Like a local Pride edition: things to do in Amsterdam

In honour of Amsterdam Pride and The Social Hub Amsterdam City turning into The Pride Hotel for the second time in a row, LGBTQIA+ actress and co-creator Hanna van Vliet (starring in Dutch Netflix series Anne+) takes us to her 10 favourite LGBTQIA+ hotspots in Amsterdam, just in time to plan your Pride week in the Dutch capital.

Like a local: things to do in Amsterdam Pride edition

Hordes of tourists come to Amsterdam for its famous canals, world-renowned museums, and of course, The Red-Light District. But there’s more to see in the Dutch capital, known to be one of the most inclusive and diverse cities in Europe (though there's always room for improvement 😉).

The city is full of bars and clubs for the queer community and large events such as Pride Amsterdam attract hundreds and thousands of tourists each year. With a well-known Pride parade not on the streets, but on the water, Pride Amsterdam is one of the big yearly events many people in Amsterdam look forward to. The Student Hotel is beyond proud that The Social Hub Amsterdam City is the official Pride Hotel for the second time in a row, hosting a range of events to celebrate diversity and love, connect, share, and educate one another and the public. Find more on the Pride Hotel here!

To celebrate Pride Amsterdam, we’ve partnered up with Hanna van Vliet, a queer actress from Netflix hit Anne+, and created a Like a Local Pride edition. Hanna shows her favourite spots in Amsterdam, including a ‘gay beach’ by the Maritime Museum, queer city tours and one of the city’s first gay- and lesbian bars.

Guided by a local: Hanna van Vliet

So, what if we go beyond the city’s well-known Reguliersdwarsstraat, the queer street of Amsterdam? And what other things are there to do in Amsterdam as a local? We’ve asked local expert and The Social Hub confidant Hanna van Vliet to share her insider tips on queer life in Amsterdam.

Hanna van Vliet is a Dutch actress and co-creator. She was nominated for a Golden Calf for ‘Best Actress in a drama series at the Netherlands Film Festival and EFP Shooting Star (Berlinale). She’s the lead in the successful drama series ANNE+, which she also produced.

A LGBTQIA+ actress and filmmaker herself, Hanna knows what’s going on in the gay scene in Amsterdam like no other. In her most recent work, the Netflix movie Anne+, she shows her life as a queer woman in Amsterdam. Some of these 10 LGBTQIA+ hotspots in Amsterdam are also featured in the movie, so take a close look if you (re)watch it!

What to do in Amsterdam according to Hanna

Time to find out more about Hanna’s favourite queer spaces in the city. Highlighting everything from Amsterdam LGBTQIA+ bars to the city’s queer-friendly summer spot to swim.

With these unique things to do in Amsterdam you’ll discover Hanna’s favourite side of the city, the one that always includes and never excludes. The side of the capital that’s home to every personality, gender, or colour. Get ready to experience Amsterdam, Pride style.

1. Marineterrein

Location: By the Scheepsvaartsmuseum
Activity: Outdoor
The Pride Vibe: The queer beach of Amsterdam

If you’re done with shopping and the sun is out, why not take a dip? "The grass and water of the Marineterrein is a hidden gem in the summer." The docks and park right by the Scheepvaartmuseum and Pension Homeland, close to the Central Station, is the ideal place to cool down and hang out with friends. "If you look closely, you’ll understand why people call it the ‘gay beach’," Hanna explains. "In summer, a lot of gay people come to swim and sunbathe here in speedos with trained bodies. The slogan here is ‘see and been seen.’ Or just ignore everyone and go swimming, that’s also perfectly fine."