With its old soul and modern spirit, Amsterdam’s pull is hard to resist.

We opened the doors to ClinkNOORD, our first hostel in continental Europe, in August 2015. Since then, we’ve fallen more and more in love with this vibrant and eclectic city. Amsterdam’s charm extends from its houseboats bobbing on historic canals to its tilting old merchants’ houses. This city has plenty of famous sights that you’ll no doubt already know about, but off the beaten path are some real hidden gems; urban retreats on the banks of the River IJ, flea markets, craft breweries and quaint old bars. There’s a whole other side to this Dutch beauty.

Scroll down and take a look below at the handy guides we’ve put together including information about the best places to eat, up and coming events and interesting cultural finds off the beaten path.