The Pentawards Gala offers the perfect anchor to a weekend rich in discovery, culture, and connection. Whilst you’re in this beautiful city of Amsterdam we hope you extend your stay and have the chance to explore beautiful city. We’ve put together a list of things to do and places to go, to really make the most of your stay.

Things to do

Iconic Landmarks

The best way to see Amsterdam in our opinion is to take your time to wander around (or cycle!). From the canal-lined streets in De 9 Straatjes, to the tulip-filled markets (like the Amsterdam Floating Flower Market) and museum laden parks, like Vondelpark, there’s plenty to see on a weekend in Amsterdam.

Not forgetting some important historical landmarks, such as the Anne Frank House , or iconic experiences, like the Heineken Experience , if you’re making the most of your Gala trip, these are well worth a visit.

Image: Unsplash - Stedelijk Museum Liam McGarry

Design Destinations

Looking for some artistic inspiration? The museums and galleries in Amsterdam are second to none. Of course The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum are inspiration hot-spots, but the Stedelijk Museum is not to be missed for lovers of contemporary art and design.

There’s also plenty of cool showrooms and galleries such as Kochxbos . But really, there’s free inspiration wherever you look, with murals and sculptures spread across the city.

Frederik magazine has a lovely guide for design-lovers here, filled with beautiful stores, studios and places to see.

Events & Exhibitions

A city that’s buzzing with inspiration and celebration, Amsterdam is celebrating it’s 750 year anniversary up till October 27th. This means for your visit the city will be alive and packed with events and exhibitions, see our article about the celebrations and what’s going on in October here.

Image:  https://amsterdam750.nl/en/

Places to eat

Casual Spots

If casual spots are your vibe, there are plenty of interesting food markets in the city, such as Foodhallen , serving up a plethora of different cuisines.

For more casual sit-down meals, you can head to Hoi Tin situated in Chinatown, Esra a women-owned Turkish-Cypriot restaurant, or Hap-hmm for some classic Dutch food, to name a few.

Image: De Kas

Something Special

Amsterdam has a foodie scene that’s not to be missed. If you’re looking for something special there are several very highly rates restaurants such as De Kas – farm-to-table cooking or Bak – where vegetables steal the show.

The Dutch Experience

While you’re making the most of your Gala weekend, we recommending trying some of the local delicacies. From Stroopwafles at Van Wonderen to the iconic fries at venders such as Frietboutique there’s plenty of snacks to grab and go.

Or why not stop at one of Amsterdam's ‘brown cafes’, traditional café-pub style establishments serving up classic Dutch beers and food, see Café Hoppe , Café De Dokter or Café ‘t Papeneilend for some delicious apple pie!

Time Out has a comprehensive list of some of the best eats in the city.

Image: Unsplash - Micheile Henderson

Areas to stay

Amsterdam Noord

Where the Gala Ceremony venue, De Kromhouthal , stands is the neighbourhood of Amsterdam Noord. Right along the IJ river, this neighbourhood is the perfect destination for making your way to the Gala Ceremony while still  being able to easily reach the city centre (20 mins by ferry or 15 mins by train). This neighbourhood is remnant of the industrial shipping history of the city and oozes urban creative cool.

You can find hotels around the De Kromhouthal via our Hotel Maps page.

Image: Unsplash - Adrien Olichon 

City Centre

Around Central Station there’s plenty of places to stay that mean you’re right in the action but also close to the Gala location. Or head slightly west of Central Station and you’ll find Jordaan, a quaint and authentic neighbourhood, best known for narrow canal streets and unique boutiques and eateries.

Vondelpark

Surrounded by greenery, fresh air and museums, south of the city centre is the Vondelpark. Home to the big museums such as The Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum, there are plenty of Eco-friendly options around this neighbourhood. It’s slightly further from the Gala location but great if you’re making a weekend, or even longer, and want to be in amongst some of the biggest landmarks.

Image: Unsplash - Martti Salmi

The I am Amsterdam website also has some great recommendations and info for anyone visiting the city.

Get your Gala ticket now and make the most of exploring this magnificent city!