Hidden gems in Amsterdam: 10 ways to escape the tourist trail

1. Celebrate our feline friends at the KattenKabinet

Seeking a culture hit without the elbowing crowds of the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum? Head to the KattenKabinet. Quite literally the ‘Cat Cabinet, this small but delightful gallery is brimming with art dedicated to – you guessed it – cats.

You’ll find it tucked inside a grand townhouse along the Herengracht canal, and it’s filled with vintage posters as well as works by Picasso, Rembrandt and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Best of all, there are even a few resident moggies roaming the rooms like they own the place – because, obviously, they do.

2. Swap mammals for microbes at Micropia

Skip the lions and giraffes at Artis Zoo and head next door to Micropia, the only museum in the world dedicated to microbes.

This science-forward attraction has seven million bacteria living within its walls – thankfully mainly in petri dishes or under microscopes. It dives into the invisible world of bacteria, fungi and viruses with surprisingly fun exhibits, from body scanners showing your invisible microbial buddies to a ‘kiss-o-meter’ that tells you how much bacteria gets swapped in a snog.

It’s part interactive lab, part sci-fi movie and genuinely fascinating.

3. Eat like a local at Foodhallen

Eschew the tourist-centric restaurants inside Amsterdam’s onion (the main cluster of u-shaped canals and streets in its centre) and make your way to Foodhallen in Oud-West.

Set inside a repurposed tram depot, this buzzing indoor food market is the coolest eating and drinking hotspot in town. There’s a seafood stand, a steak stall, Middle Eastern meze and Spanish meats, but best of all is the dim sum right at the back.

The craft beer bar here has hundreds of options, including plenty of local beers, and the gin bar in the centre has a brilliant range of juniper-based drinks – this is, after all, the home of jenever (Dutch gin).

4. Discover a creative playground in Amsterdam-Noord

Take the free ferry behind Centraal Station and head north to NDSM Wharf, a gritty-cool former shipyard that’s now a creative hub – think massive murals, outdoor sculptures, artist studios and bars tucked inside old shipping containers.

Time your visit with the monthly IJ-Hallen flea market to hunt for vintage treasures at more than 700 stalls and make time to grab a drink at Pllek, a beachy bar-restaurant made from recycled materials.

For film buffs, the Eye Filmmuseum, just east of the ferry terminal, is an architectural stunner with a rotating programme of arthouse and classic films.

5. Brave Europe’s highest swing at A'DAM Lookout

Thrill-seekers who want to test their mettle will love Over the Edge – Europe’s highest swing – at the top of the A’DAM Lookout. Strap in and dangle your legs over the tower’s edge as you swing back and forth above the skyline.

If the thought of that is too much, the panoramic views from the observation deck are worth the ferry ride to Amsterdam-Noord alone. From this 100m-high (328ft) vantage point, you’ll see the historic centre, bustling port and the Dutch polder landscapes beyond the city.

There’s also a rooftop bar with cocktails and comfy seating, plus a floor of interactive exhibits exploring Amsterdam’s history and culture through immersive tech.

6. Sleep soundly on a houseboat B&B

Avoid the party crowds and thumping nightlife by booking a peaceful stay on the water. Amsterdam Bed and Boat, moored in the quiet Westerdok area, is a sleek, self-contained floating apartment just a short walk from Jordaan and Centraal Station. It’s stylish, serene and has a private terrace for canal-side coffee mornings.

For a more personal touch, try Bed Breakfast Boat in the east of the city. This cosy, one-room houseboat is hosted by the ever-welcoming Rene and offers a truly local vibe, complete with duck and swan neighbours.

7. Uncover a secret chapel in an attic

Our Lord in the Attic Museum (Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder) is one of Amsterdam’s most astonishing hidden spaces.

Behind the unassuming façade of a 17th-century canal house in the De Wallen red light district is a fully preserved Catholic church. Tucked away in the attic, this clandestine church opened to worshippers in 1663, a time when public Catholic worship was forbidden.

You’ll wander through period-furnished rooms before ascending into a stunning, gold-accented chapel that spans the top three floors.

8. Enjoy a moment of calm at Hortus Botanicus

Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world – and one of Amsterdam’s most calming escapes.

Originally founded in 1638 as a medicinal herb garden for doctors and pharmacists, it now houses more than 6,000 plant species from around the globe, including a 300-year-old Eastern Cape giant cycad and an enormous water lily house.

The butterfly greenhouse is a highlight, and the onsite café lets you sip a cappuccino while surrounded by greenery. No crowds, just birdsong and plant life.

9. Dine on a pirate radio platform at REM Eiland

For dinner with serious bragging rights, book a table at REM Eiland, a restaurant set inside a repurposed North Sea broadcasting platform.

Originally built in the 1960s as a pirate radio and TV station (outside Dutch jurisdiction), the platform was dragged back to shore when the government shut it down.

These days, it rises dramatically out of the water and serves up modern European cuisine with knockout views. You’ll dine 22m (72ft) above sea level, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the IJ and Amsterdam’s industrial skyline.

10. Skip the airport and make the journey part of the holiday

One of the greatest joys of a city break in Amsterdam is the fact you don’t have to fly. Direct links between London and Amsterdam with Eurostar mean you can avoid the stag and hen parties on the plane and take the train instead – the journey is just under four hours.

Alternatively, DFDS runs a Newcastle-Amsterdam overnight ferry, and if you opt for the mini cruise version, you’ll be treated to musical performances on board. You might even spot dolphins, minke whales and even seals en route!