Museumplein Hotels Amsterdam

Guide to Museumplein Hotels Amsterdam

For a small city, Amsterdam is densely packed with museums covering a variety of interests, periods, and specialisations. The Museumplein area is where some of the city's most famous museums are concentrated, along with the national concert hall. Aside from the museums there is a long, wide, open area frequented by picnickers, readers, skaters, and musicians. It's a nice atmosphere to soak up in the summer and a romantic walk in the winter. Museumplein is also occasionally home to open air events such as concerts, and performances for kids. Museumplein has a grandeur about it that sets it apart from most of Amsterdam's more homely beauty.
Getting around
As a top destination for most tourists the Museumplein area is easily reached by public transport and is particularly well served by tram. Cycling to this area from the city centre is a short and pleasant ride and, once there, you may be glad to have the bike with you. The walk from the centre is a little longer but certainly manageable and scenic even on a cloudy day. The area itself is small enough to walk around with ease. Deciding which museums to visit ahead of time will help. Each museum is so fascinating that you can end up spending a great deal more time there than expected.
Hotels
This is a peaceful corner of Amsterdam most of the time while still affording easy access to the city centre and the nearby Vondelpark. Perhaps winter visitors may find the area too quiet, but those coming in summer time should consider this as a great location to see outdoor Amsterdam at its liveliest, and absorb some culture in the process. In keeping with the grand feel of the quarter, hotels near Museumplein are often quite well to do. Nonetheless there are a few smaller more affordable options also.
Shoppping
Shopping in this part of town is almost exclusively museum related. Fortunately it's not all plastic tulips and neon clogs. Pick up prints of your favourite Dutch paintings, or 21st century reinterpretations of the same. Many of the stores in this area sell very standard mementoes, just slightly more tasteful versions than what's on offer closer to Central station. Frugality is a reputed national trait of the Dutch, though that obviously does not take into account P.C. Hooftstraat! This street is where Holland's who's who line out and stylishly sip espressos after disembarking from their glamorous cars. High end, designer stores are in no short supply on this strip.
Dining out
This is the area to come to for a taste of more traditional European fare. The street behind the Stedelijke Museum has more than a few attractive little eateries. Also, the streets around Vondelpark close to Leidseplein have no shortage of restaurants and cafes suitable for every mood, taste, and budget. The pancakes are famous for a good reason! Places of interest in the area
Luckily, even if you get tired of walking through museums there is a lot else on offer in this area. From Museumplein it is a short walk to the quintessentially Amsterdam atmosphere of Vondelpark. This huge green space in the centre of the city becomes a massive social space on sunny days. All sorts of Amsterdammers wind up in here and there is infinite scope for relaxation and leisure activities of all sorts. Within the grounds of the park itself are several cafes and tea rooms, and the Film museum, an exploration of cinema. Of course on the Museumplein itself there is no missing the Rijksmuseum whose halls are filled with the Dutch masters including, crucially, Vermeer and Rembrandt; and the world famous Van Gogh Museum whose visiting exhibits are often almost as fascinating as the permanent collection. If you are visiting Amsterdam outside of the summer months, look into the possibility of visiting one of the Royal Concert Hall's free lunch time concerts. The music is generally of a high standard and they are a great opportunity to peek inside this majestic building.
Night life?
Follow the crowds to nearby Leidseplein.

Index of hotels near Museumplein