Whether you’ve already been to Amsterdam (for the wonderful restaurants and lovely canals) or not, here’s a fresh new cultural take on the Dutch capital, full of museums, galleries and original souvenir shops.
Cover photo: Sand Fotógrafa
Museums
As in other big cities, there’s something for everyone. While cat-lovers can visit the KattenKabinet (or opt for a cat nap), artistic souls will head straight to the Rijksmuseum where, amongst other works, you can admire some of the most famous paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh (who is also honoured with an entire museum, farther away in the city). More of a cinephile? Good news: the Eye Filmmuseum, set up in a gigantic white vessel, offers a different approach to the cinematic world. Short films, feature films and documentaries – it has everything you could possibly want.
Photo: Rijksmuseum research library by @emmafissher
KattenKabinet – Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rijksmuseum – Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Van Gogh Museum – Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Eye Filmmuseum – IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Galleries
If you don’t feel like spending hours in a museum, try a gallery instead. You can start at the contemporary art specialist, GRIMM, which represents 30 or so international artists. Or puntWG, a huge space that showcases multidisciplinary works, month after month, exhibition after exhibition. There’s also Enseoul, which spotlights artists who are often silenced or underrepresented. Remember to check the event schedules of these spaces before heading out.
Photo: @enseoul.official
GRIMM – Keizersgracht 241, 1016 EA Amsterdam, Netherlands
puntWG – Wg-Plein, 1054 DM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Enseoul – De Clercqstraat 17, 1053 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Shops
Museums and galleries: done! Time for some shopping. And since we’re focusing on culture, we selected three bookshops. (Warning: you’ll have trouble leaving empty-handed). For art books, go to Boekie Woekie, founded in the 90s and housed in a number of different locations since then. If you’re looking for a good reason to go to the Red Light District, there’s San Serriffe, a spot where you can buy fiction or more in-depth volumes (about architectural movements, designers or concepts, for example). Before stopping by in person, take a look at their website and play with the magic option, which randomly suggests books. You’ll want to buy everything! And if you’re interested in architecture in particular, don’t miss Architectura & Natura, a shop that lives up to its name. The setting alone is worth a visit.
Photo: San Serriffe bookshop by @dshaskey
Boekie Woekie – Geldersekade 39, 1011 EJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
San Serriffe – Sint Annenstraat 30, 1012 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Architectura & Natura – Leliegracht 22-H, 1015 DG Amsterdam, Netherlands
And also …
Reserve a room at … Carmen Guesthouse, which only has rooms for a lucky few.
Relax … during a spa afternoon at Sauna Deco, with its ultra-vintage decor, before strolling along the canals.
Eat at … Oficina (an ultra-bright canteen), calisto (a modern trattoria) or Café Twee Prinsen (a bar where you can share bottles of wine and snacks).
Photo: Carmen Guesthouse by @jisoo0o0
Carmen Guesthouse – Keizersgracht 600, 1017 EP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sauna Deco – Herengracht 115A, 1015 BE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oficina – Jan van Galenstraat 147, 1056 BN Amsterdam, Netherlands
calisto – Haarlemmerdijk 61, 1013 KB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Café Twee Prinsen – Prinsenstraat 27, 1015 DB Amsterdam, Netherlands
AMV Journal is a space dedicated to encounters, discovery and travel. Every week, explore the musts, portraits and inspirations of American Vintage and its creation studio.