GoNaked in the Netherlands: Gay Amsterdam Travel Guide
- Nick Vannello
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
Amsterdam is the city that says “yes.” Yes to love (marriage equality since 2001), yes to freedom, yes to you—exactly as you are. It’s compact, walkable, bikeable, and famously liberal. Translation: perfect for men who want community, culture, and a little after-dark mischief.
And if you want to do it right (and clothing-optional), come with us: GoNaked Events →
Getting around (so you can get around)
From Schiphol, the train to Amsterdam Centraal is ~15 minutes. Once you’re in the city, trams, buses, and metro make it easy.
Tram basics: iamsterdam.com/tram
Bus info: iamsterdam.com/bus
Day tickets (1–7 days): GVB Day & Multi-day amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Daytime: strip down the stress, soak up the city
Sexmuseum Amsterdam Venustempel – decades of erotic art and artifacts, playful not prurient.👉 sex-museum.com / amsterdam.info
Anne Frank House – essential, moving, and grounding. Reserve ahead.👉 annefrank.org
Canal Cruise – the city glows at night; go then if you can.👉 Book a cruise
Red Light District – cheeky, neon, and safer than its reputation; tours help you see beyond the clichés.👉 Explore with a guide
Coffeeshops – for a classic, swing by The Otherside (a longtime gay fave).👉 theotherside.nl amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Want something tailored to us?
LGBT History Tour Amsterdam – small-group walk through the city’s queer roots.👉 Book
Gaily Tour in Amsterdam – private, customizable, Jordaan to De Wallen.👉 Book
Local Gay Guide – queer locals show you the hidden streets and best nights.👉 Find a guide amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Eat & flirt (fuel the body, feed the gaze)
Café de Jaren – bright, airy, canal-side classic; ideal “Day-After” coffee.👉 cafedejaren.nl
Supperclub – dinner as spectacle: DJs, performance, 5-course surprise menu.👉 supperclub.amsterdam
Restaurant d’Vijff Vlieghen – candlelit, 17th-century gilt-leather walls, date-night gold.👉 vijffvlieghen.nl amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Gay bars: where the boys are
Start on Reguliersdwarsstraat and work your way out:
Prik – fizzy energy, terrace, pop-forward fun.👉 prikamsterdam.nl
SoHo – easy mingle, handsome crowd.👉 soho-amsterdam.com
Taboo – compact, flirty, always a scene.👉 taboobar.nl
Exit – old-school vibe, friendly faces.👉 Exit on Facebook
History hit:
Café ’t Mandje – the city’s oldest gay bar; heartfelt and iconic.👉 Café ’t Mandje (FB)
Amstel-area charm:
Amstel 54 – classic Dutch bar feel, reliably social.👉 Amstel 54 (FB)
De Lellebel – glittery drag queen café; camp and kisses.👉 lellebel.nl amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Clubs & parties: shoes on, shirt optional
Club NYX – three floors from house to pop, drag shows, and glitter for days.👉 clubnyx.nl
Rapido Events – big monthly circuit vibes, international DJs, chesty crowd.👉 clubrapido.com amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Saunas & cruising: let’s get sweaty
Zeedijk/Warmoesstraat is your leather-and-fetish corridor:
Eagle Amsterdam – leather playground; darkroom and slings included.👉 Eagle (FB)
Cuckoo’s Nest – free entry bar with a busy darkroom; theme nights pop up.👉 cuckoosnest.nl
Dirty Dicks – two floors, cabins, glory holes, wet area; “anything goes.”👉 dirtydicksamsterdam.com
Sauna Nieuwezijds – the city’s only gay sauna: steam, jacuzzi, bar, and cheeky theme nights (No Towel Tuesday, Bears Working Up A Sweat).👉 saunanieuwezijds.nl amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Festivals & big moments
Pride Amsterdam – the famous canal parade: boats, beats, and bodies.👉 pride.amsterdam
Milkshake Festival (July) – everybody welcome, glitter encouraged.👉 milkshakefestival.com
King’s Day (April) – citywide orange street party; the gay bars go late. amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Sleep (a little). Repeat.
No “gay hotels” needed—Amsterdam’s broadly gay-friendly—but these put you near the action:
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam – 5-star, historic, central.👉 Review/Info
Lloyd Hotel – iconic building, creative rooms, easy tram to Centraal.👉 Review/Info
NH Amsterdam Centre – museum-district convenience with sauna/steam.👉 Review/Info
Quentin Golden Bear – central, walkable to Club Church; simple and handy.👉 Review/Info
Prefer local and queer-owned?
misterb&b – LGBT+ rooms, apartments, and hosts who know the scene.👉 Overview | Sign-up w/ credit amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Easy day trips (if you can pry yourself away)
Rotterdam – bold, modern, wildly different vibe from old-Europe postcards.👉 Why go | More
Bruges – medieval chocolate-box beauty; “Venice of the North.”👉 Book a Bruges tour from AMS amsterdam-gay-travel-guide_642e…
Come with us. Or come alone and meet us there. But come.
We build trips where your body is welcome, your story is wanted, and your comfort level (including clothing-optional) is respected. You’ll get hand-picked bars and saunas, the right parties, gorgeous meals, and a brotherhood that doesn’t care about your abs, age, or labels.
Get on the list and join our next clothing-optional Amsterdam adventure → GoNaked Events
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