14 secret spots in Amsterdam

In the article on what to see and do in Amsterdam you can read many alternatives on what to do in Amsterdam. However, sometimes we want to go further and get out of the box. If you don't want to feel like just another tourist, keep reading because I want to tell you about alternative options to enjoy your visit to this city, from having a coffee in **Rembrandt'**s former neighbour's house, to visiting a museum dedicated to microorganisms.

A good original plan to enjoy Amsterdam in a different way is to visit this place that will bring out your 'influencer' side. The Upside Down Amsterdam is the largest interactive museum dedicated to Instagram in Europe, where, as promised, you set the rules and are the centre of attention.

Here you can find 25 rooms with different themes so you can take photos, make stories and create the content you've always wanted, showing all your creativity. This place seeks to promote the unknown face of the Dutch, beyond what is known at a tourist level, such as the diversity and inclusion that is fervently promoted, the local music scene that leads in Europe or the preference of the Dutch for sweets and chocolate.

You probably already know some of the best museums in Amsterdam, or at least the most renowned ones. But have you ever thought about what's behind all the micro-organisms? This is the aim of the Micropia Museum, the first and only museum dedicated to these tiny, invisible beings, located in the centre of Amsterdam.

An ideal place for the curious, to visit with children and to understand much more about the power of the smallest and most effective organisms in the universe, and how they act in our daily lives. Micropia is located in the historic Natura Artis Magistra building (1870).

Admission to the museum is free if you have the Amsterdam Pass. Here is everything you need to know about the best Amsterdam Sightseeing Passes.

You may have already paid a visit to the National Museum of the Netherlands, known as the Rijksmuseum, but perhaps you haven't fully stopped at the Cuypers Library, the largest and oldest in the history of art in the Netherlands. An original plan is to spend some time there and take advantage of the iPads available for public use.

The collection housed here dates back to 1885 and includes periodicals, auction catalogues, diaries, books, art exchanges and much more. I have always found libraries, like market squares, to be a great getaway in any city we are visiting, as they are places where travellers and locals alike converge and from which we can learn a lot.

Did you know that you can walk through 7 European countries on one street in Amsterdam? On the unique Roemer Visscherstraat you will find seven consecutive houses, each representing seven European countries: Holland, England, France, Russia, Spain, Germany and Italy.

From number 20 to 30A these houses are located between Vondelpark and Leidseplein, in the Amsterdam Zuid district, also known as Amsterdam South. These houses seek to reflect the architectural styles and construction of these nations throughout the 19th century.

It can be curious and fun to take pictures of these houses and discover an attraction that you won't always find in the **city'**s tourist guides. By the way, here are some of the best tours from Amsterdam.

Not a very original but refreshing idea in the middle of your trip. A good alternative plan is to visit some of Amsterdam's neighbouring villages, such as the famous Volendam and Marken, where you can see the windmills.

This option also allows you to see beyond modern, cosmopolitan Amsterdam and connect with inland villages, where you can discover traditions and, of course, fabulous food. If you have time on your trip to the Netherlands, here is what to see in Amsterdam in 5 days.

Here are also recommendations and tips on how to visit Zaanse Schans and its windmills from Amsterdam

This is Holland is a 5D flying experience where you can see the beautiful scenery of Amsterdam and its surroundings from a different perspective. You will be immersed in landscapes filmed from the air without leaving your seat as you enjoy some of the most iconic sights of the Netherlands.

And watch out! The seats vibrate and move to make you feel like you're flying over the city, even though you're actually on the ground.

The Netherlands' policy of tolerance towards soft drugs such as marijuana is well known. If you are interested in this subject, you should know that Amsterdam is home to the oldest marijuana museum in the world, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum.

Here you can see more than 9,000 artefacts and authentic plants. In short, if you want to learn about the history of this interesting plant, this is the place for you, as the entrance ticket includes an audio guide so you can learn all about it.

Are you a fan of this style of music? Then you must get your ticket to the Our House Museum in Amsterdam, a place where you can immerse yourself in an immersive experience with interactive exhibitions where you can even create your own electronic beats.

And of course, you'll learn all about the history and evolution of this musical style so you won't miss a single detail.

Did you know that in Amsterdam there is a museum dedicated to works of art depicting only cats? It's called the Cat Cabinet and if they're your favourite animal, you won't be able to enjoy this visit any more. It's also the perfect time to pick up a souvenir of your trip.

And there are not only paintings, but also objects and sculptures of, of course, cats. All you'll find here are works of art collected by Bob Meijer, the owner of JP Morgan. When his cat died he was heartbroken, so he started collecting a lot of cat memorabilia, so much so that his collection has become a museum.

Amsterdam is a city that will lift your spirits from the very first moment you walk into it. A youthful, modern and bustling city, how about swapping the museum route for an afternoon of arcade-style gaming? For some years now, arcade arcades have been making a comeback in the city, creating a new form of fun to get together with friends and family.

Galaxy Blast is one of them, where you will find a wide variety of arcade machines for you to enjoy a retro time that will connect you with the best moments of your childhood. You can book your visit in advance, and there is also a shop and a café-restaurant so you can grab a bite to eat during your visit.

This place is original and special because it is considered the Dutch Tower of Pisa. Due to the characteristics of Amsterdam, some buildings have lost their verticality, as is the case of the building where the Café de Sluyswacht is located.

This place was built in 1695, has beautiful views of the canal and from there you can take a break, have a coffee and see some works by the great Rembrandt, such as the lock of Saint Anthony, a drawing by the artist, who at that time lived in the house opposite. This house was bought by Rembrandt in 1639 and is now the Rembrandt House Museum or Rembrandthuis.

Amsterdam is known as the "Venice of the North" and has about 75 kilometres of canals. These canals were once used as a means of commercial transport and contained movable bridges so that merchant ships could easily navigate them.

Nowadays, you can stay in the Sweets Hotels or "bridge houses", a type of accommodation that has recovered this space offering a different and very romantic accommodation that can offer you a different view of the canals of Amsterdam.

Here are some of the 5 best canal cruises in Amsterdam. And if you are looking for an even more romantic plan here you will find information about some of the best night cruises.

The architecture in Amsterdam is distinctive. Its colourful facades are attractive to look at, but the sheer size of the facades will certainly catch your eye.

If you visit the Singel Canal, one of the most recognisable and popular in the whole of Amsterdam, you will be able to detail house number 7, which many people claim is the narrowest house in the world. There is also the Kleine Trippenhuis or Mr. Trip's Coachman's House which is only over 2.30 metres.

So you can simply take a map and go in search of the narrowest facades of the city, take pictures and let yourself be captivated by the curiosities of the local architecture.

I love Amsterdam's cultural and musical vibe and the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam Noord is ideal for a good time in the company of live music, cinema and great food. You can take the free ferry across the river IJ to this cultural house with a lively agenda.

In addition to live music, cinema, or art exhibitions, you can also enjoy food festivals or fashion shows. It's definitely a perfect place to include in your Amsterdam travel itinerary.

I also recommend another cultural space, the De Hallen, renowned for its Filmhallen cinema space and its Foodhallen, a gourmet food hall that brings together international food specialities that will win you over.