Amsterdam is considered one of the most charming cities in Europe. The city began in the 12th century when fishermen living near the River Amstel built a bridge across the water close to the IJ, which was once a large saltwater inlet. Much of Amsterdam lies below sea level and is built on land that was reclaimed from the water. For travelers and people who love architecture, the places listed below in Amsterdam provide a useful guide to exploring the city.
Amsterdam is known for its smart urban planning, excellent cycling paths, canal bridges decorated with tulips, and historic merchant houses that lean at unusual angles. When I visited Amsterdam again last year, I explored several new spots and created this city guide to share my experience.
01. NEMO Science Museum By Renzo Piano
© RPBW Architects
This science and technology museum, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, is surrounded by water and shaped like a large ship. Its exterior is covered with pre-oxidized copper panels, reflecting the maritime character of the nearby harbor. Although the museum was originally founded in 1923, the present building was completed in 1997.
A wide pedestrian ramp leads visitors up to the building’s sloping roof, which functions as a public square where people can relax and gather. From the rooftop, visitors can also enjoy impressive views of the city skyline.
02. WoZoCo By MVRDV
© Virginia Duran
This iconic building by MVRDV – the first housing complex realized by the firm – fulfilled 100 living units for older adults and was completed in 1997. Its compelling image results from the urban policy: the architects couldn’t place all the flats in a linear building because of a height restriction. Thus the overhang volumes: all the apartments that couldn’t fit into the linear volume were hung on the northern side, with an east-west orientation.
03. ARCAM By René van Zuuk
© Philipp Heer
Completed in 2003, this art gallery is a compact yet striking building with a sculptural design spread across three levels. The exterior is wrapped in coated aluminum panels that extend smoothly from the base to the roof and curve around both sides of the structure. One of its most distinctive elements is the sculptural glass façade that marks the main entrance, giving the building a modern and artistic appearance.
04. Hermès Store By MVRDV
P.C. Hooftstraat, a charming street that mostly dates back to the 19th century, is now famous for its luxury flagship stores. In 2016, the architecture firm MVRDV was commissioned to redesign one of the brick buildings on the street, producing a carefully considered transformation.
The architects used hundreds of specially designed glass bricks combined with a transparent, high-strength sealant to create a façade that is more open and transparent while still reflecting the style of the original building and the traditional character of the neighborhood.
When the luxury brand Hermès opened its store there in 2019, the interior space was further improved. A solid wall behind the upper part of the façade was removed so the inside could be fully visible from the street, and elegant brand details—such as delicate leather handrails along the main staircase—were added to reflect the company’s identity.
05. Strawinskylaan Bicycle Parking By wUrck
© Philipp Heer
Strawinskylaan Bicycle Parking, finished in 2018, is located across from Amsterdam Zuid railway station. With room for 3,750 bikes, it is the largest underground bicycle parking facility in the Dutch capital.
Offering high-quality bike parking is a key part of the city’s strategy to ensure sustainable and convenient access to public transport, while also enhancing the surrounding public space.
06. Rijksmuseum Asian Pavilion By Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos
© Pedro Pegenaute
This magnificent building by Pierre Cuypers has been dedicated to arts and history since its completion in 1885. The newest addition – the Asian pavilion – was designed by Cruz y Ortiz and opened in 2013. The museum’s two inner courtyards have now been opened, with the removal of galleries added in the 1950s and 1960s. A two-part atrium has been created by sinking the floor of the two courtyards below ground level and connecting them via an underground zone beneath the original passageway through the building. Notable paintings include The Milkmaid (1657) by Vermeer.
07. Stedelijk Museum By Benthem Crouwel Architekten
© Benthem Crouwel Architekten
The existing building of the Stedelijk Museum was created in 1895 by the municipal architect A.W. Weismann. It is celebrated for its majestic staircase, grand rooms, and natural lighting, which were the base points for the 2012 redesign by Benthem Crouwel Architects. The contrast between the new building versus the old one is evident from the outside, but inside the museum, you hardly notice strolling from the new building into the old one. The museum’s collection includes modern art, contemporary art, and design.
08. Silodam By MVRDV
© Philipp Heer
Housing Silo is a modern housing complex situated next to two former grain silos that have been converted into apartments. The building contains 157 units—including flats for rent and ownership—along with business spaces and public areas, all fitted into a 10-story tall, 20-meter-deep urban structure.
The apartments are arranged so that each unit is visibly distinct on the façade, creating a clear visual stacking pattern. Guided tours are available for €3, which can be booked by emailing info@silodam.org at least two weeks in advance.
09. Eye Film Museum By Delugan Meissl Associated Architects
© Philipp Heer
The design and urban placement of the Eye Film Institute are inspired by a combination of two creative worlds: reality and fiction, illusion and genuine experience. The building itself functions like a storyboard, blending architecture with scenography. Through this dynamic interaction, the structure alternates between being the main character in the urban landscape and serving as a dramaturgical element within its environment.
10. Centraal Station By Benthem Crouwel Architects
© Philipp Heer
This highly debated project (22 years of politics back and forth) was finally completed in 2018. Amsterdam’s new metro link connects the north to the south with seven metro stations: two above-ground and five underground stations, along a route almost 10 Km long. Engineering an underground metro 25 meters deep in the soggy soil of historic Amsterdam, built on long wooden stilts around 1300, was not easy.
11. Amsterdam University College By Mecanoo
Science Park Amsterdam is the new home for the Liberal Arts and Sciences program at Amsterdam University College, a joint institute of the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam.
Mecanoo designed Amsterdam University College as an inspiring home for a community of international students and their professors. It is an attractive building with a spacious loft on top. A staircase winds through the voids, symbolizing a sense of community for its users.
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