Lifestyle News in English

Bouillon d’Amsterdam is a success, but iconic and affordable eatery Hap-Hmm is closing: ‘It made me sad’

Roel is the country's most cheerful portable toilet cleaner: "April 28 is the best day of the year"

Twenty-three-year-old Roel Koopman shares his passion for his job as a portable toilet cleaner while working at locations like the Stopera and Vondelpark in Amsterdam. Following in his father's footst...

What are you wearing, an Andy Warhol or a Karel Appel? Artists also designed textiles in the 1950s

Traffic jams due to traffic light work in Velsen-Zuid

Traffic congestion is occurring in Velsen-Zuid due to work being carried out on the traffic light installation at the intersection of Amsterdamseweg and Rijksweg. The replacement project is currently ...

South Holland wants tranquility but also more recreation in Holland Dunes

Provincial deputy Arno Bonte aims to balance nature preservation and recreation within the new National Park Hollandse Duinen in South Holland. By improving natural conditions, the province hopes to e...

The Jazzcats of Vijzelstraat: “The tastemakers of Amsterdam nightlife”

This article explores the rich jazz history of Amsterdam's Vijzelstraat, which served as a central hub for the genre during the 1930s. Historians and musicians reflect on the international artists and...

Dyslexic thinking is not a disorder but a talent

The article challenges the traditional view of dyslexia as a learning disability, suggesting it should be viewed as a talent rather than just a struggle with reading and writing. It notes that online ...

Butcher's daughter transforms century-old butcher shop into modern deli: ‘Memories in every crack and behind every tile’

Guusje Broekhof is renovating her family's century-old butcher shop in Haarlem's Kruisstraat to transform it into a modern deli. The project aims to modernize the business to meet current retail deman...

Vera (26) and Michael (38) run the country's most customer-friendly supermarket. ‘And after just one year. Bizarre’

Spar Schot in Wijk aan Zee, managed by Vera Siersema and Michael Schot, has been named the most customer-friendly supermarket in the Netherlands. The owners expressed surprise at receiving the nationa...

Jordaan and Amstel residents divided over King's Day: It was a madhouse

Residents in Amsterdam's Jordaan and Amstel areas expressed mixed opinions on the effectiveness of stricter crowd control measures implemented during this year's King's Day celebrations. While some re...

Reserve teams play in Brazil too, and André Krul is benefiting: 'My wish has come true'

Dutch goalkeeper André Krul has achieved a career milestone by making his professional debut in Brazil. Following the match, Krul reflected on his journey and considered whether he might be close to ...

Volunteers fish for waste after King's Day: 'A drop in the bucket'

Following King's Day celebrations, approximately 160 volunteers with the organization Plastic Whale used 20 boats to remove several thousand liters of trash from Amsterdam's canals. The initiative aim...

Why hasn't this gone viral yet? Joeri’s videos are works of art

Joeri Veul, a 30-year-old from Amsterdam, transitioned from BMX racing to creating artistic cookbooks and stop-motion videos after suffering a brain hemorrhage. His detailed production process involve...

Heemskerk food bank distribution point moves to Baptist Church

The food bank distribution point in Heemskerk is relocating to the Baptistenkerk after 20 years at the Mariakerk. The new site on Maerten van Heemskerckstraat was secured quickly after the church offe...

Peregrine falcon chicks in Rijksmuseum bell tower after years

Two peregrine falcon chicks hatched in the clock tower of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum on Friday, marking the first successful birth at the site since 2022. The species, which was once nearly extinct in th...

These foosball pros gave Amsterdammers a hard time at the flea market

During the King's Day celebrations in Amsterdam's Watergraafsmeer district, professional table football players challenged visitors at the local free market. The annual event featured various musical ...

'A dead pigeon!': volunteers clean up after King's Day with a clean-up rave

Video: How Amsterdam celebrated King's Day 2026

Amsterdam celebrated King's Day 2026 with orange decorations and crowded streets throughout the city. The festivities featured traditional flea markets with a variety of creative acts and stalls for v...

Dutch Railways warns of dirty trains due to King's Day

The Dutch railway operator NS has removed seven train sets from service due to excessive dirt left behind by King's Day revelers. The company warned that passengers may experience service disruptions ...

Liberation Day 2026: things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam will celebrate Liberation Day on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with a variety of events including festivals and freedom meals. These activities provide residents and visitors multiple ways to commem...

Person kicked off bicycle by underage boy in Nieuw-Vennep park

A person was injured on Monday afternoon after being kicked off their bicycle by a minor boy in a park in Nieuw-Vennep. Local police are currently searching for the suspect involved in the confrontati...

King's Day in major cities passes without major incidents

King's Day celebrations across major Dutch cities passed without any significant incidents, according to local authorities. While exact visitor numbers were not provided, municipalities reported a bus...

Investigation into trees in Haarlemmerhout and Frederikspark

The City of Haarlem is conducting a study into the health and future of approximately 1,000 trees within the Haarlemmerhout and Frederikspark. Independent specialists will assess tree conditions and s...

Celebrating and commemorating on May 4 and 5

Haarlem will mark Remembrance Day on May 4 with ceremonies at several local monuments, including a central service at St. Bavokerk and a silent march to the Dreef. On May 5, the city celebrates Libera...

Lizzo announces third studio album Bitch: 'Wants to reclaim the word'

Lizzo has announced her third studio album, titled Bitch, which is scheduled for release on June 5. The singer aims to reclaim the title word through the project, with the title track set to debut on ...

Jurian has a mushroom lab in a basement: They are very special little creatures

Microbiologist Jurian Wijnheijmer has established a mushroom laboratory in an Amsterdam basement to cultivate various species and share knowledge about fungi. The facility supplies fresh mushrooms to ...

Rescuers try to pull humpback whale Timmy away with ropes

German rescue workers have launched a new attempt to free a humpback whale named Timmy, who has been stranded in shallow water for weeks. Rescuers have attached ropes and a harness to the whale, but t...

A full month without social media: this is what it gets you

Many people in the Netherlands are participating in 'Social-free May' by taking a month-long break from platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Psychologist Thijs Launspach supports the initiative, highl...

City of Amsterdam: King's Day quieter than last year

King's Day in Amsterdam was quieter and less crowded than the previous year, according to the city municipality. Mayor Femke Halsema's safety measures are credited with ensuring a more orderly celebra...

King's Day photos and videos cause major data traffic spike

Mobile data traffic across the Netherlands saw a significant increase on King's Day compared to the previous year, according to telecom provider KPN. The surge was driven by users sharing photos and v...