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!

Amsterdam Sightseeing Guided Tours: an overview

When in Amsterdam...a sightseeing walking tour is always recommended. The compact old city centre has a surprise around every corner. Amsterdam is also a great base to explore the surrounding countryside.

This post is an overview of the tours available in Amsterdam. It is not an exhaustive list but a guide to your choices and the pros and cons of your choice.

Why take a tour in Amsterdam:

• You learn something.
• You get a real person with which to talk. No recorded messages that have replayed for years.
• There is no stress for you about directions.
• You cover a lot in a small amount of time.
• You get your bearings and tips to enjoy the rest of your time in Amsterdam.
• You receive local recommendations instead of what is on the web. We notice that Amsterdam web recommendations are always the same. This is because many people writing on the web do not live in Amsterdam.
• Always recommended on the first days of arrival.

Types of sightseeing walking tours:

• Large group mainstream tours

Large group is defined as any tour of more than 12 people. Normally 15 to 50 is the regular size for this group. This is specific to Amsterdam or any small town.

Pros

- value for money

- provide an overview of the city 

- hit main sights

- you can tick a lot off your list
- cater to large travelling groups

Cons

- You are limited to staying outside for most of the tour.

- Interaction is limited with the guide due to the number of people.

- You are prone to up-sells. 

- The guides are working the commissions

- The places you are taken are designed to cater to mainstream tourism.
- Not so flexible. You are on a strict schedule.

The main players in this group are:

Amsterdam City Tours

Started by a family it is now one of the largest tour agencies in Amsterdam. They cater to travellers and business groups in an wide range of languages.

Tours and Tickets

This company burst onto the scene a few years ago. You will find there offices at all the main locations in Amsterdam. They teamed up with Lindbergh Tours in 2013. Most of the tours you will find advertised on the internet will filter back to this large organisation.

Lindbergh Tours

This company teamed up with Tours and Tickets. It is an older company than Tours and Tickets, they are an incoming tour provider. They also can organise hotels and transfers.

Sandman's New Europe Tours

A large multinational headquartered in Berlin. They provide free tours and smaller paid topical tours. Groups are normally 30 people or more. Lead by local youngsters these tours are frequented by the budget traveller or college student.

• Small Group Sightseeing Tours

Small group sightseeing tours are defined by groups of fewer than 12 people.  This group also includes independent tour operators. These operators may do a tour of more than 12 people but rarely. Becareful, when searching 'small group tours' in Amsterdam many are not that small. Remember the city is small so the smaller the group the better for this category.

Pros

- Cover more in a short amount of time

- Get out of the weather. Amsterdam weather is always changeable. Small groups let you escape the worst of a storm in a local hangout cafe. 

- More time to talk and ask questions of the guide

- Personalised feeling.
- Can also provide private sightseeing tours of Amsterdam.

Cons

- You may not like the guide

- Not a large group of travellers with which to interact.

Some of the many independent sightseeing guided tour operators in Amsterdam:

Omy Amsterdam Tours

Established by guides that worked for the mainstream companies. They take small groups to the extreme with groups of 4 or 6 people maximum depending on the tour.

Joy Ride Bike Tours

Highly rated local Amsterdam company that prides itself on good customer service. Rated #1 Bike Tour company in Amsterdam.

Amsterdamsel

A former student at the local University of Amsterdam. Amsterdamsel has built up a netwok of guides and locals to cater to her ever growing demand.


Final Point

Whether big or small there is an activity for you to do in Amsterdam. Have a look through review sights like Tripadvisor or Yelp. Always remember to read the reviews with a grain of salt. Most importantly....


When in Amsterdam....enjoy!