Drink, Dine and Dance 85 meters above Amsterdam

Experience Amsterdam top-down in Floor17! Floor17 is one of Amsterdam’s most famous sky-bars, where you can experience a breathtaking view on Amsterdam. 

The sky-lounge is built on the 17th floor of the Ramada Apollo Amsterdam hotel, and is the perfect place to experience a beer or cocktail, with a view. 

Experience the unique triple D concept: Drink, Dine and Dance 85 meters above Amsterdam. Floor17 sky-bar is a must-go for every Amsterdam-visitor who wants to experience the city from up, without climbing the usual church-tower.

Opening hours: Monday 10 - 24, Tuesday - Friday 10 - 1 am, Saturday 10.30 - 1 am, Sunday 10.30 - 24.

Location: Staalmeesterslaan 410, Amsterdam.

For more information and latest updates, visit the Floor17 website.

Experience Brasil in Amsterdam during the Viva Brasil Festival

One week after the World Cup in Brasil, Amsterdam transforms in little Rio! The Viva Brasil festival brings everything that you love about Brasil: music, food and Brazilian culture. 

The festival runs for the full weekend, with every night an electric after party. Viva Brasil is the perfect summer festival during your Amsterdam weekend!

Festival days: Fri 18 July till Sun 20 July

Location: Muziekgebouw Bimhuis, Amsterdam.

More information can be found on the Viva Brasil site.

Chill down in the sun and experience the mellow Amsterdam vibe

What else to do with such nice weather! Chill down on one of the Amsterdam city beaches, parks or many terraces and relax!

Opening hours: 24h as long as there is sun :)

Get tanned at one of Amsterdam’s City Beaches

This weekend is promising to be a tropic weekend in Amsterdam. To keep it cool it is the perfect time to relax at one of Amsterdam’s City Beaches, and celebrate summer!

Strand Zuid is based on the south side of Amsterdam, next to the RAI conference center and is a perfect place to chill down with a cool drink, while enjoying a view at the waterside of the Beatrixpark.

At the north side of Amsterdam, city beach Blijburg at the IJ-lake is a good place to get sand between your toes and catch a tan.

When that’s not enough, you can always escape to one of the North Sea beaches. Zandvoort beach, one of the most popular North Sea beaches of the Netherlands, is just a 30 min train-trip from Amsterdam. Enjoy the weekend, enjoy the sun!

Opening hours:

• Strand Zuid: during summer season daily 10 – 23 (Saturday’s 10 – 24)
• Blijburg city beach: May 5th – Sept 15, daily 11 - 1 am (Saturday's 2 am)

For more information and up-to-date opening times, visit the Strand Zuid and Blijburg beach sites.

Explore the Wallen (Red Light District)

A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without a walk over the Wallen or Walletjes. The Wallen area has approximately 300 red-lighted cabins, where women from all over the world offer their services. The red-illuminated windows next to the canals are a big touristic attraction, so probably you won’t be the only tourist strolling around the alleys out of curiosity. 

Don’t point your camera to the ladies behind the windows, as making pictures of the ladies is strictly banned. Can you resist the Wallen?

Opening hours: 24h a day

Location: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106, Amsterdam.

More tourist information on the Red Light District can be found here.

Shop till you drop in Amsterdam’s Nine Streets district

If you enjoy shopping beyond the typical chains, you will certainly enjoy the ‘Negen Straatjes’ area in Amsterdam. Negen Straatjes is Dutch for Nine Streets full of designer fashion, unique jewellery, art boutiques, vintage design and anything else as long as it’s stylish.

The district can be found in the heart of Amsterdam’s historical Canal Belt, which is part of Unesco’s World Heritage List. A unique location with unique shops. For boutique shopping Amsterdam-style, the 9 Straatjes are a must-go!

Opening hours: dependent of boutique, can be found here.

For more information, visit the 9 Straatjes website.

Rent a bicycle and explore Amsterdam on two wheels

For sure the historical streets of Amsterdam are best to explore by bike. Holland is as flat as a pancake, which makes the bicycle perfect for getting around.

Next to that, there’s bike paths everywhere in Amsterdam, which makes it often faster to get around town by bike than by car. Sometimes cycling in Amsterdam can be bit hectic, but when sticking to the rules, it is a great way of getting around. Explore Amsterdam like a true Dutchy, and rent a bike!

Opening hours: weekdays: 8.00 – 19.00; weekends: 9.00 – 19.00 

For latest information, visit the Starbikes rental website, or find more bike rental companies in Amsterdam here.

Visit the Nachtwacht (Nightwatch) painting in the Rijksmuseum

Completed in 1642 by Rembrandt van Rijn, De Nachtwacht or Nightwatch is a must-see for every art-lover visiting Amsterdam.

The Nightwatch painting is renowned for its huge size, the use of light and shadow and perception of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military portrait. A cultural highlight for any weekend in Amsterdam. 

Opening hours: daily, 9.00 – 17.00h

For latest information, visit the Rijksmuseum website.