Guido van Eijck and Saskia Naafs are writers and journalists, and the authors of The 500 Hidden Secrets of Amsterdam. They specialise in a wide range of topics, from politics and urban development, to photography and travel. They write for weekly De Groene Amsterdammer and for several national newspapers. They now live in Rotterdam, but spent over 10 years living in Amsterdam and their work often takes them into the far corners of their capital city, to places they probably wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
"The rich cultural scene. There’s a wealth of museums, galleries, cinemas, and music venues to choose from, and new ones keep popping up. And although the canal belt is unrivalled in beauty, really every neighbourhood has its own charm."
"IN AMSTERDAM EVERY NEIGHBOURHOOD HAS ITS OWN CHARM."
“I would recommend taking the ferry behind central station to visit an exhibition at Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam Noord.
Then continue north and cycle through the historic Buiksloterdijk and Schellingwouderdijk and admire the wooden houses. On your way, stop for a coffee and apple pie at neighbourhood-owned café het Sluisje.
Fueled up, cycle the Schellingwouderbridge back to the eastern part of the city and gaze at the skyline of the newest parts of Amsterdam (IJburg and Zeeburgereiland) from afar. Stop at the Flevopark and taste a homemade jenever at het Nieuwe Diep.
After this, you’re probably hungry again, so cycle through to the former naval area, east of the city center. Once off limits for civilians, it’s now being redeveloped. The excellent restaurant Scheepskameel is one of the new pioneers and a perfect place to end your day.”
“What better way to start your day than with a coffee and a view of flamingos and spoonbills? Settle down at the terrace of café-restaurant De Plantage: Amsterdam Zoo’s excellent restaurant.
From there, I'd recommend walking to the 17th-century hortus botanicus, kept by Amsterdam University. The first Brazilian coffee plant was bred here in the 18th century – sacred ground indeed!
After that I'd cycle, tram or walk towards Prinsengracht. Near the crossing with Leidsestraat, there’s a tiny classic movie theater, called De Uitkijk, that’s run by students that has several daily screenings. Try to capture a seat with private table on the balcony.
Continue westwards and end your day at a former cemetery. De Liefde at Bilderdijkstraat proves that a former graveyard can be made into a friendly restaurant.”