If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, chances are you’ll head to Anne Frank’s house, the Heineken factory and take a boat tour around the canals. But as we learned on our weekend away, there’s so much more to the Dutch capital than the well-known tourist spots. If you want to live like a local then it’s time to hire a bike and stay in what is described as one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the city. WHERE TO STAY The Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel has everything you need and more. We stayed in a Standard Panoramic Room, which had a floor-to-ceiling window with incredible views over the city – perfect for sitting with a cup of coffee and people watching. The room was stylish and modern with a huge king-size bed to fall into after a full day of exploring. There was plenty of choice at breakfast, from fresh fruit and pastries to a range of hot options. Our favourite was the fluffy dutch pancakes, which were covered in hot butter and powdered sugar and served in a paper basket. A stand-out feature of the hotel was The Pantry, where you could buy snacks including sandwiches, crisps, chocolates and drinks. Or for something more filling, there are hearty pasta dishes and pizzas to choose from.
Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel has everything you need and more
GET ON YOUR BIKE We had been to Amsterdam before, so we were keen to explore parts of the city that we wouldn’t have read about in books. This is where the wonderful Lisanne came in. Avani arranged for tour guide Lisanne to take us on a two-hour bike ride and it was the highlight of our trip. Not only was it incredibly insightful, but we saw sights off the beaten track, which included cycling through the historic Rijksmuseum underpass. The Gothic architecture combined with the sound of local musicians playing was a feast for the senses.
Stach had a selection of tasty sandwiches and delicious sweet treats
The tour did include some well-known places, like Vondelpark and Dam Square, but Lisanne also took us to a hidden courtyard, Begijnhof, that was a pocket of calm in an otherwise bustling city. When we shared our interest in seeing some of Amsterdam’s secret churches, she ensured one was included in the tour. We were left speechless when we stepped into the smallest church we’d ever seen and were even more surprised when we learned the terraced houses surrounding it only permitted women to live there. It was somewhere we’d never have found on our own, and showed us a completely different side to the city. HIDDEN HOTSPOTS Pazzi De Pijp restaurant is just a short walk from the hotel and the staff quickly found us somewhere to sit despite us not having a reservation. We shared a bowl of olives and two pizzas and the food was delicious. The staff were friendly and attentive, so it was the perfect spot for our first night. De Koffieschenkerij is a little café that’s tucked at the side of De Oude Kerk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, and it was recommended by Lisanne on our bike tour. Among the hustle and bustle, you can find a moment of peace in the courtyard with a coffee and a pastry. Even though it was cold when we visited, we still enjoyed sitting outside with our cappuccinos.
Pazzi De Pijp restaurant is just a short walk from the hotel
After spending all morning exploring, we grew peckish and stumbled upon Stach, a small shop selling a selection of tasty sandwiches. As we waited for them to be freshly prepared, we were tempted by the sweet treats on offer and ended up taking home a bag of chewy florentines smothered in chocolate along with a delectable slice of pandan cake – I’m still thinking about it weeks later! We must also give a special mention to Le Patron, a small bar we nipped into when it started to rain, clearly a favourite with locals due to its cosy vibe and friendly staff. ARTSY AMSTERDAM Amsterdam is a city that is brimming with art. Around almost every corner there was something that caught our eye, from the street lights that had been transformed into rockets to sculptures floating above the canals and even some of the shop facades. Avani really embraced this with the quirky decor in its lobby and the windmill-inspired seat at the hotel entrance. And just a short walk from the hotel is the Van Gogh Museum, one of the city’s top tourist attractions. HOW TO BOOK Standard double rooms at Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam start from £165 a night based on two people sharing, including breakfast. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
