Disclosure
Jade Peak writes about places, experiences, and the people behind them, so hotels, operators, and companies come up often. We have no financial relationship with any entity named in this article. If that ever changes, we'll say so plainly, right here at the top.
Amsterdam has always had a slightly different relationship with wellness. Maybe it's the bikes, maybe it's the canals, or maybe it's simply a city that has never been afraid to explore alternative ideas before they become mainstream.
As always at Jade Peak, we're not here to tell you where to get the most famous stroopwafel. We're more interested in the places that make us curious. The projects, communities, and spaces shaping how people think about health, adventure, culture, and wellbeing today.
When Nature Calls.
At first glance, many people know it as one of Amsterdam's best-known smart shops. At Jade Peak, we have to admit we didn’t exactly know what we were walking into when we first came across this place. The term “smart shop” generally refers to one of two things: a retail store specializing in legal psychoactive substances, or, in some cases, a broader wellness hub exploring the edges of biohacking and natural remedies. What sets this location apart is that it has gone beyond simply selling products. They’ve created a space where curiosity and education come first, inviting locals and travelers alike to explore, experiment, and learn.
The space feels more like a modern wellness club than a retail store. Instead of simply selling products, the team has created a dedicated environment where people can explore new ideas around health, recovery, focus, and wellbeing. The new center includes a modular room that hosts everything from breathwork sessions and sound journeys to guest speakers, acupressure mat workshops, microdosing discussions.
And yes, if some of these words sound completely unfamiliar, you're not alone. One thing we genuinely appreciated is the extensive glossary on their website. Many of the ingredients, adaptogens, mushrooms, and natural compounds they discuss have existed for centuries, yet most of us are only now becoming curious about them. If you've ever looked at a wellness product and thought, "I have absolutely no idea what that ingredient is," their glossary is surprisingly useful.Another feature that caught our attention is the dedicated ice bath room. Cold exposure has gone from niche wellness practice to global trend over the last few years.
In a city known for questioning conventions, this feels very Amsterdam. Safe to say, it’s already on our list for the next time we land in the city.
Badhus
Tucked away just a few minutes from Amsterdam's canals there is a social sauna. Created by Julie and Max, two sauna enthusiasts who fell in love with Nordic sauna culture and wanted to bring a more urban, social version of it to the city. Beyond the traditional sauna sessions, you can also book private experiences and even join sessions led by a sauna master, who guides guests through different rituals and explains the techniques behind heat exposure, recovery…
What we also love is how community-focused it is. You can book the space with friends for a group session (which sounds like a pretty perfect afternoon to us), and the pricing genuinely surprised us. For around €50 per month, they offer unlimited access memberships. After years of seeing wellness studios and recovery clubs become increasingly expensive, this feels like one of those rare cases where the quality-to-price ratio actually makes sense. The fact that it's set inside a converted warehouse near the water only makes it even more special.
Tuinen van West
One place that left us slightly confused at first but in a good way is Rijk van de Keizer. We couldn't quite work out whether it was a restaurant, a café, an event space, a wedding venue, or simply a place to spend a slow afternoon. There’s everything you could possibly imagine
Located among the green landscapes of Tuinen van West, it feels like a hidden escape from the city. It's only a few minutes away. During the warmer months, the Cantina opens for long lunches, drinks, and lazy afternoons, while throughout the year the space hosts dinners, chef nights, workshops, celebrations, and even weddings. The atmosphere looks straight out of an Italian countryside film string lights, gardens, long tables… It’s the kind of place that, in my view, is perfect for a very special Sunday
Throughout the year, the space becomes part of larger community-driven festivals such as Tuinen van West Fest (usually in late August, featuring local markets, music, workshops and farm-to-table food experiences) and occasional open-air cultural programs and food nights. There are also recurring events like “Avond van de Chef” (monthly curated dinner evenings at Rijk van de Keizer, typically in the evenings from 18:00), which turn the space into something closer to a communal dining experience.
Originally published at jadepeak.com.
