About us
Welcome to the Amsterdam Explorer guide! My name is Anastasia Dudina, and I’m the person behind the project. Since moving to the Netherlands almost 13 years ago, I have continuously explored the country. I share my tips and travel advice on my websites Holland Explorer and Amsterdam Explorer.
Explore Amsterdam, fall in love with Amsterdam
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and helping travellers plan their Amsterdam trips for over 11 years.
I visited more than 25 countries before I first came to the Netherlands, but the moment I saw all those fairytale houses from the canal boat in Amsterdam, I knew this is the place I wanted to stay. Now, a decade later, this place keeps surprising me.
Here you can go to see contemporary art by Banksy at the Moco Museum, masterpieces by Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum and by Van Gogh, go partying, and chill at the 17th-century canal house gardens (some of them, like Museum Willet-Holthuysen, are open to the public). In Amsterdam, no day is boring, and no day is the same.
I hope you’ll fall in love with Amsterdam, same as I did! And I hope you will enjoy reading my guide. Here I’ve collected many practical tips, as well as inspirational ideas and day itineraries.
Try these decision tools before you book
Alongside running this guide, I spent many years consulting travellers planning their Amsterdam trips – answering questions about transport passes, museum tickets, budgets, and timing. I don’t do individual consulting anymore, but all that knowledge hasn’t disappeared. It lives in the FAQs across this site and in a set of interactive tools I’ve built to help you make the right decisions for your trip without having to ask anyone.
My Amsterdam favourites
Hotels I recommend
A charming boutique hotel located along the Herengracht canal in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic district. Ambassade hotel is known for its elegant decor and extensive art and books collection.
A beautifully decorated boutique hotel on the Singel canal in the center of Amsterdam. Hotel Estheréa is in fact a row of historic 17th-century buildings. It’s known for its romantic interiors, luxurious details, and warm atmosphere.
Andaz Prinsengracht is a five-star hotel located on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal. Designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, it features contemporary art and distinctive interiors, and offers a modern stay with a clear Amsterdam character.
Banks Mansion is an elegant, Art Deco style, boutique hotel located on Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal. It offers an all-inclusive concept with complimentary drinks and snacks.
The Pulitzer hotel, featured in Ocean’s Twelve movie, is a luxury hotel spanning 25 restored 17th- and 18th-century canal houses along the Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht in Amsterdam.
Museums I love
These are my personal favourites. For the full list, see my guide to the top-rated museums in Amsterdam.
- Moco Museum
- Museum Willet-Holthuysen
- Museum Van Loon
- Museum Our Lord in the Attic (on the photo below)
Tip: come around the opening times to explore them without crowds. Even 15 minutes do make a difference.
All these museums are free with the I amsterdam Card, which gives free access to 70+ attractions in Amsterdam. See what is included in the card and order it online.
Neighbourhoods worth exploring
These are the places in the city where I come when I need some energy and inspiration. All of them have their own vibe.
- Nine streets (De 9 Straatjes)
- Zeedijk (Amsterdam’s Chinatown). Check more photos on my Instagram >>
- IJ promenade near the EYE film museum
Follow me on Instagram for the latest updates!
Collaborations
🤝 Let’s work together
I’m open to collaborations with businesses and people who genuinely add value for travellers visiting Amsterdam. Sounds like you? Let’s discuss!
✉️ snoitalercilbup@gmail.comReading this in another language?
Amsterdam Explorer is written in English, but I also run independent, locally-written guides in other languages:
- Amsterdam on Air – in Russian
- Holland Explorer – in German
- Festiwal Tulipanów – in Polish
Company details
Amsterdam-Explorer.com is a project of Adudina company officially registered in the Netherlands:
- KvK: 62603051
- VAT: NL002480070B16