I visit Amsterdam often- very often even. When I’m in Amsterdam for an event, an appointment or just a dinner party with friends, I end up planning a whole day filled with appointments under the guise ‘When I am here…’ – which means I can be found in Amsterdam for 24 hours at-a-time a lot! I’ll say hello to PR agencies, plan lunch with friends, run to the next appointment and afterwards plan get-togethers with other friends, go to parties and sleep there often too.

You would say that I know Amsterdam very well, although I still need Google Maps to get myself from one place to the other, yet I know exactly how you can have fun for 24 hours in Amsterdam. Maybe you visit our capital a lot, maybe you’re planning to visit the city for the first time – either way, I’d like to share my favourite 24 hours in Amsterdam with you. How would you spend 24 hours in your favourite city?

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Accor Hotels has organised a competition and I would love to share this contest with you, as an Accor ambassador. Pick your favourite city, share your perfect 24 hours in this city in a write-up, blog or video – and win a fantastic NINE-day trip for two people in Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris – including transport, accommodation, a GoPro and a city-pass for the city itself. Go for it. Join the competition HERE!

How do I spend 24 hours in Amsterdam?

08:00 – Breakfast
I start the day with a delicious breakfast! The last time I was in Amsterdam I had breakfast at the Breakfast Club, a must visit. I love Latei too, everything inside is vintage and for sale. My kind of place. The most fun? They have a cat called Elvis. When I want to have breakfast with a canal view I go to Ysbreeker. Further favourite breakfasts are Two for Joy, Omelegg, Bakers & Roasters and Ruyschkamer (Berlin atmosphere!). As a bohemian-lover I adore Yay. Not only for breakfast, actually for everything. The interior is absolutely fantastic.

09:00 – Jump on a boat
The light is beautiful in the morning and Amsterdam is known for its beautiful canals. Rent a boat or book one of the excursion boats, so you will see the city from a different angle. I do not like tourist thingies, but exploring Amsterdam by boat is one of the best things in the world!

10:00 – Coffee, always coffee!
The best coffee out there? Hartje Oost, Bru, Stek, East57, Coffee & Coconuts, Bedfort Stuyvesant and Rum Baba (with the best home-made cake!).

11:00 – Rent a bicycle & go green!
You absolutely HAVE to explore Amsterdam by bike. Wandering around on foot takes more time, and when you take the tram you will miss the delightful atmosphere of the city. While cycling through the beautiful neighbourhoods of Amsterdam I get to taste a bit of real Amsterdam life and I start to imagine what it would be like to actually live there. Make a round through East and especially along the canals and then dive in one the city parks. My favourite park next to the Vondelpark? The quite unknown Rembrandt park!

13:00 – Lunch time
My favourite spot in Amsterdam is Hanneke’s Boom. It’s an amazing spot right on the water. The place is one great, artful mess, has a swing and always packed with locals. Another favourite is Amsterdam Roest. Brunch at Worst, lunch at Little Colins and wine at the WestergasTerras are great alternatives. Or take the boat to Pllek on the NDSM Wharf! Last but not least: Vinnie’s Deli is a cute spot on the Haarlemmerstraat with delicious lunch dishes.

15:00 – Shopping
I prefer to go shopping in the Haarlemmerbuurt and the Negen Straatjes, both full of vintage shops, concept stores and small boutiques. Favorites? Store Without a Home, Sukha, Jutka and Riska, Het Groot Avontuur, Nukuhiva, Marbles, Six & Sons, Restored, Stach, Kindred Spirits, Episode, Roots, Hope, Annliz, 360 Volt, Marie Stella Maris and Maison Rika. I can spend hours at these areas looking for vintage dresses, bohemian boots and nice interior stuff.

18:00 – The Real Amsterdam
Grab that (rented) bike and take a moment to taste the real Amsterdam in the Jordaan district. This historic quarter still feels like old Amsterdam and I love wandering around here. Nowadays you may find beautiful galleries, antique shops and good restaurants here too!

19:00 – Dinnertime
Food! The best there is. Trouble choosing? Go to the Food Hallen in old West and sample all kinds of street food here. In old West, you may find very nice other restaurants too such as Salmuera, Braai, HappyHappyJoyJoy, Fier and Bar BREW. Other perfect places in Amsterdam: Thai & Co, The French Connection, Café Amoi, Taqueria, Kantjil & the Tiger, Gouge & Glory and Wunderbar. There are so many lovely spots to discover in the city!

21:00 – Party!
I prefer to drink at a pub or go to a concert instead of clubbing. I always check the agenda of Paradiso, the Melkweg of Bitterzoet for the finest bands and parties. Next to that, I can spend hours drinking and talking with friends at Baut, VespterBar, Panache, KanarieClu, De Biertuin or Mash. Are you looking for a real 24 hour experience? Shelter is a new underground club in Amsterdam!

00:00…03:00…06:00…
I sleep at the INK hotel in the city center often. Being a writer, I have a weak spot for this beautiful hotel that is build within the old press room of newspaper De Tijd. The breakfast is to die for!

Are you joining this competition? Go for it!