Things to do in Bos en Lommer & De Baarsjes
People watch from a beautiful terrace bar
For a calmer evening, consider heading to a terrace bar and quietly enjoying some good food and pedestrian action. Cafe Cook is a bit of a hidden gem in De Baarsjes, with a great terrace that extends onto the square outside the spectacular Jeruzalemkerk. Head there for a vintage pub vibe (and a great spot to work in the daytime). And just as vintage – this one is housed in a former jeweller school – but sometimes a bit louder, Daalder Streetfood serves a strong line-up of snacks with a fantastic outdoor space at the intersection of the canal. Meanwhile, De Neef van Fred, perched on a sunny corner of the Admiralengracht, arguably has one of the best people-watching terraces in town. And if you're still looking for spots, try one of Cafe Goldmund, Bar Baarsch or beer-haven Biertuin for options for every taste.
Unwind in Rembrandt Park
Sunshine (when available), sculptures and open lakes, families, kids and pets: the sprawling Rembrandt Park is one of the top outdoor spots in the city. It’s sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always beautiful to walk through and relax in. The park has plenty of amenities too, including exercise areas and a very popular petting zoo featuring a friendly cast of goats, sheep, pigs and geese. As far as a city park goes, it's everything you could want.
Skirt the canals in Erasmus Park
Alternatively, head to canal-ringed Erasmus Park to wander the expansive rose gardens or relax with a coffee in Terrasmus Cafe. The park comes alive in the summer when flocks of youngsters, dog walkers and local families head over to picnic on the lawns or chill out with a few beers by the canal. There’s even an outdoor swimming spot along the Erasmusgracht if you’re brave enough to jump in. You might have to dodge the ducks as you swim, but fortunately, there are ladders to help you get back out again - those canal walls are deceptively high after all. In the autumn, it's a serene affair too, as the colours turn from green to gold and the mist envelops the surrounding waters.
Shop and eat your way along Jan Evertsenstraat
Architecture lovers should make a beeline to the beginning of the Jan Evertsenstraat (or Jan Eef as the locals like to call it), where Amsterdam School-style undulating façades form a kind of city gate. A recent influx of latte liberals to this former working-class area has provided fertile feeding ground for the kinds of concepts that appeal to this hip young crowd, like culty sourdough bakery Fort Negen, trendy kids’ boutique Knotsknetter, bistro-bar De Neef van Fred, cheese store Caseus, ramen joint Sapporo Ramen SORA, tea lovers’ paradise T’s Teabar and concept store Things I Like, Things I Love. Of course, there are also long-established Turkish grocers and local (discount) chain stores here.
Check out some cultural hidden gems
This part of Amsterdam-West has a solid creative community, with many new venues and exhibition spaces popping up in recent years. Check out a stage show or music performance at Podium Mozaïek or catch an art exhibition at No Man’s Art Gallery. Our culture guide has a full rundown of the best cultural hotspots in Bos en Lommer and De Baarsjes, whilst the events calendar will keep you abreast of what's going on in the area during annual festivals like Amsterdam Dance Event or Kings Day. Discover all the art and culture in the area here.
Head inside for sports and games
When you're in Amsterdam, rainy days are guaranteed and luckily in BoLo, there's plenty on offer for when the heavens open. Head to Pong for a day and night of high-octane table tennis. If bouldering is your thing, Beest Boulders is the city's largest bouldering hall, complete with an onsite restaurant and cosy sitting area that even has a fireplace to warm up by. Head to a yoga studio like Tula Yoga if you need a little zen and recharge, or PUCK if you fancy challenging your friends to a game of air hockey (drinks on the loser). And there's no shortage of board game cafés in the city too if this is your jam.
Try your hand at green-fingered initiatives
Green is good – and BoLo has it good. Erasmuspark and Rembrandtpark provide all you'll need for long strolls in the city's gardens, but there's community gardens like De Tuin van Jan for bird and insect-spotting, and Kas Keerweer where you can get involved with gardening. Find our full guide to nature and activity here.
Go out (out) for a night
Bos en Lommer's proximity to the Ring (the motorway surrounding Amsterdam) and as a younger, more trendy area has led it to become a destination for nightlife. Formerly the home of Amsterdam techno institution De School, it's now got Tilla Tec. Housed in the same building as De School, Tilla Tec is run by the team behind LGBTQ+ bar Pamela, and brings some much-needed colour and range to the club scene in the western quarters. Elsewhere, Het Sieraad, a former craft school now club, houses some of the city's most exciting electronic events – from household names to dark-edged queer nights – all within its interior courtyard turned dancefloor.
Dine out on global cuisine
BoLo's reputation for food has been undersung - it's long history as a diverse neighbourhood has made it a great spot for Turkish and Middle-Eastern bakeries and roti shops, which are the beating heart of much of the capital. Nowadays, it's all that goodness and more, with speciality cafés like White Label Coffee, Scandi bakeries like Selma's and a surprising sweep of Mexican eateries like Lupe and MasMais. Explore all the restaurants and bars in the area here.
Spend the night in a tram cart
If the last room you slept in was dull, we highly recommend sleeping in a tram cart or behind a secret bookcase. Hotel Not Hotel offers those and a dozen other unique not-rooms, like the mini Spanish villa or the elevated crow’s nest. Downstairs, you’ll also find an incredible food and cocktail bar called Kevin Bacon, which, much like the actor, has zero pretension, always delivers and consistently ensures everybody has a good time.
