and the ones that are easy to miss. So next time you go for a walk, look a little closer. You’ll find our bustling city is brimming with nature. Of course, it’s also brimming with lots to do. There’s something in the spring air that makes us want to get out and experience it all. Luckily, Amsterdam has you covered. This spring, the Dutch capital looks to commemorate football legend Johan Cruyff. Discover his legacy in different places across the city, while a documentary, an exhibition and an app will inspire new fans and old. And of course, our magazine has plenty more tips on what to do, where to eat, what to visit, where to roam and where to fan out. Spring, ultimately, is for the curious! Embrace it.

Animal Life

6 | BY: SENAY BOZTAS

All the Animals

Amsterdam might look like it’s filled to the brim with buildings and people, but if you open your eyes, you’ll be astonished by the animal life of the city.

At the end of each day, the fish stands of Amsterdam markets have a flurry of guests: this is the moment that the herons swoop down to clear up the remnants of the catch. This longbeaked city bird, which nests high in the trees, knows something that many visitors to the city do not. It is a place brimming with animal life. As you take the ferry from central Amsterdam to Noord, beneath you there might be half a dozen different sorts of fish. ‘What most people don’t know is that in the IJ River, there are different layers of water,’ says Geert Timmermans, who spent more than two decades as the city ecologist. ‘On top, you have fresh water, on the bottom, you have salt water and in the

middle it is brackish – and all of these layers have their own kinds of fish.’ Just under you will be freshwater fish such as pike and perch. In the heavier, salty layer that seeps in when the sea locks at IJmuiden open and close, you’ll find sole, plaice, mackerel and herring. ‘Occasionally, seals or even porpoises or dolphins get in,’ he says. ‘Recently, we even had a seal swimming around in the Amstel.’

Hundreds of mussels

While more than 930,000 people live in this urban metropolis, in the 12th century the area around the mouth of the Amstel River was a damp, peaty swamp – perfect for animal life. In the 13th century, early settlers built the dam – which now forms part

Amsterdam is a place brimming with animal life

Animal Life

of the name, Amsterdam – and drained the peat. They drove piles deep into the ground to reach a sandy layer in order to build the canal houses. But just as those residents of the flourishing Dutch nation often had a diet of fish and small birds, animals have remained a vital part of the city.

Martijn Bosch, director of the Canal Museum (Grachtenmuseum) on the Herengracht, says there was such interest in a temporary exhibition on the animals of the canals in 2024 that they are already planning the next one. ‘We try to connect the history of the canals with modern-day themes, and the more research we did on these animals, the more interesting stories we found,’ he says. ‘The biodiversity here in the city of Amsterdam is extremely high – and we were surprised to learn that a lot of these animals also help us.’ Whenever a rusty old bike is hoisted out of a canal, for instance, you will see hundreds of mussels. These tiny animals can clean up to 10,000 litres of water a

Crayfish

year and they are busy in the canals. ‘The water is actually really clean, with 60 types of fish,’ says Bosch. ‘Different initiatives and the city government are still experimenting with all kinds of materials to make life underwater more attractive, so one of the main objects in our exhibition was a concrete ‘fish hotel’, made with a 3D printer.’ While you might think that a nature reserve such as the Veluwe has

The biodiversity here in the city is extremely high

more wildlife, says Bosch, partly due to a host of local greening and animal protection initiatives, Amsterdam has more biodiversity.

Negative image

The way that animals respond to human activity is one of the most fascinating

Explore International Heritage

American crayfish have invaded the canals of the city, so you are doing the other animals a favour when they find their way onto your plate. You might find them on the menu at the Amstel hotel restaurant, says Martijn Bosch, of the Canal Museum.

Dancing grebes

Forget Abba. The animal you want to see dancing is the great crested grebe. In spring, the male lures the female with a beautiful call, and then they both do a mating dance that involves rapid foot paddling, head movement and dipping their beaks to pick up some water plants from the bottom. ‘These birds are clubbing on the canals,’ says biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra.

A 3D-printed ‘fish hotel’ placed in the canals

things for Auke-Florian Hiemstra, a biologist at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in nearby Leiden – and a lover of urban animals such as the rat and pigeon. ‘For me, the most special one is the common coot, the black bird you often see in the canals,’ he says. ‘These coots make very interesting nests out of our rubbish, and it’s really as wild and crazy as you can imagine: pieces of underwear, envelopes for cocaine, sometimes more than a thousand pieces of rubbish. They’re really like a garbage man, collecting the waste from the canals, and making their nests out of it.’

This, sadly, can sometimes be perilous for the birds – who sometimes build on the same nest, which can be 30 years old. ‘I’ve seen nests with more than 50 face masks, that are very easy with your big coot feet to get entangled in,’ he says. ‘One nest I collected turned out to be almost like a history book: on the top, there were face masks, at the bottom was a Mars bar

Look up Amsterdam’s wonderful birds in the Vogelatlas Amsterdam (€34.90), 400 pages filled with pictures and descriptions.

wrapper with an ad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. For the past few decades, humans have been polluting the place a great deal and these coots have been documenting our plastic age.’

Animals such as pigeons, rats and mice are another vital part of the city – although not necessarily as loved by tourists and residents alike. ‘I always think it’s strange that they have such a negative image,’ says Hiemstra. ‘It’s us, humans, who are feeding them. These poor rats and mice are just here cleaning up our mess, and then we’re angry at them.’

Nature inclusive

Some people think it is vital to have all kinds of animals ‘at the table’ as green space comes under threat – and this has been recognised in Amsterdam’s nature-inclusive urban planning process. ‘We told the city council that we have to bring the rights of nature to the discussion table where decisions

Smart herons

Feeding time at Artis zoo isn’t just for its own animals. The herons know there is a feast available. ‘They compete for fish with our pelicans, penguins and sea lions at feeding times,’ says Wessel Broekhuis, zoo historian and educator. ‘Some herons hang around Artis all day until the late afternoon, when the nearby Dappermarkt ends for the day and they go to clean up the leftover fish remnants.’

Animal Life

Bats!

It’s a crime to kill a bat in the Netherlands, however much you might want an attic extension – and bats in the city are certainly not the enemy. ‘One bat can eat up to 3,000 mosquitoes per night, so if you want to be able to sit outside without being bitten to pieces, a bat near your home is your best friend,’ says Hiemstra.

are made,’ says Judith Krom, a councillor for the local Party for the Animals. ‘We’re now building a lot of houses, and nature deserves a place in the process.’

The role of passionate gardeners and urban farmers should not be underestimated either, according to Ann Doherty, who started the Cityplot farming collective. ‘One tip we give our gardening students and implement at our projects is to create a habitat for wild animals, as they will thrive in small spaces – even on a balcony,’ she says. ‘Birdhouses can bring specific birds, and plants can attract specific birds and insects. A small pond will bring frogs, toads and salamanders, all of which eat slugs. For the rats, we erect owl houses in the hope they will nest.’

Perfect season

Spring is the most marvellous time to see the natural world in Amsterdam, according to Tycho Fokkema, an active member of the Amsterdam bird society who works on its quarterly magazine, The Swift

‘Meadow birds and songbirds will be preparing for breeding season. Birdsong will almost always be in the hours just after sunrise and before sundown.’

If you listen for a specific song, you can spot not just the blackbird, wren, song thrush and robin – some of the city’s

Spring is a time to enjoy natural life, and to make an effort preserving it

150 bird species – but also the secretive treecreeper and dunnock. Meanwhile, a trip to the farmland in Waterland north of the city is a chance to see lapwings, blacktailed godwits and redshank – species that are far more under threat as meadowland disappears. ‘You keep on losing green spots, there is climate change, and there are 50% less of really regular species such as the sparrow,’ explains Fokkema. So spring is a time to enjoy all the natural

Bird-watching

Parks such as the Flevopark, Vondelpark, Amstelpark and Beatrixpark are great for bird-watching, as is the Amsterdamse Bos. Look out for songbirds at the Bos including the chaffinch and nuthatch. The canals and other waters host birds such as the kingfisher, grey heron, duck, coot,

moorhen and great crested grebe. Go along the IJmeer shore to Diemerpark for migratory birds such as bluethroats, and along the dike to Muiden to see little grebe and the white-tailed eagle. For meadow birds, try the Wilmkebreekpolder in Amsterdam Noord or the Bovenkerkerpolder south of Amstelveen.

At Art Zoo, taxidermied salmon-coloured birds perch atop a towering T-rex skull, and colourful-beaked toucans cast their gaze across the room. All animals here died of natural causes.

HERENGRACHT 368, ARTZOO.COM

Ethical interactions

Feed birds fatty snacks in the winter time, and look out for them in the spring with special bird feed – but never give them bread, says bird expert Tycho Fokkema. ‘It makes them feel that they have had enough food, but they haven’t,’ he says. And it also encourages the rats.

Take the tram to IJburg and see if you can spot an otter or beaver. ‘IJberg is an artificial island and part of an area where otters and beavers live – so they come into the city,’ says Geert Timmermans. ‘Otters leave behind a kind of dropping to mark their territory and if you know what that looks like, you will know otters have been here.’

Rose-ringed parakeet

Check out the squirrel bridge, a bridge located between the Amstelpark and the Amsterdamse Bos that provides squirrels with a route over the busy Amstelveenseweg road without being killed – and if you look closely, you will see them crossing in safety.

life that Amsterdam has to offer – and to make an effort preserving it. ‘You need a green city with animals, trees, plants and flowers, and not only for biodiversity,’ says Krom. ‘It’s also good for the mental

busy Amstelveenseweg road without

preserving it. ‘You health of people.’

As biologist Hiemstra cycles through the city – past parakeets in the treetops and coots’ nests on the waters – his favourite sight in springtime is the dance of the great crested grebe. ‘There’s a show happening right now,’ he says. ‘These grebes have a very cool mating dance. It starts with this call they do and then this synchronised dance, where they move their feet very quickly, dive and collect some water plants, do the dance and then move their heads from left to right. These birds are clubbing on the canals. When you spot it, it’s the most wonderful thing to watch.’

Where to indulge in Amsterdam Eat & Drink

BY: KARIN ENGELBRECHT

Copain

Freshly rebooted with a new team and chef, the food at this stylish Noord-based restaurant is as light and bright as the lofty space with its 7-metre-high ceilings. ‘Copain is French for ‘friend’, and ‘co-pain’ is about sharing bread,’ says head chef Ivan Arauz Beusink, an alum of several starry establishments. ‘For me, that’s exactly what cooking should be. Food moments with the people around you.’

Founder Frederieke Bloem brings a sharp eye from producing events for the likes of Hermès and Chanel, making this place one to watch.

TT. VASUMWEG 42, COPAIN.AMSTERDAM

Wine Bars

This oak-aged Dutch wine (€39.95 at Vindict Wijnwinkel) delivers creamy peach and vanilla notes against a saline coastal Zeeland edge.

DOCKLANDSWEG 5, ELANDSGRACHT 113, VINDICT.NL

Amsterdam, Uncorked

From classic cellars to trendy vin naturel specialists, this city has a wine bar for every kind of wine lover, with thoughtful bites to match.

For centuries, Amsterdam’s drinking culture was built on beer: brewed and traded here when clean water was scarce and hops-rich brews were a daily necessity. Today, however, a flourishing wine bar scene has stealthily carved out its own place alongside it. Drinking well here comes easily, whether perched at a candlelit counter in the Jordaan or sipping in an urban winery up north. In Centrum, choice reigns. Begin in the Jordaan, where Café Parlotte sets the tone with a neighbourhood feel, a list that rewards trust and a convivial buzz that spills onto the pavement, and the nearby Café de Klepel remains a lodestar for lovers of French wine and bistro food. The centrally located Bar du Champagne puts fizz front and centre. A short walk away, Shiraz turns exploration into a guided affair with its much-loved flights. Meanwhile, Zuid’s offerings lean refined but welcoming. De Nada blends good

music with approachable bottles, while boho La Dilettante has helped cement the city’s love for natural wine. Many awards confirm Paskamer’s status as a place where what’s in your glass leads the conversation. In Oost, wine becomes a reason to linger. Clos pairs its list with extensive food options and a terrace that fills quickly when the weather turns nice. At 4850, which opens just three nights a week, committed wine lovers can explore an impressive cellar spanning styles, regions and philosophies. Over in West, Fabus opens a window onto Eastern Europe through its bottles, while Barrica keeps things simple, sociable and food-friendly. Noord offers something entirely different: at Chateau Amsterdam, wine is made on-site, evidence that Amsterdam’s relationship with wine is evolving in bold directions. Taken together, these wine bars form a citywide map worth exploring, one glass at a time.

Wine Bars

EAT & DRINK

Make pale pours look more celebratory with these multicoloured wine glasses (€54.95 at Anna + Nina).

GERARD DOUSTRAAT 94, ANNA-NINA.NL

Bottleshop

This stylish wine bar occupies the ground and first floors of one of Amsterdam Oost’s most talked-about contemporary façades, the distinctive black-and-white Thonik building. Inside, a sleek Japandi-style interior combines concrete, marble surfaces, candles and warm wooden seating with regular DJ sets, creating a pleasant buzz that feels somewhere between an in-the-know neighbourhood hangout and an after-hours club. The service sets the tone: knowledgeable and attentive in a relaxed way. A truly global wine list, described by the in-house crew as ‘conventionally incorrect’, features more than 350 natural wines from classic regions and unexpected corners of the world. You’ll find fizz and orange wines alongside curiosities such as Japanese natural wines and other lesser-seen bottles. Small plates echo the international spirit, with recent hits including Michelada oysters, cauliflower tempura with almond-sesame mole, and tuna tostadas with soya-cured quail eggs.

WIBAUTSTRAAT 130, BOTTLESHOPAMS.NL

Oocker

Hidden behind Frederiksplein, this awardwinning wine bar has become one of the city’s most convincing arguments for ordering another glass. Listed as a Silver Star venue by Star Wine List for Best-By-TheGlass List and Best Medium-Sized List in the Netherlands and Belgium, the 350-strong wine list is broad without showing off, encouraging curiosity. Selections are rooted in classic regions, with a few rarer gems woven in. The compact but handsome room hums most nights, filled with guests who know what they like and others eager to learn more. Staff know their stuff but never lean on it, as happy to guide you towards something unexpected as to let you settle in with a favourite. The tasty small plates are polished enough to impress yet relaxed enough to share. The balance is spot-on. It’s the kind of place you plan to drop by briefly but somehow leave hours later.

FREDERIKSPLEIN 29, OOCKERAMSTERDAM.NL

Paulus

Refreshingly unfashionable, this warm, welcoming wine bar feels like a throwback in the best possible way. It features a retro living room interior, soft lighting and loyal regulars, setting it apart from the many natural wine bars in trendy De Pijp. Here, the focus is on classic European wines. The small but thoughtful list of (mostly) reds and whites is available by the bottle or glass. Owner Paul Kickert’s expertise is part of the draw. He’s happy to guide you through the wine list or offer a curated wine flight for a broader tasting. Simple bar snacks such as Iberico ham, olives and cheese make for easy pairing without overwhelming the glasses in front of you. It’s a haven for people who prefer classic wine styles and the stories behind labels over fads and trends.

CEINTUURBAAN 348 WIJNBARPAULUS.NL

GlouGlou

Popular with De Pijp’s ‘oat milk elite’, this natural wine specialist doesn’t take reservations, so come early or be patient. There’s an adjacent shop where you can buy the bottles you’ve tried, a top-tier street terrace, a great bread platter and a seriously good duck rillette.

TWEEDE VAN DER HELSTSTRAAT 3 GLOUGLOU.NL

Vindict

‘ We offer over 60 wines by the glass,’ says Jan-Jaap Altenburg, co-owner/sommelier at Vindict Wine Bar. ‘And the best thing? You can buy every bottle in our wine shop next door.’ Or choose from over 800 bottles, along with Medled bar bites and shareable plates.

DOCKLANDSWEG 3, WIJNBARVINDICT.NL

Bar Centraal

In the hip Hallenbuurt, this spot looks more like a cosy neighbourhood café than a serious wine address. Don’t be fooled. The natural wine list is sharp, the young team knows its stuff and the bar bites and seasonal plates are quietly excellent.

TEN KATESTRAAT 16 BARCENTRAAL.NL

Top Tips

18 | EAT & DRINK

At the ‘most famous poffertjes stand in the world’, puffy little buckwheat pancakes are traditionally prepared and best enjoyed simply with sugar and butter.

ALBERT CUYPSTRAAT 161 POFFERTJESALBERTCUYP.NL

Pancakes from Near & Far

There’s a world of pancakes to explore beyond the Dutch classics, which are certainly worth a try as well.

Hendrik

Zuid’s newest pancake place feels instantly reassuring. The homely interior has space for buggies, grandparents and long, syrupy lunches. Traditional Dutch pannenkoeken are taken seriously, made with organic flour, local milk and free-range eggs, then piled with sweet and savoury toppings. The dinner menu also offers classics like beef stew.

RUYSDAELSTRAAT 50-56 AMSTERDAM.RESTAURANTHENDRIK.NL

Japanese Pancake World

For authentic Japanese pancakes, look no further than this Jordaan-based specialist, where you’ll find three regional varieties: Osaka-style okonomiyaki with mountain potato puree, a multi-layered Hiroshima version with egg and noodles, and Kobe-style negiyaki with spring onions – each with at least a half dozen toppings.

TWEEDE EGELANTIERSDWARSSTRAAT 24A JAPANESEPANCAKEWORLD.COM

Kilimanjaro Take Me Away

This East African eatery in Oost serves freshly made injera (fermented teff pancakes) family-style. The menu is very vegan- friendly, with over 20 plant-based dishes. It reflects Ethiopian-Eritrean fasting traditions, which prohibit the consumption of animal products for over 250 days a year.

BEUKENWEG 22A

KILIMANJAROTAKEMEAWAYAMSTERDAM.NL

Stacks Diner

Fluffy, unapologetically generous American-style buttermilk pancakes with blueberries are served at this contemporary diner in West, complete with booths, a counter and chrome barstools. Extras such as fried chicken or hot sage sausages are available as add-ons, or choose the Big Stack – a towering plate with crispy eggs and smoked bacon –for serious appetites.

DE CLERCQSTRAAT 32 STACKSDINER.COM

Chef

Mitsuhiro

Narita, former instructor at the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, set out to offer Amsterdam an authentic taste of Japan – with success.

Fine Dining

Step

IOsaka on a Plate

into Hatsune,

where

refined

kaiseki and kappo cuisines invite you to explore Japanese culinary artistry.

n a residential part of Amsterdam-Zuid, this minimalist restaurant serves authentic Japanese haute cuisine built around seasonal ingredients. The Tempura Kaiseki tasting menu (€120) follows a structured, perfectly timed progression, opening with surf clam dressed in mustard-miso vinegar. The signature chawanmushi – a steamed savoury egg custard with crab and black truffle – is paired with a snow-aged Hakkaisan Yukimuro Junmai Daiginjo sake, a

clear highlight. Sashimi of scallop and bluefin tuna with fresh wasabi follows. The menu’s centrepiece is seven types of tempura, served one piece at a time to preserve crispness, from sweet prawn to earthy shishito pepper. A rice bowl topped with mixed tempura, followed by baked cheesecake, brings the meal to a measured close. This is for diners who appreciate understatement executed with rigour, not culinary theatrics or trends.

BEETHOVENSTRAAT 180, HATSUNE-AMS.NL

Top Tips

Find out more about food and drink in Amsterdam at iamsterdam.com/ restaurants

Sipping Pretty

A new generation of Asian cafés is reshaping Amsterdam’s drinks culture, bringing fresh energy and style to coffee, tea and cocktails.

Bonjour Càphê

Head to this floating spot in the Houthavens for some of the city’s finest Vietnamese coffee, best enjoyed on the waterside terrace overlooking a wild bird sanctuary. Vietnam-born owner Kevin Le riffs offering seven drinks built around a specialty Robusta blend, such as salted sesame coffee, passion fruit pandan cold brew, or a warm, frothy egg yolk cream coffee.

MOERMANSKADE 4 BONJOURCAPHE.COM

Kikiboba

This new Taiwanese spot in De Pijp channels the creativity of Taipei, with a long birch bar inspired by the island itself.

Part café, part exhibition space, it serves Amsterdam’s first wheel cakes – pancakes stuffed with fillings such as kimchi-potato-cheese, taro or tapioca custard. Wash these down with black oolong boba milk tea, brown sugar boba or sun-fermented matchas.

VAN WOUSTRAAT 21A INSTAGRAM.COM/KIKIBOBA_AMS

Create an authentic matcha ritual at home with this all-inone set (€107 at Tea Stories).

Wanakam

A Tamil greeting is built into the name of this recently opened South Asian cultural café in Oost. Enjoy espresso drinks made with single-origin Monsoon Malabar coffee, spiced Deepana and Sri Lankan Samahan teas and three freshly brewed chai options: rose saffron, cardamom or ginger masala. You’ll also find a chai martini and halal snacks such as mutton rolls, samosas and carrot halwa cake.

RUYSCHSTRAAT 34 WANAKAM.CLUB

Tea Stories

At this centrally located vegan tea atelier, you’ll find over 30 tea-based drinks, like sea salt caramel hojicha latte and jasmine jelly milk tea, as well as six types of housemade mochi. The waffles with ricotta and yuzu jam stand out. Owner Lucia Parlanti explains, ‘We add mochi dough, so they’re chewy inside and crispy outside.’

HAARLEMMERDIJK 122

GOODTEASTORIES.COM

Amid Amsterdam’s service slump, the team at Juno is a refreshing exception.

Dining Out

Table for Two

Warm, candlelit and secretly seductive, Juno feels purpose-built for dates, lingering conversations and shared plates after dark.

Named for the goddess of marriage, this off-the-radar restaurant in the heart of De Pijp keeps things intimate. Soft lighting, warm wood and a gentle vinyl soundtrack set a romantic scene that encourages leaning in over scrolling. There is a sunny terrace for daytime rendezvous (lunch is served on Saturdays), but evenings belong indoors, perched at the long dining bar or tucked into cosy corners. The cooking mirrors the mood: unfussy and ideal for shar-

ing. Oysters come chilled with dashi crème fraiche, while flame-grilled Black Angus ribeye, grain-fed for 120 days, is served with bone marrow and chimichurri. Grilled vegetables and fries with house mayo are excellent sides. A sublime sticky toffee pudding seals the deal. Service is discreet and well-timed, present when needed and otherwise content to stay in the background. If you prefer places for the food rather than the feed, Juno is a solid bet. FRANS HALSSTRAAT 42, JUNORESTAURANT.NL

Foodies

The gourmet souvenir that rarely survives the flight: buttery, crumbly boterkoekjes (€11.95 at Patisserie Holtkamp)

VIJZELGRACHT 15 PATISSERIEHOLTKAMP.NL

Tastemakers

If anyone knows where to fi nd the good stuff, it’s a professional foodie. So we asked a few food writers, influencers and journalists where they head when they’re off the clock.

INGMAR VOERMAN (44), DRINKS JOURNALIST, COCKTAIL COMPETITION JUDGE AND FOUNDER OF VOERMAN VIEUX

PAULAMI JOSHI (40), COOKERY TEACHER AND AUTHOR OF TWO BESTSELLING INDIAN COOKBOOKS

‘I love going to The Madras Diaries (Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 37-41), because they focus on the South Indian kitchen, not just tikka masala and butter chicken, which is what most people think Indian food is. I’ve lived in that region, and they’re not whitewashing it; they’re keeping it as it should taste. My must-orders are beetroot kola urundai, little vegan veggie balls that are soft inside and crunchy on the outside and kodi kura, a spicy chicken curry you won’t find anywhere else in Amsterdam. I recently had a “dal croissant ” with a samosa-like filling at Fort Negen bakery (Jan Evertsenstraat 31) and I was like, “ Wait, that’s fun!”. For coffee, I like Kafenion (Bloemgracht 49), which has benches along the canal.’

‘If you can only go to one cocktail bar in Amsterdam right now, pick Shakerato (Stadhouderskade 7). It’s by the creative mastermind behind Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, which topped The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024. Their cocktails are out of this world – so wellbalanced, so well-thought-out – and it has an energetic vibe with a very high service level. The bergamot martini is amazing. I live in Noord and for mid-week business lunches, I really like Metro (Asterweg 22). They have their own bakery, and their brioche bun with shrimp croquettes and lemon mayonnaise is very special. They also offer a three-course lunch menu, which is rare in Noord.’

Ingmar Voerman resurrected a long-forgotten Dutch spirit and the ‘world’s first craft vieux’ with his Voerman Vieux (€28.75 via drank.nl).

EVELINE KUYTEN (46), JOURNALIST AT HET PAROOL NEWSPAPER

SUSAM PANG (44), FOUNDER OF THE CULINARY PLATFORM BYSAM

‘Our date night go-to is Beulings (Beulingstraat 9), a small, hidden gem. Love the sommelier, Lisja. And chef Bas has the most amazing combinations; French but with Asian influences and some of the best fermentation. A place I could go to every day is Wonton (Jan Evertsenstraat 11). It looks like an Instagrammable-TikTok-sensation kind of spot, given the location, interior and the people who go there. At first, I thought, “Okay, it’s not run by Asians, how good can it be? ” But it really blew my socks off. They have dumplings, hand-pulled noodles and a lot of other dishes, but everything has its own flavour and is perfectly executed. And the staff were quick, nice, helpful and funny. I was like, “ Is this Amsterdam? ” The biang biang noodles with 14-hour slow-roasted short rib are a must-order. I also love Rick Swinkels’ mindfuck dishes at Bennies (Helicopterstraat 28), like a recent mac ‘n’ cheese croquette and the best schnitzel in Amsterdam.’

factory – not at all glamorous – but sushi lovers

‘ Buffet van Odette (Prinsengracht 598) is an evergreen with a small terrace on the canal. Their truffle cheese omelette is a classic. When it’s warmer, I like to stop off for a liqueur at Distilleerderij ‘t Nieuwe Diep (Flevopark 13), a craft distillery with amazing views of the duckpond. Something out of the box, just outside Amsterdam, is Hokkai Kitchen (Egmondstraat 2, IJmuiden). It’s in the back of a fish factory – not at all glamorous – but sushi lovers will thank me later. For special occasions, I head to Patisserie Holtkamp (Vijzelgracht 15), where I get the vanilla Charlotte with fruit, tied with a pretty ribbon, but also biscuits, bonbons and mini sausage rolls. If you’re looking for a super affordable spot, go to Eetcafé De Reiger (Nieuwe Leliestraat 34). No fuss, no frills, just good food, such as grilled chicken with tarragon sauce.’

BRING YOUR CRAZY KIDS. HAVE THE GUTS!

Colleen Geske is a writer and passionate observer of Dutch culture. Originally from Canada, she has lived in Europe for over two decades and has made it her mission to demystify the quirks of the Dutch. Colleen lives with her family and poodle, Popcorn.

Dam Life

What Makes a Dutchie

Amsterdammer since many years, our columnist Colleen Geske asks herself: how Dutch is she really?

Lately, I often get asked: ‘How Dutch are you?’

It’s a hard one to answer. Anyone who’s lived abroad has wondered if their adopted home has changed them for good.

In many ways, being Canadian and being Dutch couldn’t be more different. Canadians are known to be considerate, careful with their words and ever so polite. The Dutch sit near the opposite end of the spectrum. Dutch directness was the hardest ‘culture quirk’ to get used to. Nowadays, it’s something I could never give up. It’s shaped the way I act, react and even think.

Not long ago, I underlined a line in a novel: ‘Like all immigrants I carry the constant shadow of another land.’ I didn’t need a book to tell me this, but only recently did I fully accept that I am now an immigrant, carrying a former and a shifting identity wherever I go. My children are the ‘children of immigrants’, an equally unfamiliar experience. On sleepless nights, one question loops: Have I given my kids a burden or a gift? The answer depends on the hour. When my daughter was four, she proudly announced,

‘I know why your Dutch is so bad. You weren’t BORN here!’ She’d been trying to understand why her mommy didn’t know the songs, rhymes and rituals that came so easily to the other moms on the schoolplein. Concepts of language and home were too abstract for her wee mind.

People ask where the inspiration for my latest book, Stu Dutch People Hate, came from. Truth is, it was my easiest book to write, because I now share many of those dislikes. Have I unlocked a higher level of integration? Can I now call myself a Dutchie? Maybe – depending on who you ask. Belonging, after all, requires agreement on both sides.

I look forward to the day when I cannot only peruse its books, but attend a book club at the Rijksmuseum’s stately Cuypers Library or attend trivia nights at the DeLaMar theatre instead of my local pub. Until that day arrives, I’ll enjoy what’s on offer, including playing the free piano located in the majestic Central Station’s main hall. Because what can make commuting more grandiose than a quick stop on a grand piano?

What’s On

Where to go and what to see

28 Feature: Six the Musical 30 Exhibitions 32 On Stage 33 Clubbing & Festivals 35 Family & Kids

36 Profile: Johan Cruyff

41 On Screen

42 Feature: Roze Filmdagen

45 Classical & Jazz

46 Pop & Rock

Amsterdam Coffee Festival

The Dutch capital has plenty of good coffee spots to choose from and every year many of them come together for the Amsterdam Coffee Festival. Hosting both local and international brewers for three days, its attendees can enjoy workshops, live roasting, a little music and a lot of coffee. Organised at NDSM-Loods, you can opt for a one-day or three-day ticket, but whatever you choose, come uncaffeinated. 16-18 APRIL, AMSTERDAMCOFFEEFESTIVAL.COM

| BY: LESIA JOUKOVA

This musical is girl power through and through: the band is all-female too.

Girl Power!

The beloved international Six the Musical turns Tudor history into a poppy celebration of sisterhood.

If you ever sat in history class struggling to remember the names of all the wives of King Henry VIII, rest assured that you won’t need any memory tricks after watching Six the Musical. After two sold-out tours in Amsterdam, the 500-year-old love life of one of England’s most discussed kings will be rocking the town again this spring for one week only. With more than 35 international awards, including Tony Awards, and over 100 million streams under its belt, Six breathes fresh pop-flavoured life into the tales of Henry’s wives. All six of them will battle it out on the stage to determine once and for all who has suffered the most at the hands of the ‘most notorious ex of the past millennium’.

Tudor

queens turned pop icons

The experience feels exceedingly concert-like throughout the musical’s tightly paced 80-minute run. The show’s creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss originally created Six the Musical for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, taking inspiration from contemporary singers such as Beyoncé,

Six breathes fresh popflavoured life into the tales of Henry’s wives

Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys and others to characterise each queen and meld the Tudor period with modern pop. They undoubtedly succeeded: from Catherine of Aragon to Catherine Parr, each one gets her moment in the spotlight and her chance to tell a familiar story her way, but not without some cheeky nods to iconic contemporary hits and perfectly timed fourth-wall breaks.

History as you’ve never heard before

A distinctive girl group sound, a diverse cast and catchy musical numbers backed by a live band – those are some of the undeniable reasons behind the musical’s enormous success. The others no doubt include the way historical facts are woven into witty lyrics. The standout number ‘Don’t Lose Your Head’ by Anne Boleyn (performed by Yna Montarde), which touches on Henry’s

most well-known spouse and catalyst for the king’s break with the church, who ultimately lost her head, is turned into an outright earworm song. There’s also the time King Henry rejected Anne of Cleves, claiming she looked nothing like her portrait. Rest assured, the musical does not let this matter lie: it dedicates a tongue-incheek rave number, ‘Haus of Holbein’, to the artist who painted it.

The musical also has its serious moments, especially in Jane Seymour’s (Emily Dawson) heartfelt ‘Heart of Stone’ and Sammy Timbers’ solo as Catherine Howard. These performances don’t dance around historical realities but build them into a stirring narrative that turns into an outright celebration as the women take back the mic and control over their legacy by choosing sisterhood over competition.

Called ‘a rollicking, reverberant blast from the past’ by The New York Times and a ‘beacon of hope for the future of British musicals’ by the Daily Telegraph, Six is a joyous, empowering reimagining you’ll want to experience.

17-22 MARCH, CARRE.NL

Exhibitions

American Identities & Radical Histories

H’art Museum teams up with the Smithsonian Art Museum for a special retrospective on the history of the United States and what it means to be a citizen today. Consisting of two major exhibitions, American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs explores the role of myth in North American culture, while Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (from April) unearths the complexities of Mexican heritage through art.

UNTIL 6 SEPTEMBER, HARTMUSEUM.NL

Vietnamese-Danish artist Danh Vo has made a name for himself by giving displacement a visual language. Best known for weaving together personal and global histories, his installations are a reminder of the marks the world leaves on us and of how we still continue to create. A celebration of space and human desire, catch his latest showcase at the Stedelijk this spring.

UNTIL 2 AUGUST, STEDELIJK.NL

Warmoes Biënnale

Amsterdam’s answer to the Venice Biennale, the Warmoes edition offers a chance to rediscover the capital’s historic city centre. For centuries, Warmoesstraat was a place of commerce and encounter, but now that’s under threat. The biennale looks to salvage the area’s soul with an open art event across 20 pavilions in cafés, shops, snack bars and hotels, where art appears among Febo’s croquettes, in the water beneath The Old Sailor pub, and in the quiet of a hidden church.

7 MARCH-3 MAY WARMOESBIENNALE.COM

It’s art fair season. Check out NockNock fair for fashionforward art or Amsterdam Art Week for city-wide showcases. 5-8 MARCH, NOCKNOCKART.COM 19-24 MAY, AMSTERDAMART.COM

Ekō: Japan in two visual narratives

Japan has a reputation for being visually stunning. And this exhibition, at the equally stunning Maritime Museum, is an ode to just that. With works by photographer Felice Beato and visual artist Anaïs López, this collection is a love letter to the country, showcasing Japanese nature, traditions and life at its most tranquil and mesmerising.

FROM 5 MARCH, HETSCHEEPVAARTMUSEUM.COM

Get free access to all major highlights and more than 70 museums with your I amsterdam City Card: iamsterdam.com/citycard

An

Ode

Body as Resistance

to Printmaking

The 1895 print album L’Estampe originale remains a time-tested example of printmaking in its heyday and a time capsule to the fin-de-siècle period. The Van Gogh is also one of three museums in the world that hold a complete copy of the album in their collections, making this exhibition, with it on display, a rarity in itself. One for history lovers and collectors, prepare to be swept up in gorgeous graphics and avant-garde print works.

UNTIL 17 MAY, VANGOGHMUSEUM.NL

Photography museum Huis Marseille’s latest exhibition pits women at the centre of things as Yemeni-Egyptian-American artist Yumna AlArashi brings her distinct perspective. Centred principally around the oppression and stereotyping of women worldwide, Al-Arashi explores how the Arab world is depicted and considers matriarchal traditions that are all but lost. Photography, book and sculpture combine for a poetic, provocative and playful exhibition.

FROM 14 FEBRUARY, HUISMARSEILLE.NL

Every year, the majestic Nieuwe Kerk becomes a hub for the world’s most important visual journalism of the past year. Arranged in a maze with each section dedicated to a different region, the exhibition highlights some of the most pressing stories of our time.

FROM 24 APRIL, DE NIEUWE KERK

On Stage

Opera Forward Festival

BQueering Puppets Festival is a oneof-a-kind festival that centres queer perspectives and stories through the whimsical world of puppets.

1-6 APRIL, PLEIN-THEATER.NL

For full listings of what’s on in Amsterdam, visit our website: iamsterdam.com/ whatson

illed as a platform for the opera makers of today and tomorrow, Opera Forward Festival is for lovers of the craft and those just being introduced to it. And this operatic showcase turns 10 this year, which means an extra-special programme is in order. Catch brand-new operas at National Opera and Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, while elsewhere, students take the reins to present their very own opera works in various labs.

6-15 MARCH, OPERABALLET.NL

Cinedans Fest

Celebrating the enduring power of dance, Cinedans sits at the crossroads of dance and film. In one of the rare instances where dance film is the sole focus, these shorts address topics such as gender, identity, and transgressive behaviour in the dance world, and the body in relation to the political sphere. Dynamic and urgent, head to the Eye Filmmuseum for five days of cinematic performance. 25-29 MARCH, CINEDANS.NL

Dita von Teese’s Nocturnelle

One of the world’s foremost burlesque performers, Dita von Teese’s reputation for performance precedes her. This spring, she lands in Carré with her show Nocturnelle, an ode to 19th-century magicians that’s part wonder, part magic and wholly burlesque. Expect extravagance, glamour and surprise from an artist who’s at the top of the game for a reason.

27-28 MARCH, CARRE.NL

Clubbing & Festivals

Spring holidays

King’s Day (27 April) is when the entire country decks out in orange and takes to the streets (and canals) to celebrate the reigning monarch. A massive city-wide party, Amsterdam’s various neighbourhoods have something happening on almost every street, while the biggest party is Kingsland Festival at the Olympic Stadium. And Liberation Day (5 May) is when the Netherlands commemorates the end of Nazi occupation with a big party and music events, with freedom at the heart of each.

Minimal Music Festival

For partygoers who prefer a more meditative sound, the Minimal Music Festival off ers a diff erent kind of musical escape. Over four days, the Muziekgebouw becomes a home for hypnotic minimal music that’s as much about trance as it is about the transcendental. Now in its 10th edition, it’s inspired by pioneers of the scene such as LaMonte Young, Terry Riley and Steve Reich, and has been kept going by listeners who seek out the ambient and the adventurous.

16-19 APRIL, MUZIEKGEBOUW.NL/MMF2026

Lentekabinet

The prelude to techno icon Dekmantel and run by the same team, Lentekabinet – known as the ‘Spring Cabinet’ – brings greenery to the electronic scene. A two-day festival organised in the gorgeous recreational nature area Het Twiske on the fringes of Amsterdam-Noord, Lentekabinet is a mainstay of the springtime festival scene. Go for one day or two and expect big names in the electronic music scene, from Job Jobse and Honey Dijon to Berghain resident Sedef Adasi. 23-24 MAY, HETKABINETFESTIVAL.NL

High Tea

The Melkweg gets a drum & bass soundtrack makeover courtesy of High Tea’s one-day festival. This daytime rave will be home to no fewer than six areas, featuring DJ sets, live acts, cinema, exhibitions, games and interactive surprises. Channel a little bit of the UK in the Milky Way and let the drum & bass take over.

28 MARCH, MELKWEG.NL

After a stroll through Amsterdamse Bos, stop by Ridammerhoeve Goat Farm for goat petting and farm-to-table produce.

NIEUWE MEERLAAN 4 GEITENBOERDERIJ.NL

Family & Kids

WHAT ’S ON | 35

For families with kids who have a type of sensory processing disorder – stemming from autism, brain damage or illness – museums can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, many of Amsterdam’s major museums have adapted to make visits more manageable. From low-sensory nights at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum to quiet hours at the Wereldmuseum and Stedelijk, check their schedules, as many offer quiet hours with dimmed lights, break rooms with seating, and trained hosts to help.

Hyena Scream!

Taking your baby to the cinema might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but this special programme might convince you. Organised by indie cinema FC Hyena in Noord every two weeks, Hyena Scream! has been especially designed for film lovers with babies up to one year old. The space is baby-friendly, with low volume, not entirely dimmed lights and even a sofa which you and your little one can share for the price of one.

EVERY OTHER MONDAY, FCHYENA.NL

Artis Planetarium Museum quiet hours

While the zoo is the major pull, don’t overlook the Planetarium at Artis. You’ll be taken to the edge of the cosmos through daily performances and interactive exhibitions. Check out Living Worlds, a running exhibition where you discover signs of life in the rest of the galaxy, or watch Planeet Sok – a journey through space as told (in Dutch) by Artis’ mascot, sockpuppet Artis de Partis.

ARTIS.NL

| BY: CALLUM BOOTH

THE AMSTERDAMMER WHO TURNED FOOTBALL INTO ART

The Johan Cruyff Legacy

A decade after the star’s passing, we assess Johan Cruyff’s legacy and influence on the city of his birth.

The moment still echoes to this day. It’s the 1974 World Cup. The Netherlands are playing Sweden. Johan Cruyff receives a long ball on the left-hand side of the pitch. His back is to the goal, Swedish defender Jan Olsson up tight. Cruyff feints a cross, but, in one fluid motion, he drags the ball behind him, turning 180 degrees and leaving Olsson in the dust. It’s a move that still bears his name: the Cruyff turn. And, ten years after his death in 2016, it remains a piece of skill that sums up the man, his legacy, and his influence on Amsterdam; you expect him to go one way, but he goes the other.

Young Cruyff

Hendrik Johannes Cruyff grew up in Betondorp, an area in Amsterdam Oost. ‘It is a unique part of Amsterdam,’ says Carole Thate, the general manager of the World of Johan Cruyff, the body that oversees his family of brands. Betondorp was constructed in the 1920s as an experiment in affordable housing and doesn’t have the traditional canal houses you associate with the Dutch capital. Instead, Betondorp’s architecture is influenced by the Art Deco movement and, rather than made of brick, the buildings are predominately concrete.

The area had a specific claim to fame in Cruyff ’s era: it was home to Ajax’ former stadium. ‘He lived almost across the street from [it],’ Thate says, ‘and his mother worked there.’ The young man would play football with friends under the shadow

of the club that he’d be forever associated with.

Ajax

It didn’t take long for this relationship to bloom. In 1964, Cruyff made his first team debut at the tender age of 17. The following year was a watershed moment. Rinus Michels joined as the Ajax coach and, with Cruyff, pioneered the modern version of ‘Total Football’. This is a philosophy where any outfield player can operate in any position, switching roles seamlessly. It was not only revolutionary, but also unbelievably successful. During Michels’ tenure, Ajax rose from a semi-professional club into a powerhouse of European football, winning eight Eredivisie titles and three European Cups, the competition now known as the UEFA Champions League. Yet it was a different event that sent Cruyff and Total Football truly global: the 1974 World Cup.

Often described as the best team never to lift the trophy, the Dutch were a revelation at the tournament, their brand of Total Football

electrifying audiences and swatting away opponents with ease. Despite losing the World Cup final, Cruyff and the Netherlands influenced the world.

The enduring magic of Cruijffiaans

Much like how Cruyff upended expectations on the pitch, he did the same thing to the Dutch language. His Cruijffiaans is as famous as his play. His sayings, often one-liners, were simplistic and deep, humorous and serious, and inane and profound – all at the same time. One such example is ‘Elk nadeel heb zijn voordeel’ (‘Every disadvantage has its advantage’). Another is ‘Je moet altijd zorgen dat je één doelpunt meer scoort als de tegenstander’ (‘You always have to make sure that you score one goal more than your opponent’).

The man, the icon Cruyff ’s legacy extended into management too. He began his coaching career at Ajax before moving to Barcelona. At both, he instigated his Total Football philosophy and, over the course of five years, took the Catalan club to four European finals. Trophies and titles don’t reveal the true measure of Cruyff ’s impact on football though; that’d be his lasting influence. During his time, he shaped figures such as Pep Guardiola, arguably the greatest manager of all time and someone who remains an acolyte of the Dutchman’s approach. Maybe the best way to sum up Cruyff is from Simon Kuper, a football journalist and author of Soccernomics, who refers to him as ‘the inventor of modern football’. This by itself doesn’t explain the unique position Cruyff holds. There are plenty of

With a combi ticket direct to Keukenhof! All information, departure locations and tickets: Keukenhof.nl/ov

Johan Cruyff played with number 14 during his entire Ajax-career. 14 has become his synonym ever since.

What marks Cruyff out is his turn, his innate ability to upend expectations

Want to explore Amsterdam through the eyes of one of the city’s most famous figures? These locations will help you get closer to one of the most influential Dutch people of all time.

Johan

Cruyff ArenA

In 2018, Ajax’ home stadium changed its name to honour its greatest-ever player. With more than 55,000 seats, it’s the Netherlands’ biggest stadium, and is a must-visit if you’re a fan of the football superstar. You’ll get 25% discount of the arena tour with the CityCard.

Cruyff

’s

childhood home

Located on the corner of Akkerstraat and Tuinbouwstraat in Betondorp, this is the house where the young Cruyff spent the first 12 years of his life. There’s a display in one of the windows sharing some details of his life.

The Cruyff Court in Betondorp

There are now more than 300 Cruyff Courts in the world, but the one in Cruyff’s hometown might just be the most special of them all. It was opened in 2014 by Amsterdam’s mayor at the time, Eberhard van der Laan, and Johan Cruyff himself.

exceptional sportspeople, but few of them are cultural icons. What marks Cruyff out is his turn. His innate ability to upend expectations. As David Winner explains in his book Brilliant Orange, ‘Johan Cruyff was the first player who understood that he was an artist, and the first who was able and willing to collectivise the art of sports.’ It comes from his background as

an Amsterdammer. ‘He was a bit rebellious, he spoke out, Thate tells us, both characteristics of people from the city. Specifically, Cruyff expressed the dichotomy at the heart of Amsterdam. In

the same way the city is both the Venice of the North and the capital of European hedonism; Cruyff was a sportsman and artist, a fierce competitor and a champion for civic issues.

An inspiration

It’s initiatives such as the Johan Cruyff Foundation – which, among many other things, creates Cruyff Courts, spaces where young people can play football –that keep him in the public’s imagination, even ten years after his death. And that’s not to mention his academic institutions, football training systems and lifestyle brand. ‘There’s no day that passes where his name isn’t mentioned,’Thate says, ‘[people] are inspired by him.’

The key to that inspiration is how he defied categorisation, and it’s why his legacy still looms large in the city of his birth. Here was a straight-talking Amsterdam

mer who became a global icon; an athlete from Betondorp who became the most influential football thinker of his generation; and the working-class competitor who turned a sport into art. With Cruyff, it’s all about the turn: you expect him to go one way, but he always goes the other.

On film

On 21 March, the world premiere of the documentary Cruyff will air at the Johan Cruyff ArenA. The series explores his story, as well as the legacy he’s left behind. It airs on television (NPO 1) a day later. Alongside this, the Johan Cruyff Tour app is being launched, which will take you on Johan Cruyffthemed tours of Amsterdam.

Hello, I’m A’DAM - a tower of many talents. A place where you can eat, work, rave, sleep. Repeat. 24/7, all under one roof. Ready to discover some of my stories?

A’DAM LOOKOUT | 20th & 21st floor

Looking for the ultimate high? Visit my observation deck on top of the A’DAM Tower and enjoy my unrivaled panoramic view of Amsterdam, from the city center and its canals to the countryside.

‘Over the Edge’ Swing | 21st floor

For the daredevils and thrill seekers among us, I have this famous swing that dangles at 100 meters above the ground. Swing back and forth over the edge of the A’DAM Tower with Amsterdam under your feet!

Restaurant & Sky Bar Madam | 20th floor

During the day, the Panorama Restaurant is part of A’DAM LOOKOUT. But as soon as the sun goes down, the music goes up – and the Panorama Restaurant transforms into Restaurant & Sky Bar Madam: Amsterdam’s highest sky bar for casual dining and the best cocktails in town.

Revolving Restaurant Moon | 19th floor

Making a full rotation per hour, Restaurant Moon provides a truly unique gastronomic experience. Let us take you on a fascinating journey through flavors and aromas combined with a fantastic 360 panorama view of Amsterdam.

Shelter | Basement

My underground nightclub is located in the basement of the A’DAM Tower. Known for its Funktion-One sound system and high-tech LED-panel ceilings. Shelter’s iconic hatch is open every Friday and Saturday night from 23 till 6 am.

A’DAM VR | Basement

Descend into the underground A’DAM VR Game & Race Park and discover a world of boundless imagination filled with the most exclusive thrill-seeking simulation rides, sensational free-roaming shooters and exhilarating escape rooms.

A celebration of continental cinema, CinemAsia is one of Europe’s largest Asian film festivals. For five days, expect the best blockbusters and independent films, from countries ranging from Taiwan to Malaysia, to take over Amsterdam’s indie cinemas such as Studio/K and Rialto.

8-12 APRIL, CINEMASIA.NL

Film Festival

| BY: LOU GRAYSON

Queering the Plot

Celebrating stories beyond the familiar script, Roze Filmdagen film festival is all about queer representation.

It’s a story many of us know by heart: boy meets girl, circumstances conspire against them, love prevails. Cinema has leaned on this structure for generations. But what about the stories that don’t follow the formula? The ones where love doesn’t fit the mould, or where the journey doesn’t lead to marriage but to something equally profound: empowerment, community, freedom? From 18 to 29 March, Roze Filmdagen returns to Het Ketelhuis in Amsterdam for its 29th edition, offering 12 days devoted entirely to LGBTQI+ cinema. With more than 100 films spanning features, documentaries, shorts and animation, the Netherlands’ largest and longest-running queer film festival creates space for stories mainstream cinema still struggles to tell. ‘I grew up with heteronormative films, and I love storytelling,’ says

Werner Borkes, the festival’s artistic director. ‘But it’s also nice to see Romeo and Romeo ending up together.’

You belong

Since 1996, the festival has worked to address a lack of quality representation of the community. Today, the programme reflects the full spectrum of LGBTQI+ experiences: trans narratives, intersex stories, elderly desire and more. The challenge isn’t a shortage of films. ‘Every year, we watch around 850 films, and that’s not even everything that’s made,’ Borkes explains. Many never reach audiences, lost on streaming platforms or never picked up for distribution. Roze Filmdagen curates that vastness into something tangible. And representation matters, particularly when

it empowers the viewer rather than diminshes them. ‘It’s about seeing your story on the big screen and seeing yourself represented in a positive way,’ says Borkes. ‘Especially for young people growing up, when you see your story reflected, you think: Oh my God, it’s me out there. And it’s not weird. You’re not alone.’

The festival’s single-venue format reinforces belonging. ‘You can watch together in good spirits,’ Borkes says. ‘It’s a celebration of our diversity.’ That celebration feels increasingly vital. In recent years, the festival’s posters have been vandalised,

The festival creates space for stories mainstream cinema still struggles to tell

and queer Amsterdammers report more street harassment. ‘We don’t dwell on the negative side,’ Borkes insists, ‘but it makes this festival even more important – a safe haven where we can share our stories.’ Still, Roze Filmdagen isn’t a closed circle. ‘It’s open to everyone, including the cis heterosexual visitor,’ Borkes emphasises.

Prize-winning films

Many of the fi lms are arthouse-quality works that have won prizes at Cannes and other major festivals but struggle to fi nd distribution because audiences are perceived as too niche. Here, they get the spotlight they deserve.

This year’s programme captures the full complexity of queer experience. Close to You, co-written by and starring Elliot Page, follows a trans man returning home. Reas offers a formally daring look at prison life through reenactments by former inmates. If I Die It’ll Be of Joy explores elderly queer desire, and Ponyboi centres an intersex protagonist navigating identity and belonging. With WorldPride arriving in Amsterdam later in 2026, the festival is a fitting opening act – a chance for the city to begin welcoming LGBTQI+ communities from around the world, especially those from places where queer freedom is still a distant dream. Starting in March, those stories take centre stage.

18-29 MARCH, ROZEFILMDAGEN.NL

Don’t miss these...

Monthly Specials at Het Ketelhuis

Roze Filmdagen doesn't stop when the festival ends. Throughout the year, Het Ketelhuis hosts monthly queer film screenings featuring hidden gems that didn’t make the festival cut and advance previews of upcoming releases. It’s a chance to keep the queer film spirit alive year-round and connect with Amsterdam’s LGBTQI+ film community in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Check the Roze Filmdagen website for the monthly schedule and upcoming titles.

Queer Film Confessions (Season 3)

This online video series invites well-known queer figures from film, media and sport to reflect on the films and TV moments that shaped their identity. Guided by personal clips and candid conversation, each episode explores representation, recognition and the power of seeing yourself on screen. Season three features nine episodes, released from March.

Mark your calendars: Amsterdam hosts WorldPride from late July through August, bringing together LGBTQI+ communities from across the globe for weeks of celebration, activism and visibility. Roze Filmdagen will contribute special Pride screenings and collaborate with other cultural organisations throughout the city. AMSTERDAMPRIDE.NL

A neighbourhood-wide jazz showcase in the Indische Buurt, JazzFest platforms Amsterdam’s diverse scene.

14 MARCH

JAZZFESTAMSTERDAM.NL

Classical & Jazz

Violin Concerto & The Rite of Spring Hidden Jazz Club

Two icons of classical composition come together for one night, at least in spirit. Beethoven’s classic Violin Concerto and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring get a glorious rendition courtesy of the Noord Nederlands Orkest, violinist Stefan Milenkovich and conductor Eivind Gullberg Jensen, all within the hallowed halls of The Concertgebouw.

18 APRIL, CONCERTGEBOUW.NL

Amsterdam’s newest jazz offering, this club has become so popular, it’s going to be hard to stay hidden. Still, a rotating location keeps listeners on their toes with the next edition taking place at the iconic De Duif church. Featuring world-class jazz musicians and seating for 300, this is a night that promises both atmosphere and adventure.

9 & 10 APRIL, HIDDENJAZZCLUB.COM

If you haven’t heard traditional Japanese music before, then now’s your chance. Enter Yamato, a Japanese drum group with more than 40 taikos – a term that means ‘big drum’ – in a show that’s dubbed ‘The Power of Human Strength’. This group hails from Nara and have been active since 1993, winning over audiences with songs that are sometimes sad, sometimes intense, but always memorable.

27 MARCH, MEERVAART.NL

Pop & Rock

Tender, gorgeous indie folk arrives in the form of Big Thief. While a little more wintery than spring in their sound, there’s always something musically hopeful as lead singer Adrianne Lenker flickers through the gently strummed soundscape her band create. Performing at Afas Live, this cavernous venue will never feel as small and cosy as it does when they play.

21 APRIL, AFASLIVE.NL

Big Thief

Iconic indie festival London Calling has been a platform for some of the biggest bands of past years, from Foals to Wet Leg. 15-16 MAY, LONDONCALLING.NL

Zeyne

One of the year’s buzziest artists, Zeyne has had a breakout year. Fusing Arabic influences with pop sensibilities, her first full-length LP is a masterclass in the traditional and the modern. Check out ‘Balak’, a lowlit, trap-esque collaboration with Saint Levant that will earworm its way into your head. If you’ve not heard of her yet, you will soon.

30 MARCH, BITTERZOET.COM

Jade

Little Mix’ breakout star, Jade is a name in her own right. Fusing whipsmart production with autobiographical lyricism, Jade’s first LP That’s Showbiz Baby! was released to critical acclaim, including the ‘Angel of My Dreams’, a gorgeous pop behemoth that remains one of the most ambitious debut singles of the past few years. Catch her in Amsterdam’s church of pop with her own song ‘Church’ and expect to find a new musical goddess to worship.

8 MARCH, PARADISO.NL

Jamie Woon

London crooner Jamie Woon returns with his third album 3, 10, Why, When after a 10-year break since Making Time. Luckily all the hallmarks of his original style are there – soft, soulful vocals laced with bubbling electronica plus a little groove. One for those wishing summer was a little nearer, Woon’s music is a welcome and warm embrace in the mid-spring cool.

14 APRIL, PARADISO.NL

Yumi Zouma

Four albums and endless singles down, and New Zealand alt-pop band Yumi Zouma remain darlings of the indie-pop scene. Known for their fuzzy, shoegaze sounds and earworm melodies, they’re a perfect soundtrack to those days when the sun finally starts to come out. Catch them at Tolhuistuin for an intimate gig – you’re sure to leave with songs stuck in your head and some excellent merch too.

7 MARCH, TOLHUISTUIN.NL

From talent show turnaway to global superstar, Rosalía has a story for the ages. Having released four major albums, all to critical acclaim, this year’s Lux is an all-timer, only furthering Rosalía as one of Spain’s greatest singers ever. Her show at Ziggo Dome promises to deliver on the fanfare – expect operatic vocals, gorgeous instrumentation and an experience close to the divine.

22-23 APRIL, ZIGGODOME.NL

Explore Amsterdam’s neighbourhoods City Guide ’s

With our online guide, you’ll find out everything about the newest spots in town for food, drink and more: iamsterdam. com/new

Beatrixpark

52 Hamerkwartier

56 Noord

57 Oost

58 West

59 Centrum

61 Nieuw-West

62 Zuid

63 Zuidoost

Sandwiched between the monumental RAI and skyscraping Zuidas is the sleepy but seductive Beatrixpark. Named after the Netherlands’ former monarch, Queen Beatrix, it’s as much a green oasis for event-goers as it is the financiers of the neighbouring business district. Ringed by chestnut trees, stroll along the water and past the herb garden –home to hundreds of medicinal plants –for a lesson in relaxation.

Spotlight On…

52 | BY: TOM FLANAGAN

This long-time indie cinema has comfy seating and comfort food to keep you fed before and after your flick

How to get there? Take the ferry from Central Station to IJplein and then a 10-minute walk, or hop on the ferry from Azartplein in Oost to Zamenhofstraat.

Hammer Time!

This corner of Noord was once an industrial estate, but the Hamerkwartier has transformed into one of Amsterdam’s most exciting districts.

Twenty years ago, you wouldn’t have recognised the rugged shoreline of Noord. Spanning the banks of the IJ River – from the Motorkanaal alongside the Kromhouthal event space to the Zamenhofstraat ferry point – this was factory land. Rows of metal and grey warehouses were the only view, while cranes loomed overhead, licked by plumes of smoke. But that’s all changed. Factories have swapped places with buzzy seafood restaurants, warehouses now host arthouse cinemas and climbing gyms, and a stony, barren shore now functions as a sandy beach and farm.

Pushing boundaries

This is the Hamerkwartier, or Hammer Quarter, which takes its

name from the tools the former industries there used. And while much of that work has moved on, the spirit of building remains. For Daan Meeuwig, a builder and entrepreneur in the area, he’s been responsible for many of the new eateries and businesses the area is known for, from Barracuda restaurant to the Skatecafé and Chateau Amsterdam winery. In an interview with Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool, he says the chance to create is what makes the district special. ‘The fun is in pushing the boundaries here [and] daring to go beyond them.’

The constant creation and building is part of a wider plan by the municipality to make this a liveable neighbourhood. While eating and drinking are what this

Factories have swapped places with buzzy seafood restaurants

Spotlight On…

| CITY GUIDE

Where to go... in Hamerkwartier

Coba/Tula

Indulge in Mexican fare such as glorious tostadas in a moody, ambient interior at Coba while sister cocktail bar Tula next door serves up mezcalinfused cocktails.

w

SCHAAFSTRAAT 4/4B, COBA-TAQUERIA.COM

Lowlander

Order home-brewed botanical beers at this sprawling industrial and waterside brewery.

GEDEMPT HAMERKANAAL 201 RESTAURANT.LOWLANDER.NL

Murmur

A hidden wine-and-listening bar, this low-lit space is home to great curation and a selection of bottles.

AAMBEELDSTRAAT 60 MURMURMUR.NL

De Verbroederij

A mix of the words for ‘farm’ and ‘brotherhood’, this family-friendly farm is renowned for its community gatherings, an on-site beach, and two large but lovely pigs – Barry and Rosita. JOHAN VAN HASSELTWEG 21, VERBROEDERIJ.NL

Brewing legend Oedipus serves up some of Amsterdam’s most inventive beers – Polyamorie is a notorious favourite – and best burgers ff SCHAAFSTRAAT 21, OEDIPUS.COM a

area is best known for, there are plans to build 7,000 homes, many of which are social housing, making this an area two-thirds residential and one-third commercial. Albert Helder, who runs architecture practice Studioninedots, says, in a video on the district’s website, that it makes sense it’s becoming a place to live as well as work and explore, but the challenges lie in balancing residential needs with its reputation for creativity and fun. ‘A 50/50 split of the area [between business and residents] would be a beautiful balance – that way, in the day you have more going on, and though you have fewer houses, you can make the rules [for the area] together.’ For now, though, there’s no risk of there not being enough to do – in fact, it’s choice that makes this district one of the city’s best.

Barracuda

Amsterdam’s most accessible seafood restaurant offers heaps of kibbeling and prawns in cavernous industrial settings with robot servers.

AAMBEELDSTRAAT 10

BARRACUDA.AMSTERDAM

Hotel de Goudfazant

Expansive views in the summer and a hanger-like atmosphere in the winter, this restaurant is one for all occasions –and the food is great too.

AAMBEELDSTRAAT 30, HOTELDEGOUDFAZANT.NL

Garage Noord

A former car repair shop that now functions as one of Noord’s best and brightest clubs for underground techno and emerging hyperpop acts. GEDEMPT HAMERKANAAL 40, GARAGENOORD.COM

Skatecafé

Effortlessly cool and grungy, this restaurant has its own skate ramp which morphs into a dancefloor when the sun sets.

GEDEMPT HAMERKANAAL 42 SKATECAFE.NL

Noord

56 | CITY GUIDE

Head down one of Amsterdam’s prettiest streets to 100+-yearold brown bar Café ’t Sluisje for terrace drinks and comfort food.

NIEUWENDAMMERDIJK 297

‘For a chill night out where you can just walk in, head to Barracuda for some of the freshest fish in Amsterdam.’

Contemporary cool and industrial ingenuity combine to prove that Noord is a world of its own.

Pek&Kleren

Bart (41), senior account manager

Noord locals Marike Holla and Freya Brown make up the team behind this mini-warehouse. Their secret to its success? They try on every style, ensuring each piece delivers far beyond hanger appeal. Every shelf seems to whisper, ‘Look closer’ at the sustainable labels (a good portion of which are Dutch-made), spanning butter-soft ankle boots, striking ceramics, playful home accessories and gifts galore.

VAN DER PEKSTRAAT 56-58, PEKENKLEREN.NL

Straat Museum

The clue’s in the name at this museum which is Amsterdam’s premier spot for street art and the first of its kind in the capital. Made possible by a dedicated team of graffiti enthusiasts who wanted to share their passion for this radical art form, take in more than 150 site-specific artworks in the permanent exhibition, spread throughout this converted hangar, some of which are as big as outdoor walls and painted by major international names. NDSM-PLEIN 1, STRAATMUSEUM.COM

Papillon

In the day, the onsite bakery at Papillon whips up freshly baked croissants and expert coffee. Come the afternoon, the restaurant relaxes into an intimate space where fresh focaccia-style bread, katsu sandos, croquettes and crispy potatoes are there for devouring, alongside cocktails and biodynamic wine (because who wants a normal glass anymore?).

PAPAVERWEG 38, PAPILLON.AMSTERDAM

Oost

Thronging markets, community spirit and laid-back eateries make Oost easy to fall in love with.

Suriname Museum

Oost’s newest museum is another welcome addition to its multicultural offering. Dedicated entirely to the culture, history and people of Suriname, it was born out of the demand to give voice to the Suriname diaspora in Amsterdam and beyond. It's a multi-floor museum complete with an extensive library, Surinamese café, and garden. The opening exhibition, Meet Su, Meet Us, aims to introduce visitors to Suriname and the diaspora while exploring the 350 years of Surinamese-Dutch relations.

ZEEBURGERDIJK 19-21, SURINAMEMUSEUM.NL

Hagen Espresso Bar

An espresso bar by way of Copenhagen, this coffee spot in Watergraafsmeer stands out and not just because of its forest-green coloured exterior. It looks to introduce the neighbourhood to the Danish experience; which in their words means ‘coffee expertise, the grind, the temperature, the balance and then the serve’.

MIDDENWEG 59 THEHAGENPROJECT.COM

Bar Bachrach

Lovers of modern Middle Eastern food, look no further than Bar Bachrach, which is heavily inspired by the cuisines of the Levantine. Expect an elevated presentation and a well-varied menu filled with inventive takes. Highlights include smoky aubergine with pomegranate molasses, lamb kofta served with tahini and pickled vegetables, and their signature freekeh salad with herbs, nuts and citrus dressing. JAVAPLEIN 25 BARBACHRACH.NL

At All The Luck in the World you’ll find a collection of cheerful home decor, from sunny mugs and bowls to brass doorknobs that practically wink.

LINNAEUSSTRAAT 20 ALLTHELUCKINTHEWORLD.NL

‘Zaffraan is a family restaurant that serves fresh Mediterranean food in big portions and that is definitely value for money. If you want healthy and tasty food, this is the spot!’

Elinda

(25), trainee pilot

Considered to pour some of Amsterdam’s best coffees by those in the know, there are only good decisions to be made at The Miners Cafe.

TOLLENSSTRAAT 53A THEMINERS.EU/THE-MINERSOUD-WEST

‘Ikaria Food is a tiny Greek roadside kiosk serving great coffee and snacks. The banana bread is incredible, though honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.’

Nathalie (28), editor

With an unbeatable mix of bars, restaurants and cultural spaces, the rumours are true – West really is best.

Juana La Dama

A restaurant and wine bar located in the leafy Da Costabuurt, Juana la Dama pays homage to the home-cooked comforts of Argentina while bringing a European twist. Quality meats, quality wine and hearty food – think lamb instead of beef and corn and pumpkin humita (a corn husk dish) with goat’s cheese – that bring an original touch to Argentinian fare. Grab a seat out on its sunny pavement for the full experience.

POTGIETERSTRAAT 16 JUANALADAMA.NL

Johnny at the Spot

This award-winning fashion and lifestyle store has a sharp eye for Nordic cool and a soft spot for things you’ll actually want to wear (or live with). The edit spans mens- and womenswear from brands such as Anerkjendt, Elvine, Forét, Humanoid, Nümph, Samsøe Samsøe and Second Female, alongside trainers, candles and curated homeware. From tailored essentials to offbeat statement pieces, this airy, design-driven boutique makes contemporary style feel effortless. JAN PIETER HEIJESTRAAT 94, JOHNNYATTHESPOT.SHOP

Museum Het Schip

Dive into the wacky architectural style of the Amsterdam School movement at Museum Het Schip, located in the lesser-known district of Spaarndammerbuurt. This expressionist building (nicknamed ‘the ship’ for its nautical shape) hosts in-depth exhibitions on this early 20th-century design movement, often compared to Art Deco.

OOSTZAANSTRAAT 45, HETSCHIP.NL

Centrum

Beyond the lights and the action lies a quieter city centre that’s often missed but once discovered, never forgotten.

Bartolotti House Museum

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in one of Amsterdam’s canal houses, then head straight here. One of the capital’s newest museums, Bartolotti House was originally built in 1620 and was once one of the largest merchant houses in the city. Nowadays, it provides visitors with a glimpse of what luxury in a place like this looked like, from the lavish lives of its inhabitants and rococo-style rooms to the quarters of its staff.

HENDRICKDEKEYSER.NL/DISCOVER-ENCHANTING-BARTOLOTTI-HOUSE-AMSTERDAM

Indulge in soft pistachio rolls at Noordermarkt institution BunBun, a perfect post-market pickup.

PRINSENGRACHT 16

BUNBUN.AMSTERDAM

Anouk Beerents

Step into a skylit atelier that feels like a Hall of Mirrors redux. Since 1994, Anouk Beerents has sourced and restored 18thand 19th-century French and Italian mirrors, gilded with gold or silver leaf, for local clients and international icons, including Ralph Lauren and the Waldorf Astoria. Museum-quality mirrors crowd the walls, some with provenance dating back to the Palace of Versailles. Visits are by appointment only, but this glass kingdom is worth it.

PRINSENGRACHT 467, ANOUKBEERENTS.NL

Gió Cucina Italiana

Tucked away in a quiet alley between the Dam and Central Station is this snug Italian eatery that plates up some of the best Genovese fare in Amsterdam. Run by chef Gio, who lends her name to the restaurant, tuck into scallops with saffron sauce, paccheri with guanciale and pistachio pesto, and gorgeous hunks of steak smothered in red wine sauce in a cosy, brick-lined interior that proves romance remains alive and well in the city centre.

SINT JACOBSSTRAAT 8 GIOCUCINAITALIANA.COM

‘Kapitein Zeppos is hidden in a small alley in the city centre. Inside, you’ll find a warm atmosphere and great food, ideal for a laidback lunch or dinner in a spot you’d normally walk straight past.’

Charlotte (26), talent acquisition specialist

Nieuw-West

Buzzy venues and springtime walks lend this green neighbourhood heaps of seasonal charm.

Indulge in khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and delicious dolma (vine leaves) at Armenian-Georgian restaurant Noah

Lieven.

RODENRIJSSTRAAT 150 NOAH.RESTAURANT

Bret

Basecamp

For a retreat in the city, this eco-resort right next to the gardens of West offers rest and respite. The cabins come equipped with hot tubs, saunas and wood- burning stoves. Great for a weekend escape, the best part is it’s only a 20-minute cycle from the city centre and you’ll feel like you’re a world away.

TOM SCHREURSWEG 40

Lange Bretten

If Amsterdam has anything close to a jungle, it would be the Lange Bretten nature reserve. Head out on an adventure along the dykes and wetland areas, spotting birds, goats and Scottish Highlanders. In Nieuw-West, you will also find De Natureluur, a natural playground for young and old. Climb trees, try the watercourse complete with floating tree trunks and try not to ruin your trainers in the mud.

LANDSCHAPNOORDHOLLAND.NL/NATUURGEBIEDEN/LANGE-BRETTEN

Built from bright red shipping containers surrounding a beautiful garden focusing on sustainability, Bret is a restaurant, urban vineyard and beer bar worth checking out. The venue also transforms into an intimate nightclub, hosting some of the most exciting local DJs alongside international names. Keep an eye on the agenda, particularly around major festivals like King’s Day and you’re sure to be swept up into Bret’s own brand of magic.

ORLYPLEIN 76, BRET.BAR

‘One of my go-to places is Puck, which is the perfect mix of cocktail bar and arcade. You wouldn’t think it, with the neon lights and video games, but it’s a great place for a date.’

Raphael Dias (30), exhibition manager and curator

| CITY GUIDE

Cottoncake

Home to the city’s best museums and shops, Zuid is always out to impress.

Multipla

Step into serenity at this white-washed concept store, where minimalist chic gets a soulful, bohemian twist. Think delicate Dutch jewellery, chunky Danish boots, slinky reversible silk tops and versatile fluff y vests. Cottoncake also has its own line of easy-wear basics, perfumes and soy-wax candles, including the best-selling Love Shack, a cedarwood-and-vetiver blend that smells like crackling campfires and borrowed boyfriend sweaters.

1E VAN DER HELSTSTRAAT 76, COTTONCAKE.NL

Indulge in breakfast tacos, carnitas, birria and excellent coffee at Café Tepoz, an earth-toned Mexican café in De Pijp.

VAN WOUSTRAAT 91 INSTAGRAM.COM/CAFETEPOZ

Exhibition: Metamorphoses

Celebrating the transformative tales penned by Ovid, this exhibition showcases the profound influence of the Roman poet. From passion and desire to deceit and jealousy, this collection of art at Rijksmuseum traces the many artists and works inspired by Ovid. One for the classicists and anyone who’s ever loved myth. UNTIL 25 MAY, RIJKSMUSEUM.NL

Dancefloor dining has been on the rise in Amsterdam, courtesy of places such as Multipla that begin the night as a restaurant and descend into a steamy club by the early hours. Dreamt up by the brains behind popular Sissi’s (now also located nearby), the Schinkelbuurt’s newest hotspot is ‘an ode to function over form and fun over fancy’ with a concept that combines Italian small plates dining (from €3.50 for antipasti and €26.40 for mains) with well-chosen wines and after-dinner clubbing.

VALSCHERMKADE 16 MULTIPLA.AMSTERDAM

‘My tip is to visit Cinema The Pulse, a relatively new cinema in the Zuidas business district. It has a modern interior, good sound and comfortable seats – and a bar-restaurant.’

Sjoerd (22), student

For

Zuidoost

OSCAM

A hub for the biggest events as well as good eateries and local favourites, Zuidoost is alive no matter the season.

Kon Esi Baka

A free museum that’s also beautifully curated and generally excellent, OSCAM is always a safe choice when in Zuidoost. Dubbed the Open Space Contemporary Art Museum (OSCAM), it’s a place where art, fashion, design and craftsmanship come together and was opened to commemorate 50 years of Bijlmer and to highlight the cultural diversity of the district. There’s a rolling programme of engaging exhibitions by young, well-known and unknown artists.

BIJLMERPLEIN 110-111, OSCAM.NL

De Bijlmerweide Petting Zoo

Quiet, green and escapist, Bijlmerweide is a beautiful, family-friendly farm and café. It has a playground, gorgeous animals you can pet, and a farm-to-table menu featuring fresh eggs and homemade honey. On the agenda, you’ll also find a handful of events every year, usually aimed at kids, but all ages are welcome. Use this as a jumping-off point to wander the waterside park and head to bird-filled Diemerbos.

PROVINCIALEWEG 46A, BIJLMERWEIDE.NL

Join the 10th edition of Cruyff Legacy 14K Run to support children with disabilities, which starts and ends in the Johan Cruyff ArenA. 12 APRIL, ACTIES14K.CRUYFFFOUNDATION.ORG

Just opposite the Reigersbos Shopping Center, you’ll find Kon Esi Baka. This cosy restaurant doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside, you can tuck into an array of delicious and affordable dishes from authentic Surinamese-Creole cuisine. The most popular dish is the roti kip (a flatbread stuffed with egg, curried potatoes, spicy vegetables and chicken). Kon Esi Baka means ‘come back soon’ in Surinamese – one visit here and you’ll want to.

REIGERSBOS 96

INSIDER TIP

‘Stop by Yemayá’s Vegan Corner: the owner is super-kind, and the food is delicious whether you’re vegan or not.’

Martin (36), business owner

Oysters and arches A timeless institution

Originating as a small fishmonger in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, we are proud to have grown into a highly acclaimed seafood restaurant, with locations in Amsterdam, Utrecht and London.

Known for our dedication to quality, craftsmanship and hard work, we welcome more than 500,000 visitors to our restaurants each year. Our commitment has been recognised by The Guardian and the Financial Times, and reflected in our 4.8-star rating on Google.

VOUCHER

Enjoy 4 oysters (worth €15) on us when dining at Ferdinand Bol, Spui, Van Baerle or Damrak. Valid March, April & May

Use code IAMSTERDAM when booking online or show this voucher on arrival.

Lunch or dinner only | One-time use | www.theseafoodbar.com

The most beautiful spring garden in the world

Keukenhof is open from 19 March till 10 May 2026. For more information and to order tickets visit www.keukenhof.nl

Discover the Amsterdam area

Beyond the City

68 Evergreen Gardens

73 Tulips & Flowers

74 Heritage & Monuments

75 Food Tales

77 Art & Culture

78 Water History

79 Nature & Wellness

Find out more about what to experience around Amsterdam at: iamsterdam. com/area

Cherry Blossom in Almere

Almere’s modern cityscape and architecture might be its main draw but come the spring, a more natural phenomenon provides equal pull. The annual cherry blossom season injects Almere’s Regenboogbuurt with colour, softening and framing views of towering buildings with delicate pink. Head here in late March or early April to get a glimpse of the city, quite unlike you’ve ever seen it before.

Spotlight On…

68 | BY: TOM FLANAGAN

A delicate floral-inspired stack of notes from Singer Laren, this wild flower notepad (€6.99) is a reminder of the museum’s own garden.

SINGERLAREN.NL

Evergreen Gardens

Outside of the capital’s own leafy boundaries lie green enclaves both secret and old; some still to be discovered, all meant to be lingered in.

Acurl of pathway leads into a sweep of emerald green. Tall, structured pines make way for spindly, delicate firs, neighboured by the sheltering embrace of great cedar trees that grow next to even greater redwoods. Such a cluster of evergreen trees is unusual in the Netherlands, but this is Pinetum Blijdenstein in Hilversum, one of the country’s most unique botanical gardens and home to one of the largest, if not the largest, collections of conifers on the planet. Here you’ll find all the classics of the conifer family –pines, firs and cedars – and rarer variations, such as the Wollemia (known for its two-layered leaf structure), which was believed to be extinct up until 1994.

Pinetum Blijdenstein is just one example of the many gardens around Amsterdam that are lesser-known but filled with wonder. Think of the Heemparken and Dr. Jac. P. Thijssepark — named after a schoolteacher who believed in learning about nature by being immersed in it — wild parks in Amstelveen designed to be roamed through and respected, where wildness takes precedence over human control. Or head to the many estates scattered around the region where English landscape-style attitudes prevail. Many of the gardens in the area represent something unique, whether it be history, conservation or a distinct character. Above all though, it’s beauty that lives at the heart of each.

Such a cluster of evergreen trees is unusual in the Netherlands

Spotlight On…

70 | BEYOND THE CITY

The sculpture garden: Singer Laren

Designed by renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf – of New York’s iconic High Line – the free sculpture garden at Singer Laren Museum features works by contemporary Dutch artists, including Guido Geelen, Maria Roosen and Famke van Wijk. LAREN, SINGERLAREN.NL

The wildernis postcard (€4.95) comes with a bag of Myosotis sylvatica forest forget-me-not seeds, which can be planted from May until August. ff WILDERNISAMSTERDAM.NL

The jungle garden: Almere Jungle

The castle garden: Muiderslot

A castle that’s 700+ years old, Muiderslot’s gardens are still used to grow vegetables and herbs, and are tended to by volunteers who explain the use of these veggies and herbs for medicine, dyes and decoration.

MUIDEN, MUIDERSLOT.NL

A botanical garden that neighbours an animal park, this tropical collection features carnivorous plants and giant water lilies.

ALMERE, VISITALMERE.COM /EN/ALMERE-JUNGLE

The maze garden: Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn

Designed by Henri van Sypesteyn, this garden is cut by hornbeams and chestnut trees, with areas dating back more than 100 years. It's also home to an orchard, a maze and the largest Katsura tree in the Netherlands.

LOOSDRECHT, SYPESTEYN.NL

The classical garden: De Zuilen

Boasting 35,000 m² of walking parkland, this estate’s garden is filled with Roman and Greek statues, fountains, arches and columns. And from April until May, it plays host to tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in full bloom. HILLEGOM, DE-ZUILEN.NL

THE OUTLET

AROUND THE CORNER

No need to drive to the end of the world

More than 80 brands up to -70%

Hop on Hop off

The Keukenhof flower garden is an unmissable attraction in the Flower Strip. And when you book a tour from Amsterdam, you’ll get the most out your day alongside the best views.

Grab a 25% discount on your Keukenhof tours when you use your I amsterdam CityCard.

Perfect Spring Garden

The Keukenhof has seen it all. From marriage proposals to medieval and fantasy festivals, there’s always a little magic in this realm. And while not everyone can expect a declaration of love on their visit to the Keukenhof, beauty and awe are, at the very least, guaranteed. Located in the quiet town of Lisse, the Keukenhof is one of the Amsterdam region’s crown jewels – dubbed ‘the most beautiful spring garden in the world’. It’s home to a staggering seven million flowers planted

across a 32-hectare park, which take on a range of bright hues in the springtime. To get there, try one of the many tours on offer, from the classic entry to Keukenhof and round trip via shuttle bus from Amsterdam (from Overhoeks in Noord, for example, a good place to hop on!), to a full-day tour of the garden, tulip farm and windmills. There’s even a tour combining Keukenhof and the iconic Zaanse Schans windmills. But be quick: the Keukenhof flowers only bloom for eight weeks...

Getting there

Many of the tours include a roundtrip shuttle from Amsterdam but for flexibility, a Hop on Hop off tour from Amsterdam to Keukenhof by coach lets you enjoy things at your own pace, whether that’s covering the gardens in a few hours or taking it slow. Plus there’s guaranteed seating. 19 MARCH-10 MAY HOPONHOPHOLLAND.COM

The worldfamous flower regions around Amsterdam shine in the spring, when majestic gardens, floral parades and endless tulip fields confirm the country’s global reputation.

In Bloom

Tulips & Flowers

Keukenhof

No reference of spring would be complete without mentioning the region’s crown jewel: the Keukenhof. Besides tulips, other flowers such as daffodils and spring crocusses bloom here. But beauty is fleeting – this annual spectacle is open for just eight weeks from March to May to coincide with the flowering season. Don’t miss it!

STATIONSWEG 166A

Tulpenroute Flevoland

Flevoland might be known for its relationship to the water (it is land reclaimed from the sea after all), but it’s also a land filled with tulips. And what better way to see its tulip fields than on two wheels? For a few weeks in April, glide past the kaleidoscopic blooms of the region via custom routes that take you through fields and fruit farmers as you get a glimpse of life among the flowers.

TULPENROUTEFLEVOLAND.NL

Bloemencorso

The country’s largest spring festival and flower parade enters its 79th edition in 2026. This 42-km parade heads down from Noordwijk through the villages of Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse (past Keukenhof), Hillegom and Bennebroek via Heemstede to Haarlem. Consisting of about 20 floats, decorated with hyacinths, tulips and daffodils, you’ll also find 30 decorated special cars and bands accompanying the procession for a festive and floral day out.

15-19 APRIL

Heritage & Monuments

Grand Traditions

Head further afield and you’ll discover traditional villages, lush windmill-studded landscapes and timeworn castles and estates along the water.

Ruins of Brederode

Within the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, the Ruïne van Brederode (Ruins of Brederode) are well worth checking out. These ruins are the remnants of the medieval Brederode Castle, built around 1355 atop an older, damaged stronghold. Climb up to the top for spectacular far-reaching views from the highest turret and check the seasonal agenda for family events such as games, concerts and even Knight’s Tournaments.

VELSERENDERLAAN 2, RUINEVANBREDERODE.NL

Volendam

Known for its traditional costumes, music, fish and tiny houses (made even more picturesque by the harbour), Volendam feels romantic. That said, you can’t visit Volendam without throwing your head back and eating some herring. As the Netherlands’ most famous fishing village, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your hands on some fresh fish, whether it’s the less intimidating kibbeling (little pieces of fried fish), smoked eel, or herring, which is best eaten raw with onions.

Amstel River estates

Follow the Amstel River south from Amsterdam into the spectacular Dutch countryside for a local cycle route that offers a little bit of everything. Touring this idyllic region will make you feel just like a 17th-century artist might have, and you’ll find plenty of flat and accessible cycle routes throughout the area.

Zaanbocht

This bend of the river, just above Zaandam, where Wormer and Wormerveer are located, blends modern life with a rich industrial heritage. Home to centuries-old factory buildings now taken up by shops and cafés, stroll through the Zaanbocht district for a bit of everything. Head past old-world institutions such as the Lassie factory, monumental warehouses and Het Pannekoekschip (‘the pancake ship’. Yes, it’s a pancake restaurant on a real ship). Then on to newer, contemporary spaces such as De Koffiezaak for good coffee and banana bread, and riverside Hemels for heavenly brunches and lunches, and you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Sip on Haarlem’s locally brewed beers at one of its many sun-dappled terraces along the Spaarne River.

Serene tea gardens, thriving terrace culture and castle restaurants prove the region has a lot to offer for those who like to eat.

Local Tables

Tasty Faces at Lam Museum

Entirely dedicated to food art, there’s no museum quite like Lam Museum in the Amsterdam region. Here you’ll find life-size bonbons and a 3-m-long ‘mouldy’ bunch of grapes made of gemstones and beads, all within a modern, sculptural building. This spring, an exhibition dubbed Tasty Faces is on show, where foodinspired portraits face off as two blobs of mustard moodily avoid your gaze, while a piece of sausage frowns at you from afar.

UNTIL 17 MAY, LAMMUSEUM.NL

Food Tales

BEYOND THE CITY | 75

Theetuin Noot

Tucked away on an island and nestled behind Weesp’s historical Ossenmarkt Fort, you’ll find the idyllic Theetuin Noot. A former ammunition shed turned tea garden, the menu here is farm-totable, meaning most of the produce is grown in the surrounding fields.

Studded with gravel paths, leaf-covered archways, rounded bushes and pistachio-coloured cabins, this is the spot for dreamy tea and coffee in the sunshine.

OSSENMARKT 34 THEETUIN-NOOT.NL

Duin & Kruidberg

The Dutch dunes are full of beautifully preserved historical manorial estates, open to the public for fine- or brasserie-style dining and overnight stays. Duin & Kruidberg Country Estate, dating from 1682, is one of them, offering 75 luxury hotel rooms within the sprawling Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Stroll among the preserved period rooms that’ll summon your very best Jane Austen fantasy or settle down on the stunning terrace for refreshments.

DUIN- EN KRUIDBERGERWEG 60, DUIN-KRUIDBERG.NL

SHOP. DINE. ENJOY. OVER 250 FASHION BRANDS ALWAYS UP TO 70% OFF.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | TAX FREE SHOPPING | 45 MINUTES FROM AMSTERDAM | WEEKLY SHUTTLE BUS FROM AMSTERDAM ON SATURDAY’S

Dutch painter Roos Holleman’s first solo exhibition, The eye caresses, explores man and nature’s tempestuous and entangled relationship.

Art & Culture Museums & Makers

UNTIL 3 MAY, MUSEUMJAN.NL

The

Gouden Straatjes

region’s art

scene and craft culture make it as much a destination for those looking to see something special and buy something just as special.

Vloed Festival

A cultural festival that puts Zandvoort at the heart of things, Vloed (to mean flood) brings watery charm to this beach town. Dubbed as a celebration of the sea and the beach, Vloed looks to turn Zandvoort's stories into art, music, theatre and dance at iconic locations in the area. You can walk or cycle, stopping off for poetic bunker performances, a circus on the beach, sound walks through the dunes, and treasure hunts for children.

14-16 MAY

FESTIVALVLOED.NL

The worlds of Jan Toorop

Haarlem has been voted the Netherlands’ best shopping destination on several occasions, and a quick look around the boutique-lined streets will reveal precisely why. With everything from cool concept stores to traditional markets and big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner, it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district de Gouden Straatjes (the Golden Streets). Explore the best-known of them, including Grote Houtstraat, Barteljorisstraat and Zijlstraat.

Head to Singer Laren and immerse yourself in the museum’s latest exhibition, which spotlights acclaimed painter Jan Toorop. An exploration of his career, as well as his Javanese and Chinese roots, this exhibition brings together more than 80 masterpieces – from paintings, works on paper, to sculptures and letters – that showcase his unique perspective and lifelong connection to all things Eastern.

UNTIL 10 MAY

SINGERLAREN.NL

Water History

Watery Ways

Marvel at the power of a 19th-century steam engine at Cruquius Museum. CRUQUIUSDIJK 27 CRUQUIUS-MUSEUM.NL

The coastline around Amsterdam and the canals that cut through it offer some of the region’s most enticing histories and views.

Bunkerdag

For one day in May, the fortresses along the Dutch coastline open up to the general public. Bunkerdag allows visitors to explore the many – usually inaccessible – forts that made up the Atlantic Wall of World War II. From Zandvoort to Ijmuiden to Wijk aan Zee, delve deep into the wartime and maritime history of these hidden bunkers.

30 MAY, BUNKERDAG.NL

Vecht river cruising

Head along the Vecht, which is home to some of the best spots for boating and sailing outside of Amsterdam. A great way to explore the countryside is to hire a boat in Uithoorn and head up towards Weesp. Likewise, the old town of Muiden is an excellent place for boat lovers to visit, with countless ships sailing in and out of the harbour before heading downriver.

Waterleidingduinen

The stretch of coastline between Zandvoort and Noordwijk doubles as the oldest water extraction area in the Netherlands and a unique nature reserve. The hundreds of dunes here filter rainwater, the first step in creating fresh drinking water for the city’s residents. It’s a great place for a walk, run or hike, but bicycles aren’t allowed in – helping to protect the dune landscape. Instead, a dedicated cycle path connects the park to the coastline.

Nature & Wellness

BEYOND THE CITY | 79

Hidden spas, constellating islands and serene lakes prove that escapism is closer than you might think.

Relaxation Abound

Thermen La Mer

Refresh your body and soul at Thermen La Mer, an exclusive day spa with various contemporary saunas and wellness facilities. Close your eyes and dream your day away in the Finnish Kelo saunas, swimming pool or hot tub. Stroll around the Mediterranean garden or indulge in tasty – and healthy –dishes at the restaurant. Located in Almere, the spa allows you to truly immerse yourself in luxury and pleasure, if only for a day.

SCOUTINGPAD 3, THERMENLAMER.NL

Marker Wadden

Part of Nieuw Land National Park, Marker Wadden is a tranquil nature reserve set across islands that’s grown into a natural paradise for fish and birds. Delve deep into its history by taking an expedition on the Abel Tasman sailboat, and when on the island, get a guide who’ll explain the environment’s diverse features. You can also explore on your own. Two hiking trails take you along the most beautiful spots on the island. The Coastal Route, about 7 km, takes you to the outer edge of Marker Wadden. On the shorter Bird Flight Route, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the new nature and the birds foraging in the mudflats. Don’t forget to climb De Steltloper, the observation tower with views across the islands.

Naardermeer

En route to Hilversum, the Naardermeer nature reserve comprises swampy forests, marshy meadows and clear water, which also protects rare species such as otters, purple herons, and other waterbirds. The reserve can be explored by taking a silent boat tour led by a park ranger, skirting the edge of the lake by foot, or cycling through the scenic polders.

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Your seasonal guide to Amsterdam – four times a year

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This bright XXL shopper by Studio Painted (worth €24.95), inspired by the work of Hilma af Klint, fits all you need for your daily adventures. Studio Painted creates cheerful accessories from art –discover them in Amsterdam museums, online at studiopainted.com or visit the shop at Hazenstraat 70 in the Jordaan.

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My Amsterdam

BY: JULE GELEIJNS

In each edition, we ask a local illustrator to share their view on Amsterdam.

‘I love walking through different parts of the city. It helps me slow down and notice the small details, something that’s also very important in my work. I’m a designer and cofounder of the design studio, Buro Kiem. We recently moved into our first office on the Prins Hendrikkade, right in the middle of the city centre. Amsterdam can feel big and busy, but when you look closer, you discover a much quieter side. Nature is all around you. Animals, plants, flowers and an incredible biodiversity. Crayfish in the water, glow worms in Noorderpark, or the kingfisher that was spotted recently. Those small things are what makes Amsterdam so special to me.’ julegeleijns.com

Sending You Off

‘When I lived in Oost, I’d go on regular walks in Park Frankendael. From April onwards, I would up the frequency to watch the storks nesting there. The same pair comes back to this nest tower in the middle of the park every single year. When they’re done rearranging and decorating their home, they patiently sit and wait for what feels like ages. And then, my favourite moment of the year: the chick (or chicks!) is suddenly there. It’s magical to watch this bird family up close and see the little one grow bigger and bigger. Spring at its finest!’

editor-in-chief

Karin Thybaut, managing editor

‘There are few more relaxing and wholesome places than De Uylenburg Petting Zoo in Rembrandtpark. Meet a pig, meet a goat, and have a swell day.’

Callum Booth, editor and journalist

Bart van Oosterhout art director & basic design

Yke Bartels, Saskia Franken designer

Martijn Blokland managing editor

Karin Thybaut senior editor

Tom Flanagan proofreader

Julia Gorodecky contributors

Barbara van den Berg, Callum Booth, Senay Boztas, Karin Engelbrecht, Tom Flanagan, Jule Geleijns, Colleen Geske, Lou Grayson, Lesia Joukova, Sara Madou, Monique Wijbrands

‘For birdwatching with Bridgerton vibes, head to Restaurant Merkelbach’s hidden patio. In the manicured gardens of a former manorial estate (Middenweg 72), Slow Food is served with views of the surrounding Park Frankendael, while rose-ringed parakeets swoop overhead and the occasional stork drops by.’

Karin Engelbrecht, freelance food & drink editor

‘My favourite place to spot nature in Amsterdam is at the Marineterrein –where the wildlife ranges from nesting coots to the odd naturist swimmer taking a chilly natural bath!’

Senay Boztas, journalist

‘For the past two years, Popcorn (my miniature poodle) and I have explored nearly all of Amsterdam’s parks and nature areas. A recent favourite? The Diemerbos. With great paths, off-leash areas, a brewery and excellent birdwatching, there’s something for everyone. Am I a birder? Not yet, but watch this space.’

Colleen Geske, author and founder of Stuff Dutch People Like