Nearby Attractions & Things to Do

Conference breaks don’t have to be idle. From royal palaces to secret church attics—and even windmill villages by train—Amsterdam’s best experiences start within a 10-minute walk of Beurs van Berlage.

① Top Picks within 10-Minute Walk

Step outside Beurs van Berlage and you’re face-to-face with Golden-Age grandeur, secret churches and floating flower stalls—no tram needed.

Royal Palace on Dam Square (6 min). 17th-c city hall turned working royal residence. Marvel at the marble world maps.
Nieuwe Kerk (7 min). Gothic church hosting world-class exhibitions. Audio guide included.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (8 min). Entire canal-house attic hides a clandestine Catholic church.
Bloemenmarkt (9 min). World’s only floating flower market—tulips & stroopwafel aroma included.
Gassan Diamond Factory Tour (10 min). Free 45-min tour of the city’s polishing legacy (+ complimentary espresso).

② Worth the 20-Minute Stroll

Cross one semicircle of UNESCO canals and you hit the postcard belt: secret courtyards and iconic museums galore.

Anne Frank House (18 min). Book online exactly 6 weeks out @10:00 CET—slots vanish fast.
FOAM Photography Museum (19 min). Rotating exhibits that champion under-represented lens artists.
Begijnhof Courtyard (17 min). Hidden almshouses from 1346. Enter via an unmarked door off Spui—silence requested.
“7 Countries Houses” (20 min). Row of mansions where each façade represents a European nation—quick but Insta-worthy.

③ Eat · Sip · Socialise

Coffee-Nerd Heaven

Bocca Roasters (15 min). Dutch Barista-Champ beans. Free cupping Fri 14:00.
Screaming Beans (12 min). Three-origin pourover flight; Wi-Fi until noon.

Quick Local Bites

Vleminckx Fries (10 min). Order “patat oorlog” like a pro: satay + mayo + onions.
Van Stapele Cookie (9 min). Single, life-altering dark-choc cookie with molten white-choc core.

Night-Owl Watering Holes

Hiding in Plain Sight (14 min). Speakeasy; ring the doorbell—1920s jazz inside.
Craft & Draft (18 min). 40 Dutch micro-brew taps—try “Kees Caramel Fudge Stout”.

④ Hidden Gems & Local Secrets

Public Records Library. Five floors of reading nooks over Oosterdok—day passes are free with ID.
Oude Kerk Bell Tower. 220 narrow steps, 360° panorama, timed tours < 12 people.
“Postzegelmarkt” Stamp Market (Wed & Sat). Vintage stamps & banknotes—design-nerd treasure hunt.
Dapp Bio Markt (Sat 09-15). 100 % organic farmers’ market; best stroopwafel in town.

⑤ Bringing the Kids?

NEMO Science Museum (13 min). Hands-on physics demos; roof terrace free for skyline selfies.
Artis Micropia (18 min). World’s only microbe zoo—glowing petri art + “kiss-o-meter”.
Vondelpark Playground (25 min). Paddling pool & zip-lines. Rent a cargo bike to get there in 10.

⑥ After-Dark Inspiration

Live Music

Paradiso (18 min). Neo-Gothic church gone rock temple—Bowie to Kendrick.
Bimhuis (15 min (free ferry)). Cutting-edge jazz over the IJ; sets till 23:30.

Late-Night Culture

EYE Filmmuseum (15 min ferry). Cult classics on 35 mm @22:00; waterfront café open late.
ARTIS Night Safari (Fri). Flash-light tours of the nocturnal house—book 2 wks ahead.

⑦ Easy Day-Trips by Train

Tap your credit card at the gate—no reservations needed. 300 km of track, 90 min max to anywhere.

Haarlem (15 min). Mini-Amsterdam minus crowds. Windmill selfies on the Spaarne.
Zaanse Schans (17 min + walk). Working 18th-c windmills—arrive before 09:30 to beat buses.
Delft (57 min). Vermeer’s birthplace & blue-and-white pottery workshops.
Utrecht (27 min). Dom tower climb, wharf-cellar cafés, indie shops on Twijnstraat.
Texel Island (2 h incl. ferry). Cycle dune paths, spot seals, sip local beer “Skuumkoppe”.

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