Amsterdam at 750: still in blooming health
This year, the Dutch capital celebrates its 750th birthday – and it’s as creative and dynamic as ever. Here’s a primer on the city’s leading hotels, where to dine and what to experience.
Amsterdam has been living the high life since the 17th century, when it was Europe’s financial and cultural kingpin. But in the past few years the city has really smartened up its act. A burst of inviting lodgings, fashionable stores and urban attractions have flowered of late. This year, new art museums Drift and Zamu, both set in industrial-era warehouses, will provide contemporary balance to classic big-hitters like the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. Like Venice, Europe’s other great city of canals, overtourism has been an issue, but it’s easy to find the Amsterdam that locals know by heading to the cooler Oost and Noord districts, or De Weteringbuurt, a central neighbourhood with easygoing bistros and classic pubs. With the city celebrating its 750th anniversary this year, here’s the lowdown on some of its most notable addresses.
A city guide to Amsterdam
Where to stay
Just-opened Rosewood Amsterdam takes shape in the monumental former Palace of Justice, built in 1665, with new courtyards planted by High Line landscaping maestro Piet Oudolf and nuanced interiors conceived by Studio Piet Boon. The latter melds the building’s heritage status with modern Dutch craftsmanship, while erstwhile cellblocks and courtrooms have been reimagined as inviting spaces – Boon’s multilayered makeover more than does the storied building justice. The hotel includes 134 chicly designed guest rooms, many gazing out onto scenic canals, peaceful courtyards and townhouse rooftops. In addition to three restaurants and bars, there’s an in-house distillery. rosewoodhotels.com
Neoclassical institution De L’Europe has a crowning position on the River Amstel, with west-facing balconies for painterly, sunset-over-the-water views. Interiors mix original Delft tiles and owner Freddy Heineken’s art collection with touchy-feely fabrics and mirrored panels, but it’s the 14 newly unveiled ’t Huys Suites that steal the show. Each has been designed by one of the Netherlands’ top creative names, including jeweller Bibi van der Velden, a team from the Van Gogh Museum and art duo Ziarah and Tisja Janssen. With a florist and concept shop, this feels like a one-stop salon for all that’s good about Amsterdam right now. deleurope.com
Near the chichi boutiques of PC Hooftstraat, the Conservatorium – to be renovated and reopened as a Mandarin Oriental for 2026 – splices bright-eyed Modernism with neo-Gothic red-brick grandeur. The glass-walled courtyard is its centrepiece, the subterranean spa resembles a set from 2001, and Taiko restaurant drizzles sea-buckthorn soy sauce over its omakase sushi menu. Those with particularly deep pockets can book the five-night Ultimate Amsterdam 750 experience (€132,500), which includes a bespoke suit, couture dress and photo portraits. conservatoriumhotel.com
Surrounded by the independent boutiques of the Negen Straatjes district, The Dylan personifies gezellig, the Dutch version of hygge. Its courtyard is a pocket of sociable calm, interiors are stripped back yet personable, and locals vie for a fireside table in its brasserie. Its culinary credentials are impressive for such a small hotel: Jurgen van der Zalm plates up dishes such as Anjou pigeon with sour cherry in his acclaimed Restaurant Vinkeles, while the dinky Até chef’s table stirs together Mexican, French and Japanese flavours. dylanamsterdam.com
Pulitzer Amsterdam, close to Anne Frank House, is a jigsaw puzzle of a hotel crafted from 25 interlocking canal houses, with zippy mid-century designs set against the 17th-century interiors. The jewel-box bar serves cocktails such as the Martini-style Starry Night, with oyster-leaf oil in the mix, while the menu at Jansz does clever things with celeriac and lamb. The two-night Dutch Masterpiece experience (from €14,000) is based in the new three-storey Merchant Suite and includes an after-hours private tour of the Rembrandt House Museum and a canal trip in one of the hotel’s vintage teak salon boats. pulitzeramsterdam.com
Fancy a country retreat? The best way of arriving at De Durgerdam, set in a reed-fringed North Sea village just outside the city, is by the hotel’s vintage boat direct from Amsterdam’s main station. Opened in 2023 in an upcycled 19th-century inn, it resembles an old-master still life, heated by wood-burning stoves and with copper baths to sink into. The restaurant, from the duo behind the city’s Michelin-starred 212 and De Juwelier, serves up roast cod with sauerkraut and XO sauce, and chocolate ganache with rosehip sorbet. Also accessible by boat, Over-Amstel is the latest project from the South African owners of the Newt in Somerset and Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands, offering almost Quaker-like slow-burn rural immersion just a short river hop from the city. Its own dairy supplies cheese for creative field-to-fork menus served on the barn’s long table. dedurgerdam.com; over-amstel.com
Where to eat
Amsterdam has been enjoying something of a gastronomic renaissance of late. The wine-forward Zoldering is characteristic of the city’s relaxed approach, with chef Tomas Bron crafting simple but startling dishes, such as a Dutch hamachi with white grape, smoked almond and buttermilk. It’s all about cooking with fire and fun music at newly opened Cue, inspired by Japanese listening bars, which sears langoustine and turnip, then pairs them with ingredients such as koji and pumpkin, while sommelier Mohamed Aous pours natural wine. The central Gebr Hartering is an old-school hit, with big flavours from dishes such as grilled langoustine with chicken, as is the white-tableclothed Toscanini in the Jordaan district, as much for assured Italian favourites as for its dynamic people-watching. On Prinsengracht, wildly popular Kikkie van de Prinsensluis resembles a traditional brown café, but has a wine list to match most Paris restaurants. zoldering.nl; cue-amsterdam.com; gebr-hartering.nl; restauranttoscanini.nl; kikkie.amsterdam
Art advice
Julien Rademaker showcases contemporary Dutch art and design at Bisou Gallery and can advise on who and where to buy. Along with Martina Halsema, the director of Amsterdam Art Week, he can take clients on a personal tour of the city’s lesser-known galleries and private collections. bisougallery.com
Insider guide
Stephanie van Rappard is the founder of Amsterdam-based travel consultancy and online guide Gloobles. She arranges personal itineraries that open the door to behind-the-scenes experiences around the city. It’s the best of the best. gloobles.com
Canal ride
Rosewood guests can access its boat. For a private trip on an oak-lined boat, skipper Reinhard Spronk is your man. rederijdejordaan.amsterdam
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