An Art Lover’s Guide to Amsterdam

By Tom Ingrams

Though it may now be more famous as the home of legal drug cafes than as the birthplace and muse of Vincent Van Gogh, Amsterdam is not all about the fabulously seedy red light district or even smoking in front of a policeman. Amidst its picture perfect canals and quaint narrow houses lie some of the world’s best art collections and quirky shops – perfect for an art lover’s weekend away.

Stay in the Art World
Luxury hotels in Amsterdam are not hard to find, but there are a handful of art inspired places to stay that will truly immerse you in the city’s culture. From the retro elegance of the Hotel Roemer to the chic and unique rooms at Hotel Vondel which were inspired by (and adorned with) the works Dutch artist Peter Keizer, there are a number of luxury hotels in Amsterdam to make art lovers swoon.

Marvel at Architecture
This historic city centre – one of the largest in Europe – has about 7,000 registered buildings, the majority of which have been unchanged since the 19th century. Since the city never suffered majorly in World War II from bombing, it’s also one of the most intact. The Old Centre, in fact, dates back to Medieval times – check out the ancient Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk for a glimpse at the few old wooden houses and courtyards which still stand from this era.

Another prominent feature of the city is the largest cannel or Grachtengordel which rings the centre. Merchants built their beautiful houses along its edge in the 17th century and its here that you can see some of the more prestigious mansions in Amsterdam and the traditional white draw bridges which still cross the water.

At the other end of the scale, the Jordaan area was long considered the slums and working class part of the city. Narrow streets and canals twist and turn together in contrast to the wide boulevards of Grachtengordel, but Jordaan is no longer the poor cousin – it’s now a hip boutique district famous for artists’ lofts and trendy shops.

Tour the Museums

Museums don’t come more diverse than in Amsterdam, but if the eclectic porn and cannabis exhibitions aren’t your style, there are still some masterpieces not to be missed. Be warned, however, that some can be so crowded in peak seasons that long queues are inevitable.

The pick of the bunch is undoubtedly the Rijksmuseum, with its paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Including such famous works as Rembrandt’s Night Watch, it also boasts a number of less known – but equally masterful – artists from Amsterdam and Holland. The Van Gogh Museum is also astounding. This is the largest collection of his paintings and drawings in the world.

Tom Ingrams is a travel writer who specializes in the higher end of the market, with particular attention to the very best luxury hotels in Amsterdam.

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