Amsterdam is a true tourist magnet. With almost 50 million overnight stays in the year 2023, the city is facing its limits. So much that the tourist tax got augmented quite a lot, there are less tourist apartments like AirBnB available, bars and clubs in the red light district close 2 hours earlier than the years before and tourist buses are banned from the city center.
But don’t worry, you can still come and visit the beautiful vibrant city with its many canals. Just look out for the more hidden places that are less touristic, to have a more quiet and original experience. Here is our personal favorite’s list of hidden gems in Amsterdam.
Hidden Gem | Location | Highlights | Tips |
Begijnhof | Near Spui Square | Historic houses, Engelse Kerk | Quiet walk |
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38 | Hidden church, historic living quarters | Religious history |
De Poezenboot | Singel 38 | Floating cat shelter | Donations welcome |
Electric Ladyland | Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 5 | Fluorescent art, interactive exhibition | Wear bright clothes |
NDSM shipyard | NDSM-Plein | Street art, alternative art, flea markets | Monthly flea markets |
Hortus Botanicus | Plantation Middenlaan 2a | Rare plants, palm house | Relaxation for nature lovers |
Brouwerij ‘t IJ | Funenkade 7 | Craft beers, windmill | Try a Zwickel beer |
Het Grachtenhuis | Herengracht 386 | History of the canals, interactive exhibitions | Ideal for families |
Blijburg aan Zee | Muiderlaan 1001 | City beach, live music | Visit at sunset |
Secret Amsterdam gardens | Spread across the city | Historic and private gardens | Visit special events |
Table of Contents
#1 Begijnhof
Let’s start off our list of the best hidden places in Amsterdam with the Begijnhof, a quiet courtyard in the middle of the city and a true oasis of peace. Surrounded by historic buildings, the Begijnhof offers a rare opportunity to admire the oldest wooden house in the city. Which also makes this area a great hidden photo spot in Amsterdam.
The courtyard was once home to the Beguines, a religious community of women, and still conveys a sense of serenity and history today. The Engelse Kerk, the English Church, is one of the oldest churches in Amsterdam and provides a fascinating insight into the religious history of the city.
- Located near the Spui square
- Historic houses, including the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam
- The Engelse Kerk, one of the oldest churches in the city
- Perfect for a quiet walk away from the hustle and bustle
#2 Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
Looking for secret things to do in Amsterdam? A unique museum housed in a hidden 17th century church is just the right place for that.
This church, hidden in the attic of a residential building, was built during the Reformation, when Catholic services were forbidden. The atmosphere of the museum is fascinating as you immerse yourself in the secret Catholic rites of the time. The originally preserved rooms and authentic furnishings make the visit a journey back in time.
- Located in Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38
- Hidden Catholic church in an attic
- Historic living spaces
- A fascinating journey into the religious history of the Netherlands
#3 De Poezenboot
A floating shelter for cats on one of the canals? Sounds like one of the most unique things to do in Amsterdam, especially for cat lovers.
Because this lovingly run cat shelter provides a home for stray cats and invites visitors to spend time with the animals. The Poezenboot is really a special highlight for animal lovers and offers a warm atmosphere where you can not only pet the cats, but also even adopt them if you are interested. If you just want to help a little but not take a kitty cat home, donations help to ensure that the animals are cared for and looked after.
- Located at Singel 38
- Refuge for stray cats
- Visitors can stroke and adopt the cats
- Donations are welcome and help to care for the cats
#4 Electric Ladyland
The world’s only museum for fluorescent art is one of the best secret spots in Amsterdam and definitely worth a visit. This unique attraction offers a fascinating collection of fluorescent objects that glow in vivid colors under black light.
Visitors can not only admire the works of art, but also interact with the exhibitions. Electric Ladyland is truly a must if you are an art lover looking for an unforgettable and extraordinary experience. Or just a great picture for Instagram 😉
- Located in Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 5
- Interactive exhibition of fluorescent objects
- Unique experience under black light
- Wear light-colored clothing for a special effect
#5 NDSM shipyard
When it comes to secret places to visit in Amsterdam this one should be on your list! A former shipyard site that is now a center for art and culture.
The NDSM shipyard has developed from an abandoned industrial zone into a vibrant creative hub. Here you will find impressive street art, alternative art galleries and trendy cafés. The area is known for its lively atmosphere and regular flea markets where you can discover unique finds. A visit to the NDSM wharf is an experience in itself and a paradise for art lovers.
- Located in NDSM-Plein
- Street art and alternative art galleries
- Trendy cafés and restaurants
- Visit the monthly flea markets for unique finds
#6 Hortus Botanicus
Did you know that Amsterdam is home to one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world? The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is a green paradise in the middle of the city. And therefore obviously a true gem amongst the hidden spots Amsterdam.
With an impressive collection of rare plants and exotic greenhouses, the garden offers a retreat for nature lovers. Of particular note is the historic palm house, which is home to a variety of tropical plants. The Hortus Botanicus is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in nature.
- Located in Plantage Middenlaan 2a
- Rare plants and exotic greenhouses
- Historic palm house
- Ideal place for nature lovers and a relaxing break
#7 Brouwerij ‘t IJ
An independent brewery next to an old windmill? This is about as Dutch as it gets on our list of hidden things to do in Amsterdam.
Brouwerij ‘t IJ is known for its local craft beers, which are brewed on site and served in a cozy atmosphere. Visitors can take part in guided tours where they can learn more about the brewing process and taste different types of beer. The brewery is particularly popular for its Zwickelbier and seasonal Bock, which, in our opinion, are a must-try.
- Located in Funenkade 7
- Local craft beers
- Guided tours and tastings
- Try the Zwickelbier and the seasonal Bock
#8 Het Grachtenhuis
A museum that tells the story of the city’s canals is just perfect for our list of best hidden gems in Amsterdam. Het Grachtenhuis offers a captivating and interactive exhibition that sheds light on the development of Amsterdam’s famous canals.
With the help of models, multimedia presentations and historical documents, the importance of the canals for the city is made clear. We would say, the museum is particularly suitable for history buffs and families who want to gain a deeper insight into the city’s history.
- Located in Herengracht 386
- Interactive exhibitions and models
- Multimedia presentations
- Ideal for history buffs and families
#9 Blijburg aan Zee
Blijburg aan Zee is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and bury your feet in the sand. To be clear, this city beach on the IJmeer is just perfect for a relaxing break.
The city beach offers a relaxed atmosphere with cozy beach bars where you can enjoy cool drinks and delicious food. Regular live music and events provide entertainment and make Blijburg a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike.
- Located in Muiderlaan 1001
- Sandy beach with beach bars
- Live music and events
- Visit the beach at sunset for a breathtaking view
#10 Secret Amsterdam Gardens
And last but not least, discover hidden gardens that lie behind the facades of the city. These secret oases are often part of historic buildings or hidden in inconspicuous backyards.
Some of these gardens are only accessible during special events or guided tours, but offer a fascinating view of the green side of Amsterdam. Especially in spring and summer, the gardens are a feast for the eyes and invite you to linger. Just go look around in the city for the perfect secret places in Amsterdam.
- The location is spread throughout the city
- Historic and private gardens
- Occasional public guided tours
- The gardens are usually only accessible during special events
This concludes our list of hidden places in Amsterdam. We hope it helps you find the right things to do when visiting this very special Dutch city. If you have any recommendations or know more hidden gems in Amsterdam, please let us know in the comments below.