Things to do in The Netherlands
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Trippenhuis
Making their fortune in arms dealing, the Trip brothers commissioned a young Dutch architect, Justus Vingboons, to build the Trippenhuis in 1660. It’s a greystone mansion with eight Corinthian columns across two houses, one for each brother. In a nod to their ignoble profession, the chimneys are shaped like mortars. It’s closed to the public.
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Vrijthof
Vrijthof is the heart of the city, a large square surrounded by lively cafes and photogenic churches. It's dominated by Sint Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of St Servatius), a pastiche of architecture dating from the 11th century. Sint Janskerk, a small 17th-century Gothic church, is one of the most beautiful in the country. Climb to the top for gorgeous views.
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Vlieger
Since 1869 this well-organised two-storey shop has been supplying upmarket paper to Amsterdam: Egyptian papyrus; lush handmade papers from Asia and Central America; papers inlaid with flower petals or bamboo; and paper textured to look like snake skin. They also sell indestructible Freitag messenger bags (to safely tote away all that paper on your bike?).
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Persmuseum
The caretaker of Dutch journalism history, this museum is loads more interesting to non-Dutch speakers than it may sound. Housed in sleek new premises, it has a large collection of historic newspapers (going all the way back to 1600), political and editorial cartoons and press photos, and a great stock of old publicity posters, many of them quite amusing.
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Civic Guard Gallery
Walk to the Civic Guard Gallery, where the group portraits of medieval, ruffled-collar gents are in stark contrast to Rembrandt’s more dynamic Nightwatch – the most famous of the group-portrait Dutch paintings in the Rijksmuseum. This is one of the world’s largest collections of such group portraits, and it’s free. Don’t miss it.
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Sanementereng
Way back when, Amsterdam coffeeshops were merely regular shops that also sold marijuana alongside their other wares. Bursting to the brim with secondhand everything (part junk, part antique), the dusty old Sanementereng is one of the last of these. Don’t expect friendly service but do come for the stillness and to experience an old-school original.
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Raïnaraï
The nomadic menu at this Algerian restaurant might offer seared salmon on chickpea-pumpkin-spiced couscous, or grilled sardines with asparagus, broad beans and tomatoes. It changes all the time, but rest assured it usually wows the palate. The old industrial building, decked out with Arabian-style cushions and copper fixtures, is in the Westergasfabriek.
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Gassan Diamonds
Gassan Diamonds demonstrates how an ungainly clump of rock is transformed into a girl’s best friend. You’ll get a quick primer in assessing the gems for quality, and see diamond cutters and polishers in action. The one-hour tour is the best of its kind in town – which is why so many tour buses stop here. Don’t worry: the line moves fast.
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Marius
Foodies swoon over pocket-sized Marius. Chef Kees, an alumnus of California’s Chez Panisse, shops daily at local markets, then creates his menu from what he finds. The result might be grilled prawns with fava bean purée, or beef rib with polenta and ratatouille. You can also choose from a few house-speciality standbys, such as bouillabaisse.
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Huis Sonneveld
Huis Sonneveld, designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt is an outstanding example of the Dutch New Building architectural strain (also known as Dutch functionalism). This 1933 villa has been lovingly restored, with furniture, wallpaper and fixtures present and correct – it is an astonishing experience, almost like virtual reality.
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Bar Barbou
Like the hotel surrounding it, the Dylan’s lobby bar is superposh – sleek black and white with Indonesian influences, and a great place to pose…if you can get in. Restaurant patrons get seating priority. You might swear that all the beautiful people surrounding you stepped off the pages of the fashion magazines on the coffee tables.
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C&A
Alright, so there's little fancy about this Euro-chain (what's a designer brand?), but it's a fine choice if you're backpacking at the threadbare stage and need inexpensive knockabout clothes. It's along the same lines as H&Ms - the well-known Euro-chain. Comb through what they have and choose carefully, and you may even find some wares with style.
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Morning Star
Biologische (organic) is the name of the game at this tiny shop, which resembles a kiddie train station in the traffic island. Try organic burgers, tostis (grilled sandwiches) ,frites and soy lattes while watching the world go by at the picnic-table seating outdoors. It is on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, opposite No 289.
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Fietsfabriek
Wessel van den Bosch trained as an architect, and now he makes custom bicycles from this wild ’n’ crazy workshop, one of several in Amsterdam. Come in and pick up a bakfiets (cargo bike), a familiefiets (with covered ‘pram’) or even a standard omafiets (one-gear city bike). Just browsing is a joy.
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Van Der Star
Van Der Star The island’s best fish is served at this seafood counter. The seafood soup is a garlicky delight while the many choices of smoked fish are simply sublime. An array of items fresh off the boats in the nearby harbour are available prepared in many ways. Seating is basic – go for a plastic chair on the terrace.
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Unlimited Delicious
Is it ever! It’s tempting to dive into the sculptural cakes and tarts, but – if you can – walk past them to the dozens of varieties of chocolates made in-house. Some of the more outlandish combinations (that somehow work) are rosemary sea salt, caramel cayenne and citron witbier. They also offer tastings, and bonbon and patisserie workshops.
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Coffee & Jazz
This tiny eatery, with just a handful of tables and mellow jazz playing in the background, is run by an eccentric Dutchman and his Indonesian wife. She does most of the cooking – except for the house speciality satés, which he prepares. It’s a must for jazz freaks and anyone who loves a snug place with a passionate owner.
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Krijtberg
The soaring turrets of the Krijtberg rise in the Southern Canal Belt’s northwest corner. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful Gothic churches (built 1883), thanks largely to its colourful interior – a stark contrast to spartan Calvinist churches. A house here belonged to a chalk merchant, hence the name.
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Stopera
The hulking Stopera complex – which houses both the city hall and the opera – opened in 1986 after nearly two decades of controversy. One critic remarked that the building ‘has all the charm of an Ikea chair’. There are usually free lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays from 12.30pm to 1pm from October to June.
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Café Vlinder
This window-lined corner place in the Jordaan serves a magnificent, fresh-made breakfast (around €14), laden with Dutch cheese, pâté, smoked salmon, eggs, coffee and fresh juice. It's also pleasant for afternoon cake and coffee (try the cheesecake or nut tart). We love the sassy service that describes itself as 'straight-friendly'.
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Orgelpark
This is not a park as we know it, but a new stage for organ music located in a lovely restored church on the edge of the Vondelpark. The Orgelpark has four big organs, and every year puts on more than 100 events, including concerts of classical, jazz and improvised music. Concerts are typically held Thursday to Sunday; check the website for times.
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Museum voor het Kruideniersbedrijf
The Museum voor het Kruideniersbedrijf, a charming replica of an old grocery store, isn’t a museum per se. It’s more like a sweetshop with lovely ladies in old-fashioned aprons selling sweets and tea in decorative containers. Pick up a block of white liquorice candy to add to hot milk – an old Dutch tradition.
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Fair Trade Shop
A brilliant place to buy something out of the ordinary for those at home waiting for their 'insert catchphrase here' magnet. This charitable shop features quality, stylish products from developing countries including clothes, food, toys, CDs and interesting ceramics. The company works directly with producers and provides ongoing business training.
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Bubbles & Wines Champagne Bar
Ignore the silly name; this stylish wine bar is a rarity in Amsterdam. There are more than 50 quality wines by the glass, tasting flights (several different wines to try) and the city’s most scrumptious bar food: caviar blinis, cheese plates and our favourite, ‘bee stings’ (parmesan drizzled with white-truffle-infused honey).
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Amsterdams Marionetten Theater
Located in a former blacksmith’s shop, the puppeteers put on a limited repertoire (mainly Mozart operas such as The Magic Flute ), but the fairy-tale stage sets, period costumes and singing voices are absolutely enthralling. From June to August the theatre only performs for groups; at other times, check the website for a schedule.
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