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When thinking of Europe’s most romantic cities, Amsterdam is always at the top of my list! Cruising the canals at night, eating in candle lit cafes and walking the city arm in arm all make romantic Amsterdam stand out. The ambience starts in the spring with all the flowers welcoming you to Holland. Romantic Amsterdam is all about the flowers! Pick up a bouquet at the beginning of your trip to give your hotel room or houseboat a romantic Dutch feel. Take romantic photos together with tulip displays around the city, in the parks or at the famous Keukenhof Gardens from mid-March to mid-May. What else does romantic Amsterdam have to offer?
Amsterdam’s Romantic Accommodations
Hotels in Amsterdam are notoriously expensive, but you can book some great romantic accommodations in the mid-range that won’t break the bank. First decide if you want the amenities of a hotel or the comfort of a rental. A rental will typically have more space and a kitchen/kitchenette. In Amsterdam, you have the option to rent a canal house or even a houseboat in a canal! Save the houseboat rental for the warmer months in the summer. If you’re only in town for a weekend, a hotel might be a better choice. Try boutique hotels like:
•Max Brown Canal District
•The Bank Hotel
•Canal House (Hyatt property)
•Boutique Hotel the Craftsmen
Romantic Attractions in Amsterdam
Simple and free activities in Amsterdam can still be romantic. Walking the canals in the Jordaan or Canal Belt and exploring neighborhoods by foot. Forget about your watch and just walk the streets trying Dutch treats and shopping around. Try to find the hidden Hofje that are especially prevalent in the Jordaan neighborhood. A Hofje is a plot of green space that is hidden from the outside of the residential buildings. They are public places, but in residential spaces, so it is important to be quiet and respectful. Pilot your own boat in the Jordaan as well, for only 50 euro an hour. Getting out on the water is the best way to truly experience the canals.
The Netherlands are famous for the tulips and tulips fields, especially during the annual Spring flower festival. The best place to experience the flowers is in Keukenhof Garden, just outside of Amsterdam. Another great way to experience the flowers is to visit a tulip farm and get to photograph the fields. Another great option for couples is a bike ride through the flower fields to be able to experience and photograph them from all angles. Zaanse Schans or Amsterdam Noord are other areas where you can get the experience of cycling in the Netherlands without the safety concerns of Amsterdam city center!
Romantic Winter Attractions in Amsterdam
Winter in Northern Europe is known to be cold and wet. Not the perfect weather to visit all the outdoor attractions Amsterdam is known for like tulip gardens, windmills and cruising the canals. Amsterdam has more than its fair share of amazing museums and winter is the perfect time to spend time indoors and enjoy the museum cafe and libraries. The Museums down in Museumplein are large buildings and will take a few hours to half a day to view. Many of the other museums are housed in former canal houses, so they are much smaller, taking only an hour or two to complete. See how many museums you’d like to see in the dead of winter:
•Rijksmuseum
•Van Gogh Museum
•Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
•Moco Museum Amsterdam
•Rembrandt House
•Anne Frank House
•Resistance Museum
• NEMO (Science)
•Maritime Museum
•WONDER interactive museum
•Our Lord in the Attic
•Nieuwe Kerk, Oude Kerk, Basilica of St. Nicholas
Other winter activities in the city center include the Amsterdam Light Festival, best experienced by cruise. This time of year, from Advent through end of January, light installations have been put in all over the city to brighten up the dark winters. Christmas Markets are held around the city center and in Haarlem during Advent. These markets are not like the German and French Christmas markets that people think of traditionally. However, they do brighten the spirits and warm the tastes of sweet treats in winter. Finally, consider ice skating in the winter around Amsterdam’s city center in front of the Rijkmuseum and in Rembrantsplain.
Coffeeshop Culture
The coffeeshops in Amsterdam are much more than the dispensaries that are popping up like wildfire in the States. You can purchase to-go or enjoy a smoke in the coffeeshop (with the purchase of a drink). These coffeeshops have different vibes all over the city. Everything from a hole in the wall for locals to a relaxing place to socialize & smoke with friends. Coffee shops are not like bars, you won’t see people getting angry or starting fights. Just maybe getting the munchies.
After traveling far and wide, testing strains and coffeeshop vibes all over the city I’ve created a top 10 list of best coffeeshops. Number one is Greenhouse, it has stood the test of time. Their products are superior year after year, with six Greenhouse coffeeshops around the city. Only the one in the North Jordaan area on Haarlemmerstraat has the amazing vibe hubby and I have come to love. They have three rooms, all with different ambience and a full menu from breakfast to dessert. My top ten favorite coffee shops are rated on the atmosphere of the coffeeshop, not price or strains. Top 10 Coffeeshops:
- Greenhouse (Haarlemmerstraat location is best to hang out)
- Coffeeshop Amsterdam
- Abraxas
- SWED
- Kadinsky
- Dolphins
- Katsu (de Pijp)
- Dolphin
- Tyson 2.0
- Resin
The smoke boat, the Buddha boat and the Bul Dog boat are all smoking cruises (weed only, no tobacco) that allow you to experience the social side of cannabis culture. We sailed around the canals near Central Station, the gentleman’s canals and out to the Amstel River. I highly recommend this activity if you are interested in coffeeshop culture, but don’t want to miss the sights. This is also great for couple who one smokes and the other does not, its a win win!
Red Light District
If your idea of a fun night out is less about romance and more about an X-rated experience, you’ll want to find yourself in the Red Light District. What is known as the Red Light District is really the medieval city center known as De Wallen. This area around the Oude Kerk is known for its open attitudes toward sex and prostitution. However, at the end of the day, this is a neighborhood like all others in Amsterdam. By day, there is a preschool on the corner and outdoor cafes overlooking the canals. When the sun goes down, the red lights flick on and the two small canals start hopping.
Coffeeshops, bars, sex shops and restaurants surround the narrow alleys with windows, illuminated with red lights. These windows will have working prostitutes in them, teasing the guys, hoping for a customer. When the curtain is closed, that means that girl is busy hosting a client. There are a few windows with blue lights, this signals a trans-lady will be in those windows. Be aware that photos and videos of the windows are not allowed and strictly enforced! Since the Middle Ages, sailors, soldiers and gentlemen of all countries and cultures have visited the infamous Red Light District. Don’t be intimidated, have a walk through and see what your comfortable with in the RLD. It might not be for a romantic night out, but might lead to a “fun” date night.
What to Expect in the RLD
The Red Light District is not as dangerous as some of the stories of its historical past might have visitors expecting. During the day there are great museums in this area including the Rembrandt House and Our Lord in the Attic. There are also loads of touristy shops, restaurants and attractions like the Amsterdam Dungeon and Torture Museum that you really should skip. Instead, walk toward the east part of town to eat, since the Red Light District borders Amsterdam’s Chinatown. They have great, authentic restaurants and diverse cuisine to choose from at reasonable prices.
There are some great coffeeshops and Dutch brown bars to hang out in for the ambience and people watching late into the evenings. The Red Light District is busiest from 11:00-3:00 am, especially on weekends and holidays. If you want the R rated, instead of the X-rated version of the Red Light District, plan to come earlier in the evening and during the week. When visiting the Red Light District with your partner, there are a variety of attractions to catch your attention. Strip clubs, sex theaters, peep shows, sex shops and gay bars are all prevalent.
There are no more official walking tours through the area, due to crowd control. There are audio tours you can buy, however these are better during the day when it is not as busy. You will want to pay attention, between pickpocket and crazy tourist groups late at night. Pop into one of the fun and educational establishments like the Museum of Prostitution, the Erotica Museum or Museum of Cannabis. There is also a fun Brothel Tour where a former sex worker will answer all your questions. But, this is located in Museumplein and not the Red Light District.
Romantic Restaurants in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for their casual restaurants with diverse cuisine and price points. Romantic Restaurants in Amsterdam are often candle lit establishments that are using local and authentic ingredients. Many places will be able to seat you without a reservation in the off season, but if you have a favorite spot or are traveling during the busy season in spring or summer you’ll want to make reservations.Try some of these amazing spots for romantic dinners:
•De Kas- organic Mediterranean with daily changing menu
•De Plantage- Mediterranean restaurant set near the zoo with beautiful outdoor seating
•Restaurant De Belhamel- French with a 5 course Valentine’s menu offered
•Bistrot des Alps- romantic fondue restaurant
•Pasta e Basta 2.0- Italian with singing wait staff
•Blue Amsterdam- glass fronted cafe and bar with panoramic city view
•La Olive is a Spanish restaurant with great paella for two
•Casa Nostra- hole in the wall with amazing Southern Italian food in de Pijp
•Night Kitchen- prix fix, French inspired 5 course menu in Oud West
•Mr. Porter- upscale steakhouse on the top floor of the W Hotel
•Mr. Meat is a romantic steakhouse located next to the Bank Hotel in the Jordaan
•Pesca, The Theater of Fish is an experience in choosing your dinner and preparation method
•Vuvrtoreneiland (Lighthouse Island) is located on an uninhabited island that can only be accessed by boat for a romantic meal you’ll never forget.
Dutch Brown Bars
Traditional Dutch pubs are known as bruin cafes or brown bars here in Amsterdam. These small, local bars are rooted in Dutch culture and host the Amsterdam locals. Try one of these memorable Brown Bars:
•Cafe Chris the oldest cafe in the Jordaan from 1624!
•Cafe ‘t Sluisje is located in Noord (known for their Dutch apple pie).
•Cafe Kuijper is a Brown Bar located in Oost Amsterdam.
•Cafe Hoppe has been celebrating Dutch holidays like herring day and King’s Day for 348 years!
•Cafe de Tuin is located in the Jordaan, never having changed.
Romantic Picnics by the Parks & Canals
Amsterdam can be an expensive city, especially if you are eating out all three meals a day. If you have rented a place with a kitchen or kitchenette, cooking will be easier. Especially if you are traveling with a family, having a place to make breakfast, sandwiches, snacks, and store cold items is a life saver. However, foods popular in Amsterdam are often great for making simple meals or preparing picnics even if you have a typical hotel room.
Going to the bakery daily for fresh bread, rolls, croissants and pastries for dessert is one of the best parts of Amsterdam life. I always plan to go to one of my favorite street markets when I arrive in Amsterdam for cheese and produce. Bring a bag with you while walking around, so you can stop at authentic markets and storefronts to replace snacks and treats. I enjoy picnics with my kids but it’s great for couples too. Making sandwiches ahead and then stopping in a convenience store to pick out a drink or fun bag of chips is perfect for picnicking. Choose a location in a park or on a bench by the canals.
Amsterdam Date Night Ideas
Dinner and a movie is the quintessential date when you think of an idea or what is shown in the movies. Movies are popular dating and group activities that many visitors and locals enjoy in Amsterdam. Especially since most of the theaters play movies in English. Theaters suggestions:
•Pathe Tuschinski
•Eye Filmmuseum
•De Filmhallen
•Rialto de Pijp
•LAB111
Dinner and dancing is another predictable date night activity. Amsterdam is big into the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene. They host the ADE- Amsterdam Dance Event each year in October. ADE is a 5-day electronic music conference and festival held in and around Amsterdam annually. Therefore the club scene is great for a date night of EDM or another genre of music you enjoy. Clubs to check out:
•Melkweg located in Leidseplein, Centrum
•Shelter located in Amsterdam Noord (get there by ferry)
•Paradiso located in Leidseplein, Centrum
•Radio Radio in Westerpark
•Warehouse on Elementenstraat west
•Gashouder in Westerpark
Diamond Shopping
Diamond shopping is another romantic activity in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, Amsterdam had the largest diamond industry in the world, earning it the name “City of Diamonds.” For the next 300 years the diamond industry flourished in the Netherlands. World War II was the demise of the industry, since most of the jewelers were Jewish and forced to flee or into concentration camps. After the war, only a small industry remained for tourists. Today, two companies dominate the business Gassan Diamonds and Royal Coster Diamonds.
Royal Coster Diamonds is the oldest diamond factory in the world, since 1840. Visitors are offered guided tours of its museum and factory with diamond cutters and polishers working in plain sight. There are also Diamond Master classes, Royal diamond experiences and a Royal engagement experience for those who want to learn about and create their perfect wedding ring. Royal Coster Diamonds headquarters is located on the edge of Museum Square.
Gassen Diamond has a few locations in Amsterdam, the main building in the former Jewish quarter. If you take the Hop on/Hop off boat tour (always skip the bus part in Amsterdam) stop 4 will be at Gassen. They also offer tours, diamond classes and shopping experiences for Jewels and watches. Gassen works directly with luxury hotels to provide Diamond VIP packages. One popular option is a tea at the Waldorf Astoria that provides a crown jewel inspired service
Amsterdam Photo Shoot
Scheduling a romantic photoshoot while on a trip can often be the last thing you consider while planning activities and researching restaurants. Photo shoots have become more popular while traveling, to capture beautiful moments that you will have a memory of forever. What about capturing you both having a picnic in the park, on a candlelight boat ride or an intimate kiss on a bridge with beautiful scenery behind you? Having photos with both of you inside the frame or carrying a small bouquet of tulips as the perfect accessory.
There are two types of photography sessions to consider. Do you want something short, that does not take much time out of your trip, but will help capture great chemistry? Then consider booking a Get you guide or Viator activity at a time of day you will look your best and have great light. Consider what you’d like in the background, canals, canal houses, architecture, specific museums or parks, etc. and if you’d like to shoot near your hotel. The other type of couples photoshoot is more in depth, typically involving more time and professional photographers. These shoots can include a private canal cruise or Vondelpark picnic to up the romance factor. Consider a Couple Photoshoot in Amsterdam alone or partnered with a romantic boat ride or marriage proposal.
Amsterdam’s Romantic Canal Cruise
There are tons of options when booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam. I often suggest people book two cruises to see Amsterdam, one during the day and one at night. The city looks and feels completely different before and after sunset. I often recommend canal cruise companies like Flagship, Captain Jack and Those Dam Boat Guys especially for the day time cruise. Additionally, there are great options for Smoke Boats to see the sights of Amsterdam. Companies like Buddha Boat, Smoke Boat and The Bulldog Boat are all great options that are marijuana friendly.
When thinking of a romantic canal cruise option, a private boat or wine & cheese options will make the ride even more special for two. Most romantic cruises start at sunset and go into the evening, often offering snacks, drinks or a full wine & cheese spread.
•Romantic Amsterdam Canal Cruise- Amsterdam with bubbly and snacks for a 45 minute or 90 minutes private cruise.
•Pure Boats- afternoon high tea cruise, evening wine & cheese option or a private boat
•Private Boat Tour- Saloon boat with champagne or 2-course dinner cruise
Amsterdam is for Lovers
When thinking of the most romantic locations in Europe, people often think of Paris. Paris is known as the “City of Love” with romantic cafes, boat rides on the Seine and ornate streets for a stroll with your lover. The first time my husband and I visited Paris together we put a love lock on the Pont des Arts bridge. The romantic practice of attaching padlocks with the couple’s names started back in 2008. Recently, these locks have been removed from the bridges for structural integrity and degradation of the city and is frowned upon in general, now. Thankfully our love has survived years past our lock in Paris! But then again, we are more of a romantic Amsterdam couple anyway. Amsterdam is for Lovers!
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