Green City Guide: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is just as well known for picturesque canals and a world famous flower market as it is for a risqué red light district and hazy coffee shops serving legalized marijuana. However, it's not all sex, drugs, and cut flowers in the Venice of the North.

Most destinations are easily accessed by foot in the compact city. Which is a good thing: Trying to find a parking space is no easy task. Cyclists benefit from the numerous bike lanes and public transportation is efficient and easy to navigate.

Here are 10 tips that will take you off the very well beaten path (Amsterdam is the 5th busiest tourist destination in Europe) and direct you towards the eco-gems. For the most recent green happenings in Amsterdam, scroll through TreeHugger's Amsterdam Archives.

1. Rent a Bike from Mac Bikes
   Biking is really the quickest and cheapest way to get around this city. The only hills are the humpback bridges over the canals and nearly all bike paths are separated from the road, which makes for safe riding. There are several reputable bike rental companies, but the distinctive red Mac Bikes are the most well known. Only two things you need to remember: back pedal to brake and always always lock your bike!


2. Take Public Transportation: Travel by Tram
   The city's GVB tram system is an efficient and comfortable way to see the sites. Buy a strippenkaart from the train station when you arrive and receive discounted fares on multiple rides around the city. Fifteen strips (each ride is at least two strips) are about seven euro. The tickets are valid for the metro and bus as well.


3. Stroll through Amsterdam's Parks: Vondelpark, Oosterpark, Westerpark, and Sarphatipark
   Biking or walking through one Amsterdam's thirty or more leafy parks is a real pleasure. The Vondelpark is the biggest park in the city covering 120 acres. It's situated in the museum square and provides a perfect oasis of tranquility and fresh air in the middle of the city. Other beautiful parks to look out for are Oosterpark on the east side, Westerpark on the west side, and Sarphatipark in the de Pijp district.


4. Explore the De Hortus Botanical Garden
   One of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the world is located right in the middle of Amsterdam. Founded in 1638, De Hortus was originally used as a medicinal herb garden. In addition to the outdoor gardens, the grounds include a butterfly house, three climate greenhouses, a stunning palm house, and an organic café.


5. Dine at Organic Restaurant De Kas
   Not too far away from De Hortus you can find De Kas on the east side of town. This celebrated organic restaurant is housed in an old greenhouse saved from demolition by De Kas's creator and chef Gert Jan Hageman. De Kas serves the harvest of its own herb and vegetable garden with locally sourced organic meat and fish. Heel lekker (really delicious!) as they say 'round these parts.


6. Shop for Cheese and More at Noordermarkt, the Local Farmers' Market
   For self-catering -- or to sample some local delicacies -- head to the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan district. This is a local farmers' market with delicious organic food. On Saturday mornings you will see Amsterdammers riding their bikes to the market and filling their own shopping bags with fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, mushrooms, honey, and even some amazing vegetarian sushi. Take time to browse the adjacent antiques and bric-a-brac to find some second-hand gifts.


7. Shop at Eco Clothing Store Nukuhiva
   One of Amsterdam's best shopping streets, the Haarlemmerstraat is home to the city's only eco boutique: Nukuhiva. Just around the corner from the Noordermarkt, this little store is the place to find your favorite ethical fashion brands including Dutch brand Kuyichi, which uses organic denim, and other hip eco labels such as Edun, Loomstate and Worn Again, an accessories brand that reuses textiles to make sneakers and bags.


8. View Cutting-edge Sustainable Design at Droog
   While Droog has its detractors in terms of sustainability cred, their flagship store is certainly worth a visit. Dutch design is internationally recognized for an innovative spirit that addresses social and ecological issues, and Droog's commentary is up there with the best of them. At this year's Salone Internazionale di Mobile, the mega international furnishings fair in Milan, the Droog show "A Touch of Green" focused entirely on sustainable design. Items on view included Rejo Temy's chest fabricated from recycled drawers and Martín Azúa's fence woven from discarded materials.


9. Visit an Organic Brewery and Bar: Brouwerij 't IJ
   After biking, gardens, food, fashion, and design you might be craving some liquid refreshment. Brouwerij 't IJ is a small local microbrewery with an impossible to pronounce name producing delicious organic beer. The beers -- seven different flavors plus three special seasonal beers for fall, winter and spring -- are sold in pubs around the city, but the experience of visiting the brewery and its bar is not to be missed.


10. Rest your Weary Head at the Seven Bridges Hotel
    Amsterdam does not yet have a dedicated eco-hotel, but the Seven Bridges Hotel is holding its own on the sustainability front. This 300-year-old town house (yes, we actually mean 300 years!) is situated on the corner of the Reguliersgracht and the Keizersgracht, one the city's most beautiful spots. The interiors are immaculate, decorated in a traditional style and furnished with antiques. This is your quintessential experience of old Europe, without an elevator, spa or swimming pool in sight -- unless you fancy a dip in the canal.

Like this? Check out more of Planet Green's Green City Guides.

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