Monocle Travel Guide: Amsterdam

Amsterdam: a city that surprises first-time travellers and longtime visitors alike.
At first glance, horseshoe-shaped Amsterdam is a breeze to circumnavigate and its offerings seemingly obvious. But look closely and you'll find hidden pockets in the maze of canals and burgeoning neighbourhoods that are a quick pedal from the city centre. This archetype of liberalism and diversity is forever reinventing itself.

Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. That information is now available in The Monocle Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets.

Expect a mix of experiences dotted with some quirky surprises. These are books where grand hotels appear alongside family-owned bistros and internationally renowned galleries sit next to unassuming indie clubs that play host to top music talent. The Monocle Travel Guides mix the classic with the contemporary, go beyond the conventional, and reveal all the hidden spots that cities have to offer.

Published by Gestalten, these travel guides are for people who want to get the most out of their stay however short and feel like locals rather than tourists. That s why each book has a series of neighborhood walks to take you away from the throng and leave you with a sense of discovery even in cities that you have visited numerous times. Cities are fun. Let's explore.