Top 10 Activities in Amsterdam For Snob Tourists

Herenstraat was our favourite street in the Jordaan district, even though whole of the Jordaan area needs to be visited if you’ve got the time. If you imagine a smaller Dutch version of London’s Soho or New York’s Greenwich village then you’re on the proper lines. Take a handful of boutique stores, some wonderful design shops, restaurants you’d give your right arm to be seen in and toss in lots of beautiful types and pretty cobbled streets and you have the Herenstraat street area. Additionally, there are lots of virtually identical streets covering most of the upper area of the Jordaan area.

This place gets the feel of an old attraction shop from a different era. It’s actually a very modern collection of propaganda, such as paintings, signs, toys as well as other memorabilia collected from countries with very dark pasts. Additionally, there are some arbitrary oddities placed into the mix. The Totalitarian Gallery probably won’t be for everyone however it certainly makes an unique stop in the Jordaan area particularly if you’re a history fan.

If you’re looking for a conventional Brown cafe/bar to socialize with all the locals then simply try Cafe Kobalt. It’s housed in 17th century ex-warehouse found very near the popular Singel canal. Good reasons to visit? Warm and comfortable setting, good meals, nicely proportioned beverages and one of the nicest atmospheres around town. They also have a DJ on a Friday nights and live Jazz on Sundays. Just try it out, you won’t be disappointed.

The Vesper cocktail bar is another great place in the Jordaan area (can you see a pattern forming here?) It’s a little ’boutique’ cocktail bar named after Vesper Lynd, the only woman James Bond ever loved. The bar has an understated elegance about it but it’s the little details that actually make this place. There’s a tattered James Bond novel at the top shelf, a retro Schweppes soda stream and a portable shaker set stored in a little leather suitcase, of course not forgetting cocktails mixed perfectly by an leading bar team.

If you make your way the city’s beloved Waterlooplein area you’ll discover a daily outdoor flea market with over 300 stalls. This place has everything you’d expect from a Amsterdam flea market ranging from second-hand army gear and Che Guevara T-shirts to antiques and general bric a brac (you’ll even find cheap canned spray paints which provide the city’s graffiti artists). It’s found in the quiet former Jewish quarter next to the Amstel river and you’ll have many traditional cafes and restaurants to select from if you wish to extend your stay in this area longer.

7. Eat out at Humphrey’s Restaurant

Humphrey’s restaurant links the gap between a good value eatery and a trendy restaurant. These kind of places are quite difficult to find, therefore the reason it has made the list. For approximately €20 you get a decent 3 course dish in cozy but contemporary surroundings (think wooden floors, dark decor and plenty of bookcases). An evening out only at that price in an otherwise relatively pricey capital is pretty unusual, it’s just a shame more cities don’t have spots such as this

8. Stop for supper at La Place restaurant & food hall

We stumbled across this food hall purely accidentally. It’s actually part of the Vroom & Dreesman shopping district (one of many largest stores in the Netherlands) that is found at the end of Rokin near Muntplein. Easily among the nicest places in Amsterdam for a healthy self-service lunch, you can select from the most colourful salads you’ll probably ever see, freshly baked loaf of bread, sandwiches and cakes, a huge variety of fresh soups and juices. Even noodles and pizza. Alternatively try the fresh meat and fish sections to grab something to cook later.

9. Walk the Nine Streets

This is another area in the Jordaan area you shouldn’t miss, giving among the best activities in Amsterdam. Nine streets is made up of three-by-three-blocks of roads prettily interwoven with waterways. You’ll find lots of independent stores selling anything from hand-crafted jewellery to vintage chic and there’s several very unusual stores you won’t find anywhere else – one barber shop even doubles as an art gallery. Be sure you stop for a coffee at one of the many canal-side cafes to take it all in for a bit.

10. Go back to another era

Most visitors to Amsterdam find time to squeeze in one or more canal trip and there is undoubtedly no shortage of boat tours to pick from. If you’re a person who loves to do things a bit differently then consider the paddle wheeler Kapitein Kok. This authentically traditional boat regularly hosts popular 20s parties complete with paparazzo style photographers, professional Charleston dance teachers, a roulette table and a strict prohibition era dress code.
Although, if you wish to skip water altogether then try the Bootleg Party. This is a secretly located party hosted in speakeasy-esque club. People dress in 1920s clothing and there is bootleg alcohol available, along with jazz music and a host of other entertainment that will have you swinging until the early hours.