Book a Weekend Break in Amsterdam, the place you just seem to love right from the start: walk around its quiet streets alongside miles of canal and the place just gets to you. There’s a friendly, relaxed atmosphere during the day and a very lively scene at night, so it’s perfect for most group holidays.
Location: Netherlands.
Closest Airport: Schiphol (AMS).
Local Currency: Euros.
For a spicy start to a night out, join in the Dutch tradition of enjoying Indonesian food at one of the many Surinamese-Indonesian-Chinese snack bars and restaurants. Or for some traditional Dutch food, Moeders (‘Mothers’), Greetje and De Silveren Spiegel won’t disappoint. The bar scene then beckons, and places like Brouwerij ‘t IJ (it means ‘windmill brewery’) and ‘t Arendsnest (‘eagle’s nest’) are both paradise for beer lovers, while Vesper Bar is a good choice if you would prefer a cocktail. Nightlife hot spots in Amsterdam aren’t hard to find. Many of them are in buildings that have had interesting past lives, such as Trouw (formerly a printing press), OT301 (an old film school) and Sugar Factory (converted from a theatre).
We all know that it has its seedy side (like most big cities), but what about other things to do for group holidays in Amsterdam? Obvious choices include Dam Square, boat rides along the canals, these are of course ideal for stag weekends, hen weekends and any other short break where you want to do things together. As well as a boat ride (or even instead of one) we’d recommend a guided walking tour as it’s a great way to get a much more personal view of the city from a local expert.
Afterwards, Vondelpark or Westerpark are lovely when the weather is fine, as is the Albert Cuyp Market or Dappermarkt. You can try the Heineken Experience at the company’s old brewery – but they don’t brew beer there anymore so instead we’d suggest a tour at one of the city’s microbreweries. There are also some impressive museums of course, including the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk museum of modern art and the Van Gogh Museum.
Anne Frank House
Nothing can quite prepare you for a visit to the ‘Secret Annex’ where Anne Frank, her family and others hid from the Nazis for more than two years in World War Two. Here, Anne wrote the diary that has since been read by millions. The Annex itself is complemented by a museum that tells the story of the people who lived there. Your visit will be moving and emotional, with sadness but also admiration for the fortitude and strength with which Anne coped in such awful times.
Red Light District
There are other red light areas in Amsterdam, but De Wallen is the largest and most famous. Along its network of narrow streets are some 300 ‘cabins’ rented by sex workers, along with cannabis-selling coffee shops, sex shops, sex theatres and a sex museum. The area is actually steeped in history, so joining a guided walking tour is recommended if you want to learn something of De Wallen’s past.
Van Gogh Museum
Discover the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. The museum is home to a permanent collection of the artist’s drawings, letters and paintings. From his most famous works such as ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘The Bedroom’ to lesser-known sketches, the story of Vincent’s search for colours and his interpretation of nature is told. There are also works by artists associated with van Gogh, including contemporaries and those he inspired.
Rijksmuseum
‘The Museum of the Netherlands’ is packed with Dutch masterpieces from the likes of Vermeer, van Gogh and Rembrandt, as well as exhibits from more recent times. With 8,000 pieces spread across 80 galleries it’s a lot to take in, so download the free museum app to get the most from your visit. It’ll help you find your way around the museum and tell you all about the exhibits.
Heineken Experience
Take a trip through more than 150 years of brewing history. Heineken’s home is in Amsterdam and this tour tells its story. The building stopped being a working brewery in 1988 but don’t let that put you off – it’s now a dedicated visitor experience that explains the brewing process and Heineken’s history. The tour takes 90 minutes and includes a beer tasting of course.
Central Library
When exploring Amsterdam on foot gets too tiring, or if it’s raining, there’s no better place to rest than Central Library. Hide away in a reading pod or on a comfy sofa for an hour or several. Set in docklands in the east of the city, it’s a modern building with impressive views. These are best enjoyed from the panoramic terrace at the excellent café-restaurant on the top floor.
Amsterdam Museum
A great start to any Amsterdam trip would be to visit the Amsterdam Museum. It tells the story of Amsterdam and its people, fashion, cultures, folklore, entertainment and more. Take in the Amsterdam DNA exhibition for an hour-long overview of the history of the city. There’s a great art collection, too, with hundreds of pieces by Rembrandt and other great Dutch painters.
Dam Square
Make a beeline for Dam Square on your first full day in Amsterdam. Set right in the heart of the most historical part of the city, it’s a great step-off point for exploring Amsterdam. There’s plenty to see in the square first, with the Royal Palace, Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and National Monument to check out. It’s also the home of Madame Tussauds wax museum, food stalls, bars, restaurants and great shopping.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s largest park dates to 1865 and is a delight, with 120 acres to explore on foot or by bike. Nature is in abundance, with more than 4,700 trees, waterways teeming with fish, and about 30 species of birds (see if you can spot a ring-necked parakeet!). It’s a great place to settle down with a picnic, or grab a bite at one of several bars and restaurants. If you have kids, you’ll appreciate the children’s play areas and playground. In the summer, check out a play or musical performance at the open theatre.
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
The first overseas branch of London’s famous waxworks, Madame Tussauds opened in 1970. Its collection of life-size wax models covers all walks of life, from royalty and politics, to history and entertainment. Ten of the favourites with visitors are Princess Diana, the Dalai Lama, Mahatma Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Ariana Grande, Albert Einstein, David Beckham and Lionel Messi. You can combine your visit with a scary trip to the Amsterdam Dungeon.
De Bijenkorf
While you’re in Dam Square, make sure you visit De Bijenkorf, the flagship store of Holland’s iconic department store chain. This is high end shopping, with a good mix of classic and modern luxury brands across its five floors. If you have gifts for family and friends back home to buy, De Bijenkorf could be the place to head, with its range of souvenir goods. There’s also an excellent restaurant on the top floor that’s perfect for afternoon tea with yummy cakes, or a full-blown meal.
Family activities in Amsterdam
Because of its coffee shops and Red Light District, Amsterdam has a reputation as an adult location. But it’s actually a wonderful place for families to visit. There’s Vondelpark for example, with acres of space, children’s play areas and a playground. Across the city, you’ll find indoor and outdoor swimming pools, bowling alleys, laser gaming, kid-focused restaurants, petting zoos and kids’ theatres. Children will also love a cruise on a canal boat, a visit to a working windmill in a nearby town, or a scary visit to Amsterdam Dungeon.
Foodhallen Amsterdam
A modern take on a traditional Dutch street market, Foodhallen Amsterdam is quite simply foodie heaven. Since opening in 2014 it’s built a reputation as a place to experience global cuisine in Amsterdam. In one visit you can choose from German-style sausages, Chinese dim sum, Japanese sushi, Mediterranean mezze, Mexican tacos, Italian pizza, American burgers and hot dogs, and lots more. Whatever you choose, wash it down with a drink at the speciality beer bar or gin and tonic bar.
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
Built as a town hall in 1655, this impressive building became a palace in 1808. It’s no longer a place of residence for the royal family, but is used for the monarch to welcome VIPs during state visits, hand out awards, and generally entertain visitors. The Palace is open to visitors: you can explore it in your own time or book a guided tour that tells you all about the history of the building, the Dutch royal family and Amsterdam (you need to book tours weeks in advance though).
Albert Cuyp Market
The largest outdoor market in The Netherlands, Albert Cuyp features around 250 stands 9-to-5, six days a week (closed Sundays). You’ll probably head here for the food more than anything else, with everything from traditional Dutch treats to Vietnamese street food. But it’s also a great place to shop for clothes and knick-knacks, with plenty of bargains to be had. The market is located in the cosmopolitan de Pijp district, which is full of ethnic and authentic shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
Regardless of the type of group holiday in Amsterdam you are planning, we can point you in the right direction of a suitable hotel or package. There is of course an excellent range to choose from. Die Port Van Cleve Hotel is very popular, Dam Square offers a great choice, Hotel TwentySeven, W Amsterdam and Ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera. Hotel Orlando has a lot of charm and character, the Seven Bridges Hotel is in an especially lovely location and NH City Centre Amsterdam and and Amstel Botel Hotel are liked for their value for money.
Send us an enquiry today and let us create a great Group Holiday to Amsterdam for you and your party.
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