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Amsterdam Light Festival

23. December 2016/in /by David

Discover the Amsterdam Light Festival

The Amsterdam Light Festival for the 2025-2026 edition is scheduled to run from November 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

If you have been exploring Amsterdam, you might notice colorful art installations around the city. Moreover, the city hosts the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. This year’s edition celebrates the city itself with the theme “A View on Amsterdam.” Artists use the city as their canvas. Additionally, they bring fresh ideas and show different visions of Amsterdam through stunning light art.

Water Colors of the Canals

What do the canals look like during the festival? Until 22 January 2017, the water comes alive with rainbow colors. Some artworks can be seen from the shore. For example, Wolfert’s dog marks the legendary foundation of Amsterdam. Another example is a nest inspired by organic architecture. Meanwhile, other pieces are better seen from the water. These include three-dimensional houses that appear flat from a distance, or the “dangerous love zone” highlighting modern love. Also, the most spectacular pieces include brightly lit tulips in the middle of the canal, a strip of lilacs floating on the water, and bicycles falling into the canal. The bikes symbolize the 15,000 bicycles fished out of Amsterdam canals every year.

Experience the Festival on a KINboat Tour

We joined the festival on a KINboat tour. The smaller boats create a personal experience. Guides are friendly, funny, and passionate about the city. Furthermore, if you are introverted, a cup of hot gluhwein or chocolate helps break the ice. The boat offers a 360-degree view of the canals and leaning Dutch houses. You can choose inside seating to stay warm or outside for perfect photos. Best of all, the boat is 100% electric, making the experience eco-friendly. The 75-minute tour flew by and left us wanting more.

Walking the Illuminade Route

If you prefer to stay on land, the Illuminade route is perfect. It is a free evening walk through the city with 23 outdoor light art pieces. This year, the theme is biomimicry, using nature to solve human problems. For example, you can see green flying pigs in trees as a symbol of positivity and recycling. In addition, you can interact with an illuminated glass house that responds to your voice. Also, you can dance with light trees connecting nature and art. Each installation surprises and inspires. For instance, a flowering phantasm opens its petals with your movement, and light waves respond to the wind.

Fancy a walk?

If you’re not into looking at Amsterdam from below the ground level (although it’s stunning!), then Illuminade is the right part of the Light Festival for you. Enjoy a long evening walk around the magical city admiring the outdoor exhibition presented to you by local and international artists. 23 light art pieces are waiting for you to see Amsterdam in a different dimension (sometimes you can even walk through them!). This year walking route’s theme is biomimicry that brings nature to solve problems of humans. The best news is that you can enjoy this charming walk for FREE till 8 January 2017, just grab your map and good company.

Watch the green flying pigs in a tree (no, you don’t need to smoke to see them!) being a symbol of positivism and recycling, or find an illuminated glass house activated through your voice that would make you feel surreal, or dance with the light trees connecting with nature and art. Your opportunities are endless and will surprise you with each artwork you pass: just think about the flowering phantasm opening its petals with you movement or light waves that operate with the help of the wind and make you think about sustainable energy.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is a magical experience. Whether on a KINboat tour or walking the Illuminade route, the city transforms into a vibrant art gallery. From colorful canals to interactive light installations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is only 15 min from Amsterdam Teleport Hotel to city centre!

Amsterdam’s Best Gifts

13. December 2016/in /by David

Creative Christmas Gifts from Amsterdam

If you are staying at Teleport Hotel in Amsterdam this Christmas, we have some great gift ideas for you. Instead of the usual Dutch cheese, stroopwafels, tulip bulbs, or Delft blue pottery, why not choose something more creative? Amsterdam has so much to offer for original presents. Here are some of our favorite ideas.

Scratch Maps and Quirky Gifts from By Popular Demand

A scratch map is an original Christmas gift idea. Your friends can scratch the countries they have visited. By Popular Demand also has quirky lamps, funny socks, tote bags with an Amsterdam map, and unique pillows. This shop is full of creative surprises.

Address: Raadhuisstraat 2

Moustache Wax and Special Knives from Concrete Matter

Concrete Matter is a stylish store with gifts for men. You can find whiskey disks, moustache wax, radiometers, or high-quality pocket knives. Any gentleman will appreciate these items. Focus on what your friend likes, and you’ll leave the store with something special.

Address: Haarlemmerdijk 127

Wall Vases and Paper Animals from Store Without a Home

If you want a creative gift for a cozy home, visit Store Without a Home. They offer wall vases, 3D puzzles, story tiles, porcelain monkey masks, and more. The shop is full of interesting shapes and conceptual designs. You might even want to keep something for yourself!

Address: Haarlemmerdijk 26

Gluhwine Chocolate from TONY’s Chocolonely

No Christmas is complete without chocolate. TONY’s Chocolonely offers a 100% slavery-free chocolate bar with a story. This year’s special flavor is milk chocolate with gluhwine. It is delicious and makes a unique gift.

Address: Polonceaukade 20

Coloring Book of Amsterdam at Athenaeum Boekhandel

Coloring books are now popular with adults. A coloring book of Amsterdam is a fun and stress-relieving gift. Your friend can bring the city to life with colors. The book features famous streets and landmarks.

Address: Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat 1

Colorful Mugs from Blond Amsterdam

Skip the boring mug and choose a bright one from Blond Amsterdam. These mugs show the owner’s personality, profession, or interests. The signature blond girl makes it a fun and memorable gift, perfect for any lady.

Address: Gerard Doustraat 69

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Beyond the usual sights

20. November 2016/in /by David

Alternative Amsterdam: Off the Beaten Tourist Track

If you are staying at Teleport Hotel, Amsterdam is famous for its canals, museums, coffee shops, and red light district. There is so much to see and do. Get beyond the usual sights!

Even after a few days exploring, you might feel you didn’t see it all. And that’s true! Although Amsterdam is smaller than cities like Paris or Berlin, it offers more than the usual tourist spots. While the classics are great, you really get to know the city once you go off the beaten path. This guide will help make your trip more unique, local, and interesting.

NDSM

NDSM is a former wharf on the other side of the IJ river, behind the central station. Getting there is already an adventure. Free ferries connect the city centre to Amsterdam North. Take the ferry on the left side of the station to reach NDSM in about 10 minutes.

Once there, you’ll see the iconic crane and an old submarine in the water. Since the wharf went bankrupt in 1984, creative people have transformed it. Today, NDSM is full of street art, small workshops, galleries, and cool bars like Noorderlicht, Plekk, and KEBEC.

Ruigoord

Ruigoord is a small artistic village about 8 km from Teleport Hotel. In 1973, squatters turned it into a free haven for artists. Surrounded by greenery, it’s a peaceful place to work and live creatively. The village hosts big art projects and communal events. Many parties and festivals happen in the old church, making it a unique cultural spot.

Westergasfabriek

Westergasfabriek is an old gas factory in Westerpark. It closed in 1967 but was transformed into a popular cultural hub. Here, creativity and innovation thrive. The best way to experience it is by bike or on foot from the hotel, just 3 km away.

You can enjoy a coffee at Espressofabriek, a candy bar at Tony Chocolonely, a sandwich at Bakkerswinkel, or a local beer at Brouwerij Troost. Eat at Pacific Parc, dance, and try old-school arcade games at TonTon club. There is truly something for everyone.

Amsterdamse Bos

Many tourists don’t know Amsterdam has a beautiful forest. Locals walk their dogs, swim, attend concerts, festivals, or go for a run here. Visit the forest’s centre first to get maps of all trails and learn more about the area. Kids will love the educational centre on the second floor.

Other Local Gems

Even in autumn or winter, there are great local spots. Enjoy a drink at Hanneke’s Boom, Café Sound Garden, or Waterkant.

Markets like Albert Cuypstraat, Dapperstraat, and Noordermarkt are perfect for tasting local treats, including stroopwafels or herring.

For an even more local experience, try DinewithDutch, where you can have dinner at a Dutch family’s home. It doesn’t get more authentic than that!

The Symbols of Amsterdam

3. August 2016/in /by David

XXX: The Symbol of Amsterdam

No, we’re not starting with the X-rated entertainment linked to the Red Light District. Instead, let’s explore the three crosses that appear everywhere in Amsterdam — on buildings, flags, poles, manholes, and souvenirs.

You might know that the XXX symbol is part of Amsterdam’s coat of arms. But what does it mean? It represents three vertical St. Andrew’s Crosses, named after the apostle who was crucified on an X-shaped cross in the 1st century AD.

There is no exact explanation for the crosses’ meaning in Amsterdam. One theory suggests they originate from the Persian crusader family that owned much of the city’s land. Another links St. Andrew, a fisherman, to Amsterdam’s roots as a fishing town, where fishermen sailed under the XXX flag. Some believe the crosses represent the three major threats of the medieval city: floods, fire, and the black plague.

Today, these white crosses appear on a black band in the middle of a red shield. This design is the flag of Amsterdam and part of the coat of arms. The shield is decorated with the Imperial Crown of Austria and two golden lions. Below, the city motto reads: “Heroic, Resolute, and Merciful.” Some jokingly say it should read: “Stubborn, Defiant, and Extremely Tolerant.”

Have you picked up a few souvenirs with the XXX symbol yet?

Why Everything in Amsterdam is Orange

You may notice that the Dutch love orange. It’s everywhere — not the fruit, but the bright color sold at markets and souvenir shops. On King’s Day or during football championships, the city turns completely orange.

Why orange? The color comes from the Dutch Royal Family. They descend from the House of Oranje-Nassau. The current king, Willem-Alexander, traces his lineage to William of Orange (Willem van Oranje). The national football team is called Oranje, and most Dutch sports teams wear orange uniforms. The color unites the nation and has become a symbol of Amsterdam.

I AMsterdam: The Famous City Letters

Can you really say you’ve visited Amsterdam without a photo with the I AMSTERDAM letters? This symbol has become part of the city’s branding. It started as a marketing campaign but became one of the most photographed landmarks in Amsterdam.

The letters stand near the Rijksmuseum. Tourists climb them and take photos. To avoid crowds, visit late in the evening — you’ll be surprised how empty it gets.

You can also see the letters at festivals, fairs, fashion shows, and special events. Sometimes they appear in rainbow colors, celebrating love, freedom, and diversity.

Until 7 August, the travelling letters are near the Amstel River, in front of the Hermitage, during the Canal Parade. For a unique photo, sit on the red I AMSTERDAM mosaic sofa outside City Hall at Amstel 1. You can also spot the symbol at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before leaving the city.

Stay at Teleport Hotel

When visiting Amsterdam, consider staying at Teleport Hotel, a comfortable and convenient base. It’s located close to major attractions, restaurants, and canals. After a day of sightseeing, you can relax in your room or order food directly to your door from nearby restaurants. The friendly staff is happy to provide tips about the city and help you plan your day. From here, you’re never far from the iconic sights, local gems, and even hidden corners of Amsterdam.

Bicycle-Friendly Amsterdam

18. May 2016/in /by David

Cycling in Amsterdam – The World Capital of Bikes

Bicycle-Friendly Amsterdam is waiting! One of Amsterdam’s best-known features is its incredible bicycle-friendliness, which makes it the true world capital of bikes.
Getting around on two wheels is so easy that most people don’t even need other transportation. Cycling is deeply rooted in Dutch culture — more than half of the traffic movement in Amsterdam’s city center happens by bike.

Traffic education, special cycling routes, traffic lights for bikes, and endless bike lanes make it simple and safe to ride. Free bike parking (versus extremely expensive car parking) encourages both locals and visitors to choose bicycles over cars. Let’s take a closer look at this unique and essential part of Amsterdam life!

Friendly Numbers

There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam — around 881,000 bikes for 800,000 residents. You can see this clearly at the four-story parking near Central Station, in underground garages, and at countless packed racks all over the city.

About 83% of locals use their bikes at least once per week. With so many cyclists, you might wonder how there’s enough space for everyone. The answer lies in the excellent cycling infrastructure, which includes around 500 kilometers of dedicated bike paths just within the city.

Of course, bikes don’t last forever. Each year, the municipality fishes 12,000 to 15,000 old bicycles out of Amsterdam’s canals — quite an unusual sight! Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before dreaming of a swim in one of them.

Outstanding Bike Types

Amsterdam is full of different bike styles, from the classic to the quirky. Here are some of the most popular ones you’ll spot around the city.

Omafiets

The most common bike in Amsterdam is the “omafiets” (grandma bike). It’s a simple, sturdy model with pedal-back brakes, no gears, and often a front basket or rear panniers. Nothing fancy — just practical and less likely to be stolen.

Bakfiets

Stylish and functional, the bakfiets is popular among families. It can carry several children in its large front box, making it perfect for parents on the go. It’s not cheap, but it makes daily life easier — and it’s a common sight to see happy moms pedaling with toddlers in front.

Tandem Bikes

Tandem bikes come in all shapes and combinations — for two adults, one adult and a child, or even three riders. They’re a great solution for couples or friends when one person feels less confident cycling in city traffic. One person steers, while the other pedals and enjoys the ride (and maybe takes some pictures).

Fixies

Minimalist and trendy, fixies (fixed-gear bikes) are a favorite among Amsterdam’s hipsters. They’re lightweight, fast, and stylish. Although some riders prefer brakeless fixies, the Dutch law requires at least one working brake — safety first!

Beer Bikes

Ever dreamed of cycling and having a beer at the same time? In Amsterdam, that’s possible thanks to the famous beer bikes — the perfect choice for a bachelor party or a fun group ride. Don’t worry, a sober driver from the rental company always takes care of steering safely.

Experience Amsterdam on Two Wheels

We’re located just a few minutes from Sloterdijk Station, which makes it super easy to reach any part of Amsterdam by bike.
Sleep well, start your day with good coffee, and get ready to discover Amsterdam — the Teleport way: on two wheels.