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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!

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!

Amsterdam Food Tours

23. September 2016/in /by David

Discover the True Taste of Amsterdam

Contrary to the common stereotype that Dutch food is boring, the cuisine in Amsterdam can surprise you with rich flavors and ingredients. You just need to know the right places and try the best dishes. Specially for those who love discovering cultures through food, we’ve prepared a list of cool food tours around Amsterdam.

If you are staying at the Amsterdam Teleport Hotel, you are in a perfect location to start these culinary adventures, as it is close to many great food spots and vibrant neighborhoods.

Dutch Food Tour

Combine typical Dutch food with history in the beautiful Jordaan and Canal Belt areas. This tour goes beyond cheese and fresh stroopwafels, offering 6–7 tastings, including raw herring and other local surprises. You will taste food both on the go and seated. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and costs €49, including all food and drinks.

Street Food & Drink Tours with Hungry Birds

Hungry Birds attract guests with their fun and personal approach. They focus on street food, mixing Dutch dishes with ethnic and colonial specialties brought by migrant influences.

Expect 8–10 tastings over 3.5–4 hours. You can choose:

Market Birds – explore the Albert Cuyp Market
City Birds – visit small family businesses

Jordaan Food Tour

Go off the beaten path in the Jordaan. Discover hidden courtyards, narrow streets, and friendly locals with a sense of humor. Eating Amsterdam Tours offers 12 tastings during 4 hours. Highlights include:

Homemade apple pie in a 400-year-old café
Amsterdam’s tastiest smoked sausage
Borrelhapjes with authentic Dutch beers
Delicious desserts

Amsterdam’s Favorite Food Tour

If you prefer a personal experience, try this tour in De Pijp, one of Amsterdam’s hippest neighborhoods. Explore cosmopolitan markets, chill locals, and stunning architecture while tasting the true flavors of Amsterdam.

Expect 5 tastings, including:

Fried fish from a market stall
New collective café
Surinamese-Javanese restaurant

So what’s the taste of Amsterdam for you? Is it the sharp taste of old gouda cheese, the sweet taste of stroopwafels, the pickled taste of herring or the smoked taste of a Dutch sausage? No matter what it is, we’re sure you would like it!