Amsterdam, Netherlands

As the first city in the world to pursue the Doughnut Economics model – which emphasizes local needs within planetary boundaries – sustainability is intrinsic to Amsterdam. Despite its green credentials however, Amsterdam struggles with overtourism and irresponsible travel behavior. To make better choices on your next trip to the city, explore on foot or opt for low carbon transport across its 500 km of cycling paths, cruise on an electric boat on its canals, venture into neighbourhoods outside the city centre, indulge your taste buds at innovative plant-to-plate restaurants, and opt for upcycled, ethical, community-supportive shopping. Amsterdam is a busy tourist destination all year round but if you don’t mind the cold, visit in January or February, when it’s somewhat quieter and accommodation prices are lower.

Amsterdam Travel Guide for Conscious Travellers

OUR TOP TIPS FOR THINGS TO DO IN AMSTERDAM

FOR CONSCIOUS TRAVELLERS

1. Go on an electric canal cruise

Our favourite way to see the city is from the water. Most canal cruise companies operate electric-powered boats on a variety of routes through the historic city centre. We recommend this small-group cruise in a comfortable e-boat.

2. Explore the city on foot

Amsterdam is a compact city, making it perfect to explore on foot. This way, you get to enjoy the city at a slower pace and appreciate its beauty. We recommend a stroll along the canals and wandering into the side streets to discover places only locals know about. We’ve included a sightseeing walking route in the map below.

3. Browse around organic, vintage and artisanal markets

Amsterdam is known for its vibrant markets, and many of them have a focus on sustainability. The city’s most popular market is the Albert Cuyp market in De Pijp neighbourhood. For vintage clothing and accessories, visit the Waterlooplein flea market (daily).

The Noordermarkt is a popular organic farmers’ market that sells locally grown produce, sustainable food products, and handmade crafts. Another organic market worth a visit is the Zuidermarkt (every Saturday).

The Pure Markt is a sustainable Sunday market (in the spring/summer months) that focuses on organic and sustainable food, and also features live music and entertainment. On Saturdays, the Nieuwmarkt artisanal market is a great place to browse around and purchase artisanal and organic food products.

4. Ditch overtourism in the city centre – explore the outer districts

Most visitors tend to stick to the historic city centre but there’s a lot to discover in the surrounding districts. Here are our favourite districts and things to see and do there:

De Pijp – famous for its Albert Cuyp market, De Pijp is a vibrant, hipster neighbourhood with a plethora of shops, cafés and restaurants. Visit the Heineken Brewery, mingle with the locals at one of the cafés at Gerard Douplein, shop at the many independent shops and dine at a stylish eatery. For fans of architecture, don’t miss the beautiful buildings in the Amsterdam School architectural style, and De Dageraad museum that’s dedicated to this early-20th century architectural style.
Oud Zuid – this affluent district is home to famous attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw (home of the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra) and Vondelpark. Stroll around Museumplein, the city’s largest square, and enjoy the greenery in Vondelpark. Venture south into the Apollobuurt and Stadionbuurt (neighbourhoods) and you’ll find elegant villas and numerous Amsterdam School architectural gems.
Noord – this vast district, located on the other side of the Ij Harbour, has experienced a renaissance in the past decade. Previously a shipping and industrial area, Noord has blossomed into one of the most vibrant, artsy districts in the city. We recommend taking the (free) ferries from behind the Central Station to Buiksloterweg (to visit the A’DAM Tower/Amsterdam Lookout observation deck and EYE Film Museum), and to NDSM (to visit the NDSM Werf – old shipyards converted into an art/cultural centre, Ij-Hallen – Europe’s largest flea market held numerous times a year, and STRAAT, the world’s largest street art museum).

5. Hire a bicycle and explore the countryside

We don’t recommend hiring a bike to explore the city centre as it’s very walkable. In addition, it’s a very busy area with lots of pedestrians, locals on bikes and traffic, which can lead to dangerous situations. Instead, hire a bike and venture into the surrounding countryside. One of our favourite routes is from the city centre along the Amstel River to the village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Check out our suggested Amsterdam bike routes. or join a countryside bike tour.

6. Go on a day trip using public transport

Amsterdam has excellent public transport connections with the broader region and the rest of the country. Here are some of our favourite day trips from Amsterdam, all of which are easy to do by train or bus:

Utrecht
Haarlem
Zaanse Schans
Monnickendam, Edam, Volendam, Marken
Leiden
The Hague and Delft
Rotterdam

7. Our Top Tips for a Sustainable Visit

Purchase a 1-5 day IAmsterdam City Card for access to 70 museums, unlimited city-wide public transport, a free canal cruise and a full-day bike rental.
Bring your water bottle and fill it up at the numerous water fountains across the city.
Take the electric-powered ferry from the Central Station to NDSM (outside rush hours) for a free and scenic 20-minute harbour cruise.
Hire an e-boat, kayak or paddleboard to explore the canals and Amstel River.

SHOPPING WITH PURPOSE

SUSTAINABLE AND VINTAGE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

There are numerous vintage and second-hand clothing stores in the city centre such as Rumors (Haarlemmerstraat 29 & 99), Marbles (Haarlemmerdijk 64 and Staalstraat 30) and Episode (Berenstraat 1, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 37H,/ Spuistraat 96, Waterlooplein 1).
For vegan lifestyle products, check out VEGA-LIFE in the Nieuwe Hoogstraat 3a, not far from Dam Square
In the Rivierenbuurt, check out Bomb Atelier (Gaaspstraat 39) where clothing and accessories (the bags are very popular) are made from leftover materials. The products are made in-store and each item is handcrafted and unique
Also in the Rivierenbuurt, you’ll find Quinnie’s (Rijnstraat 179) which sells second-hand kids clothing and toys in a café ambiance. Next door, there’s Brand Mission (Rijnstraat 181), a store that specializes in sample and second-hand clothing of sustainable brands.

There are also numerous flea markets to browse around such as the Waterlooplein flea market (daily) and Ij-Hallen (on certain dates).

SUSTAINABLE EATS

VEGAN AND SUSTAINABLE EATERIES

De Kas – food sourced from their own gardens in a classy ambiance in a greenhouse
Cafe de Ceuvel – vegan dishes using ingredients from their own aquaponics greenhouse, and featuring innovative sustainable tech
Circl – another wonderful circular restaurant that focuses on reduced waste, sharing and sustainability.
Read more about sustainable food outlets in Amsterdam.

IMPACTFUL STAYS

SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

Conscious Hotels: with 4 locations spread out across Amsterdam, such as Vondelpark and Museum Square, Conscious Hotels features stylish design, with cradle-to-cradle or recycled materials, organic food and heaps of measures to ensure your stay is as eco-friendly as possible.
Hotel Jakarta: the first energy-neutral hotel in the country, Hotel Jakarta features a sun-drenched atrium with a tropical garden, energy-and waste-saving measures and floor-to-ceiling windows for beautiful harbour views.