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!

Knowing Amsterdam in and out!

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

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Check out our latest hidden gems in Amsterdam

Things to do in Amsterdam

Cafe de Tuin

Your typical cafe

Cafe de Tuin has such a nice atmosphere. The interior is classic and the customers are diverse, which makes it the perfect mix between modern and dated.

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Bars

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Isidore

van Westing

May 11, 2025
Pension Homeland Amsterdam

Pension Homeland

One of the city's own breweries

"Pension Homeland" at Marine Terrain in Amsterdam is a great restaurant that also has its own brewery! It's also a vintage hotel. So cool@

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Bars
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Coffee & tea
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Restaurants

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

May 11, 2025
Marine Terrain Amsterdam

Marine Terrain

Amsterdam's best-kept secret

Parks in Amsterdam are packed with people, especially in summer. So my recommendation for a nice spot where you can also swim is "Marine Terrain!"

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Relaxing

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

May 11, 2025
Latei Amsterdam

Latei

Coffee, vintage & rock'n'roll

"Latei" is the rare breed of neighborhood Amsterdam cafe that's so hard to find these days! It's in the touristy part but still has an authentic charm...

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

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Ana

V. Martins

May 11, 2025
American Book Centre Amsterdam

American Book Centre

Three-storey book heaven

The "American Book Centre" in Amsterdam is a trustworthy bookstore to call home, with plenty of English books, a spiraling staircase and even a cozy cafe!

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Art & culture
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Shopping

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Ana

V. Martins

May 11, 2025

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

May 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

by

Kristel

van Pinxten

May 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

May 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

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Kristel

van Pinxten

May 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

May 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

May 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

May 9, 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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✓ Authentic Stories

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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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