Romance Guide to Amsterdam

Are you in Amsterdam for Valentine's Day in February or making your own special romantic visit? Amsterdam is a romantic city. Here is a list of things to do no matter your budget or the time of year. From free to expensive, good or bad weather, inside or outdoors. If your not sure what to do on with your loved one when in town take a pick of these romantic things to do in Amsterdam. 

Romantic places to Stay

Amsterdam has a range of accommodation to suit your style and budget. Please remember that Amsterdam is a small town and occupancy is limited so organize you accommodation as early as is possible.

• 5 Star; Our picks would be the new Waldorf Astoria, The Hotel de L'Europe, The Pulitzer, the Dylan and the Intercontinental (locally referred to as the Amstel Hotel).
• Boutique: Hotel V or the Toren
• Rent and apartment through Air BnB
• Rent a House Boat
• Affordable and stylish is the Volkshotel that has jacuzzies on the roof for guests only.

Yummy Brunch served with Love

There are a range of places to take you loved one for a special brunch. Greenwoods, famous for their English style brunch and lunch room has two central locations. De Bakkerswinkle is well known for their local baked products and their stores are scattered throughout the city. In the neighbourhood of the Pijp we recommend Little Collins and the Scandinavian Embassy for a stylish brunch option. To the East we advise the Drovers Dog and Beter & Leuk. To the West there is Staring at Jacob and Sugarless.

Go Out and Buy Flowers

Flowers are cheap in Amsterdam due to the world's largest Flower Auction just outside of town. For 5 - 25 euros you will have a beautiful bunch of colour. There is no excuse not to visit you local florist when in Amsterdam.. Why not even take your love one with you and make an outing of buying flowers. Then stroll along the wonderful canals letting your loved one carry their flowers.

Diamonds are Forever

If you have the money or the inclination then diamonds places are prevalent in Amsterdam. Take your special person to Gassan diamonds and take the free tour to see the cutting process and finish. If you have the cash buy a gift that lasts at the the end of the tour.

picture taken from pictomani.com

Take romantic long walk

Day or night Amsterdam is always beautiful. Take a romantic stroll through the 17th century part of Amsterdam. We recommend the Reguliersgracht, Leligracht, Leidsegracht or Amstel for a beautiful walk with your loved one. Take a small picnic for one of our city's wonderful benches.

Couple on Omy Amsterdam City Centre Tour

Take a tour in a small group

Let a guide look after you for a few hours and learn interesting facts and history about the city. It also saves you from negotiating the tiny complicated allyways of Amsterdam. If on a budget take a free tour with 360. If crowds are not your thing. For a more personal experience Omy Amsterdam Tours holds regular tours of 4 people maximum. Your sure to find company with another couple.

Picnic in the park

If the weather is in your favour then a picnic is a great idea. Make an outing of it by visiting one of Amsterdam street markets to buy your goods. The fruit and vegetables is half as cheap as the supermarkets and twice as tasty. The main three street markets run every day except for Sunday. Ten Kate Market for West of town, Albert Cuyp Market for the South  and the Dappermarkt for the East of Amsterdam. Vondelpark, Westerpark, Oosterpark or just the side of a beautiful canal are all great locations on their day.

High Tea

Great High Tea at the Museum of Handbags and Purses, the American Hotel and Gartine. The museum option might seem a bit strange but it is a great option in an historic and eloquent environment.

Lavish Lunch

Blue is a fantastic option for an affordable lunch with a panoramic view. Buffet van Odette has a great canal side location. Gartine does intimate, chic and vintage interior. Finally, Droog does contemporary Dutch design. All have great food.

See a show

If you like going to the movies visit Tuschinski and purchase the lovers seats in the 1920s era main theatre. This cinema shows mostly mainstream Hollywood movies. Do becareful with non-English movies as most movies are subtitled in Dutch and not dubbed.

The Netherlands National Ballet and Opera is always an option and a good excuse to dress up. For those that like to dance check our the live music institutions to take your love one to. Paradiso is best for a romantic evening but be sure to get your tickets well in advance.

Play games in the Red Light District

Hip and happening is the Ton Ton Club. A modern retro arcade with board games, old computer games, pin ball machines and air hockey. Not to mention boutique beer and tasty snacks. This cool place is right in the middle of the red light district. You may want to pop into The Most Vibrating Shop or the Condomerie, both female and couple friendly sex stores in the Red Light District to pick up something for games later on in the evening.

Bubbles and Wines in Amsterdam

Cocktails or Champagne

Amsterdam has a range of cool, classy or laid back places for a romantic drink. Located meters from Dam square but hidden on the alley called Nes, wine and champagne lovers must check out the sleek Bubbles and Wines. If laid back but still chic is your thing next door is Bar Jones has a more affordable range of drinks. It is always good to have a back up plan as the best places are small in Amsterdam and sometimes they can be full. Cocktail bars have proliferated over the last year or so in Amsterdam. Our pick would be NJOY, Door 74 and Vesper Bar

View from Canvas 7

Romantic place with a view

You may not want or need Champagne or a cocktail. These places have great views that are perfect to sit back and sip a coffee, tea or beer and enjoy Amsterdam with that someone special. The rooftop terrace of Canvas 7, Cafe de Jaren, Cafe P 96 has a boat terrace on the canal; Pllek and Wilheimia Dok are in Noord.

Michelin Star Dinner

Amsterdam's Michelin stars have multiplied over the last few years. There are a range of award winning places. Our pick is French cuisine at Ciel Bleu is located on the 23rd floor of the Okura Hotel. 

Michelin Star not your style? Try Romantic settings at Ponte Arcari for Italian or Belhamel for French. If hip burgers or vegetarian is more to your style check out the corresponding links.

Romantic canal cruise at canal.nl

A Private Boat Tour

The canals of Amsterdam are unique. The wonderful historic centre is one of the best places in the world to show your love. For those that can afford it the best experience is a salon boat.

Regular Canal  Tour

Avoid the big ugly tourist boats in Amsterdam and opt for this affordable option at Friendship boat tours. They provide an open boat and a drink. They partner with a champagne company so you can pay a bit more and buy a glass of bubbles for yourself and your loved one.

Remember in Amsterdam Love comes in Shape and Sizes and we are proud of this fact.

When in Amsterdam ....enjoy!

All-time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam for Teenagers: a critical look

When in Amsterdam has realised that every website associated with Amsterdam travel has a top list of things to do in this city. However, there are very few for teenagers. To be honest most of the list of things and activities for teenagers in Amsterdam were just adapted from generic Top 10 or 5 Lists.

When in Amsterdam could provide our own list but honestly there is no Top 10 list. Teenagers are a difficult bracket. We all know because we have all been there. No longer children, yet not adults. Young adults but not the rights to all activities. There are dramatic differences between 13 and 17, male and female. We have done our best to balance the analysis listed below with the cool factor listed in the Alternatives section. Updated November 2015.

So we are going to give you the All-time Top 10 list of things to do in Amsterdam for Teenagers: a critical approach

Our approach is simple: 

• Collation
• 100 web pages were analysed.
• Search Terms were “top things to do in Amsterdam for teens”, ‘Amsterdam activities for teenagers", " top 10 things in Amsterdam for young adults’
• To qualify the page needed to have in its title teens, teenagers, young adults, activities, Amsterdam top things to do in Amsterdam. For Example: Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 things to do in Amsterdam.
• We have also disqualified activities for 18 and 19 year olds because they are adults. They are allowed to drink alcohol and visit Cannabis Coffeeshops and sex workers.

We collated the results then ran a critical look at the list to provide you with an alternative.

Counting down from 10 to 1.

Paradiso live music venue
(Source: IAmsterdam facebook)

10. Go to a Concert

Amsterdam is the heart of the country for cultural events. There is always someone of substance playing in the city. A wide range of tastes are catered for, you have to determine if it is for you. There is nothing cooler than a teenager saying they saw their music hero in Amsterdam. 

Check out Amsterdam's main live music institutions to see if they appeal:

• Paradiso
• Melkweg
• Heineken Music Hall
• Ziggo Dome


Critical look:

• Understanding Teenager music tastes is always hard for the older generation.
• Be pro-active and look up on YouTube and show the clips of what is playing to your teenager.
• You can also look up the IAmsterdam website for other events and festivals going on in Amsterdam

Alternative:

• Look for street performers on the main squares of Amsterdam such as Dam Square, Leidseplein and also Vondel Park underneath the bridge.

Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
(source: wikicommons)

9. Museums

Most Amsterdam Museums have a program for youngsters. The museums that came out as being interactive for children and teenagers were:

• Van Gogh Museum
• Rijksmuseum
• Tropenmuseum (tropical museum)
• Rembrandthuis Museum (Rembrandt's House Museum
• Jewish Historical Museum 

Critical look:

• Museums might not have the cool factor that hormonal teens are craving.
• Many of the programs are more aimed at children under the age of 13.

Street Art at Wijdsteeg, Amsterdam
(Source Eliran Totham G+)

Alternative:

• See if the museum has an app or audio tour. Teenagers love and know technology.
• Do a walking tour before the museums so they have more context to connect to what they are experience in the Museums.
• As a compromise visit Wijdsteeg in conjunction with museums for some amazing street art. Those teenage selfies and social media postings needs will be met and you can educated them as well. Update 2015, there is still some art despite construction.

Amsterdam largest street market: Albert Cuyp

   8. Shopping

Amsterdam is a cool place to shop for all agers not just teens. There is a wide range of places, something for all:

• Street Markets: Albert Cuyp, Jordaan Saturday or half day Monday Market
• 9 Streets for boutiques and cool street wear.
• Waterlooplein Flea Market for those crazy t-shirts that only teenagers could love.
• Kalverstraat for the normal middle of the road stuff you would find at home at the mall or the high street.



Patta: Amsterdam streetware
(source: Patta facebook)

Critical look:

• Not all teenagers want to shop.
• What parent who has paid for their teenager to come to Europe wants to spend money on shopping?

Alternative:

• Find that niche Amsterdam/Dutch specific item that screams cool back home. Patta for street wear (very trendy with older Amsterdam teenagers). Miffy is dutch and there is a dedicated store at Scheldestraat along with other cool stores.

7. Go to the Park 

Amsterdam is a bit short on green space with 1/5 of the city's surface area being water. The large green spaces are an oasis for all, including our teenagers. 

Amsterdam's main parks:

• Vondel Park - for people watching
• Amstel Park - for younger teens

Critical look:

• Most of these top 10 lists for teenagers are written by parents or people that don't have teenagers. What teenager wants to go sit in a park with their parents?
• The weather is not always good for a park visit.

De TonTon Club from voordekunst on Vimeo.

Alternative:

• Go to the Movies at Tuschinski Cinema, an old Art Deco period cinema. All movies are subtitled
• Go rock climbing and make a fool of yourself in front of your teenagers.
• There is new skate park on Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum. If they don't have their gear they can just watch.
• If the weather is bad there is a 80s style old school arcade in the middle of the Red Light District. It is called the Ton Ton Club. This defiantly has the cool factor that all teens want to talk about when they get home.This place is appropriate for all ages and is a non-smoking environment. Or try the Ton Ton Club second location away from the Red Light at the Westerpark. 

Hot Tug in front of Hotel d'Europe

6. Canal Cruise

The iconic Amsterdam canals are suitable for all ages not just teenagers. The beauty, buildings and canals will overpower any teen.

Critical look:

• The recorded messages will put most to sleep.
• Few boats have toilets. Make sure you go before you go, if you know what I mean.
• A lot of the boats are covered, which is not great for the selfie mad teenagers.

Alternative:

•  Take a pedal boat to expend that youthful energy. Bring along a picnic and sit in the back as your children do all the work.
• Not so much an alternative but before or after a canal cruise visit Het Grachtenhuis (The Canal House). A 40 minuted entertaining look at how the canals were built. Perfect for the teenage attention span.
• If the weather permits hop on an open boat or rent one yourself. Refer to the canal section of our popular blog post All Time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam: a critical approach.
• If you want the 'cool' factor, try this floating hot tub cruise. Bring your swimmers.

Amsterdam bike

5. Bicycling 

Amsterdam is famous for a number of icons and bicycles are one of them. There are more bikes in this city than people. Some call Amsterdam the bicycling capital of the world.

Critical look:

• Most anger from locals towards visitors is about biking or walking in bike paths. 
• Many Amsterdammers believe that visitors should take a test before being allowed to rent or ride a bike in Amsterdam.
• Riding a bike in Amsterdam City Centre traffic is not for beginners.
• Parents never ending quest for their child's safety results in this activity being so far down the list.

Alternative:

• Walk smaller areas and take Amsterdam trams in between – bike riders don’t mess with trams.
• Take a guided walking tour of Amsterdam's Old City Centre  with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored.
• Take a countryside bike tour or a neighbourhood bike tour and enjoy Amsterdam where the bike paths are good and the traffic relaxed. Dutch biking the way it is supposed to be, enjoyable.

4. Maritime Museum  (Het Scheepvaartmuseum)

Amsterdam was the centre of the Maritime world for 100 years. The replica 17th Century ship is a magnet for families wanting to play pirate and privateers. The museum is large with a treasure trove of maritime artefacts.

Critical look:

• This is on the list because it is close to another attraction highly rated from our analysis, Nemo Science Museum.
• Unless they are into shipping, maps and geography this will not be a hit.

Alternative:

• Take them to the Red Light District and show your teenagers what sailors past and present are really like. They will have to learn about it sooner or latter. It might be best to do it under parental supervision and from an historical point of view. Their friends are going to ask about this neighbourhood when they get home whether you like it or not.
• Take a guided walking tour of Amsterdam's Red Light District with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored. The company listed takes a maximum of 4 people.
• Take the free ferry to North-west Amsterdam and catch a glimpse of the real port and see some cool buildings along the way. This ferry departs from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station.

3. Dutch Pancakes 

Dutch pancakes are thin like crepes but the size of a large plate. Toppings are sweet, savoury or both. You can have them for breakfast, lunch, or all three.

Local's enjoy the mixture of bacon, cheese and topped with syrup on one pancake.

Critical look:

• Pancakes are very simple to make so there is no great or bad place to visit.

Alternative:

• The Pancake Boat Cruise. Knock over two things in one.
• Well regarded family blogger My Little Nomads recommends a guided walking food tour of Amsterdam's Old City Centre  and get them to try things outside their comfort zone. Once again do this with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored.
• Read our blog on Top 10 Things to Eat in Amsterdam: a critical approach and tick them off your list during your stay.

Amsterdam's Nemo Science Centre
(Source: Nemo Museum)

2. Nemo Science Museum

Nemo is Amsterdam penultimate premiere activity for young people. The mixture of hands experiments and learning makes it a list topping activity, almost. Teenagers can learn about hormones in a fun and interactive manner. Understanding why they sometimes give their parents problems. Centrally, located and close to other attractions this is a must on all lists.

Critical look:

• Not to much to say against Nemo. It knows its market, children and young adults and hits the mark. 
• Allocate enough time to this attraction as it is fun and even the adults are entertained in this learning environment.

Alternative:

• Amsterdam Dungeon would be a good alternative if your teenager likes vampires, blood and guts. A modern form of a Haunted House. Live actors in Medieval costume jumping out at you while trying to teach you Amsterdam history.
• If you active sporty teenage boys a trip to Amsterdam Ajax Museum and Stadium Tour would be a good alternative. We are talking football (aka. soccer). The club and city are world famous(except in the US and Canada) for their youth program and once world powerful club.

1. Anne Frank Museum
Of course one the the 20th Century's most famous teenagers tops the list. The location of the Jewish Frank family hiding place during WWII. Teenage Anne documented her experience from the annex of this Amsterdam house during Nazi occupation. The book has become one of the world's most widely read. This popularity accounts for approximately 1 million visitors a year to this museum.

Anne Frank House Museum, Amsterdam.

Critical Look:

• For a small museum there are a lot of people at certain times. 
• The museum has a difficult job balancing the broader context of the period.
• It is more of a pilgrimage than a museum.

Alternative:

• Avoid the long lines and buy on line. Go late in the evening or arrive early before it opens and the school groups arrive. 
• Resistance museum provides you with a greater snap shot of World War II in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Rated one of the best museums in the Netherlands don't expect long lines here maybe just a school group now and then.
• The Jewish Historical Museum provides detail on the Jewish community's influence on Amsterdam through the centuries. Ticket to this museum includes entrance to the Portuguese Synagoge and nearby Deportation centre.  
• If your teenage daughter knows of Anne Frank she probably knows of TFiOS. That is teenage speak for the book (later adapted to movie), The Fault in Our Stars. A best selling book for young adults over the last 3 years. Combine the activities of Anne Frank House and visit locations from the book and movie. More information can be found at our blog; Amsterdam The Fault in Our Stars.

Not a bad list for a city of almost 800 000 people?

Live music, museums, shopping, 10, 9, 8. Outdoor activities of Park, Canal Cruise and bicycling at 7, 6, 5. 

At 4 and 3 we have shipping and pancakes, which make sense for a maritime city that is flat. 

Science and learning is at number 2. This also makes sense for a country that invented the microscope and has one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the world. 

Of course the top ten list for teenagers could have no other number 1 than the most famous teenager of the 20th century, Anne Frank.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!


What is going on this month?

November in Amsterdam

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Amsterdam Canal Cruise with a difference: Hot Tug

When in Amsterdam...a canal cruise is always a great idea. The best way to explore Amsterdam, the city built on water is with a local on a small boat. However, boating is seasonal with many Amsterdammers storing their boats away for the cold months.

Hot Tug in front of Hotel d'Europe

The Hot Tug is a boat that enables you to enjoy Amsterdam in all weather. Simply the boat is a hot tub. A new concept boat, the Hot Tug was launched at the Amsterdam Boat Show in September 2012.  Fueled by a wood fired heater the water can be warmed to 38 degrees Celsius. The designer of the boat wanted people to become part of their environment. In the Hot Tug in Amsterdam you become part of Amsterdam with only a small separation between you and the water.

Hot Tug in East of Amsterdam

The Hot Tug is a design of Frank de Bruijn owner of Supergoed. Frank's background is in sculpture. He attended the illustrious Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. De Bruijn also has a passion for physics and engineering. His furniture has been exhibited in many of the country's museums.   

Hot Tug in Red Light District (De Wallen)

Currently the makers of Hot Tug have teamed up with the group from Boom Chicago. From September 2014 the boat is available to Amsterdammers and our guests.  The boat holds six people comfortably or seven if you are friends (plus the captain). On our 3pm tour, it cost EUR 50 per person on a with a three person minimum to go out (six people maximum). A private boat at 3pm costs EUR 250. A private boat at another time with a center city hotel pickup and drop off costs EUR 450.

How do I book?

To book a boat call 0900 BOOM CHI or email hello@boomchicago.nl. Payment must be made in full at the time of booking.  We take credit and debit cards online or by phone (small booking charges apply). 

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!