re: Amsterdam and The Hague next week

To OP:

If you're a confident cyclist, do rent bikes.

Weather permitting a leisurely ride/stroll and picnic/general sitdown in Vondelpark for people watching is always nice.

Nice (but expensive)cocktails and aerial views of the city at Luminair cocktail lounge (top of Double Tree Hilton next to Centraal Station)

Aside from the usual suspects Scheepvaartmuseum (maritime museum) is also nice and less crowded.

Sample Dutch beers in a cozy "bruin café" at Aarendsnest

NDSM wharf is an artsy area being revitalized on the North (Noord) area of town, a free 10 minute ferry ride from the Centraal Station.

De Pijp area is trendy and lively area with lots of bars, shops and restaurants.

For coffeeshops - Catch 33, Solo, Bagheera are my go-to spots.

Also as others mentioned ITT, renting a self-piloted boat is possible and nice activity time and weather permitting (they're not covered) - the best company is Sloepdelen, but not sure if it's accessible to tourists - barring that Mokum Boot is also solid.

Food:

- Try Dutch Apple Pie (appeltaartje) and Winkl
- Ramen at Ramen Kingdom
- Excellent Chinese at Sea Palace, Oriental City or FULU Mandarijn
- High-end Indonesian at Blauw

I can offer a lot more food recs if you let me know your preferences/same for bars and nightlife or excursions outside of the city.


For Den Haag - Escher Museum is a must-see.