“The romantic canals, the unique and wonky houses – it’s truly one of the most photogenic cities I’ve ever seen”, explains Agata Wagemaker, as we discuss Amsterdam. It’s the place she’s called home for the last 10 years and the location of our first store in the Netherlands.
Polish native, Amsterdam resident and the content creator behind visual travel journal Windmill Dreams, Agata’s list of European destinations is impressive.
So, when did she first catch the travel bug? “To be honest, I have been curious about the world since I can remember,” she explains of the motivations behind her trips, which have taken her from Norway to the hidden nooks of Portugal. “I travelled a lot with my parents as a child and then later when I started high school I noticed that I particularly enjoyed getting to know other cultures and learning foreign languages.”
Scroll down her Instagram feed and you can see that despite living in Amsterdam for a decade, Agata still manages to view the city through the eyes of a visitor, managing to find moments of awe and wonder in the place she calls home. Who better to help us get to know our new neighbourhood than the travel aficionado herself?
#AdventuresOfAnthro:
Exploring Amsterdam
with Agata Wagemaker
Edited by Leanne Mascoll Wheaton
When to Visit
“Amsterdam is beautiful in any season – it offers a different experience with the changing months.
During the autumn, the city truly looks like a painting with all the golden brown leaves falling off the trees. In winter take a romantic candlelight boat tour to enjoy Amsterdam Light Festival or rent a pair of ice skates and have fun on the beautiful Museumplein. During the spring you can take a small tour outside of the city and enjoy the beautiful tulip fields. In the summer, grab a drink in one of the restaurants right along the canal and enjoy the warm evenings watching the sunset or enjoy the many festivals the city has to offer.”
What to pack
“Except for a camera (of course), I would recommend a light and a comfortable outfit like a dress or a pair of wide-legged trousers, both of which you can pair with a sweater or a jacket if the days or evenings get a bit chilly.
Amsterdam is not a big city, you can pretty much walk the entire city centre on foot, therefore I’d recommend a pair of comfortable trainers or flat-heeled boots for the colder season.”
Where to stay
“If you like trendy places with beautiful interiors I’d recommend staying in The Hoxton or in Hotel Mercier. For smaller more boutique-like and charming hotels I’d recommend The Times Hotel or The Craftsmen. All the mentioned hotels are in great locations right on the beautiful Amsterdam city canals.”
“Amsterdam is beautiful in any season – it offers a different experience with the changing months.
During the autumn, the city truly looks like a painting with all the golden brown leaves falling off the trees. In winter take a romantic candlelight boat tour to enjoy Amsterdam Light Festival or rent a pair of ice skates and have fun on the beautiful Museumplein. During the spring you can take a small tour outside of the city and enjoy the beautiful tulip fields. In the summer, grab a drink in one of the restaurants right along the canal and enjoy the warm evenings watching the sunset or enjoy the many festivals the city has to offer.”
What to pack
“Except for a camera (of course), I would recommend a light and a comfortable outfit like a dress or a pair of wide-legged trousers, both of which you can pair with a sweater or a jacket if the days or evenings get a bit chilly.
Amsterdam is not a big city, you can pretty much walk the entire city centre on foot, therefore I’d recommend a pair of comfortable trainers or flat-heeled boots for the colder season.”
Where to stay
“If you like trendy places with beautiful interiors I’d recommend staying in The Hoxton or in Hotel Mercier. For smaller more boutique-like and charming hotels I’d recommend The Times Hotel or The Craftsmen. All the mentioned hotels are in great locations right on the beautiful Amsterdam city canals.”
Where to sightsee
“If you’re a fan of art, the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum are ones not to be missed. You can spend a good few hours admiring Vincent Van Gogh’s work or the intricate paintings of the Dutch Masters like Vermeer or Rembrandt.
A trip to Amsterdam also wouldn’t be complete without taking a boat tour around the city’s canals. If you like nature, finish off by heading over to the beautiful botanic gardens – try Hortus Botanicus or rent a bike and ride around the city’s main park, Vondelpark.”
Where to wander
“Amsterdam’s canals are my absolute favourite area of the city for a nice long walk – they really can’t be missed.
If you’re visiting the city during the weekend, definitely wander around some of the city’s local farmers’ markets too. My favourite include Noordermarkt, Lindegracht and Boerenmarkt. The last one is located on the charming Nieuwmarkt square. If you enjoy browsing through unique secondhand and vintage books, do not miss Oudemanhuispoort book market. You can stroll there past thousands of secondhand books heaped onto tables in the brick alcoves along University of Amsterdam’s historic buildings. Many titles are in Dutch but there’s a large selection of books in different languages as well, including English. If books are not your favourtite, you can also find some cool vintage photographs, art prints or sheet music.”
Where to photograph
“Amsterdam’s wonky canal houses and winding canals are really something – they’re unique and romantic and make for the most beautiful photographs. Take a walk early in the morning or (if you’re not a morning person) bring a camera for an evening walk around the city’s canals. Some of my favourite include Browersgracht or two charming canals of Jordaan’s district: Egelantiersgracht and Bloemgracht.”
“If you’re a fan of art, the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum are ones not to be missed. You can spend a good few hours admiring Vincent Van Gogh’s work or the intricate paintings of the Dutch Masters like Vermeer or Rembrandt.
A trip to Amsterdam also wouldn’t be complete without taking a boat tour around the city’s canals. If you like nature, finish off by heading over to the beautiful botanic gardens – try Hortus Botanicus or rent a bike and ride around the city’s main park, Vondelpark.”
Where to wander
“Amsterdam’s canals are my absolute favourite area of the city for a nice long walk – they really can’t be missed.
If you’re visiting the city during the weekend, definitely wander around some of the city’s local farmers’ markets too. My favourite include Noordermarkt, Lindegracht and Boerenmarkt. The last one is located on the charming Nieuwmarkt square. If you enjoy browsing through unique secondhand and vintage books, do not miss Oudemanhuispoort book market. You can stroll there past thousands of secondhand books heaped onto tables in the brick alcoves along University of Amsterdam’s historic buildings. Many titles are in Dutch but there’s a large selection of books in different languages as well, including English. If books are not your favourtite, you can also find some cool vintage photographs, art prints or sheet music.”
Where to photograph
“Amsterdam’s wonky canal houses and winding canals are really something – they’re unique and romantic and make for the most beautiful photographs. Take a walk early in the morning or (if you’re not a morning person) bring a camera for an evening walk around the city’s canals. Some of my favourite include Browersgracht or two charming canals of Jordaan’s district: Egelantiersgracht and Bloemgracht.”
Best off-the-beaten-track gem
“Tucked in the north-west part of the main canal belt is the best cinema in the city: The Movies. Dating back to 1912, it is the oldest film theater in the city. It consists of four charming film rooms, a restaurant and a small bar, all decorated in art deco style. The Movies shows the latest blockbusters as well as independent films.”
Where to eat
“For delicious brunch and the best pancakes in the city head over to Dignita. It has two locations but the one next to the botanical gardens is my preferred spot. They serve healthy, organic and truly tasty food. I always end up ordering the pancakes though. You have been warned!
Another of my favourite places for lunch is Buffet van Odette – a cozy bistro at the Prinsengracht canal. If it is warm enough, grab a seat outside on their terrace and enjoy your delicious meal with a gorgeous canal view. I highly recommend you try the poached eggs with tomato sauce and Parmesan – heaven! For dessert grab a traditional Dutch apple pie.
For a tasty dinner, head over to Zoldering. It is one of my recent discoveries and immediately part of my top favourite restaurants to eat at in Amsterdam. It is a cosy and beautifully decorated space serving simple, but modern and delicious food as well as amazing wines. A perfect place for dinner after a busy day of sightseeing.”
Where to drink
“If you enjoy a great cocktail in a cosy and romantic environment, head over to Vesper or Pulitzer’s Bar. For a drink with a beautiful view over Amsterdam go to SkyLounge, W Lounge or A’DAM Tower.”
“Tucked in the north-west part of the main canal belt is the best cinema in the city: The Movies. Dating back to 1912, it is the oldest film theater in the city. It consists of four charming film rooms, a restaurant and a small bar, all decorated in art deco style. The Movies shows the latest blockbusters as well as independent films.”
Where to eat
“For delicious brunch and the best pancakes in the city head over to Dignita. It has two locations but the one next to the botanical gardens is my preferred spot. They serve healthy, organic and truly tasty food. I always end up ordering the pancakes though. You have been warned!
Another of my favourite places for lunch is Buffet van Odette – a cozy bistro at the Prinsengracht canal. If it is warm enough, grab a seat outside on their terrace and enjoy your delicious meal with a gorgeous canal view. I highly recommend you try the poached eggs with tomato sauce and Parmesan – heaven! For dessert grab a traditional Dutch apple pie.
For a tasty dinner, head over to Zoldering. It is one of my recent discoveries and immediately part of my top favourite restaurants to eat at in Amsterdam. It is a cosy and beautifully decorated space serving simple, but modern and delicious food as well as amazing wines. A perfect place for dinner after a busy day of sightseeing.”
Where to drink
“If you enjoy a great cocktail in a cosy and romantic environment, head over to Vesper or Pulitzer’s Bar. For a drink with a beautiful view over Amsterdam go to SkyLounge, W Lounge or A’DAM Tower.”
Where to dance
“Club Air, Amsterdam’s biggest, brightest and newest super-club, is the perfect place to let your hair down and dance until morning hours. If you're into the more commercial dance music, Club Air is the place to be. My top tip is to grab a cocktail at the bar upstairs!
For a more intimate vibe, Bitterzoet, a small live-music venue, offers something different every night, whether it’s a DJ line-up one or a live band. At Bitterzoet you can enjoy all types of music, from rock and hip-hop to soul and reggae.”
Where to shop
“My favourite areas to shop are the so-called “9 straatjes”, which is an area of nine beautiful streets filled with charming boutiques and cafés and restaurants.
Another area I’d highly recommend is the Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk streets. They have a great selection of hip and quirky independents stores, which makes it the perfect spot for long hours of relaxed shopping but also dining and bar-hopping for the late-night hours.”
Our first store in the Netherlands opens 15 November. Find us at Leidsestraat 32, 1017 PB, Amsterdam.
“Club Air, Amsterdam’s biggest, brightest and newest super-club, is the perfect place to let your hair down and dance until morning hours. If you're into the more commercial dance music, Club Air is the place to be. My top tip is to grab a cocktail at the bar upstairs!
For a more intimate vibe, Bitterzoet, a small live-music venue, offers something different every night, whether it’s a DJ line-up one or a live band. At Bitterzoet you can enjoy all types of music, from rock and hip-hop to soul and reggae.”
Where to shop
“My favourite areas to shop are the so-called “9 straatjes”, which is an area of nine beautiful streets filled with charming boutiques and cafés and restaurants.
Another area I’d highly recommend is the Haarlemmerstraat & Haarlemmerdijk streets. They have a great selection of hip and quirky independents stores, which makes it the perfect spot for long hours of relaxed shopping but also dining and bar-hopping for the late-night hours.”
Our first store in the Netherlands opens 15 November. Find us at Leidsestraat 32, 1017 PB, Amsterdam.