How to Spend The Perfect Sunday Morning in Amsterdam

– This post was written by Jeremy –

The Concertgebouw is currently closed so you may not be able to experience the perfect (classical) Sunday morning in Amsterdam right now, but it’s well worth adding a concert at this magnificent building to your bucket list. 

It’s Sunday morning in Amsterdam. You wake up, get out of bed, have a cup of coffee, and now what? Your weekend’s been great, but your Amsterdam Friday and Saturday escapades are have taken their toll and you don’t to end off with something relaxing, yet cultural. An extra large cappuccino and a walk in the park won’t do the trick.  But there are other, more rewarding, ways to spend the perfect Sunday morning in Amsterdam. What you really need is a serene experience in a comfortable seat: you need an eargasm-inducing classical concert.

Start your day with the world’s finest

Orchestral sounds resonate so well inside the Concertgebouw that it belongs in the top three concert halls worldwide. But how did the architects go about creating such a sound experience?

The construction of the Koninklijk Concertgebouw finished in 1886. Before the 20th century, getting the acoustics of a concert hall right was somewhat of an educated guess. The best thing you could do was look at what was already out there. The design of the Royal Concert Building had been borrowed from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig (which was sadly destroyed in World War II), true to the beautiful Viennese classic architecture. Being smaller than the original concert hall, the design had been adjusted to fit the Concertgebouw. It turned out that the acoustics were spot on.

So is it possible that the Concertgebouw’s acoustics are naturally, accidentally so brilliant? It seems that way. To this day, scientists can’t explain why the acoustics sound so spectacular in this room. We’ll leave it up to you to decipher the physics behind the magic, or just enjoy being baffled by it.

Considered one of the finest concert halls in the world, the famous acoustics of Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw will give you a unique experience of orchestral sounds. We recommend a visit to the Royal Concert Hall in Amsterdam to anyone looking to spend the perfect Sunday morning in Amsterdam.

Getting to the concert

The Concertgebouw is majestically seated at the end of the Museumplein, so it’s easy to get there. Tickets to the Concertgebouw Sunday morning concert sell out fast, so make sure you get yours early. Arrive before 10:45 AM to redeem your ticket. If you arrive early, try asking to for a seat in the centre of the hall. The audial experience is most balanced in the middle of Hall. The concert starts at 11:00 and takes an hour.

After the concert

Bravo, bravo! As the applause dies down you’re still lingering in sound waves – and you don’t want this beauty to end. Understandable, that’s why you have two options now:

1. Take a tour of the Concertgebouw

The main hall is stunning – and there is so much more to find out about this beautiful building. The tour of the Concertgebuw starts at 12.30pm (leaving time for coffee and a bite before) and takes 75 minutes. From backstage gossips to the Grand Organ, hear all about the magnificent building and its history.

2. Treat your remaining senses with a royal brunch

The Concertgebouw doesn’t just satisfy your ears, it’s a feast for all the senses when you opt for the Sunday morning brunch after the concert! Held in the Great Hall from 12.00 to 13.30, this is a great way to continue the Sunday good times. Tuck into a spread of fresh sweet and savoury rolls, soups, croquettes, quiche and more! Tea, coffee, and juice are all included.

Not done yet?

With such an A-grade Sunday morning, you might think that finding the right follow-up will be a problem. Not in Amsterdam.

 
The Concertgebouw’s location is perfect for a quality follow-up to your perfect Sunday morning in Amsterdam. Straight across the Museumplein (Museum Square) is the Rijksmuseum, with its majestic paintings from the hands of the Dutch Masters. On your left hand, the Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to one of the most influential figures in Western art. And with the Stedelijk Museum next to it, you can opt for a contemporary take on art.

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Looking for a full-day activity for your Sunday in Amsterdam? Take a day trip to one of these cities near Amsterdam.