Hit up STRAAT Museum , a gallery brimming with gargantuan pieces of graffiti and street art. Once you’ve finished, head to Pllek for lunch on a faux-beach with a view of the river. From here, a little retail therapy. Head to the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes in Dutch) to explore an array of boutiques situated in one of the most gorgeous parts of the city. Whether it’s vintage clothes from Episode , a cookie from the famous Het Koekemannetje , or a new board game from The Gamekeeper , there’s something here for everyone. Once you’ve had your fill of the Netherlands’ most famous painter, go for an afternoon stroll around the sprawling, leafy Vondelpark . Done? Then it’s time to head to the romantic Jordaan for dinner. If you’re after a pre-meal tipple, Bar Mimi and Cafe L'Affiche are charming spots you can stop at on your way to Men Impossible . Serving a delectable plant-based ramen menu, this is one of the city’s most unique restaurants — just make sure to book ahead.

Looking for somewhere that combines genteel Amsterdammer sophistication with a touch of urban chaos? Lush, leafy – yet fast-changing – Oud-West is the area for you. With the vast expanse that is Vondelpark, a smattering of hip bars and boutiques, and some first-rate restaurants, there’s no end of excellent things to see and do here. Overtoom and the bustling De Clercqstraat, in particular, are now home to a vibrant community of chefs, creatives and entrepreneurs; Oud-West as a whole has become second only to Oost for those looking to explore the city’s food and drink scene. So take a day or two, hire a bike, and soak up all this wonderful neighbourhood has to offer. Culturally, Oud-West is as rich as any other neighbourhood, and not simply in terms of high-flown art galleries and museums. Some of the city’s coolest institutions can be found here: there’s LAB111 , a cinema and exhibition space that’s home to various collectives and showcases quirky independent films and documentaries; OT301 , a legal squat that’s now a live music venue, cultural centre and pay-what-you-can vegan restaurant (staffed by volunteers); and De Nieuwe Anita , a retro living-room-cum-bar-cum-basement-venue that hosts everything from live music to taco tasting.If I’m with friends or family, I often visit Café de Ceuvel in Noord. On a warm summer day, we bring our swimsuits and take a dive. One thing the Dutch are famous for is apple pie, and you’ll find the best at a café called Waargenoegen in Noord’s Neef Louis vintage design store.’ ... and there’s always loads of art to see Unlike some cities, visitors to Amsterdam often find themselves wanting to go again and again and again. This city is known for its innovative food scene and great attractions, but the thing that will forever linger in your mind? Amsterdam’s bars. The nightlife scene here is second to none, and there’s a bar for (literally) every mood. In the cosy confines of Zuiver , there’s only one option: a five-course ‘surprise’ menu that changes daily and showcases the very best local and seasonal produce. The food is consistently excellent, and it’s worth shelling out for the accompanying wine pairings.

For a taste of culture, head to Foam , Amsterdam’s leading photography museum. This gallery sits in a modernised canal house and displays an ever-changing set of intriguing exhibitions.

Housed in a former diamond factory, the 90-room Sir Albert oozes understated cool. ‘Modern aristocratic’ is the vibe, with light, airy rooms filled with quirky art and a handy goodie box stuffed with travel essentials. Try to get Deluxe Room 19 – it has huge windows overlooking the street – and pop into the ground-floor restaurant Izakaya for some of the city’s best sushi.

Refuel with some Korean street food at The Bab Oud West . When you’re done, head to Lab111 . This cinema shows a revolving mix of classic, contemporary, and cult movies — plus its bar is an excellent place to sit with a drink and discuss what you’ve seen, both on the screen and in the city. If exploring the official garden isn’t physical enough for you, opt to rent a bike and cycle through the commercial bulb fields that surround Keukenhof. There are several routes to choose from (ranging from 4km to 7km), and whizzing past tulips in full bloom on two wheels is about the most Dutch experience possible. It's time to explore some of Amsterdam’s bruin cafés . These gezellig bars are the heartbeat of the Jordaan, and walking between Cafe de Laurierboom , Cafe Chris , Cafe de Nieuwe Lelie , Cafe 't Smalle , Cafe de Tuin , and Cafe Tabac is the perfect way to explore the area’s winding, narrow streets. A traditional, small inn in nearby Lisse, Het Wapen van Noordwijkerhout is known for its friendly, helpful staff and great-value, fuss-free food. Parking is free, and the breakfast spread is sumptuous (as is everything else served here).

It’s beautiful, vibrant and bustling, but it’s also very approachable and relaxed. Because it’s small, you can visit everything on foot and by bike, and there’s always something going on or somewhere to explore.’ It comes into its own in summer Billed as an ‘unconventional hotel’, the Lloyd is out of the ordinary. This historic building has served as a shelter for Jewish refugees, a prison and a juvenile detention centre – and is now a 117-room boutique hotel where no two rooms are alike. From budget twins to suites with beds that sleep seven, this is a unique place that’s the perfect base for the well-travelled and style-conscious. The Lloyd is currently undergoing a big renovation with a view to reopening in 2023, so watch this space. Arriving in the early afternoon, the first thing on the agenda is hitting some cultural highlights. The Netherlands’s second-biggest city has a distinctive, ultra-modern feel, born out of the huge rebuilding projects undertaken after World War II. Some of the 20th century’s most renowned architects have worked here, and the city’s warm, diverse character is shared by the enthusiastic, can-do locals. Since the sixteenth century Amsterdam has welcomed immigrants and, along with them, their many cultures and beliefs. Nowadays, Amsterdammers work hard on upholding and redefining tolerance as one of the city’s essential values.’ You can walk or get around by bike