Amsterdam

LuminAir

In every city we visit we look for a rooftop bar to enjoy the view over the city. In Amsterdam the bar LuminAir, nestled atop the Doubletree Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station hotel offers an unrivaled panoramic view over the city. With its grand views over Amsterdam, LuminAir stands out as one of Amsterdam’s premier rooftop bars. 

Indulge in a captivating blend of creative cocktails that lie at the heart of LuminAir’s offerings. Complemented by an inspired menu featuring a flavorful selection of international drinks and innovative bites with a twist, LuminAir promises a culinary journey few can match.

During the sunny summer days and spring season you can relax on the outdoor terrace to enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam from above. But even during dark winter nights you can enjoy a mesmerizing experience as the city is illuminated by enchanting city lights. The cloud-themed decor is surprisingly fitting for a rooftop bar and adds a touch of whimsy to the ambiance, and as the name suggests, LuminAir lives up to its reputation with captivating dynamic evening lighting.

LuminAir takes the place of the renowned SkyLounge, a favorite among locals and visitors alike, which was also voted as the best hotel bar in Amsterdam. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to savor LuminAir’s delights. So if you wish to elevate your Amsterdam vacation experience, and capture lasting visual memories, then head to the 11th floor of the Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station for some unforgettable rooftop views at LuminAir.

Taking a cycling route

The Netherlands is a bicycle country with more bikes than people. The vast majority of the people in the Netherlands bike on a regular basis. They learn to bike from an early age as they go to school on one, go to work on their bike, visit friends on their bikes, do their groceries on their bike and even go out to their local pub on their bikes.

This is made easy by the government as the Netherlands has an extensive cycling infrastructure with separate bike lanes. And as the country is flat, biking around the city is a breeze. So as a tourist it can be fun to rent a bike and join in on the fun. Biking around the city is one of the most Dutch things you can do in Amsterdam. It’s easier to traverse the city on bike than on foot or by car. You can feel the atmosphere and see much more of the architecture of the city up close than with any other means of transportation.

Escape venue

Club Escape has been present in the Dutch nightlife since 1986 and after all these years it is still one of the most popular nightclubs in Amsterdam. Also its location at the Rembrandtplein is very attractive. So this list with the best clubs in Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without Escape venue.

The club has multiple areas with very good entertainment-, sound- and lighting systems and is keeping them updated with the newest technologies. In these different areas they often play different popular music styles by different national and international DJs. Some famous DJs that have performed in club Escape are David Guetta, Hardwell and Tiësto. Next to club Escape is Escape Caffé and Lounge where also parties and events are organized. On most evenings are strict dress codes applicable, so make sure you you dress fashionable.

Panama

Club Panama is a modern designed theater-nightclub located in a former power plant, that has been marked as an industrial monument, in the Oostelijk Havengebied. It has a restaurant and a club with themed party nights and live music events. Their capacity is about 1000 guests. Panama’s own programming ranges from energetic live music nights and surprising theater performances to club nights. Many international DJs have performed at Panama. Especially during ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) it attracts well-known DJs.

Hilton Hotel Schiphol Airport Amsterdam

The Hilton Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel next to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and opened its doors in 2016. It has a stunning architecture, a 42m (138 ft) high atrium and a peaceful interior at only about 7 minutes walking distance from the airport. Especially convenient is the directly connected covered walkway from the airport to the Hilton Hotel.

The hotel is suited for business travellers as well as leisure travellers, because it has all the necessary business facilities like a business centre and meeting rooms as well as a spa and a kids’ corner. By taxi (or train from the airport) you will be from this hotel to the city center of Amsterdam within 20 minutes.

The hotel has an inspiring restaurant with three open kitchens. This restaurant has an interactive dining experience where guests can create their own dishes. At the lobby & cocktail bar you will find delicious drinks and typical Dutch bites, such as the famous Dutch bitterballen, are being served. On the 10th floor is an Executive Lounge, when you have access to this lounge you’ll have a great view on the airport while you can enjoy free breakfast and free daytime snacks. There are also a soothing spa and a fitness room that is open 24-hours a day.

There are several types of rooms available, but they all have very comfortable beds, a 40-inch HDTV, air conditioning, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, a desk, a modern bathroom (where some of them have a shower as well as a bathtub) and free WiFi. The executive rooms and suites do not only have more space or even a separate living room, they also give you free access to the earlier mentioned Executive Lounge. It is also possible to book a room for daytime use, which is a great option for travellers that have had a long flight and arrived in the morning. All the rooms are soundproofed and very quiet, so we from Meet The Cities always prefer a room with an airport view.

Under the hotel is a parking garage available in case you want to park your rental car at the hotel. And next to the hotel are car rental pick up and drop-off points.

Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport

The hotel Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport is a comfortable 4-star hotel conveniently located at about 5 minutes driving from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The hotel offers a free airport shuttle bus between 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM that brings you to and from the hotel and airport. For its guests there are also free on-site parking spaces available. There is also an e-room with computers and printers and a gym.

The hotel restaurant serves dinner, lunch and free buffet breakfast. At the hotel’s Gallery Market you can buy fresh snacks, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and beverages during every hour. The coffee and cocktail bar is also open 24/7, so you can be certain that you are able to relax there for a while with a nice drink as soon as you arrive at the hotel after a long flight.

There are 330 modern decorated rooms that have sizes ranging from 24 m2 (258 sq.ft.) to 40 m2 (430 sq. ft.). They all have air conditioning, a refrigerator, comfortable beds, a sofa, coffee and tea facilities, a separate workspace, free WiFi and a 42 inch HDTV. The bathrooms features a bathtub or shower, a toilet and free toiletries.

The professional and friendly staff makes you feel welcome and is very willing to help the guests with their questions and special requests. Because the hotel doesn’t offer an inspiring surrounding, like the hotels located on the airport or in the city center, they made sure their guests get excellent value for their money.

citizenM Schiphol Airport hotel

This cool and modern hotel with contemporary design is located on Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and within 5 minutes walking distance of the airports arrival hall. The citizenM hotel stands out from the crowd as a modern, high tech and comfortable hotel with a refreshing atmosphere that turns downtime into leisure time.

The airport has it’s own train station, so it’s very easy to take the train to Amsterdam central, reach the city center and explore Amsterdam on a whim. If you have to catch a plane you’ll be glad to know you can check in and check out of the hotel whenever you want. You can get food and drinks 24 hours a day at the always open and friendly restaurant / bar of the hotel.

The soundproofed rooms are not very big, but have a smart and convenient layout. They also have their own ambient mood lighting which you can change at the push of a button, effective blackout screens, rain showers and comfortable king size beds. You can also enjoy free movies on your smart wide screen tv. WiFi is also available for free. The hotel also offers plugs suitable for international, American, British and European chargers to ease the life of the international traveler.

For the international travelers who wish to spend the night at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport this is one of our top picks, as this trendy hotel offers a great combination of modern luxury, fun gadgets and friendly service at very accommodating rates.

Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel

The Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center is a luxury 4-star hotel next to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. It is actually the closest hotel to the airport terminals and train station as they are within 3 minutes of walking distance via the covered boulevard, which makes this hotel have the best location of all the airport hotels. The hotel is also directly connected to the World Trade Center (WTC) at Schiphol Airport. Adjacent to the hotel is its parking garage, which is the parking garage closest to the airport terminals. Which means this hotel is not only easily accessible by airplane, but also by bus, train and car. When you take the train from Amsterdam airport to the city center of Amsterdam you can be there in a mere 15 minutes, while if you use a car it’s only a 20 minute drive.

The Sheraton hotel has multiple great bars and restaurants that serve delicious dishes. Their spa consists of a steam room, relaxation area, a sauna and showers. There is also a fitness room with the latest equipment, air conditioning and lcd televisions. The hotel also has a business center, a variety of meeting rooms and a copy/printing service. These facilities make this hotel perfectly suited for the leisure traveller as well as the business traveller.

There are different tastefully decorated rooms and suites available from 26 m2 (280 sq. ft.) to 55 m2 (590 sq.ft.). The rooms and suites have a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, air conditioning, a flat screen television, a minibar, have spacious bathrooms with a shower (or/and a bath) and amenities, free WiFi. As all the rooms are soundproofed it is perfectly fine to choose a room with a great view on the runway and watch airplanes taking off from the comfort of your hotel.

At the Sheraton hotel works a dedicated, multilingual and friendly staff that is very willing to help you with your requests, your business requirements and to provide information about the things to do in Amsterdam.

Cruising to Amsterdam

Amsterdam has become a popular destination for sea- and river cruises. It receives over 140 cruise ships per year and several hundreds of ships for Rhine cruises. It becomes even more mind boggling when you imagine this amounts to about 300.000 people. And these numbers are ever increasing. When put into perspective this does make sense considering Amsterdam’s rich history as a world city, it’s lively artistic and cheeky culture, it’s beautiful museums and monuments, exciting attractions, grand shopping areas, a vibrant nightlife and high quality restaurants and hotels.

The current location of the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal (APT) is quite a special location. It is almost next to Amsterdam Central Station and near the historical city center. This means that when the cruise approaches the city you can enjoy a beautiful view of Amsterdam. From the terminal it is possible to walk to the historical city center while enjoying the scenery. But of course it’s also possible to take the tram which stops directly in front of the terminal, for the people who prefer to take the public transport. As Amsterdam is known for its many canals, there are also berths for canal boats that navigate between the terminal and the canals in the city center.

The glass terminal itself has the shape of a large wave. The quay is big enough to berth even large cruise ships as it’s an impressive 600 m (1969 ft) long. It has a large hall with a tourist information desk, several shops, a car rental for people who wish to explore the country further and a terrace where friends and family can come to see you off. The terminal is also frequently rented out for events and exhibitions.

Additionally, Amsterdam is currently building the largest sea lock in the world. The sea lock will be 500 m (1640 ft) long, 70 m (230 ft) wide, 18 m (59 ft) deep and tidal independent. So in the near future Amsterdam can receive even the largest cruise ships of the world, like the Oasis of the Seas. The construction has started in 2016 and is expected to be finished in the year 2019.

If you intend to leave from Amsterdam, then it can be useful to know that the terminal itself has about 550 parking spaces, but parking at P+R Zeeburg is a cheaper alternative. It is also possible to park your car at the mid- or long term parking at Schiphol Airport as it is only a 20 minute drive to the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal, or a 15 minute train ride to Amsterdam Central Station. The terminal also has parking lots for touring cars and taxi stands, so you can also just take the taxi here.

All this begs the question where all the ships actually come from. Well, most of the cruise ships in the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal go to, or come from:
– The North Cape, which is one of the most northern points of Europe
– The Norwegian Fjords
– Scandinavian cities like Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki
– The Baltic sea, Copenhagen, Tallinn and st. Petersburg
– The Mediterranean sea
– The USA

As you can imagine long distance cruises that pass through Amsterdam pass a wide variety of international cities, each with it’s own distinct culture and vibe to it. It is very possible to take a short cruise, explore Amsterdam and be home a few days later. But the longer the cruise takes, the more cities you get to enjoy.

Albert Cuypmarkt

The Albert Cuyp market is the most visited, most discussed and most famous street market in Amsterdam. It is probably even one of the biggest daily markets in Europe. The market already exists for over hundred years and is named after the painter Aelbert Cuyp that lived in the 17th century. With about 300 stalls there will be interesting products for everybody. Vendors sell all kinds of products from Dutch street food to fresh fruits, fish, flowers, luggage, household goods and clothing.

You will also find here the real Amsterdam atmosphere, the tolerance, the diversity of the city’s multicultural residents and historical nostalgia. The market is not only visited by locals, but also by a lot of tourists as it is located in the vibrant De Pijp district just south of the city center. Behind the market stalls are very interesting shops from great restaurants to clothing stores that you shouldn’t miss. It is very convenient to have a stroll as the street is closed for traffic during market opening hours. Tram lines 16 and 24 have a stop in front of the Albert Cuyp market.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00h to 17:00h.

Dappermarkt

The Dappermarkt is a lively multicultural Amsterdam neighborhood market, with vendors from countries like Morocco, Suriname, Vietnam, India and Turkey. Since 1910 the Dapperstraat is officially a market street, which makes this market over a 100 years old. In 2007 National Geographic Magazine ranked the Dappermarkt in the top 10 shopping market streets in the world.

This market has over 200 stalls with vendors that offer a great variety of food and non-food products at very attractive prices. As the Dappermarkt is situated in a shopping street, there are also many eateries and interesting shops. Some shopkeepers also offer their products with bargains on this market. At this culturally diverse neighborhood market you will find mainly locals that come here to buy their daily groceries, but it is also very attractive for tourists.

The Dappermarkt is located in Amsterdam East and it is very easy to reach. It is near train station Amsterdam Muiderpoort and tram lines 3, 7 and 9 have a stop in front of the market.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00h to 17:00h.

Floating flower market

The floating flower market, or Bloemenmarkt in Dutch, is located in the city center at the Singel between the Muntplein and Koningsplein. And it has been there since 1862. It has a row of glass market stalls on floating barges in the canal. This is because originally, in the distant past, the market received its supplies by boat. As the market is very colorful and has the fragrance of fresh flowers it is a very popular tourist attraction.

As its name reveals the market vendors offer all kinds of seeds, bulbs, beautiful flowers, bouquets, plants and of course the famous Dutch tulips in all kinds of colours. In December you will also find vendors that sell Christmas trees. Most of the bulbs are packaged in an appropriate way, so you can easily bring them back to your home country.

On the packaged bulbs you will find flags that indicate in which countries these bulbs are allowed through customs. If you have any doubts it is advised to ask the stall vendor about the import regulations. And some vendors even have a service to send the bulbs to your home address, which is even more convenient. In the same street you will also find some eateries and souvenir shops that sell local cheese and wooden shoes. Tram lines 1, 2 and 5 stop at the Koningsplein in front of the flower market. Nearby at the Spui you will find a stop for the tram lines 4, 9, 14 and 16.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00h to 17:30h. Sunday from 11:00h to 17:30h.

IJ-Hallen flea market

The IJ-Hallen flea market is probably the biggest flea market in Europe. The IJ-hallen are two industrial warehouses with about 750 stalls, but outside between the two industrial warehouses are also stalls and at certain market days it could happen that there are about 1500 stalls. The vendors sell all kinds of second hand products from vintage clothing, antiques, and records, to books, furniture and jewellery. At this flea market is lots of competition between the vendors, so if you love treasure hunting for bargains this is the place to be.

When you get hungry or thirsty there are also enough stands where you can get a refreshing drink or tasty snack. But even when you don’t want to go for bargain hunting this abandoned ship wharf is a lot of fun to visit as you will find a lot of creative and artistic expressions on and around the buildings.

You get to the IJ-hallen by taking the free ferry service 906 behind Amsterdam Central Station to NDSM-werf and then it takes just a 5 minute walk. Taking this ferry over the IJ-river makes your trip extra fun. Most markets in Amsterdam are free, but this market has an admission fee of five euros for adults and two euros for kids until 11 years old.

Opening hours: The flea market usually takes place one or two weekends per month from 9:00h to 16:30h.

Ten Katemarkt

The Ten Katemarkt is a busy multicultural market that is named after poet and vicar Jan Jakob Lodewijk ten Kate. It is located in the Oud-West residential area where people from this district come to seek for attractive priced products and to have a chat with one another. There are over 100 stalls that offer food as well as non-food products. These products range from fruits, vegetables and fish to flowers and clothing.

During the opening hours the market street is only accessible for pedestrians. Next to the to the Ten Katemarkt is the Foodhallen. This is an indoor food market that you should visit if you want to get a nice drink or a tasty bite. Tram lines 7 and 17 have a stop at the Ten Katestraat in front of the market.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00h to 17:00h.

Waterlooplein flea market

This cozy flea market is at a beautiful location in the city center. This part of the city was the former Jewish quarter. The market square overlooks the Josef Israël church, Mozes and Aäron Church, the graceful Zuiderkerk and is nearby the Jewish Historical Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue.

At this flea market the sellers offer a wide range of products like books, antiques, collectibles, bikes, art, vintage clothing, furniture and of course junk. As there are about 300 stalls you will always find some interesting bargains. Besides that prices are attractive are most vendors open for negotiations. The market has a bazaar-like atmosphere, attracts many tourists and can be crowded, but is absolutely worth a visit. Most convenient is to get here by metro, or to take tram lines 9, 14, or 16 which both have a stop at Waterlooplein.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30h to 17:30h.

Pathé Arena

Pathé Arena is one of the most impressive cinemas in the city when it comes to sheer size and IMAX 3D experience. It offers an unmatched big screen experience. The cinema can easily be reached by public transport as it’s right across the Bijlmer train station and the landmark Amsterdam Arena. This multiplex cinema is in number of rooms and chairs the largest Pathé cinema in the Netherlands. The cinema has 14 rooms over 2 floors with a total capacity of 3250 seats. One of the rooms shows IMAX films which have images of far greater size and detailed resolution then the images of films shown in the regular movie theatres. The cinema is open daily and receives a mind boggling 1,4 million visitors yearly.

Pathé Tuschinski

Pathé Tuschinski is considered one of the most beautiful cinemas in The Netherlands with it’s concert theater-like appearance. Especially the main auditorium is very beautiful with two balconies and a stage which could be used for live events and concerts. It has a mix of styles from Amsterdam School, Art Deco and Jugendstil. This is why many Dutch film premieres take place in this movie theatre and during events celebrities can be spotted here. The cinema has six rooms. In the years 1998 to 2002 has a serious restoration taken place of the extravagant exterior and lavishly decorated interior with exotic art, marble, hand-knotted carpets and wall paintings. Premise of this drastic and costly restoration was to give back the look and feel of the early twentieth century, which is the time of the businessman Abraham Tuschinski.

This movie theater can be found on Rembrandt Square, which is one of the nightlife hot spots of the city. So after watching a movie it’s easy to settle down in a nearby restaurant or bar afterwards.

Pathé De Munt

Pathé De Munt looks small on the outside, but looks can be deceiving. It is a very large cinema in the city center of Amsterdam near Rembrandt Square. The cinema has 13 rooms over three floors, with a total of 2415 seats. In the largest room you can find 382 seats. The cinema doesn’t focus on a specific niche, but tends to favour popular movies that appeal to the general public. On occasion it also hosts live streamed events like sports, opera or theatre. On a yearly basis the film theater is visited by about 1,3 million visitors. Pathé De Munt is opened 7 days a week so you can always drop by for a visit.

Rialto Filmtheater

Rialto film theatre is founded in 1982 and is a leading independent cinema with three auditoria and a café. It focuses on the display of exceptional independent European films and high quality films from other parts of the world. It prides itself on and distinguishes itself by its global outlook on movies. On occasion festivals and special events, such as lectures and discussions, are held here as well. Most of the original movies can be seen in their native language with Dutch subtitles.

This cinema is located behind the Sarphatipark, which is outside of the touristic city center. Luckily it can be reached quite easily by simply taking the tram which stops right in front of the door.

The Movies

Film theatre The Movies was founded in 1912 which makes it the oldest cinema in use in Amsterdam. It houses in a building in the charming Jordaan area from the seventeenth century with four rooms, 400 seats, a beautiful art-deco interior, a bar and a restaurant. Their focus is on classic, art house, revival house and blockbuster quality films. The cinema is opened daily and tickets can be bought at their box office.

The Movies can be found near the Haarlemmerplein, which can be reached by tram. And it’s fittingly located in the long shopping street called the Haarlemmerdijk with lots of small and diverse local niche shops.

De FilmHallen

De FilmHallen is a movie theater located behind the Ten Kate market. It is a relatively new cinema in Amsterdam housed as it was opened in 2014 and is housed in a former tram depot. Movies can be watched in its 9 rooms. It is a fairly large cinema with 800 chairs, but not as large as some others on this list. It’s open every day of the week so you can always drop by to watch a nice flick. Room 7 is especially interesting as it has a nice art-deco interior with accents dating back to 1924 and coming from the old Cinema Parisien. De FilmHallen exhibits popular hollywood films alongside arthouse films, documentaries and of course the ever popular family films. They also often participate in film festivals. Next to De FilmHallen you can find De FoodHallen, where you can eat a snack, or have dinner before or after the movie.

In de Wildeman

Popular as one of the most incredible beer bars of the city, In de Wildeman is located in an old distillery in central Amsterdam. A gorgeous black and white chequered floor and walls loaded with memorabilia mark the interior, coupled by a no-music refreshing ambiance. But, what makes the place stand out is their huge array of craft beers, including 18 beers on tap and 250 bottled beer from across the globe. Dutch and Belgian beers being the specialty, the place has got Europe Germany, Ireland, Great Britain and America covered. To make it a bit easier, you can always go for the beer of the week or beer of the month. Speaking of the food, you have got ossenworst, meatballs, and cheese plates with chutneys as the chief delights which all goes down nicely with a refreshing glass of beer.

Floor 17

A picturesque rooftop terrace bar with mesmerizing views of the city, Floor 17 tops The Ramada Apollo hotel with sheer grace. Featuring a retro futuristic themed decor, a central counter, and lots of glass that make views even more amazing. Floor 17 has a restaurant where you can settle for a delectable lunch or a great dinner and a bar for who simply wants to cherish a signature cocktail at the oddest hours of the day with caramelized pineapple. Floor 17 won’t fail to impress you. A spectrum of wines, cocktails and champagnes line the menu.

W Lounge

The W Lounge is a luxurious hotel bar located on the sixth floor of the Exchange building which is in the heart of the Amsterdam city center next to Dam square. This location offers from the inside as well as from the rooftop terrace some beautiful views over parts of the city center. The rooftop terrace has also the first rooftop pool of Amsterdam, which is heated during the winter. The opulent design with gold lines printed on the windows and the nice background music makes it a perfect setting to enjoy their delicious cocktails.

Hard Rock café Amsterdam

The Hard Rock cafe has a chain of theme bars and restaurants all over the world. Since 1999 the Hard Rock cafe has a location in Amsterdam, a few steps away from the Leidseplein. The theme of the bar and restaurant are rock and roll, and the hamburgers in the restaurant are delicious. Besides the rock and roll music, drinks and a food experience you can enjoy the memorabilia from legends like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones that are displayed. In 2016 the Amsterdam location has been chosen as the best Hard Rock cafe in the world. Next to the Hard Rock cafe is also a shop where items of the Hard Rock brand can be bought.

Madam Amsterdam

Located on the 20th floor of the Adam Tower, Madam Amsterdam is a gorgeous panorama bar and restaurant engulfed in a New York style cosmopolitan ambiance. Cherish a warm cup of coffee and delectable snacks during the day, while the nights get even more colorful with a stunning 360˚ view of the city. The extensive menu by Chef David Baxter sports traditional French and Mediterranean cuisine. Steak tartare, ceviche, and beetroot marinated smoked salmon are a few must-try appetizers, while you would love to treat your taste buds with chicken supreme and the risotto for the main course. As the sun sets, Madam disguises itself as the highest nightclub of Amsterdam playing loud party numbers.

A’DAM Lookout

The highest swing in Europe can be found on an observation deck in Amsterdam. On top of the A’DAM tower, which stands at an impressive height of 100 meters, you will find the A’DAM Lookout. This observation deck offers a panoramic view overlooking the city of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is known for its picturesque houses and historical canals. And there is nothing quite like seeing all this splendor from a swing, on top of a large tower with a great panoramic view over the city.  The swings are called ‘Over the Edge’, as you literally get to swing over the edge of the A’DAM Tower.

It does take a little bit of courage to go swinging at the highest possible point in Europe, but it will certainly create some lasting memories to take home. At Meet The Cities we think this is certainly one of the must-do attractions of Amsterdam. As you need tickets for this attraction, make sure to book your tickets in advance.

It should be noted that A’DAM Lookout also has a bar and restaurant with a 360 degrees view over Amsterdam. Here you can simply get a cup of tea, a refreshing drink or a cocktail, but you can also get some breakfast, lunch or dinner. So if you prefer to just get some lunch with a stunning view, that’s also possible.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Dutch National Opera (or DNO) creates and performs operas of very high quality in an extraordinary and innovative way. They have recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. The success of the Dutch National Opera has not only been noticed in The Netherlands itself but also abroad many opera lovers have already enjoyed their beautiful performances. Visually and musically your senses will be stimulated with the latest amazing performances. Many of their performances attract international attention because of the fresh approach to opera classics, but also their brand-new created operas can count on a warm welcome. This brilliant chorus with a great reputation consists of 60 members and about 260 technicians. The sets, special effects, costumes and wigs are almost all produced by their own workshop. Because they do not have a resident orchestra of their own, they collaborate with various prominent orchestras from The Netherlands. Each year there about 11 new productions and are always very popular.

A list of their current themes and performances is available in the theatre, which is located in the same building as the City Hall. The theatre is shared by the Dutch National Opera and the Dutch National Ballet and has a capacity of about 1.600 visitors.

It is possible to purchase tickets on the website of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Even when all tickets are sold out, you can still get two unclaimed tickets with a bit of luck, as unclaimed tickets get sold one hour before the performance.

The Dutch National Ballet

In 1961 the Nederlands Ballet and the Amsterdam Ballet merged and so The Dutch National Ballet was born. The ballet exists of around 80 fantastic dancers from all over the world and several of them have also performed in other famous ballet companies from the New York City Ballet to the Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg. The ballet productions and performances of the Dutch National Ballet belong to the highest international level. Interesting and very special is that most attributes like the wigs, decor pieces and costumes are made in their own workshop. Since 2013 there also is a Junior Company, where young talents are trained. In this way they can get access to participation in The National Ballet.

In the Stopera theatre, which houses the Dutch National Ballet, the Dutch National Opera and the City Hall of Amsterdam, a list of their current themes and performances is available. The theater has the capacity for 1600 people.

Tickets can usually be bought until the actual performance, except on Sundays and on holidays. When tickets for the Dutch National Ballet are sold out, then you might still have a chance to obtain two tickets. At the ticket office are numbers drawn one hour before curtain and then the unclaimed tickets are sold half an hour before curtain in order of the drawn numbers.

Boom Chicago

The Rozentheater opened in 1913 as a cinema, but several years later there also were given other types of shows, like variety shows. Nowadays performs the creative comedy group Boom Chicago in the main hall of the Rozentheater. A visit to Boom Chicago in the Rozentheater is a guarantee for an evening full of humor. The comedians are known for their improvisation techniques, current topics, use of technology and had even their own television show. Their shows are appealing for a wide range of people who visit the city of Amsterdam, because the performances at Boom Chicago are English spoken.

Whiskey Café L&B

The Whiskey Café L&B is a highly praised, small but cozy café with a Scottish atmosphere. It is founded in 1971 and owned by one of the founders of the International Whiskey festival. On the menu is a broad range of blends, classic single malts, older distillery editions and independent bottlers. The knowledgeable staff is friendly and willing to share their knowledge. This makes it a recommended experience for any lover of whiskey, bourbon or scotch.

Belgique

Café Belgique is specialised in Belgian beer and has built a cult status over the years. It is a very small, but cozy, pub with character and over 50+ different beers on bottle. It would be impossible to offer anything like a complete range of 700+ Belgian beers, but they have made a very good selection. If you are not familiar with the different Belgian beers we from Meet The Cities would recommend to try a Pauwel Kwak which probably will be served in its own unique and distinctive glass.