This summer I decided to stay in Europe and explore neighborhoods surrounding my current hometown Berlin. It didn’t take me longer than 90min to Schiphol Airport and with the bus another 25min to the Concerthall from where you can easily walk to different areas (I personally found it more convenient than taking the train up to the main train station).

I was in the mood of getting lost in Amsterdam’s narrow streets, walking along the canals and crossing as many bridges as I could find. I had no real plan in mind, just capturing the atmosphere and wandering around…it’s easier for me to express my impressions and feelings about this city in pictures than in words, therefore I’ve tried to select my favorite ones in the above gallery.

I'd also like to share some addresses you shouldn’t miss when in Amsterdam - so here you go :-)

Buffet Van Odette : a great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Prinsengracht, right along the canal. I loved the tasteful interior decor and charming atmosphere. The food was delicious and the service very friendly! You should probably reserve in advance to make sure to get a place as it’s quite popular amongst the locals.

Cafe Restaurant De Plantage : located next to the Zoo "Artis". This restaurant recently opened it’s doors with a nice terrace to enjoy warm summer days. The architecture of this building reminds of a greenhouse. I loved the authenticity of the place combined with contemporary design. The menu is mediterranean and I personally found the dishes excellent. Definitely on top of my culinary list!

SLA (salad in Dutch) : if you're looking for a healthy meal and freshly squeezed juices - then you should watch out for one of the SLA restaurants spread all over Amsterdam. In total there are four, I tried the one in the De Pijp area and Utrechtsestraat. Both were great and a real green oasis! Ideal for lunch and a light dinner at reasonable prices. SLA's concept: eat - share - live.

CT Coffee & Coconuts : located in the upcoming De Pijp area. Ideal to grab a coffee, coconut juice or simply to enjoy breakfast, lunch and meet up with friends - this former theater has been transformed to a relaxing oasis to stop by whilst exploring Amsterdam. For the early birds amongst you - the place is open from 7am onwards :-)

Scandinavian Embassy : while I stayed in Amsterdam I met with a friend who took me to this hidden coffee place near Sarphatipark in De Pijp area. The coffee beans and roasts are amazing and definitely the best I’ve tasted during my stay! I loved the scandinavian pastry they serve and the cosy atmosphere reminded me of Stockholm.

For those of you who are looking for some concept stores, Hutspot, Sissy Boy and FRIDAY NEXT are amongst my favorite ones! I could have spent hours and money, but luckily I had a small suitcase so only watching was allowed :-)

Another hotspot not to miss is Hotel DROOG, a concept store, exhibition space, restaurant and hotel. If you’re looking for a special place to stay, you should sleep at their one and only bedroom!

Last but not least: I couldn’t resist stopping by Ace & Tate's pop-up store in Van Woustraat! I can only worn you, it'll be hard to leave this space without new sunglasses :-)

What I enjoyed most during my stay in Amsterdam was walking along the 9 Grachten, crossing De Heilige Brug and wondering around the Vondelpark. The Van Gogh Museum was really nice and the area around the Rijksmuseum too! One evening you should also try out the Foodhallen - I'm crazy about streetfood markets, thus there's no way for me to leave a city without tasting :-)

And yes, there’s something special about Amsterdam! Have fun exploring!

P.S. as the culinary scene is constantly growing, I have a list of restaurants I'd like to try next time (if you happen to eat there, drop me a line, I'm curious to hear about your feedback and impressions) : CITROEN Restaurant, Old School Amsterdam, Cafe Modern, VINNIES and The Old Pressed Juicery.