In 2025, Amsterdam turns 750 – a venerable age on a human scale, but barely adolescent when stacked against Europe’s ancient heavyweights. Cities like Athens, Rome and Cadiz have been around for millennia, their foundations laid long before Amsterdam’s first dykes were drawn. So while the Dutch capital is rich in culture and influence, it’s a relative newcomer in the continental timeline. Which makes its anniversary all the more fitting: big, bold and just a little bit rowdy – exactly how a spirited teenager should celebrate.
To guide us through the landmark Amsterdam 750 year, we’re joined by two local insiders: Lara Ravnik, Marketing Manager at nhow Amsterdam RAI, situated at the heart of the action, and Ons Ben Tarfaoui, Senior Marketing & PR Manager at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, a venerable Grand Dame.
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Setting the stage for Amsterdam's 750th anniversary celebration
In the 750 years since Amsterdam received its city rights, the city has evolved from a modest fishing village on the Amstel into one of Europe’s most dynamic capitals, home to thriving commerce, a world-class art scene and a progressive social spirit. Amsterdammers are rightly proud of their well-rounded city, and they’re marking the milestone with a year-long celebration for the books.
The anniversary officially began in October 2024 with a grand opening concert, setting the tone for twelve months of festivities that run through to October 2025 (visit Amsterdam750.nl for the latest updates and tickets).
One of the standout moments came in June 2025, when the city did something rather extraordinary: it transformed the entire A10 ring road into a 15-kilometre-long car-free playground for Festival Op de Ring. The event was unlike anything Amsterdam had seen before, featuring mass weddings, live performances, pop-up installations, public art, dancing and communal tables laid out where cars had idled only hours before.
It was a once-in-a-generation celebration that captured the city’s creativity, inclusivity and flair for the unexpected. It was also proof that while Amsterdam may be 750 years old, it still knows how to throw a party.
And the party isn’t over yet. Far from it. There’s plenty more to see, do and taste across the city through the end of the year as part of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebration.
Amsterdam Noord: bohemian revival in revitalised docklands
Grit meets creativity in Amsterdam Noord, a district that has transformed its industrial past into a playground for the culturally curious. Anchored by the NDSM Wharf, a former shipyard, Amsterdam’s northern enclave across the IJ River is where locals gather for avant-garde exhibitions, taproom tastings and culinary experiments from the city’s rising chefs.
During this year’s anniversary celebrations, Noord is hosting community-led events, from street art showcases to pop-up performances and cultural workshops. Just across the river, the Amsterdam Museum is running the third edition of Refresh Amsterdam – a large-scale art event featuring works by contemporary artists and the public. In August, SAIL Amsterdam 2025 maritime spectacle will unfold along the River IJ, with tall ships docking near NDSM Wharf, making Noord a prime viewing spot.
There is plenty to see outside of Amsterdam 750 celebrations too. Culture-seekers should make for the EYE Filmmuseum, a striking architectural landmark and essential stop for cinephiles, or Tolhuistuin, a leafy venue hosting concerts and festivals. For a dose of adrenaline, the ‘Over the Edge’ swing atop the A’DAM Tower offers panoramic thrills with skyline views. Families and adults with a penchant for play will find delight in WONDR, an immersive indoor experience of surreal, colour-drenched rooms crafted by local artists. When it’s time to refuel, stop for a pint at Oedipus Brewing or Walhalla Brewery, then settle in for dinner at Pllek– a trendy waterfront spot offering dining, live music and even yoga. Or at Noorderlicht, a “cultural café” serving seasonal, organic fare on a grassy terrace with views across the river.
Afterwards, stroll along Nieuwendammerdijk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest and most picturesque streets, lined with charming houses and leafy paths. End the evening with a nightcap at Bar King William III, designed to evoke the atmosphere of a traditional bruin café. It serves wine, beer and the famous Dutch meatballs (bitterballen), a classic bar snack. The cosy bar is located at NH Amsterdam Noord, a Green Key-certified eco-hotel whose guests can often be seen pedalling past NDSM’s murals on complimentary bikes come morning. If the local cycling style feels a bit intimidating, the hotel also offers a free shuttle to the city centre every 30 minutes. It’s ideally placed for exploring Amsterdam’s most dynamic cultural frontier.
Amsterdam Oost: hipster haven
While Amsterdam Noord boasts dockland heritage, it’s Amsterdam Oost just across the IJ River that was once the epicentre of the city’s maritime trade. Today, the Eastern Docklands is a trendy residential and cultural district.
As part of the 2025 anniversary celebrations, the area is hosting a street football championship, along with a variety of neighbourhood initiatives throughout the year, including exhibitions, cultural walks and community-led festivities. Outside the official events, Amsterdam Oost is worth exploring for its hip bars, independent boutiques and concept stores along Javastraat, the district’s main drag.
Curiously, the area also features drinking establishments that pay tribute to American creatives known for their free spirit. Bar Basquiat channels Jean-Michel Basquiat’s graffiti roots and Neo-Expressionist style, while the trendy Bar Bukowski, near the leafy Oosterpark, honours the American writer Charles Bukowski, famed for his gritty poetry and love of a stiff drink. For a more local flavour, head to Nieuwe Diep Distillery near Flevopark, another green lung, for a chance to sample genever, the juniper-flavoured traditional liquor of the Netherlands.
To explore Amsterdam’s deep-rooted relationship with coffee, which dates back to the 17th century, start with classic Dutch filter coffee at cosy cafés or dive into the third-wave scene at specialty coffee shops serving expertly crafted espresso drinks. Rum Baba, a laid-back specialty coffee roaster, offers delicious baked goods and premium beans to take home. Coffee Bru is a rustic, arty space with sidewalk seating, known for its espresso drinks and light bites. KAFFEE is perfect for a quiet moment of journaling or simply enjoying a slow morning. Last but certainly not least is Wakuli, which proudly roasts its beans locally and is known for creative seasonal drinks like nitro oat lattes and cinnamon cold brews.
Once you're well-caffeinated, head to The Wereldmuseum, a vast ethnographic museum, or explore experimental and contemporary art at Bradwolff Projects
City Centre: where it all began
As the city pulls out all the stops for the 750 years of Amsterdam anniversary, the historic centre is buzzing with special events, exhibitions and cultural happenings. The 2025 edition of SAIL Amsterdam promises to be extra special. Expect a fleet of tall ships and historic vessels docking along the IJ, creating a stunning nautical display in the heart of the city.
Another key event is The Roof of Amsterdam, which invites visitors to explore the city from above, with rooftops transformed into stages, galleries and gathering spaces. Design lovers and classical music aficionados will find plenty to enjoy as well. (The full agenda and tickets are available at Amsterdam750.nl.)
With a high concentration of places of interest, the city centre remains the most popular area for visitors to stay. For a taste of heritage, book a room at NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace, housed in lovingly converted 17th-century townhouses and a 15th-century chapel. Just outside your front door, floating dining experiences and canal boat tours depart from the hotel’s private dock.
Nearby, Amsterdam’s key attractions await, including the Royal Palace, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Flower Market. If you’d like the scents and colours of the Bloemenmarkt to accompany you throughout your Dutch sojourn, choose Hotel NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market, where rooms overlook vibrant stalls brimming with tulips and orchids.
To stay in the heart of Amsterdam, both symbolically and geographically, check into Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam sprawled over a grand 19th-century landmark just steps from Dam Square, the site of the original dam on the Amstel River. It was here that Amsterdam took its name and began its journey as a thriving city. Today, the square is a vibrant social hub, surrounded by shops, cafés, museums and cultural attractions. Fittingly, given its pedigree and enviable location, the Krasnapolsky is celebrating 750 years of Amsterdam with a limited-edition Monopoly board featuring the city’s most iconic landmarks (and yes, the hotel has its own square). The one-of-a-kind keepsake for travel enthusiasts, history lovers and admirers of Amsterdam’s legacy, the collector’s edition also supports a meaningful cause, with all proceeds going to charity.
Other accommodation options in the city centre include NH Amsterdam Schiller with its ornate Art Deco interiors; NH Amsterdam Caransa and NH Amsterdam Leidseplein to keep you in the thick of theatres, bars and late-night bistros; and Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel for discreet riverside luxury on the Amstel’s banks in Amsterdam’s oldest five-star hotel.
Museum Quarter & Zuid: mixing business and pleasure
Tucked between leafy streets and world-class museums, Amsterdam Zuid is ideal for culture seekers and design aficionados. Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam Hotel places top-tier institutions right at your fingertips: the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam are all less than 500 metres away. After dark, wander across the canal to De Pijp, a hip, bohemian quarter packed with cafés and terrace bars where locals go to unwind.
Just down the road, Lara Ravnik and the team at nhow Amsterdam RAI welcome urban adventurers to the Zuidas business district. Known as the “Financial Mile”, this modern, high-end hub is home to multinational companies like Google and features sleek architecture and luxury housing. Towering above the city with its angular design, the hotel tempts with bold art installations, eclectic décor celebrating Amsterdam’s “Golden Age” as a commercial centre of Europe, and breathtaking views from up high, making it an ideal perch for fireworks and city-wide celebrations.
Lara loves the Zuid neighbourhood for its rich blend of modernity and heritage, as well as its hidden gems like Beatrixpark – a serene, artful escape from the bustle of central Amsterdam without the crowds of more famous parks like Vondelpark. To go beyond the classics, visit the Oude Kerk, the oldest parish church of the city, tour a former private residence at Museum Van Loon for insights into traditional canal houses, or explore the Jewish Historical Quarter for quieter, deeply rooted stories of the city. In the Jewish Quarter, NH Amsterdam Zuid offers refined rooms just steps from buzzing café terraces and cultural landmarks such as the Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum and Holocaust Memorial.
As the city is swept up in Amsterdam 750 fever, each district is putting its best foot forward, flooding the streets with events, celebrations and happenings that express their love for the city on the Amstel. Whether you visit in 2025 amid the jubilant fanfare or arrive once the confetti has settled, Amsterdam’s inimitable blend of heritage and innovation, grandeur and grit, remains a story worth learning.
