Read update
- More Non-Touristy Things To Do Next Time You're In Amsterdam
A traveler can keep busy in Amsterdam for days on end. With so much to explore, it’s a destination that should be on the bucket list. But after the big attractions are seen, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, and the touristy activities have been tried, like a guided canal boat tour of the city and a bike ride, many visitors want to peel back the onion and go in search of the real Amsterdam. These non-touristy things to do will put travelers in touch with the people and places that make the Netherlands' capital city so fantastic.
UPDATE: 2023/05/12 12:08 EST BY KHYATI DAND
More Non-Touristy Things To Do Next Time You're In Amsterdam
Amsterdam remains one of the most sought-after cities in Europe but to truly experience the Dutch capital beyond its historic canals and biking paths, one must stay in the city as the locals do. This list was updated to include more non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam and experience a side of the city that not many travelers do.
13 Stop At A Bruin Cafe
Bruin or brown cafes are to Amsterdammers what pubs are to Londoners: a cozy hole in the wall where locals gather after work for a drink, a chat, and a quick snack. These laidback neighborhood cafes with dark decor and brown walls are more bars than cafes really. They generally tend to stay open late into the night and are a great place to get acquainted with the best local beer and regional food. Go to the same bruin cafe often enough and even a tourist can be on a first-name basis with the bartender! How's that for a non-touristy thing to do in Amsterdam?
12 Explore The Hidden Book Market Of Oudemanhuispoort
Amsterdam may be a city of canals, bikes, cafes, and pubs but it's also a city where markets of all kinds thrive. One of the best markets in the capital is one that's hidden in an ancient covered passage near the University of Amsterdam's Law Faculty. Known as Old Man's House Gate or Oudemanhuispoort, this secret market sells second-hand books, prints, and sheet music. It's believed that Vincent Van Gogh would frequent Oudemanhuispoort when he was in need of inspiration.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:30-18:00
11 Spend A Day At The NDSM Wharf
NDSM is a far cry from the picture of canal-lined and bridge-filled streets that are mostly associated with Amsterdam. Located along the River IJ in Amsterdam Noord, NDSM Wharf is a former industrial shipyard converted into a cultural hub that's a world of its own. The overall area is the size of ten football pitches put together and it's home to urban beaches, hotels that sit inside cranes, and restaurants built from shipping containers. NSDM Wharf also hosts live concerts, festivals, markets, and dance parties all around the year.
10 Browse The Bustling Dappermarkt
Visit the Dappermarkt to see where many locals shop for fresh food, flowers, snacks, and traditional Dutch goodies. It’s all on one street, Dapperstraat, in East Amsterdam, where many residents hail from such places as Suriname, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Find some 250 retail stands selling all manner of goods and attracting many local people. Visitors can pick up inexpensive souvenirs here, too, since some items sell for as little as one euro. This bustling market also is known for its organic produce.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 09:00 – 17:00
9 Mix With Locals At Waterkant
Tourists can meet and mix with local folks at what is considered the top locals’ bar in the city. Located at Marnixstraat 246, the venue opened in 2014 and has already made its mark. There’s a DJ playing music, and outdoor canal-front terraces invite visitors to sit and enjoy the views of boats on the canals and the local vibe. It’s a popular place to be on summer days and fills up fast with residents from the area. The Waterkant is definitely a destination to visit, even for travelers who have just a few days in the city.
- Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 - 01:00; Friday and Saturday, 11:00 - 03:00
8 Rent A Small Boat On The Canals
Many tourists like to get a handle on the city by taking a guided canal tour shortly after arriving, and they are lots of fun, to be sure. But visitors should know that, for anyone who is comfortable handling a small boat, another option is to rent one. There are many places throughout Amsterdam where small boats can be rented for a few hours, and no local license is needed. Visitors can tool around the canals, under bridges, and along pretty streets and see the city from a totally different vantage point.
Amsterdam has several canal routes that visitors can explore by boat but some of them can get awfully busy and hard to navigate. Choose some of the more quieter routes along the southern part of the city and the oud-west neighborhood when renting a boat.
7 Have A Beach Day At Blijburg
Travelers who want to get a bit out of the city and into the fresh air can head to Bliijburg Beach, located on Centrum Island in the eastern part of the city. The popular urban beach provides a sandy respite from busy Amsterdam, and swimming is allowed in designated areas at certain times of the year. There’s a snack bar, a restaurant, and some bars at the beach, too. The destination is accessible by tram from Amsterdam Central Station.
6 Check Out Amsterdam Central Library
Amsterdam Central Library, at 28 Church Street, offers a quiet space where visitors and their families can explore books, view free art exhibitions, and attend free concerts. It’s a great pastime on a day when the weather is not cooperating for outdoor touring. The library is the second-largest public library in Europe, with more than 1.5 million items in its collection. A theater and observation terrace are located on the top floor, offering great views over the city. A cafe-restaurant is found there, as well.
5 Tour A Historic Church
Amsterdam has an abundance of historic churches, many sporting interesting architectural styles. Visitors can enter and tour most of them (unless a service is underway). One of the notable churches is the Walloon Church at Walenpleintje 159. It dates back to the 15th century and is said to have had one of the great Dutch artists as a visitor: Vincent van Gogh. The church, also known as De Waalse Kerk, was originally built in 1496 as the chapel for a Catholic monastery, but today is a Protestant church. It also has one of the best-preserved organs in Europe.
4 Hear Storytelling At Mezrab
Mezrab is a destination dedicated to the art of storytelling and holds hundreds of such events each year. Located at Veemkade 576, the venue provides inspiration for many museums and theaters to offer their own storytelling programs. The all-volunteer facility also holds dance, visual arts, and poetry programs and is considered a major cultural hub in Amsterdam. Admission is free at this venue, which offers one of the unforgettable experiences in the city. Events are held Wednesday through Saturday nights.
3 Shop At The Waterlooplein Flea Market
Waterloo Square is the site of the oldest flea market in Amsterdam, the Waterlooplein, which has been operating for more than 130 years. Some 300 stalls sell a wide variety of goods, such as clothing, collectibles, antiques, books, jewelry, and lots more. Food trucks add to the fun and authentic atmosphere of this historic retail center, offering Italian, Greek, Lebanese, and another cuisine. The sprawling market is located close to the Waterloo Square metro station and is open on weekdays.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30 - 18.00
2 Indulge In Delicious Street Food
There are plenty of fine dining restaurants across Amsterdam, but the non-touristy thing to do one day or evening is check out the delicious street food the city has to offer at Ten Katemarkt. Visitors will find what they’re looking for at Ten Katemarkt 53, in the western part of the city. Travelers can indulge in fresh produce, Dutch cheeses, fresh fish, tapas, and many international cuisines sold at the market’s abundance of stalls. The open-air venue is open Monday to Saturday.
1 Experience Art In Amsterdam Noord
Fascinating neighborhoods are to be found in Amsterdam Noord (north), where artistic and industrial areas inspire creativity in the forms of shops, clubs, galleries, and other interesting outlets. Known for its gritty art scene, the region is a short ferry ride from the docks located behind Amsterdam Central Station. Visitors should make time for the rooftop observation deck in a building called A’DAM Toren, where panoramic views of the city can be enjoyed. Next door, visitors will find the popular EYE Filmmuseum.