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First-time visitors to Amsterdam have usually done their research. You probably know to book your ticket to Anne Franks House before you arrive and give yourself half a day to explore Van Gogh Museum. For those who have been more than once (and once you experience Amsterdam we guarantee you’ll want to return!) what are the hidden gems you love to revisit?
Visiting Amsterdam soon? Check out some of our favourite hidden places.
You’ve probably seen a lot of impressionist art and our saucy museums may not be part of the cultural trip you were looking for so for something a little out of the ordinary and to avoid the endless queues and waiting lists, why not visit some of our more unusual museum attractions.
Tassenmuseum Hendrikje - the Museum of Bags and Purses - is a must-visit for the fashion lovers among us. If you love designers, high-fashion and all things handbags, the museum gives you the opportunity to discover the development of the humble handbag from the middle ages to today. Right next to the museum there is a focus exhibition of a changeable famous designer showing their history and examples of their work.
If like us, you love tea, coffee and café culture, you might enjoy the very cute Teapot Museum. Hidden inside a Victorian boudoir style building, lies the cities smallest museum, The Tea Rat. This fascinating collection of over 100 teapots are jammed from floor to ceiling into one room and the closer you look the stranger they get! As a hidden gem, it can be hard to find but the museum is in Amsterdam’s unique Jordaan district.
We promise this ‘zoo’ is unlike any you’ve ever been before!
There are no live animals in sight, just a fascinating collection of colourful sculptures made from metal. Follow the signs for Zootje Petit Zoo near De Plantage to find the garden which is well hidden between the grass and plants. It’s a great afternoon of discovery for adults and children alike. Keep your eyes peeled for the dinosaur and the zombie!
If your idea of heaven involves modern art, casual comfortable surrounds and excellent coffee, we’ve found the hidden gem for you.
Supporting local and upcoming artists, The Cloud Gallery Amsterdam has an ever-changing exhibition of eclectic and unusual modern art that is sure to impress. Their aim is to give young artists a stage for their work and to make art accessible for everyone. Their drinks menu includes fair-trade coffee and hand-picked tea and the staff are always happy to discuss the current show. You can also purchase photo books, postcards, magazines, and exclusive prints.
Shopping in Amsterdam's colourful and lively market scene is a great way to bag a bargain and pick up a few Dutch souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
Besides its beautiful location along the Prinsengracht, Noordermarkt market also gives local creators a space to sell their unique homemade and hand-grown goods. It’s most well-known as a flea market and farmers market which is open on Mondays and Saturdays only. On Mondays, there’s also a textile market on Westerstraat, right next to Noordermarkt. Visiting a local market instead of the high-street is also a great way to support local artists and growers.
While it’s hardly hidden, you will have to go out of your way to visit Pathé Tuschinski. Pathé, the biggest cinema chain in the Netherlands, has taken over this very special and beautiful location between the Flower Market and Rembrandtplein, formerly Theatre Tuschinski.
The interior and exterior have a mix of styles, namely: Art Nouveau and Art Deco, a combination of which make it a very unique Hollywood-esque place to view the latest blockbuster. This iconic building also contains a stage for live performances and the only cinema organ in the country. You can learn more about Tuschinski’s history and architecture by doing an audio tour given by their knowledgeable staff.
Author Bio: Katie McGarr is a travel buff who writes for PREMIER SUITES PLUS Amsterdam, which specializes in luxury, full-suite serviced apartments in Amsterdam. This frugal young lady believes that traveling shouldn't be expensive. She loves sharing money-saving hacks on lodging, traveling, and dining.
