It's a quieter riverside spot near Overamstel metro, about 15 minutes from the centre by public transport.
Discover Local Amsterdam: What to Do Around Mercure Amsterdam
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Amsterdam, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as De 9 Straatjes, the A'DAM Lookout and Artis zoo, alongside our Mercure hotels.
Amsterdam in 5 picks
Lindengracht Market
the Saturday market locals actually shop at — more Dutch spoken here than English.
Albert Cuyp Market
De Pijp's market, running most days of the week with over 260 stalls, a short tram ride from your hotel.
Noordermarkt
Amsterdam's oldest organic farmers' market, for cheese, sourdough and a Saturday-morning coffee.
Foodhallen
a former tram depot turned indoor food hall in Oud-West, for when the weather turns.
The Amstel riverside
your hotel's own stretch of water, with a scattering of hip cafés and pubs right outside the door.
Explore Amsterdam's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Amsterdam
We've mapped local spots across Amsterdam, from canal-side boutiques to the city's oldest tasting room.
Culture & experiences
A'DAM Lookout
An observation deck 100 metres up the former Shell tower, built in 1966 across the water from Central Station. The old centre, the port, the canals, the polders – and, for the brave, Over The Edge, a swing out over the side.
Amsterdam-Noord, across the IJ from Central Station · Observation deck · Perfect for views
Tassie city game tours
A bag (tas) full of drinks, snacks, games and stories that guides you through a neighbourhood at your own pace. Discover street art, little-known history and local characters in the Jordaan or Oud-West – with special editions for dates and Pride.
Jordaan, Oud-West and more · Self-guided game tour · Made for friends
National Maritime Museum
One of the world's largest maritime collections, from paintings and ship models to navigation instruments and charts. Moored outside: a full-size replica of the 48-metre VOC ship 'Amsterdam'. Climb aboard.
Eastern Docks · Museum · Great for families
Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder
A 17th-century canal house hiding a complete church in its attic, built in 1663 by Catholic merchant Jan Hartman when Catholics couldn't worship openly. Narrow stairs lead up through period rooms and kitchens.
Historic centre · Museum · Perfect for hidden history
Moco Museum
An independent museum of modern, contemporary and street art in a classic Amsterdam South villa on Museumplein. Banksy, Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons – all under one roof.
Museumplein · Art museum · Made for street art
Food, drink & shopping
De 9 Straatjes
De 9 Straatjes – the Nine Streets – link the canals of the canal belt, lined with vintage and designer boutiques, classic Amsterdam cafés and lunchrooms. Take it slowly and watch out for cyclists. Favourites: Zipper for vintage treasures, Laura Dols for a 1950s look.
Canal belt · Shopping streets · Perfect for vintage and independent shops
Wynand Fockink tasting room
Liqueurs, genevers and brandies since the 17th century, in a tasting room that has barely changed. Try old Dutch liqueurs such as Volmaakt Geluk – and bow for the first sip from a brim-full glass.
Historic centre · Distillery tasting room · Made for Dutch spirits
Brouwerij 't IJ
A local brewery in a former bathhouse next to an old windmill. The moment the rain stops, the terrace fills with locals. Join them.
Eastern centre · Brewery and tasting room · Great for local beer
Albert Cuyp Market
The largest outdoor market in the Netherlands: some 260 stalls filling a De Pijp street six days a week. Fresh fish, cheese, fabrics – and a warm stroopwafel to go.
De Pijp · Street market · Perfect for food on the go
De Pijp
One of Amsterdam's liveliest neighbourhoods: narrow streets of eateries, traditional pubs and café terraces around the Albert Cuyp market. Mix with the locals.
De Pijp · Neighbourhood · Ideal for an evening out
Zipper
A long-standing vintage shop in the Nine Streets, packed with jeans, leather jackets and one-off pieces. Proper treasure hunting.
De 9 Straatjes · Vintage clothing · Made for treasure hunters
Laura Dols
The place for 1950s style: vintage dresses, petticoats and accessories in a canal-side shop in the Nine Streets.
De 9 Straatjes · Vintage clothing · Perfect for 50s vibes
Venster 33
A big, friendly vintage and second-hand store in Amsterdam West, with racks of clothing, shoes and accessories at gentle prices.
Kinkerstraat · Vintage store · Great for bargain hunting
Scandinavian Embassy
De Pijp · Coffee bar · Made for coffee lovers
Coffee & Coconuts
A café spread over several levels of a former 1920s cinema, with a laid-back tropical feel. Brunch, upstairs.
De Pijp · Café · Perfect for brunch
Mastino
A cosy De Pijp pizzeria serving Neapolitan-style pizzas, with gluten-free options too.
De Pijp · Pizzeria · Ideal for a casual dinner
Parks & family
Artis
The oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world, with a botanical garden, a planetarium and a microbe museum. Walk through the golden-eagle gates to the monkey rock – and in summer, stay late on Saturdays for music and special tours.
Zoo, gardens and planetarium · Great for families
Vondelpark
Laid out in 1850, Amsterdam's best-known park, busy all year with joggers, picnickers, families and dog walkers. Find the rose garden, lunch at a café, then catch a show at the open-air theatre. The Vondelkerk and the Hollandsche Manege are just outside.
City park · Perfect for walks, picnics and playgrounds
FAQ
Lindengracht, on Saturdays.
Yes — it's fully indoors.
Head to A'DAM Lookout, the observation deck 100 metres up the former Shell tower across the water from Central Station. It overlooks the historic centre, the port and the canals, and the Over The Edge swing takes you out over the side of the tower.
Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, combines animals with a botanical garden and a planetarium. The Vondelpark, with its playgrounds, cafés and open-air theatre, is ideal for the rest of the day.
De 9 Straatjes, nine small streets in the canal belt, are packed with vintage and designer boutiques and cosy cafés. Zipper and Laura Dols are favourites for vintage.
Where to sleep
These Mercure hotels appear on our map:
- Mercure Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station
- Mercure Amsterdam City
- Mercure Hotel Amsterdam West
- Mercure Schiphol Terminal
- Mercure Amsterdam North Station