Meet De Pijp

Welcome to the Latin Quarter of Amsterdam - or should we say ‘Hola’? De Pijp has been a popular residential area since the 19th century, and is probably one of the most lively parts of the city. This is a neighbourhood with real character. While wandering the streets you’ll find boutique shops, trendy bars and restaurants, cozy cafes, and Europe’s largest outdoor market. While we can probably go on and on about all the cool stuff to see in De Pijp, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourites. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore some of the best examples of Dutch culture.

Learn Something New

De Pijp has something for all sorts of curious travelers - whether you want to learn about typical Dutch architecture or experience how beer gets made, they’ve got you covered. If you come across the wave-shaped set of buildings, you probably just reached Museum De Dageraad. Get a lesson on the art and architecture that inspired the Amsterdam School, and explore the works of famous Dutch architects. Pro tip: Museum De Dageraad is a starting point for walking and cycling tours in the neighbourhood! All the architecture got you thirsty? Head to one of the Netherlands’ biggest attractions - The Heineken Experience. Use all your senses to see, feel, and smell the world famous Dutch beer. Don’t worry, you’ll definitely get to taste a pint, too.

Get Outdoors

Looking for a green space to relax? Head to De Pijp’s Sarphatipark - it’s in the dead center of the neighbourhood, so it’s kind of hard to miss! When thinking of a city park, Sarphatipark is the real deal. A green and luscious oasis in the middle of the city life, perfect for a resting point while walking through the neighbourhood. The park has an impressive English landscape style, and you can find several statues during your walk through. If you need a spot for the kids to get their energy out, there’s a playground, volleyball and basketball court, and even table tennis. It’s also a great place to walk your four-legged friends, where they can run loose in the southern area of the park. Seems like now is a good time to stop and smell the roses.

Sip N Dine

Pretty much everything in De Pijp is hip and cool, and its food and drink scene easily reflects that. Start your day off at one of Amsterdam’s most sought after brunch spots: Little Collins. Australian inspired brunch food with a warm and friendly atmosphere. For our tapas lovers, Boca’s is located directly across from Sarphatipark, and has weekly events like Bingo! And if you’re just in the mood to try something really different, Sjefietshe can hook you up with their hotdocto - a hotdog with an octopus tentacle! Sounds weird, but we hear it’s worth a try! Bar Mokum is one of the city’s most famous cocktail bars, and it would be wrong not to try their stroopwafel infused espresso martini! Prefer something non-alcoholic? Cafe Blond serves up the best hot chocolate - no really, they use chocolate from Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore, so you know it’s worth it.

Shop Til You Drop

Of all the outdoor markets in Amsterdam, Albert Cuyp takes the cake. After all, it is the largest market in all of Europe! Albert Cuypmarkt is open six days a week, and has over 260 stalls to choose from. Stock up on fresh produce, vintage clothes, fabrics, and pretty much anything else you can think of! Locals say it is not a trip to Amsterdam if you don’t visit the Albert Cuypmarkt. If you’re into jewelry, stop in Beadazzled - a concept store that offers workshops on how to make your own bling! For the fashionistas, we think Things I like, Things I love is a great spot to shop. They’ve got a combo of vintage, secondhand, new, and even designer clothes. Get ready to get your shopping done in De Pijp.

Play

Gamers, rejoice! One of our top accommodations in De Pijp is also just an insanely cool spot to hangout. The Arcade Hotel is a fairly new concept based on - yes, arcades! Whether you’re staying the night or just want to play a few rounds, they’ve got you covered with the first Arcade Hall in De Pijp. They’ve got all types of games: fighting, racing, puzzles, even dancing. Go retro or modern, the choice is yours. They’ve also got a bar with snacks and drinks, so you can easily stick around for a while!

Stick Around for a While

Did you check out the arcade and realize you don’t want to leave? It happens. Lucky for you, it doubles as a hotel! The Arcade Hotel gives accommodation a much more fun meaning. Every room is equipped with its own games, headphones, and flat screen TVs. Ladies, you may not see your boyfriends outside of the room for the rest of the trip! Use the hotel’s bike rentals and take a break from the dark corners of video game land to explore Sarphatipark, located right outside of the hotel.

Interested in exploring the rest of Amsterdam’s neighborhoods? Check out the rest of our neighbourhood blogs to find out the best places to go!