48 hours in... Amsterdam
More than two million UK travellers visit the Netherlands every year and Amsterdam remains the principal draw for tourists, says Stuart Forster
Day 1: Get an overview
Morning: Get orientated on a boat tour of Amsterdam’s canals. The historic network of waterways is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating from the era known as the Dutch Golden Age.
Nationwide exhibitions this year, celebrating the artwork of that time, are being held to commemorate the 350th anniversary of artist Rembrandt van Rijn’s death. Find out about his life and legacy at his former home, the Rembrandt House Museum, and Rijksmuseum, where All the Rembrandts continues until June 10.
Afternoon: Pop into the National Maritime Museum, which was built on an artificial island as an arsenal to stock warships. On May 10, two new permanent exhibitions, Maps and Marvels and
Republic at Sea, will be unveiled, telling the story of Dutch sea power and global exploration.
Then catch a tram to the De Gooyer Windmill and its neighbour, the taproom of the Brouwerij ‘t Ij craft brewery, which is opening a bar at the ‘T Blauwe Theehuis, a circular, Bauhausinfluenced building in the Vondelpark.
Evening: Ride a free ferry across the River Ij and explore the up-and-coming Amsterdam
Noord district. Pop into the futuristic riverside Eye Film Museum, which screens films and hosts exhibitions, before heading up to the nearby A’dam Tower. From mid-April a new electric swing — Europe’s highest — will operate on the A’dam Lookout, an observation platform with lofty city views: reserve online at least a week in advance to ride Over the Edge on weekends.
For cocktails and panoramic views of the Dutch capital, take a seat by the floor-toceiling window at Madam, the 20th-storey lounge bar.
Day 2: Eat, drink, don’t hurry
Morning: Skip breakfast and instead leave room to sample cuisine savoured by locals during an Eating Europe’s Jordaan Food Tour. The fun and informative three-and-a-half-hour guided walking tour explores the historic district west of the Prinsengracht canal, including longestablished cafés and hidden courtyards. Expect Dutch delicacies such as appeltaart (apple pie), kibbeling (battered fish) and poffertjes (fluffy pancakes). Afternoon: After all that food how about some cycling? Guided bike tours are an option or hire a bicycle from the likes of MacBike, near the central station. If your client is putting you under a microscope for suggestions about things to do, why not recommend
Micropia, the world’s only museum dedicated to microbes?
Evening: Reward yourself with an aperitif. Sip jenever, the Dutch ancestor of gin, in Café Hoppe, a cosy traditional bar, before tucking into a rijsttafel, a multi-dish feast, at nearby Kantjil en de Tijger, one of several Indonesian restaurants in the city.
For a post-dinner drink in a notable landmark, stroll through De Wallen, the red-light district, towards In de Waag, the café-restaurant at the castle-like weigh house at Nieuwmarkt.