Plan your visit to Spotlight
Aka. How to survive Amsterdam without getting lost, soaked, or accidentally walking into a bike lane.
Aka. How to survive Amsterdam without getting lost, soaked, or accidentally walking into a bike lane.
Spotlight is back for its second edition on October 29, 2025 at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Whether you’re flying in for the day or making a mini-holiday out of it, we’ve got you covered.
And if you haven’t gotten your ticket yet:
Whether it’s your first time at the event, your first time in Amsterdam, or both, we get it: new cities can be a maze of trams, tall people, and mysterious sauces on fries.
From where to stay to what to eat, here’s everything you need to know to make the most out of your Spotlight experience.
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam 📍 Piet Heinkade 27, 1019 BR
The Spotlight venue is just a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station and 20 minutes by car from Schiphol Airport.
There are plenty of hotels and snack stops nearby to keep you energized and well-caffeinated.
Sleep easy with these hotel recommendations close to the venue:
In October, the average daytime temperature in Amsterdam is around 14°C (57°F), but it can drop to 7°C (45°F) at night. As there’s a good chance of rain, we recommend bringing layers of clothing, an umbrella, and a waterproof jacket.
There is a cloakroom at the venue where you can safely leave your belongings.
Schiphol is Europe’s third-busiest airport and only 25 kilometers from the venue.
The easiest way to arrive is via taxi or train:Taxi: ~25 minutes, just under €90.
Train + Tram: Take the NS train to Amsterdam Central Station (~€5.40), then either:
Park at Piet Heingarage: €5.16/hr or €51.60/day
On the A2 from Utrecht and A1 from Amersfoort follow the A10 towards Zaanstad to the exit 14 Centrum, Zeeburg, Artis, IJburg exit. At the end of the exit lane, turn left. Follow this road and go straight on at the first and second set of traffic lights. You will then enter the Piet Hein tunnel. At the end of the tunnel get into the right-hand lane and turn right towards Centraal Station at the traffic lights. Continue along this road. After the second set of traffic lights (with the railway tunnel on your left) turn right into the second entrance where you will see the terminal on your right. The entrance to the Piet Heingarage is also located before the terminal.
On the A10 from Zaandam follow the E35 signs towards Amersfoort/ Volendam to the exit 14 Centrum, Zeeburg, Artis, IJburg exit. At the end of the exit lane, turn left. Follow this road and go straight on at the first and second set of traffic lights. You will then enter the Piet Hein tunnel. At the end of the tunnel get into the right-hand lane and turn right towards Centraal Station at the traffic lights. Continue along this road. After the second set of traffic lights (with the railway tunnel on your left) turn right into the second entrance where you will see the terminal on your right. The entrance to the Piet Heingarage is also located before the terminal.
Leave the A4 at the ‘De nieuwe meer’ junction, joining the A10 towards A10 Ringweg Zuid. At the Amstel junction follow the A10/E35 towards Amersfoort. At the Watergraafsmeer junction, follow the A10/E35 towards Zaanstad until the exit 14 Centrum, Zeeburg, Artis, IJburg exit. At the end of the exit lane, turn left. Follow this road and go straight on at the first and second set of traffic lights. You will then enter the Piet Hein tunnel. At the end of the tunnel get into the right-hand lane and turn right towards Centraal Station at the traffic lights. Continue along this road. After the second set of traffic lights (with the railway tunnel on your left) turn right into the second entrance where you will see the terminal on your right. The entrance to the Piet Heingarage is also located before the terminal.
Culture & creativity
Must-see museums:
Rijksmuseum — showcasing art from Rembrandt to Vermeer, and housed in a palatial museum that’s a masterpiece in itself. Tickets cost €25 and it’s open everyday from 9am—6pm.
Van Gogh museum — home to the largest collection of (you guessed it) Van Gogh’s works. Tickets cost €32.50, must be booked online in advance, and it’s open from 9a — 6pm (Friday until 9pm).
Anne Frank house — a powerful, moving visit to the secret annex where Anne hid and wrote her famous diary. Tickets cost €16 and it’s open daily from 9am—10pm.
Interactive spaces:
Wondr experience — an interactive playground and creative playground for both kids and adults. There are interactive installations and the visitor is encouraged to dance, sing, and more in the installations. Wondr opens from 10am—7pm Monday—Friday and a little earlier on weekends. Tickets start at €17.95 but it goes up depending on which exhibit you want to access.
The Upside down — another similar immersive experience, with a lot of the themes aiming to show contemporary Dutch culture in a fun way. This is more than just windmills and clogs. Tickets start at €20.95 and it's open from 9:30am — 7pm.
Nieuwe Kerk Rooftop — get a cardio boost by climbing up the 216 steps to the top. The spire is currently being restored, but that doesn’t stop you from enjoying the view of the Amsterdam skyline. The rooftop is open from 11am—6pm and tickets cost €19.50.
NEMO rooftop — on the top floor of the science museum there’s a viewpoint and restaurant with stunning views of Amsterdam. Access is free to the public and it should have just finished its renovation and reopened in time for the Spotlight conference 🥳
Canal cruise — when the weather is nice, there’s not much better than a quick trip up the canals on a scenic boat ride. Standard cruises cost between €15.50 and €22.50 per person and many different operators are available.
Amsterdamse Bos — a vast forest park located on the outskirts of the city. It’s three times bigger than Central Park in New York City and perfect for walking, cycling, or bringing a picnic.
Artis Zoo — The zoo and botanical garden is located in the center of the city. It’s the fifth oldest zoo in the world! Tickets are €29.50 when booking online in advance and it’s open from 9am—7pm every day.
Heineken experience — enjoy the brand experience within Heineken’s oldest brewery where you can learn about the brand’s history and brewing process. The tour takes about 1.5 hours. Tickets cost €25.95 and include two beers.
Beer bike — a fun, pedal-powered way to tour the city with up to 15 friends and beers in hand. Tickets cost €29 per person for a one hour ride. Your English-speaking driver promises to stay sober 😉
Brewery tour — a great way to visit local breweries and bars to do several tastings in one afternoon. You’ll discover a bit of the history about the establishments while sipping on their best beers from past and present. Tickets cost €90 per person for a 3 — 3.5 hour tour.
Alternatively visit some of the local craft breweries or bars yourself (see the next section for suggestions).
Great ideas need great snacks!
Don’t forget, if you have a Spotlight All Access or VIP pass, there will be a buffet lunch included in your ticket on October 29.
When you have time to explore the city, we’d recommend trying these quick bites:
Chips (Fries) — Thick-cut, crispy fries served in a cone with mayo, peanut sauce, or curry ketchup. Anywhere you see a line out the door? Probably a popular fries place. (Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx (Kalverstraat) is known for having some of the best fries in town.)
FEBO — it’s a chain of automat fast-food restaurants, you can grab a bite from the wall while on the go.
Appeltaart — a thick, cinnamon-packed slice of apple pie with a buttery crust.
Oliebollen — the dutch equivalent of donuts (without the hole). Usually eaten in Winter, but October is close enough, right?
Poffertjes — mini fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar. Cute, cloud-like, and dangerously addictive.
Stroopwafels — thin waffle cookies sandwiches with caramel. Best enjoyed warm and melty from a street vendor.
Albert Cuyp Market — it’s not only the largest and most popular market in the Netherlands, but many also consider it the most beautiful. There are 260 stands operating Monday-Saturday from 9am—6pm.
Noordermarkt — operating as a general goods market on Monday mornings or an organic farmer’s market on Saturdays, this is a staple for both local residents and tourists alike.
Foodhallen — from crepes to croquetas, there are 21 food stalls in this hall to suit any taste.
Koekemannetje (cookie store). These don’t really fit into any category, but you still wouldn’t want to miss them! The store is famous for its homemade cookies made with Dutch flour and Belgium chocolate.
Looking for something more relaxed? Rest for an hour in a cheese tasting experience where you can feel transported back to Amsterdam as it was more than a hundred years ago. At just €19.99 for five cheeses in combination with specially selected wines, it’s very affordable.
Jever (dutch gin) — a transparent liquor with a malty flavor that’s served in a tulip glass. Try it alone or add beer in a “kopstootje” (translates to “little headbut”).
Dutch beer — yes, there is a life beyond Heineken. Try a Pils, Grolsch, Hertog-Jan, or local brews like La Trappe or De Molen. Here’s some craft breweries and bars in town to check out:
Brouwerij 't IJ — A local favorite next to a windmill. They run their own tours Friday-Sunday. If you want it in English you have to go at 3pm and tickets are just €2.50 per person.
Oedipus Brewery — They have 11 beers available year-round plus seasonal beers. You can sample everything in the tap room (“craft space”).
Lowlander Tasting Room — Here it's not just about the beer (though their botanical brews are something special), it’s also about unique pairings of food to elevate the drink to the next level. They offer a beer & food tasting on Friday—Sunday between 3—6pm for €30 per person.
Freddy’s Bar (De L’Europe) — An elegant and charming spot dedicated to Freddy Heineken, with a warm atmosphere where walk-ins are always welcome.
If you’re more of a wine person, check out Chateau Amsterdam. It’s an urban winery offering unique tastings. You can enjoy five of their Amsterdam-made wines in their wine tasting activity for €30 per person and even stick around for dinner afterwards in their restaurant.
There are plenty of opportunities to mingle with other marketers directly at Spotlight, plus there are also the official pre- and post-event parties.
More info will be released later on when and where the events are taking place, so stay tuned.
Amsterdam was ranked as one of the top six safest cities worldwide, but a few tips never hurt:
Pack your curiosity, your umbrella, and your most comfortable walking shoes. We’ll handle the rest! We can’t wait to see you!
