City Archives Amsterdam – So many treasures!
When exploring Amsterdam's famous canal belt, make sure you take some time to visit the most extensive municipal archives in the world, right at the Vijzelstraat, a long street where three of the old main canals converge.
De Bazel, the edifice you're heading to, is named after its architect, Karel de Bazel, who designed, in the twenties of the last century, this monumental exemplary of Brick Expressionism. The former headquarters of the Dutch Trade Society is now home to the Stadsarchief - the City Archives -, as well as a conference center, a restaurant, and a library specializing in books about the city.
My favorite part of this building is the Schatkamer, or Treasure Room, located on floor -1, in a magnificent vault room in Art Nouveau. The exhibition inside showcases essential periods of the city's history through images by iconic Dutch photographers, maps, drawings, and other artifacts. There is even a movie theatre, in the very back of the gallery, where I like to sit on rainy days, watching documentaries on Amsterdam. And the cherry on top of the cake: it's all free of charge.
There’s so much more to discover
Discover more in Amsterdam
Café Winkel 43 – My routine coffee
Going to "Café Winkel 43" in Amsterdam after some grocery shopping for a homemade appeltaart w/ a friend is one of my favorite Saturday activities!
By
Olya
Kartcheva
Staring at Jacob – Amazing lunch!
"Staring at Jacob" in Amsterdam is a cool brunch bar where you'll have to wait in line but it's certainly worth it -- for the spiciness & chicken waffles!
By
Oscar
Grobbenhaar
Braai – South-African BBQ
"Braai" in Amsterdam serves South-African BBQ-style food. And it is tasty! Be prepared to wait here, but it's worth it, believe me...
By
Oscar
Grobbenhaar
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...
By
Kristel
van Pinxten
White label coffee – Funky specialty coffee!
White Label Coffee is a roastery and a coffee place with a really cool interior. They make their own blends that you can buy here as well.
By
Isidore
van Westing
Last Minute Ticket Shop – Go watch a show!
"Last Minute Ticket Shop" in Amsterdam is a great way to catch great deals for theatre plays, concerts, musicals... up to 75% discounts!
By
Ana
V. Martins
Ij-Hallen – Flea market madness
"Ij-Hallen" in Amsterdam North and its 500 stalls is nothing less than the biggest flea market in Europe. It has paid entrance, but it's so, so worth it!
By
Ana
V. Martins
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...
By
Felix
Hildenbrand
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!
By
Kristel
van Pinxten
Westerpark – My beautiful backyard
"Westerpark" is fairly quiet for Amsterdam standards. I am here almost every day of the week, and I feel like I've explored all it has to offer...
By
Oscar
Grobbenhaar
Monte Pelmo – Ice cream of dreams
This ice cream shop in the heart of the 'De Jordaan' neighborhood, is the absolute best! If you can't decide what you want, try the limoncello ice cream.
By
Isidore
van Westing
nNea Pizza – Bending the rules of Neapolitan pizza
"nNea Pizza" in Amsterdam-West makes the best pizza in the country and is already in spot #13 in the world's top 50 pizzas list... You have got to try it.
By
Kristel
van der Burgh
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