
There’s nowhere quite like Amsterdam in the summer. Sparkling canals, bicycles bobbing over bridges, and residents perched on their front stoops with an ice-cold Heineken in hand. It’s a feast for the eyes – and, dare I say, your phone camera – so here’s my little black book of the chicest spots in the city that will have your DMs filling up in no time…


Eat & Drink
Café Restaurant De Ysbreeker
Inner city terraces don’t get more generous than this all-day café on the Amstel. Pull up a chair and share some garnalenkroketten (shrimp croquettes) as you partake in some top-tier people watching.
Café Slijterij Oosterling
When the sun shines in Amsterdam, locals spill out of the many brown cafés that line the streets, sipping elegant 30cl beers and nibbling on a bowl of bitterballen fresh out of the fryer. Dip these bad boys in mustard, but be careful, they’re piping hot!
Pen Yen at Soho House Amsterdam
Two words. Rooftop sushi. That is, if you’re lucky enough to be or know a member…
Massimo Gelato
A summer city break requires an ice cream a day, and this pretty corner gelateria tucked away in the student neighbourhood of De Pijp does the job. Opt for a scoop of sorbet (or two) and then wander over to the dainty Sarphatipark.
Cornerstore
Never heard of Noord? You’ll want to make the hop over the River IJ to this former studio where the restaurant of the moment lies. With impeccable design, an Asian-fusion menu (say yes to a Yuzu Spritz) and DJs spinning disco tracks all evening, the party’s just getting started at Cornerstore. The only reason to leave early? Catching the sunset on the free ferry home.

@deysbreeker

@deysbreeker

@cornerstore.ams by @samirakafala

@cornerstore.ams

Café Slijterij Oosterling

@massimogelatoamsterdam

Pen Yen at Soho House

Pen Yen at Soho House
Do
Oosterpark
Little-known to outsiders but filled with charm, Oosterpark is often overlooked for the more famous Vondelpark. But a few hours in the east of the city, with its pretty cafes and relaxed vibe, will have you feeling like a local.
Zandvoort Beach & Kayuca Beachclub
That’s right, beach clubs in the Netherlands. When the temperature soars, hop on a train to this coastal town and stop by Kayuca, a Balinese-style beach club with sun loungers and a toes-in-the-sand restaurant.


Stay
It doesn’t get more classic than Canal House. Located on the Keizersgracht Canal, this boutique of three 17th-century townhouses is filled with delights at every turn. From the secret courtyard to the open kitchen, you’ll feel right at home.
Canal House | Book Now
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park may be new to the scene, but this striking listed building is already making waves within the style set, on the fringe of Oosterpark. The Spring Brasserie terrace shines the most in the summer months, so sink into a cushioned chair and sip on a glass of rosé as you watch the local park life go by.
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park | Book Now
If everything, everywhere, all at once is your vibe, this opulent hotel is the one for you. Situated on Dam Square, every inch of TwentySeven Hotel has been considered, from the wide-ranging windows in the corner bedrooms to the eclectic photography embellishing the walls. Don’t miss the infamous DJ sets at Bar TwentySeven…
TwentySeven Hotel | Book Now
Watch on TikTok: This is your sign to book a summer trip to Amsterdam
Share this article
Latest stories

Our edit of hotels to book in October
From a colourful restored villa in glamorous Capri to a private island with overwater villas in Indonesia, October brings a new crop of hotels worth knowing about. These are the openings catching our eye this month – some are historic properties given a new chapter, while others bring contemporary flair

Introducing the characters behind The One campaign
You nominated them, now you can hear their stories – meet the finalists who have made lasting impressions at our hotels, giving them the character that makes each stay special At the start of 2026, we invited you to nominate the individuals at our independent hotels who make stays truly

Down south: the new hotels in Australia on our radar
From the energy of its cities to its dramatic coastlines, wine regions and wide-open landscapes, Australia feels particularly compelling right now — and these additions to the SLH collection offer five very different ways to experience it. From Brisbane and Sydney to the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, these new

Alluring Tuscany: where to stay to get the most from the region’s vineyards, ancient towns and wild coast
With its gently rolling hills, slender cypress trees and centuries-old villages, Tuscany is one of the world’s most beloved destinations. But beyond the postcard image lies a region of contrasts, from the vineyards of Chianti and wild coastal stretches to ancient spa towns still steaming with mineral springs. A region

