Amsterdam: Gold edition

The city of canals is a year-round destination, but as soon as the leaves start to color, shades of amber, rust and gold emerge, painting the city with a warm palette that seems to have sprung from the brush of a Dutch master. Get inspired by our Les Clefs d’Or concierge and discover which of the city’s highlights are best visited now the days are getting shorter…

Did you know that Amsterdam is one of the leafiest cities in Europe? With over 400.000 trees, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a stroll through the parks or along the canals to admire the foliage. The famous Vondelpark would be the nearest and within walking distance, or use one of The Dylan’s Roetz bikes. Navigate to Lomanstraat afterwards and capture the perfect fall picture to send to the homefront. The woods of ”het Amsterdamse bos” is where you’ll find most locals collecting chestnuts.

For nature lovers alike, ride to the trendy Eastern part of Amsterdam and visit Hortus Botanicus, which is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. During fall, their Japanese maple trees turn into a magical shade of crimson that is not to be missed. Their large greenhouses will also feel like a very welcoming warm blanket, as fall can get a bit chilly in Amsterdam.

Talking about the weather, inevitably, the Dutch weather does enjoy some occasional variation. We might even leave out the word occasional here. While some may see it as a good reason to stay in and enjoy OCCO’s acclaimed High Wine at the fireplace, one may also consider it an invitation to explore the city’s cozier corners.

The most tranquil and intimate way to admire the season’s golden glow would be a private boat tour. For a true sense of place, take your waterborne adventure a step further and set sail to the fisherman’s village of Durgerdam, which takes about an hour or so. The town, with its traditional wooden houses and serene harbor feels like a step back in time, it’s an escape from the crowds and a slice of authentic Dutch life. Enjoy a late lunch at restaurant De Mark and take a taxi back to The Dylan.

Another recommended to-do on a drizzly day would be to immerse yourself in the city’s rich and diverse art scene. Just around the corner on the Prinsengracht, you can find contemporary art gallery Ron Mandos. On display are the a new series of Curaçao-based photographer Gilleam Trapenberg and new work of the Viennese artist duo Muntean & Rosenblum (until 29 October). From 11 November onwards, Cuban born Inti Hernandez will present new sculptures and, for the first time, paintings. The same date marks the opening for ‘The Permanent Journey’ at the gallery, a group exhibition of 11 Cuban artists.

Enthused by all contemporary art? Continue your way photography museums Huis Marseille and FOAM, or to the visually appealing Moco museum for somewhat more provocative and edgy works of artists such as Banksy, Kusama and Basquiat.

As interesting as the avant-garde art scene is in Amsterdam, the city’s art heritage also offers a profound connection to the past. Journey from the cutting-edge galleries of today to the hallowed halls of museums where time seems to have stand still, as you delve into the world of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Hals at the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh or the H’ART, the former Hermitage.

The annual PAN art fair offers a vast array of art, antiques and design for both seasoned collectors and casual art enthusiasts alike (19 -26 November). Not in town over these dates specifically? Try your luck at one of the galleries at the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat.