There are a 1000 things to do in Amsterdam. Hard to choose when you only have a specific amount of time to spend! We’ll try and help you on your way by sharing our favourite restaurants, activities and places. Thereby we try and focus on things in the neighbourhood near to the Atalanta, because there is enough to enjoy on our doorstep!
1. Restaurants
Before telling you about 4 restaurants we enjoy, we would like to inform you about a great website: www.iens.nl. Here you find almost all restaurants in Holland with reviews written by customers. For Amsterdam there is a special chapter, divided in areas. Choose area Nieuwmarkt for a tiny stroll to the location. A bit further, still only 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes by bike is Artis or Dam. The website functions also in English.
Top notch
De Compagnon
Guldehandsteeg 17
1012 RA Amsterdam (near Central Station)
Telefoon: +31 20-6204225
Email: info@decompagnon.nl
This very intimate restaurant is situated in a small alley near the boat. It has a nice view on a canal. They serve French cuisine of a high standard. The owners serve classical food with beautiful wines. A 4 course meal costs around € 50,-.
Middle
Restaurant In de Waag
Nieuwmarkt 4
1012 CR Amsterdam
tel. +31 20-4227772
In the middle of the Nieuwmarkt square stands the Weigh House or Waag. Originally built in 1488, this characteristic monumental structure now houses a Café- restaurant. This magnificent building with its constrained yet informal interior design is lit by 300 candles. A 3 course meal costs around € 32,50. You are also welcome to just enjoy a drink.
Budget
Het Tuinfeest
Geldersekade 109
1011 EN Amsterdam
Tel. +31 20-6208864
A normal "eetcafe", an informal restaurant, on the side of the Nieuwmarkt. In this small restaurant the staff is very friendly. They serve good cheese fondue and big salads for a reasonable price. Also a good opportunity for drinks.
Cheap
The neighbourhood is characterised by many Chinese, Surinamese and Thai restaurants. When we ourselves don’t feel up for cooking, we wander towards the Zeedijk (street) where we pick a random restaurant. Normally you get good food for small prices.
2. Rent a bike
The best way to get around in Amsterdam is by bike. The nearest easy to find bike rental service is at Central Station. A basic bike is yours for around € 10,- a day:
Mac Bike
Stationsplein 5, 1012 AB Amsterdam
Opening hours: 7 days a week from 9.00 am to 5.45 pm
Tel. +31 (0)20 620 09 85
E-mail: mailto:info@macbike.nl
3. Nightlife
There are a few areas in Amsterdam which are famous for nightlife: Rembrandtsplein, Leidseplein, Warmoestraat and Zeedijk.
If you like to go to a club, go to Rain or Escape (Rembrandtsplein). A bit more alternative are Melkweg and Paradiso (Leidseplein). These two also function as stage for gigs. For program you should look at www.melkweg.nl or www.paradiso.nl.
If you prefer going out for a drink, have a chat and enjoy the atmosphere you can focus on the doorstep of the Atalanta: The Zeedijk and the Warmoestraat. The area which includes the Nieuwmarkt is well provided with bars and cafés. The border is formed by the famous Red Light District. Due to Amsterdams history as a trading city, prostitution has been around since many years.
4. Cultural activities
The Concertgebouw is a performance venue with a royal feel to it. The world’s best orchestra’s and conductors enter Concergebouws stage with pleasure, because of its renowned acoustic qualities. Mainly classical music. It is situated at the Museumplein and can be reached easily by tram 5 which departs at Central Station. For the program see www.concertgebouw.nl.
At the same square you find two great museums: The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Both offer a great value of art.
Daily the Van Gogh Museum is open from 10.00 till 18.00 u. Friday night it is open until 22.00 u.
The Rijksmuseum is open daily 09.00-18.00 u. And at Fridays stays open until 20.30 u.
In the Central Station Area you can visit the Stedelijk Museum which exposes modern art. It is situated on the opposite shore and open 10.00-18.00 daily. Next to it you’ll find the brand new library of Amsterdam. Just opened last year it is the biggest library in the Netherlands. Use of internet is for free.
Behind the Stedelijk Museum and the Library (on the other side of the rail track) you’ll find the Muziekgebouw, het Bimhuis as well as Restaurant Fifteen (the Dutch Jamie Oliver Restaurant) and night club Panama. The Muziekgebouw and Bimhuis are located in the same building. The architecture and location are very special. It offers a great view on the IJ, the open water behind Central Station. At their terrace you can sit down and enjoy the beautiful view (that is, if you like boats). The Muziekgebouw is a classical music venue (www.muziekgebouw.nl), the Bimhuis (www.bimhuis.nl) offers a stage to jazz musicians.
If you enjoy opera or ballet you can visit the Muziektheater. The program features the very best of opera, music theatre, ballet and dance, classical as well as avant-garde. The building houses not only a big stage, but also Amsterdams City Hall. It has a controversial look. When it was being a build (‘80s) the inhabitants of Amsterdam caused riots over it. For further information we direct you to www.muziektheater.nl.
At the Leidseplein is the central box office (AUB). They sell tickets for almost every stage in Amsterdam, from opera till punk, from dance till comedy. You find them in the big building that also houses the Stadsschouwburg (theatre). Daily between 12.00 and 19.30 unsold tickets for shows the same night are being sold with 50% discount. The offer is to be found at www.lastminuteticketshop.nl.
5. Other
The nicest, relaxed way to see a big part of Amsterdam is, of course, by boat. Several companies offer canal cruises. You can do a basic tour that offers a global idea of the city’s historic development. Or you can choose to have a three course meal while listening to live jazz. We’ll give you names of some of them:
Rederij Lovers B.V.
Prins Hendrikkade t.o. 25-27 (near Central Station)
Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20-5305412
Holland International Rondvaart
Prins Hendrikkade 33a (opposite Central Station)
1012 TM Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 625 30 35
If you have any other questions about where to go, how to get there, or anything else, you can go to the largest information office of Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board. It is a 5 minute walk from the Atalanta. It is located in the monumental Koffiehuis, opposite Amsterdam Central Station. This information office has nine counters. It is open daily 09.00-19.00 u. For information online you can visit their website www.amsterdamtourist.nl. If you still have other questions about Amsterdam or our neighbourhood, you cal of course also contact us.
Well, we hope we ‘ve given you some inspiration how to pass the time in our lovely Capital!
