1. How to get to Amsterdam
✈️By air:
- Schiphol Airport is a 15-minute ride from the centre of Amsterdam by train. It's also possible to take a taxi, which takes about 20–30 minutes. See the Schiphol travel information page for more details.
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located in Rotterdam, about 70 km south of Amsterdam, and connected to the city via public transport or car, taking about 1.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. See the Rotterdam The Hague Airport travel page for more information.
- Eindhoven Airport is located about 100 km south of Amsterdam, reachable in about 1.5 hours by car or around 2 hours by public transport. See the Eindhoven Airport public transport page for more information.
🚅By train:
Amsterdam has several major train stations providing easy access to the city. The main ones include:
- Amsterdam Central Station – The city's main hub, connecting to domestic and international destinations.
- Amsterdam Zuid – Convenient for business travellers and connections to Schiphol Airport.
- Amsterdam Amstel – A key stop for regional train services.
🚌By bus:
The intercity bus terminal is located at Amsterdam Sloterdijk, a 5-minute train ride from the Amsterdam Central, mainly used by FlixBus.
🚗By car:
Amsterdam is about a 1-hour drive from Rotterdam and a 1.5-hour drive from Eindhoven, via the A4 and A2 motorways. However, we advise you to travel by public transport or a taxi, as traveling by car in Amsterdam is not very convenient.
2. Venue and visit locations
On the first day, our main location will be Tolhuistuin, located in Amsterdam North . The easiest way to get there is by taking the ferry from Amsterdam Central Station. The crossing takes about five minutes. Once you arrive on the other side of the water, you will find Tolhuistuin a 2-minute walk on your left. | 📍Address: IJpromenade 2, 1031 KT Amsterdam
Dinner will take place at A Beautiful Mess, starting at 19:00. The restaurant is about a seven-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station. | 📍Address: Oosterdokskade 227, 1011 DL Amsterdam
On the morning of the second day we will visit several organisations. Offlimits, the expertise centre on online abuse and Connectlab, where the municipality works together with young people to develop new ideas and solutions. After that we will visit TUMO, a free after-school programme where young people can explore technology, design and a wide range of creative skills.
3. Where to stay in Amsterdam
🏨Centrum (City Centre): For those who prefer to stay in the heart of Amsterdam, there are several hotel options. These hotels provide a mix of budget-friendly and upscale options, all close to major attractions and transport links:
- Ibis Stopera – Valkenburgerstraat 68
- Monet Garden Hotel – Valkenburgerstraat 76
- Hotel Nes – Kloveniersburgwal 137
- Eden Hotel – Amstel 144
- NH Hotel Schiller – Rembrandtplein 26-36
- Times Hotel – Herengracht 137
- Ibis Styles – Martelaarsgracht 10
- Ibis Amsterdam Centre – Stationsplein
- Hotel Arena – ‘s-Gravesandestraat 55
4. Where to eat
Dinner and lunch will be provided on December 9th, and lunch on December 10th, but we would be happy to share some tips in case you are staying a bit longer.
- Hotel de Goudfazant, a restaurant (not a hotel) located in industrial Amsterdam Noord, with mainly classic French food.
- Hoi Tin, the best dim sum in the city.
- Café Restaurant Amsterdam, large restaurant in an old water purification factory. The big Christmas tree is almost reason enough to go there.
- Omaietje, comfort food from all over the world. Located in Amsterdam Zuidoost.
5. Additional information and sightseeing
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.