Discover our locals' 153 hidden gems in Amsterdam

Let's uncover Amsterdam's hidden gems with Spotted by Locals! From cosy canal-side cafés to underground galleries, our Spotters bring you the city's best-kept secrets. Discover Amsterdam through the eyes of true locals and experience its unique charm.

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City guides by those who know Amsterdam best!

Travel Guides by these Amsterdam Locals!

Our Amsterdam Cityguide - Made by Locals

Know your way in Amsterdam like a local!

Spotted by Locals

✓ Discover Amsterdam through the eyes of a local!

✓ Hidden gems that can’t be found in traditional guidebooks

✓ Our locals share their personal favorite spots in Amsterdam

Check out our latest hidden gems in Amsterdam

Things to do in Amsterdam

A. van Wees

Authentic vibes and jenever

"A. van Wees" in Amsterdam has its own jenever distillery, the Ooievaar, the only one left in the city. Come here for a jenever tasting under the stairs!

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Bars
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Restaurants

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Scandinavian Embassy Amsterdam

Scandinavian Embassy

Coffee, coffee, COFFEE!!!

"Scandinavian Embassy" in Amsterdam is a pretty small and cute coffee shop. You may have to queue up, but their coffee is 100% worth your while...

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

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Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

SUE

Bites bar

"SUE" in Amsterdam is a vegan, sugar- and gluten-free pastry shop. Their specialty are their 'bites', square-shaped delights in about 20 different flavors!

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

Carla Palermo

A living room store

"Carla Palermo" in Amsterdam is a living room that's been turned into a second-hand vintage clothing shop! The best store in the Jordaan if you ask me...

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Shopping

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Yusu Amsterdam

Yusu

The new coffee culture

"Yusu" in Amsterdam is what the perfect coffee company a-la twenty-first century should look like. Also, if you're a lover of matcha, it's the place to be.

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025

Bar Botanique

Jungle home in East

"Bar Botanique" in Amsterdam East makes you feel as if you've stepped inside a jungle! You should really see it from both the inside and out...

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Bars
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Restaurants

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Flevopark Amsterdam

Flevopark

Hidden gem of a park

"Flevopark" in Amsterdam is a hidden gem of a park! You can barbeque wherever you want here and it's way less crowded than other parks like the Vondelpark.

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Relaxing

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Tolbar Amsterdam

Tolbar

Best tanning spot!

"Tolbar" is definitely one of Amsterdam's hidden gems. You can arrive at this terrace in the morning and have different things to do until you go to bed!

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Bars
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Coffee & tea
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Restaurants

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

Jul 9, 2025
Brasserie Nel Amsterdam

Brasserie Nel

Best jazz session

"Brasserie Nel" is definitely one of Amsterdam's best jazz jam sessions. Come here on any Monday evening and enjoy Daan Herweg doing what he does best...

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Art & culture
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Bars
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Music

by

Felix

Hildenbrand

Jul 7, 2025
Amsteltuin Amsterdam

Amsteltuin

Picnic on a Dutch vineyard

Are you ready to visit a Dutch vineyard? It's true! Just head over to "Amsteltuin" just outside Amsterdam proper and enjoy the goodies between the vines...

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Relaxing
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Shopping
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Snacks

by

Kristel

van der Burgh

Jul 4, 2025

Tenue de Nimes

Amsterdam couture

"Tenue de Nimes" in Amsterdam is mainly a jeans brand but it's here that I've bought my coolest jacket ever! They're super friendly & helfpul. ..

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Shopping

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Oscar

Grobbenhaar

Jul 4, 2025

Robin Food, vegan

Let’s combat food waste

Dedicated and positive volunteers run Robin Food and offer a three-course menu at a fixed and affordable price every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

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Restaurants

by

Olya

Kartcheva

Jun 30, 2025

Heading to Amsterdam?

153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

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Going to Amsterdam?

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What to expect?

Authentic & Unbiased Content

Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!

Go off the Beaten Path Gems

We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.

Responsible Travel

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

Hi! Nice to meet you.

We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.

Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.

With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.

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