Note 47 - The Ultimate Amsterdam City Guide
Coat - AF Agger / Jeans - Filippa K / Sneakers - New Balance / Bag - Aritzia
Happy Sunday! Today I'm transporting you to Amsterdam, where I spent last weekend visiting friends who moved there last year. It was nice to get a more local take on the city and discover a few hidden spots along the way.
I had been before in winter and spring and completely fell for the city's vibe, but this was my first time experiencing a full Amsterdam summer, and it was lovely! I've put together a guide below of all my favourite spots to inspire your next trip.
My favourite thing about Amsterdam is its atmosphere: the dark, neutral tones of the canal houses, bikes everywhere, and lush trees and plants lining every street. It's truly unlike any other city. I’ll be back next week with a more cozy post at home now that I’m settling in the apartment and preparing my wardrobe for fall. Hope you like it!
What I Wore This Week
Outfit I tried on at Ume Studios, secondhand pieces from Munthe and Lucce
Look 1 was for our travel day. Since the Eurostar from Paris made the journey easy, I knew I didn't need to go full comfort mode and could look a little more put together and be ready the moment we arrived. I combined two of my favourite basics, my Leset T-shirt and Aritzia mini skirt, and layered on some travel essentials: a roomy tote, a sweater, and my comfiest loafers.
Look 2 called for my silk Leset dress with a dusty pink cardigan draped over my shoulders, since the mornings and evenings got quite chilly. I stuck with my trusty camel loafers and matching crossbody bag again (that’s what happens when you pack light)
The last look is something I tried on at Ume Studios, a secondhand store selling content creators' clothes. I loved the open-back top (and ended up buying it), and the Munthe skirt embroidered with beautiful details. I didn’t end up getting the skirt since I already own a lot of similar pieces, but it was a good reminder of how great secondhand shopping is in Europe.
Everyday Delights
Dinner at Gitane
Swimming in the canals
Apéro on the roof
There were so many highlights from this trip; it's hard to narrow it down to just a few!
The best meal was, without question, at Café Gitane. From the interior decor to the atmosphere set by tall flickering candles, the food, and the drinks, everything was a 10 out of 10. We ordered a few plates to share, and the Côte de Boeuf was a highlight for everyone at the table.
Since the weather was on our side all weekend, we spent a lot of time on the rooftop terrace, ending up doing an apéro two nights in a row. It's truly one of the best ways to soak up long summer evenings while taking in the views over Amsterdam.
Finally, on our last day, we found a spot where locals swim in the canals and went there to cool off and relax under the sun. Pure magic, and the canals felt so fresh.
- My ultimate guide to Amsterdam -
STAY
Hoxton Herengracht
View from the Hoxton Lloyd
Hoxton Lloyd
If you're looking for a hotel in Amsterdam, I would highly recommend the Hoxton locations. Both are set inside beautifully reconverted historic buildings. The first is on the Herengracht, so quite centrally located, while the other sits right on the waterfront facing Amsterdam Noord. The latter is a little quieter, but both have gorgeous decor, a cozy atmosphere, and a lobby space perfect for working, meeting friends, or just relaxing.
SHOP
HAY store
Ume Studios
Love Stories
Athenaeum Boekhandel
A favourite of mine in Copenhagen, but their Amsterdam location is just as pretty. You can even grab a coffee downstairs while getting inspired by their beautiful home furniture and accessories.
This store sells secondhand fashion from local content creators, with brands like Munthe, Ganni, Sézane, and more. I loved the unique concept with clothes arranged by colour palette, and the fact that there are three locations on the same street, so you can easily spend hours browsing and trying things on.
Another favourite spot of mine, this Dutch homeware shop has a few locations around the city. They stock everything for the kitchen, home, and garden, mostly made from natural materials like wood, ceramic, and linen. It's the perfect spot to pick up a gift or a small souvenir to bring a bit of that Amsterdam feeling home with you.
This brand has long been one of my favourites for comfortable, stylish lingerie. I love the colour combinations, and their bralettes are some of the most comfortable I've ever worn. Their HQ store in Amsterdam is beautiful, and they also have an outlet in De Pijp.
If, like me, you love browsing bookshops and flipping through magazines from around the world, this is a really fun place to wander into and find treasures.
Buurtcafe de Tros
Uncommon Coffee
Delicious bread from Louf
Bakkerij Louf (Oud West)
My favourite bakery in the city. If you go right when it opens, you can grab a table in the sun and enjoy a delicious pastry with a few pages of your book- total bliss!
Toki
A great spot for coffee or a cold drink with friends. A bit more on the "cool" side.
Uncommon Coffee
The pain au chocolat here looked (and tasted) gorgeous, and they also have an assortment of breakfast plates that seemed healthy and delicious.
Buurtcafé de Tros
I went here last year with my friend Emily, and it was one of the best meals of our trip. We loved the steak and the tuna. Plus it’s right next to Oosterpark if you want to discover a new neighbourhood.
Gitane
I mentioned this in my everyday highlights, but it was truly one of my favourite restaurants in a while: the decor, the food, the atmosphere, all of it.
Foodhallen
I love food halls when I travel, and this place has everything you could imagine, from fresh oysters to the local delicacy, bitterballen.
Bakkerij Louf in Oud West
Foodhallen
Café Gitane
THINGS TO DO
Vondelpark
Stan Huygens Canal Cruise
There's a lot to do in Amsterdam, but I love just sitting down in Vondelpark and people-watching. I realized most people in Amsterdam are active and really stylish!
Canal cruise on the Stan Huygens
This was another highlight of my trip last year. The boat is intimate, and you get your own table with a plate of charcuterie and wine. I loved every minute of it.
Best way to refresh and feel like a local!
FITNESS
Haven Studio
Haven Studio
De Roos
This has to be the most aesthetically pleasing studio I've ever seen. It's heated, so the class got quite intense, but it was totally worth it, especially for the little walk through the forest and the ferry ride back to the main part of Amsterdam afterwards (this is in Noord). I love the design of the changing rooms with the zebra carpet, the stainless steel lockers and the art.
De Roos
This studio is in the most incredible home, facing Vondelpark. You can do reformer or mat class, or even access their saunas. It's an oasis of calm and wellness.
This Week’s Edit
The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden
My favourite book set in the Netherlands. It totally captures the atmosphere of the old home, and it’s part family drama, part slow-burn mystery.
The Miniaturist, Jessie Burton& the TV Show Adaptation
I was going to recommend the book, but since I already recommended one, I thought the TV adaptation would be perfect. It's a show about a young woman who moves to 17th-century Amsterdam for an arranged marriage, only to find her new home full of secrets, starting with a mysterious miniature cabinet that seems to predict the future.
One of my favourite Dutch brands at the moment (along with Flore Flore). I love watching what they do from the sidelines. I have a pair of their jeans, and they're so flattering.
Finally, if you visit Toki café, get yourself one of these tortoiseshell spoons. They always get compliments when I host dinner parties.
Love, S.
