Essentially Amsterdam Staff

New figures show local participation has risen significantly since 2016, beating averages in other major Dutch cities. Gym workouts and running remain the most popular choices.

26 September 2026

Streets near Leidseplein are seeing traditional Dutch menus replace longstanding pizzerias and international spots. Business owners report that visitors increasingly seek local dishes over generic dining options.

26 September 2026

A grassroots initiative adding photos and bios next to city street signs has passed 600 panels. The project began more than twelve years ago in Oud-West.

26 September 2026

An economics teacher launched practical hair styling sessions to help men bond with their daughters. The gatherings combine hands-on practice with discussions on parenting and puberty.

26 September 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday 27 September: Electric taxi pilot launches, Jean-Michel Jarre opens ADE, Noord bridge

26 September 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam voor zaterdag 26 september: Ambacht in Beeld vult de NDSM Loods, draaiorgeldynastie Perlee stopt ermee, Nouvelle Vague speelt in Paradiso

25 September 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday 26 September: Ambacht in Beeld craft festival fills the NDSM Loods, Perlee barrel-organ dynasty bows out, Nouvelle Vague plays Paradiso

25 September 2026

Family firm Perlee will sell its Westerstraat premises and auction its entire collection this weekend. High costs and a lack of successors brought the 151-year-old business to an

25 September 2026

Newborn kittens will need to be microchipped under a new government plan aimed at tackling stray populations. The state will reimburse owners for the veterinary registration costs.

25 September 2026

More than a hundred craftspeople from several countries will offer workshops and demonstrations in Amsterdam-Noord this weekend. The programme focuses on skills from Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean.

25 September 2026

Ministers want more households to buy property together, but most banks refuse to lend to groups. Mortgage broker De Hypotheker warns of strict conditions and complex local regulations.

25 September 2026

The Zuidoost initiative offers affordable healthy food through shared cooking sessions and cheap dinners. It is in the running for the city award honoring projects that fight poverty.

25 September 2026

Transport authorities plan to replace the city's traditional metro line numbers with a new M1 to M4 system starting in 2028. Local passengers say the numbers carry cultural

25 September 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday 25 September: Saturday trains halt at Centraal, water lily blooms, Valley gets cinemas

25 September 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam voor vrijdag 25 september: Zaterdag geen treinen op Centraal, waterlelie bloeit, Valley krijgt bioscopen

25 September 2026

Hundreds of visitors queued onto the bridge on Plantage Middenlaan to see the rare nocturnal flower open in the dark. The white bloom turns pink on its second

24 September 2026

Internal documents call the border situation critical almost daily. The EU Entry Exit System fails so often that queues now catch EU travellers too, and relief is months

24 September 2026

Residents can put unwanted belongings on the pavement for neighbours to collect this Sunday. A map of participating addresses will be shared online before the event.

24 September 2026

Housing minister Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan joined city alderpersons to mark the milestone near the Johan Cruijff Arena. The development will bring over 1,100 new homes, including Amsterdam's tallest residential

24 September 2026

The end of the Dutch net-metering scheme in 2027 will increase costs across Noord-Holland. Households in the province will pay an average of €266 more each year.

24 September 2026