Playgrounds, coffee, walks and quiet corners on our island — the places we walk to ourselves.
This is what life on the island can feel like. Water everywhere, quiet streets, a boardwalk that starts at the door, and just enough cafés and corners to make the days slow but never empty.
Specialty coffee and brunch in the building that turns into a stylish dinner place in the evening.
Open in Google MapsCoffee for you, a corner for them. Specialty coffee and an indoor kids' corner; directly outside there is another playground and a football field.
Open in Google MapsThe playground we walk to most with younger children — wooden, low-key, tucked between the houses.
Open in Google MapsSpecialty coffee in a former pumping station on Zeeburgereiland. Worth the short bike ride when you want a change of scene.
Open in Google MapsStart at the door: the public boardwalk runs around the building and out onto the 400-metre pier between the sloops.
Open in Google MapsThe island suits families with small children, couples, nature lovers, writers, artists, and anyone who wants a peaceful place that is still connected to Amsterdam.
Specialty coffee and brunch in the building that turns into a stylish dinner place in the evening.
In the building · Breakfast, coffee, dinner
Open in Google MapsCoffee for you, a corner for them. Specialty coffee and an indoor kids' corner; directly outside there is another playground and a football field.
Short cycle · Families, rainy mornings · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsThe playground we walk to most with younger children — wooden, low-key, tucked between the houses.
Short walk · Babies and toddlers · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsSpecialty coffee in a former pumping station on Zeeburgereiland. Worth the short bike ride when you want a change of scene.
Short cycle · Coffee, slow mornings · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsAnother neighbourhood playground a few streets away. Easy to combine with a walk along the water.
Short walk · Toddlers and young children · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsA kinderboerderij — one of those wonderfully Dutch ideas for small children: a neighbourhood petting farm where they can get close to the animals and learn about them.
Bike or car recommended — not within walking distance · Small children, animal lovers · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsWhere we go when we want a proper flat white and a bit of neighbourhood noise.
Short cycle
Open in Google MapsStart at the door: the public boardwalk runs around the building and out onto the 400-metre pier between the sloops.
From the door · Sunset, prams, short evenings · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsQuiet streets, floating houses, benches facing the water and the Amsterdam skyline in the distance.
About an hour, at any pace · Evening walks
Open in Google MapsOpen green space and birdlife across the bridge — the closest place that feels genuinely out of the city.
Short cycle · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsReeds, water birds and long grass. Good for a slow morning with nothing planned.
Bike
Open in Google MapsThe city beach at the far end of IJburg — sand, shallow water and space to run.
Bike · Summer, children · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsA dyke road, sheep and the smallest city in the Netherlands. Our favourite bike ride.
Bike or Car
Open in Google MapsHand-pulled noodles and lamb. Somewhere we send friends.
Bike or Tram
Open in Google MapsThai, generous, easy with children early in the evening.
Bike · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsFarm shop and milk tap. Bring a bottle; the children like pulling the handle.
Bike · Good with small children
Open in Google MapsTwo large supermarkets and the daily shops, about a ten-minute walk.
Ten-minute walk
Open in Google MapsThe stop is beside the building; about 13 minutes into the centre.
Beside the building
Open in Google MapsParking below the building if you arrive by car.
Car
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