Parking Centre

5 tips: a summer holiday in Amsterdam

Staying in the Netherlands for the summer holidays this year? Why not discover Amsterdam as a holiday destination? There’s plenty to do, see and discover in the Dutch capital.* Make sure to keep your holiday in Amsterdam affordable and park at Parking Centrum Oosterdok from € 37.50,- per day.

Amsterdam can’t be discovered in a day, so take your time to wander the beautiful canals and see the canalside houses. Visit the wonderful shopping streets, the city’s great restaurants and the number-one locations.

1: Spending the night in the centre of Amsterdam

Are you spending your summer holiday in Amsterdam and are you still looking for a place to stay the night? The centre of the Dutch capital is filled with hotels, hostels and B&Bs. The Mövenpick Hotel, Erik Vökel Amsterdam Suites, Double Tree by Hilton, Hotel Ibis and Hotel des Arts, among others, are located near Amsterdam’s central train station. Looking for a more special spot to stay the night? Spend the night aboard a boat!

A unique way of spending the night: sleep on a boat

Sleeping on a boat is very fitting in a maritime city such as Amsterdam. The local waters have many boats that have been converted into (mini) hotels, like the cosy Liberte Amsterdam, Vita Nova or Botel Zebra. Do you want to spend the night on a boat in Amsterdam?

Check out the 10 best boat hotels.

Spending the night in Oosterdok

Would you prefer not to spend the night on a boat, but still want to be near the water? Oosterdok also has many hotels on the quay. Cityhotel Amsterdam, the Scheepvaarthuis, The Hendricks and Grand Hotel Amrath, located in the monumental Scheepvaarthuis, are just some of the hotels that can be found on the Prins Hendrikkade.

Take a look at all of the hotels near the Oosterdokseiland to either familiarise yourself with them or to book a night.

2: Dine out during your summer holiday in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a large number of restaurants. There’s something for everyone, and all diets are catered to. Do you enjoy a nice piece of meat? Loetje Centraal is the place for you! This restaurant is known for its delicious steaks.

Sea Palace is another popular location for lunch or dinner. The Chinese restaurant is located on a boat moored at the Oosterdokskade. It’s not just the food that’s a massive draw, the restaurant’s entire entourage is a must-see. It’s an authentic bit of China in the heart of Amsterdam.

Other restaurants worth checking out: Choux, Hannekes Boom, Mediametic Eten, Scheepskameel and Hemelse Modder.

3: Visiting Amsterdam with children

Bring your children and enjoy a family summer holiday in Amsterdam. You could visit Madame Tussauds, The Amsterdam Dungeons, the Anne Frank House, NEMO Science Museum or Artis, for example. 

For all ages: NEMO Science Museum

This interactive museum features five floors where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about science and technology. NEMO has various exhibitions, all about life in our universe, the human body or the science behind light and sound. All of this is done very playfully, and you can do your own tests and experiments.

Take a look at the exhibitions and score tickets on the museum’s official website: https://www.nemosciencemuseum.nl/.

Artis: The oldest zoo in the Netherlands

One of the best days out with your family is a visit to the zoo. Artis, the oldest and best-known zoo in the Netherlands, can be found in the heart of Amsterdam. When visiting Artis, you won’t just see the most exotic and wildest animals, you can also learn everything about caring for and training animals from the zookeepers themselves.

Take a look at the programme and make a reservation for your visit at www.artis.nl.

4: Sightseeing in Amsterdam with the best cycling and walking tours

Summer’s the best. When the weather is good, there’s nothing better than enjoying yourself on and near the water. There’s a reason boat trips are a popular outing in Amsterdam during the summer holidays.

Check out this link for all the options.

5: A sunny boat trip on the waters of Amsterdam

Summer’s the best. When the weather is good, there’s nothing better than enjoying yourself on and near the water. There’s a reason boat trips are a popular outing in Amsterdam during the summer holidays.

Check out this link for all the options.

Are you spending your summer holiday in Amsterdam? We hope our tips are helpful. Travel as safely as possible and take your car. It doesn’t have to be expensive to park your car in Amsterdam! At Parking Centrum Oosterdok, in the heart of Amsterdam, you can park your car from 37.50 per day. Nowhere in the city are the rates this cheap, and you can’t get any closer than this to the best outings.

We hope to see you in Amsterdam soon!

*Check the websites of the locations you wish to visit in advance. Due to the coronavirus measures, opening hours may vary.