Photo: Henryhill125

I used to live around the corner of the Zeedijk, the main street of Amsterdam’s Chinatown. From the window of our tiny apartment I could see the St Nicolaas church and the bridge that tourists pass while getting into town. Nine out of ten made a photo from that bridge, and the recurrent flashes of reflecting blue lit up our room and reminded us of the wealth we could have made if we had possession of those image rights.

In small cities like Venice or Amsterdam it is easier to find a unique historical monument than to find a perfect hangout place. One of my favourites is indeed very hard to find because it’s located in the middle of a deserted shipyard.

To get there, take the boat behind the central station (direction NDSM Werf) or from the less crowdy stop at Distelweg. On the other side of the Ij-Canal, walk 50 meters straight ahead then turn to the right and walk for another 300 meters. Here, you will find yourself in the middle of the former shipyard where all kinds of artists have installed their ateliers. At the end of the docks, standing on a tiny little hill, you’ll find Café Noorderlicht. The semi-circular building recalls a greenhouse, and is especially beautiful when illuminated at night and is stunning by sunset.

Photo by Manou van der Noort

Friends tell me that it’s a bit alternative, but believe me Amsterdam was screaming for such a place. It’s still less cool and grungy than for instance Bar 25 in Berlin. On beautiful days when the terrace is overflowing, you can sit wherever you like. My place is directly at the waterfront where I can look over the water daydreaming, talk with friends or read a book undisturbed by yelling toddlers.

My hardcore city kids, when they are here, enjoy playing with dogs between the boats and exploring water plants. For me, this place has the sheer wildness and magic which I relate to an end-of-the-world mood. Not in an apocalyptic sense, but in the spirit of being liberated from everyday life; you can relax without getting bored. All kinds of people seem to be attracted by this café, so don’t worry that you’ll have to spend time with some utterly barbaric tribe.

Those who have a soft spot for flea markets will be happy that there’s a good one in this area (forget about Waterloopein). It’s not held regularly, so check this website for information.

CAFÉ NOORDERLICHT; t.t. Neveritaweg 33; Amsterdam

Summer is up and cities across Europe have planted palm trees and trucked in tons of sand to urban riverfronts to create the feeling of a lazy day at the shore. Urban beaches are a hit and Momondo guides you to our favourites.

AMSTERDAM

Happy beach is what they call Blijberg, the first real city beach in Amsterdam open since the summer of 2003. Maybe it doesn't have the sophisticated flair of Paris Plage or the glamour of a historical site as the Monbijou strandbar in Berlin, but at least you can swim here in the outstretched Ijsselmeer. Also different to a city beach in the classical manner Blijburg stays open all year.

Now moved to the new location some 400 meters further away from the original one, it’s not less cheerful but what is going to happen after 2009 to this wonderful beach pavilion nobody knows for sure. Locals and frequent beachgoers started a filmproject to force the municipality to make Blijburg stay but in a small city with big housing problems building grounds are rare... therefore you better go there before it’s too late!

Photo by ElCabron

Now that summer is slowly coming to an end and everybody, who’s not blessed to live in a southern country, is cherishing the last sunrays Blijburg is the perfect place to spend a sunny day. By now, all the noisy kids will be back at school and their desperate mums will be transformed into nice city girls again, so you can fully enjoy the relaxed mood which reigns here. But even unsunny days will have their charm. I like the feeling of a beach in the old fashioned way: not too tidy,  wind and sails everywhere and a far reaching horizon.

Photo by BasL

Fridays and Saturdays are traditionally party nights with different kinds of music and bands; for instance the Generations of Love Festival. On Sundays, breakfast is accompanied with live classical piano music and from 17.00 - and if you bring your instrument, you can join the Blijburg jam. The Kitchen mostly works with organic products and besides breakfast and finger food, you will find national golden oldies like a bammetje hagelslag or drie in de pan which I last ate when I was a kid.

Blijburg aan Zee; Bert Haanstrakade 2004; Amsterdam

GO FURTHER:

Urban Beaching in Amsterdam

The Great Dutch Beach Rivalry: Bloemdal vs. Zandvoort

Photo by Allard van der Hoek 

Even if it's not far from the city centre, you don't come down here accidentally. For me - and people will hate me for this - it doesn’t really belong to the city. Of course it does, but it breathes a totally different spirit. Located in the Eastern Docklands area, the Lloyd Hotel, by my 'little Amsterdam' standards, is such a huge building that it makes me feel rather small.  Nonetheless, the Lloyd - which was formerly a hotel for migrants, Nazi prison and later youth penitentiary -  is a place to feel at home immediately.

Photo by Allard van der Hoek

Entering the lobby of the Lloyd, I was struck by the impressive space and the well-balanced mix of old and new design. I would be more likely to find this in a museum collection than a hotel, but it works. Each item has been selected with care and contributes to this wonderful ambiance of tranquility and authenticity.

Hidden tea-spot.

The building itself simply begs for wandering around, exploring the floors (with hidden spots to drink coffee or tea), striking stairs, little corners, and ensembles of furniture where you can admire the light, smell the abundant flowers or just enjoy space.

All 116 rooms (ranging from 1 to 5 stars) feature unexpected details and innovative elements (a hidden shower, an 8-person bed, a music room, etc.). Each displays a different character. My favourite is an attic room with its original wainscoting. Here, under the roof, I started dreaming right away.

Photo by Dorien Oxenaar

The aim of the Lloyd is to establish a meeting place for artists, businessmen and locals alike. Drinking a coffee on the terrace, I had the impression that the businessmen were more represented, but who can tell nowadays? The Lloyd Hotel offers 24-hour restaurant services – quite a rarity in Amsterdam - and has a nice bar. I do think that Lloyd keeps its promise and is much more than a hotel. The Lloyd is a cultural institution.

Lloyd Hotel; Oostelijke Handelskade 34; Amsterdam

Find more hotels in Amsterdam

 

There used to be three good reasons to leave the city and plan a trip to our rival town Rotterdam. First of all my dear friend T. lives there. Second the Boijmans Van Beuningen Collection and finally Bazar.

Approximately two years ago the owner of Bazar in Rotterdam decided to expand his empire to the capital. Since I always, when in Rotterdam, have lunch or whatever in Bazar, I was curious to see if Bazar Amsterdam had the same charm that would make a visit to the original restaurant redundant in the future. To emphasize the competitive element, I invited my dear friend T. who happens to be the general manager of Hotel Bazar in Rotterdam.

In maybe one of the liveliest streets in Amsterdam, the Albert Cuypstraat, where the famous market is daily held, Bazar houses in a former church. The beautiful fusion of different oriental elements -decorated tiles everywhere, even the toilets are cramped with red floral motives- gives you the feeling you’re lost in a palace from 1001 nights.

What I like so much about Bazar, this airy restaurant on two floors, is their ability to mix successfully. Besides its decorative combinations, I enjoy, the wonderful ambiance made out of the difficult balance between public and private. The kitchen serves dishes mainly from North Africa and the Middle East suiting Bazar’s Credo meet the world brilliantly.

Compared to Amsterdam standards, the food is a bargain especially breakfast is a good deal. Not a conventional one I agree but with Turkish yogurt, Algerian thousand-hole-crêpes with butter and honey, oriental bread and fresh fruit to name but a few items, you won’t be hungry for a very long time I bet.

To be honest I can’t think of anything against this vivid colorful place but as I’m quite fond of dear T. I’ll have to continue visiting Bazar Rotterdam.

Bazar; Albert Cuypstraat 182; Amsterdam