48 Hours in Amsterdam
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH FEMKE HOFHUIS
48 Hours in Amsterdam with Femm Amsterdam Founder
There’s a special kind of calm that runs through Amsterdam — creative, effortless, and full of quiet beauty. In this 48-hour insider guide, designer Femke of Femm Amsterdam invites us into her world, sharing the cafés, studios, galleries, and green spaces that shape her daily rhythm. From early mornings at neighbourhood bakeries to slow afternoons spent among art, design, and nature, this is Amsterdam through the eyes of someone who lives and breathes its creative pulse. A personal itinerary for those who seek authenticity, connection, and inspiration in every detail.
October 2025
Words: designeers and femke hofhuis of FEMM AMSTERDAM
Day One
8:30am Morning Ritual
Louf Bakery + Coffee
This is my daily ritual and slight addiction. Whether it’s a solo stop after a morning walk with my dachshund or a post-workout coffee with a friend, I can always find a reason to visit Louf Bakery + Coffee in Amsterdam. They serve some of the best oat cappuccinos in the city and a perfect Dutch krentebol with cheese. Sun-filled benches, friendly faces, and a place that always feels like home.
10:00am Design Stroll
OODE Design + Art
A must-visit in Amsterdam, OODE Gallery bridges contemporary Dutch design with “orphaned art” , works left in storage after museum closures. Each piece can be “adopted,” giving forgotten art a new home. The result is a beautifully curated space where vintage artworks meet modern design, perfect for both seasoned collectors and new art enthusiasts exploring Amsterdam’s creative scene.
11:30am Gallery Visit
Femm Amsterdam, Artist Studio
This is where I create deeply emotional, uplifting work, from bespoke design objects and custom mirrors to textile art and limited-edition pieces. Every design carries a quiet strength, rooted in my belief that the world needs more feminine energy. Through carefully chosen colour palettes, I aim to bring a sense of calm and emotional depth to each creation.
Located in an up-and-coming neighbourhood near Westerpark Amsterdam, the Femm Studio is both a creative haven and a meeting place, where I collaborate with my team, welcome clients, and shape new ideas, often inspired by morning walks with my dog.
FEMM Amsterdam
1:00pm Lunch Spot
Café Restaurant Metro
Located next to the NXT Museum, Café Restaurant Metro is one of Amsterdam Noord’s most stylish spots, a creative hub for design lovers and locals alike. The menu celebrates seasonal, inventive dishes paired with natural wines, served in a relaxed, modern setting. From fresh sourdough and small plates to vibrant weekend brunches, Metro captures the effortless charm of contemporary dining in Amsterdam, warm, unpretentious, and always inspiring.
NXT Museum
2:30pm Afternoon Immersion
Nationaal Park Zuid, Kennemerland
Just outside Haarlem, Zuid-Kennemerland National Park spans over 3,800 hectares of rolling sand dunes, pine forests, and coastal wetlands. It’s one of the most beautiful nature escapes near Amsterdam, home to wild deer, foxes, and even European bison. Ideal for hiking, cycling, or quiet reflection, the park offers a restorative pause - a reminder of how close untouched nature lies to the city’s creative pulse.
4:30pm Boutique Shopping
Time & Style
Just a short walk from home, Time & Style Amsterdam is housed in a beautifully restored building in the heart of the city. The gallery-like space embodies the quiet harmony of Japanese craftsmanship and minimalist design, offering timeless furniture and objects that feel both refined and deeply human. It’s a place I visit often for inspiration and calm.
6:30pm Aperitif & Inspiration
Lotti’s at The Hoxton Hotel
Lotti’s at The Hoxton Amsterdam is one of those rare places that feels both lively and intimate. By day, it hums with locals and travellers enjoying coffee or lunch beneath its retractable glass roof, flooding the space with light. As evening falls, the mezzanine cocktail bar transforms the mood, a cozy spot overlooking the canal, where vintage lounge chairs, soft lighting, and refined cocktails set the tone for an effortless Amsterdam night.
Day Two
9:00am Breakfast
Toki
My other favourite morning spot in the Jordaan, Toki Amsterdam has an easy, creative energy that draws designers, artists, and locals alike. The coffee is consistently excellent, paired with home-made sweets served in a space that blends Scandinavian and Japanese design, terrazzo tables, bamboo counters, and plenty of light. Calm, beautiful, and quietly inspiring.
10:30am art gallery
The Millen House
A recent discovery and one of my favourite hidden gems in Amsterdam’s canal district, The Millen House feels more like a beautifully curated home than a traditional gallery. Each room blends collectible design and contemporary art in a way that feels personal and poetic - where ceramics, furniture, and artworks live in quiet harmony. It’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down, notice the textures, and fall a little bit in love with the dialogue between art and atmosphere.
12:30pm Creative Lunch Break
Roest
Reopened in March 2025 on Oostenburg Island, Roest Amsterdam has evolved from its former city-beach vibe into a refined creative hub. The new space blends industrial character with modern dining, complete with a spacious waterfront terrace that attracts both locals and travellers. It’s the perfect spot for a long, inspiring lunch - a place where conversations flow easily, and the city’s creative pulse feels tangible. As the sun sets, Roest transforms again, hosting DJs and cultural events that keep its artistic energy alive well into the evening.
2:00pm Hidden Amsterdam
Bilderdijkpark
Just a short walk from home, Bilderdijkpark is one of Amsterdam’s hidden green gems - a quiet refuge in the heart of Amsterdam-West. Lush and serene, it’s the perfect spot for a moment of calm between studio visits. Tucked within the park is Ikaria Park, a charming restaurant serving modern Greek cuisine inspired by the slow-living traditions of the island of Ikaria. A place that feels like a secret, even to locals.
4:00pm A closing moment
Athenaeum Boekhandel
In the heart of the city, Athenaeum Boekhandel Amsterdam is one of the city’s most beloved independent bookstores. Established in 1966, it offers a beautifully curated selection of more than 25,000 titles across art, design, cooking, and culture - along with one of the best collections of international magazines in Europe. I used to come here often during my academy days, and I still love spending quiet moments browsing, rediscovering ideas, and feeling inspired by the printed page.
8:00PM DINNER
Flore, Hotel De l’Europe
The perfect way to end the day, Flore at Hotel De L’Europe Amsterdam is an intimate two-Michelin-star restaurant that celebrates conscious fine dining. Led by chef Bas van Kranen, the menu focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients — elegant, pure, and deeply connected to nature. The dining room overlooks the Amstel River, offering a serene setting that feels both refined and personal. Every dish is composed with precision and lightness, a reflection of Amsterdam’s evolving culinary artistry.
photography CREDITS
METRO AND FLARE Chantal Arnts
More from Femke Hofhuis
Unique and Personalised Artwork by femm
femm is an Amsterdam based design studio founded by designer Femke Hofhuis, who is inherently fascinated by the immediate beauty and power of colour. Each and every one of her eye-catching designs, exudes an intense energy that will make your everyday life that much brighter.
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