Amsterdam is a city with so much to offer, from its stunning architecture to its fascinating history – and one expertly-guided bike ride can help you explore the city like a local
If Amsterdam is on your travel itinerary, you’re likely to have Anne Frank’s house, the Heineken factory and a canal boat tour on your must-see list. However, our recent weekend getaway revealed that there’s so much more to this Dutch gem beyond the typical tourist haunts.
If you fancy immersing yourself in local life, it’s time to rent a bicycle and book a stay in one of the city’s most coveted neighbourhoods.
WHERE TO STAY
The Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel ticks all the boxes and then some. We opted for a Standard Panoramic Room, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking city vistas an ideal spot for a coffee break while indulging in some people-watching.
The room was chic and contemporary, featuring a generously-sized king bed that was a welcome sight after a day packed with sightseeing, reports OK!.
Breakfast offered an array of options, from fresh fruits and pastries to a selection of hot dishes. Our top pick was the light-as-air Dutch pancakes, smothered in warm butter and dusted with powdered sugar, served up in a paper basket.
A standout amenity of the hotel was The Pantry, a convenient spot to grab snacks like sandwiches, crisps, chocolates and beverages. If you’re after something more substantial, they’ve got you covered with hearty pasta meals and pizzas.
GET ON YOUR BIKE
Having previously visited Amsterdam, we were eager to uncover the city’s lesser-known gems that aren’t typically featured in guidebooks. This is where the delightful Lisanne stepped in.
Avani organised for tour guide Lisanne to lead us on a two-hour cycling adventure, which turned out to be the crowning glory of our trip.
The experience was not only incredibly enlightening, but it also took us off the well-trodden path, including a cycle through the historic Rijksmuseum underpass. The fusion of Gothic architecture and the melodies of local musicians created a sensory delight.
While the tour did encompass some famous spots like Vondelpark and Dam Square, Lisanne also introduced us to Begijnhof, a hidden courtyard offering a tranquil oasis amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. Upon expressing our curiosity about Amsterdam’s clandestine churches, she made sure to incorporate one into our itinerary.
We were utterly awestruck upon entering the tiniest church we’d ever encountered, and even more so when we discovered that the surrounding terraced houses were exclusively inhabited by women. It was a place we would never have stumbled upon independently, revealing an entirely new facet of the city to us.
HIDDEN HOTSPOTS
Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel is Pazzi De Pijp restaurant. Despite our lack of reservation, the staff promptly found us a table.
We savoured a shared bowl of olives and a pair of pizzas, all of which were scrumptious. With its friendly and attentive staff, it was the ideal setting for our first evening.
De Koffieschenkerij, a quaint cafe nestled beside De Oude Kerk – one of Amsterdam’s most ancient structures, came highly recommended by Lisanne during our cycling tour. Amid the city’s hustle and bustle, this serene courtyard offers a tranquil spot for a coffee and pastry break. Despite the chilly weather during our visit, we enjoyed our cappuccinos outside.
After a morning filled with exploration, hunger pangs led us to Stach, a petite store boasting an array of scrumptious sandwiches. As we eagerly awaited our freshly-made orders, the enticing sweet offerings proved irresistible, resulting in us bagging home chocolate-drenched chewy florentines and a mouth-watering slice of pandan cake a treat I find myself reminiscing about weeks on!
We can’t leave out Le Patron from our special mentions, a cosy bar we ducked into when rain began to pour. Its warm atmosphere and amiable staff clearly make it a hit among the locals.
ARTSY AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is a city teeming with artistic flair. Almost every turn revealed something that piqued our interest, from street lights morphed into rockets, sculptures suspended over the canals, to even some shop fronts.
Avani truly captured this spirit with its eccentric lobby decor and the windmill-inspired seating at the hotel entrance. A stone’s throw away from the hotel lies the Van Gogh Museum, one of the city’s prime tourist hotspots.
HOW TO BOOK
Standard double rooms at Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam begin at £165 per night for two people sharing, with breakfast included.