Lake District

Built during the expansion of Amsterdam’s western neighbourhoods in the 1950s, Nieuw-West is the largest and greenest district in the city. Diverse and spacious, the area incorporates leafy residential neighbourhoods with culturally rejuvenated former business parks surrounding the tranquil Sloterplas.

Getting outdoors

From Rembrandtpark up to the historic village of Sloten, you’ll find countless opportunities for relaxation and recreation. In the warmer months, the lakeside terraces are bustling with punters enjoying the scenery. Hotel Buiten is a stylish eatery with urban beach pavilion charm while Boothuis is great for picnics by the water. Locals make good use of the area’s outdoor spaces, with a range of community festivals, sports events and food markets. Enjoy outdoor cinema screened under the trees at West Beach Film

Fruittuin van West

Garden or no, everyone can enjoy a bit of green-fingered wholesomeness exploring the pick-your-own orchards of Fruittuin van West. Owners Wil and Lisan wanted to create a place where the city and nature come together. There are 20 different species of fruit trees in the large orchard, and in the winter, you can pick chicory or mushrooms in the shiitake greenhouses. When you’ve emerged from the undergrowth, settle down in the fairytale garden of Het Rijk van de Keizer for a refuel.

Festival or incredible classical music and jazz performed on floating pontoons during Grachtenfestival

Cultural and culinary

But it's not all lakeside tranquillity in this end of town. Venues like the Meervaart theatre, the Van Eesteren Museum, and Lola Luid are important cultural spaces, while RADION hosts everything from photo exhibitions and art fairs to booming techno nights. Meanwhile, local culinary favourites are spread throughout the area. Take for example Serifoglu bakery, which serves the best pistacchio baklava, and Alsham Delights for Syrian sweets. The market at Plein ‘40-‘45 is the place to try authentic Turkish kebabs and Moroccan fish pastilla. An adjacent shopping centre covers all the essentials.

Sloten

Entering the ancient village of Sloten feels like stepping back in time. You’ll find the Sloten Windmill Museum here – one of the few fully functioning polder mills in the Netherlands where you can learn all about milling techniques and how Rembrandt, the son of a miller, grew up. Need a pick-me-up afterwards? Head next door to Brouwerij de 7 Deugden, one of the city’s best microbreweries, for a delicious craft beer.

The beating heart of Nieuw-West’s cultural scene, the Meervaart theatre hosts everything from shows by big international touring companies to home-grown multicultural cabaret acts.

MEER EN VAART 300, MEERVAART.NL

De Linnenboom

Amsterdam’s ‘linnenshop’ is a specialty store that focuses on textiles for the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen from major brands, but it's also the place to go for home accessories and home wear such as leggings and pajamas. One cosy day at home coming up!

TUSSEN MEER 64, LINNENBOOM.NL

Escape the hectic city by spending a tranquil day around Nieuw-West's Sloterplas lake.