Amsterdam is a city that surprises first-time travellers and longtime visitors alike. Stroll with us through the city's outposts of good food, design, retail and more.

At first glance, horseshoe-shaped Amsterdam is a breeze to circumnavigate and its offerings seemingly obvious. But look closely and you'll find hidden pockets in the maze of canals and burgeoning neighbourhoods that are a quick pedal from the city centre. This archetype of liberalism and diversity is forever reinventing itself.

The Monocle Travel Guide to Amsterdam is an ode to this vibrant European metropolis, featuring all (well, as many as we could fit in) of our favourite haunts. We'll lead you through the cobbled streets to the best independent retailers, recommend restaurants that cater for every craving and spotlight the cosiest bruine cafés for a beer or two. We'll take you on a tour of the Dutch masters, as well as the works of subsequent generations of artists, and steer you towards a fetching mix of classical and contemporary architecture inhabiting the waterside landscape.

The magazine, Monocle, covers the world with its network of bureaus in New York, Toronto, Zurich, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Singapore. It also employs more than 30 dedicated correspondents - in cities from Bangkok to Bogota, Sao Paolo to Stockholm - as well as a team of on-the-road reporters based out of its headquarters in London. This team's deep understanding of cities and all they have to offer has now been compiled in The Monocle Travel Guide Series.

From the historic to the hip, Berlin is a city of palpable creative energy with a healthy dose of cultural relevance

This is a city in perpetual flux and its ability to reinvent itself can be attributed to its complex history. Today there’s a seductive allure to the German capital’s dynamism and willingness to create anew. Be it a luxury hotel in an old bathhouse, experimental artwork in a former margarine factory or an ever-evolving roster of musicians and designers, the city thrums with diversity and ingenuity.

The Monocle Travel Guide to Berlin will take you to our favourite pockets of independent retail and the best places to eat and drink, whether you’re after a venerated dining room or a hidden cocktail bar. We’ll lead you through the mix of envelope-pushing art hubs and didactic museums. And then there’s our round-up of the architectural landmarks that reveals the narrative of this once-divided city.

Berlin is about more than nightclubs and hammering hangovers – although a night on the tiles here still rarely disappoints. We guarantee that this guide will show that there’s plenty more to discover.

The magazine Monocle covers the world with its network of bureaus in New York, Toronto, Zurich, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Singapore. It also employs more than 30 dedicated correspondents — in cities from Bangkok to Bogotá, São Paolo to Stockholm — as well as a team of on-the-road reporters based out of its headquarters in London. This team’s deep understanding of cities and all they have to offer has now been compiled in The Monocle Travel Guide Series.

A portrait of Istanbul’s outposts of good food, design, retail, and more, this definitive travel guide will make you feel like a local no matter where you are from

On first impression, Istanbul can seem a touch demure. But beneath its inimitable skyline is a teeming, triumphant metropolis with imperial history, intrigue, and entrepreneurial zeal written into its streets. It’s a city constantly being remade and reimagined, and the resulting sense of opportunity and vigor is palpable.

Monocle has sought out must-sees with an eye beyond the obvious, whether it’s visiting the next up-and-coming neighborhood — teeming with bars, discerning clothiers, and coffee houses — or dropping in to an old-school kuafor for a haircut. This guide will point you in the right direction for the finest places to eat, drink, and shop, and navigate you through the city’s architectural gems, from Ottoman follies converted into art centers to backstreet Byzantine beauties. So join Monocle for a cross-continental jaunt with bites of simit-size lore thrown in for good measure. Now don’t miss that ferry.

Authors: 

Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. 

That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets. These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city — no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory. Cities are fun. Let’s explore.

A journey through New York’s outposts of good food, design, retail and more, this definitive travel guide will make you feel like a local no matter where you are from

New York used to be such an easy city to crack for the visitor. Not only was there that simple-to-master grid of streets but, really, who wanted to stray from Manhattan? Today, while that stretch from Wall Street to the Upper East Side and beyond still enchants, awes, and bamboozles, you really do need to cross some bridges and head upstate. The city’s focus has fractured and shifted and you ignore the appeal of, say, Brooklyn at your peril. This is especially true of anyone wanting to grasp the city’s fast-evolving food scene, discover some fresh design ateliers, go for a run, or buy some less-exposed art.

Monocle has had a bureau in New York since its launch in 2007 and it has a shop in the city too. This has made the Monocle team passionate about the place and its ambitions. This book is a celebration of all that they know and love about New York and it should be used to take you beyond the obvious spots (although who wouldn’t want to hit the museum biggies). New York can easily live up to its movie-star good looks but let it be a city that surprises you, too — in a good way.

Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets.

These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city — no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory. Cities are fun. Let’s explore.

A parade through London’s outposts of good food, design, retail, and more, this definitive travel guide will make you feel like a local no matter where you are from

Vast and sprawling, a tangle of roads and lanes, a muddle of rising and falling neighborhoods: London can be a big beast to tame, even for the people who get to call it home. But this ever-changing and regenerating capital can also charm you with its beauty, from wind-rustled parks to that winding River Thames. Its mix of people, abundance of culture, and the occasional louche night on the tiles also makes it a city that will surprise you and win you over.

The Monocle Travel Guide to London is a celebration of all the things that the Monocle team loves above this mighty metropolis (and they are brave enough to let you see the wrinkles too). It’s a guide to the bars, shops, restaurants, music venues, and museums that they think should edge their way on to your itinerary. They will lure you to some fresher neighborhoods and fill your head with lots of “We really have to see…” ideas. And they will leave you with a clear, crisp view of how the capital is changing. London is a global city but the Monocle team will help you see it as a series of friendly local gems. Hold on to your hat.

The magazine, Monocle, covers the world with its network of bureaus in New York, Toronto, Zurich, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Singapore. It also employs more than 30 dedicated correspondents - in cities from Bangkok to Bogota, Sao Paolo to Stockholm - as well as a team of on-the-road reporters based out of its headquarters in London. This team's deep understanding of cities and all they have to offer has now been compiled in The Monocle Travel Guide Series.

Multifaceted perspectives on the world of work today and in the future — from compelling business ideas to inspiring company cultures

The Monocle Guide to Good Business is a book for would-be business leaders, start-ups, and established companies that feel it’s time for some new ideas. It’s a book made to be used. Write in its margins and turn over the corners of its pages. But don’t expect management speak or miracles for untold riches. This is not a book about staging a revolution. Rather, this is a book about doing things well — from how you run the show to the pens you buy. And even about taking your dog to work.

The 300-page book features original photography and illustrations printed on a selection of the highest-quality papers. The Monocle Guide to Good Business is a handbook for those who want to make a company that will last; it’s the ultimate reference for doing a job you love.

Based in London and acclaimed the world over, MONOCLE has delivered a unique briefing on global affairs, business, culture, and design since it was founded by Tyler Brûlé in 2007. Alongside the magazine, Monocle has created a 24-hour radio station, a film-rich website, retail ventures around the globe, and cafes in Tokyo and London.

What characteristics and values define a country? Which countries are particularly successful in terms of education, economics, or culture? In this book, Monocle provides a global perspective on the distinct qualities of nations

Monocle’s books with Gestalten have shown you how to build a better life, business, and home. But now Monocle raises the bar: how do you run a great country? They are not talking about might, muscle, or nationalism — although you need a bit of a swagger every now and then. They are talking about a country that feels like a cohesive community, knows what to value, and goes out into the world to gently get its way with soft power, fine ambassadors, and compelling cultural offerings. At home, this country celebrates good education, well-made institutions, and its own people and their skills.

How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide is a thought-provoking primer that informs and inspires. The best ideas don’t need to be invented — they need to be found and copied. Let Monocle be your guide.

Based in London and acclaimed the world over, MONOCLE has delivered a unique briefing on global affairs, business, culture, and design since it was founded by Tyler Brûlé in 2007. Alongside the magazine, Monocle has created a 24-hour radio station, a film-rich website, retail ventures around the globe, and cafes in Tokyo and London.

A handbook for making a home that will stand the test of time; take knocks and scuffs in its stride; and where lives can unfold, children grow up, and dogs run wild

This Monocle book tells us how to turn a house into a home. Both a practical guide and a great source of inspiration, The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes presents the interiors, furniture, and locations you need to know about along with portraits of the people who can make it happen.

The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes celebrates the durable and the meaningful through a collection of homes that tell a story. Most architecture and interior books show houses polished to perfection, manicured to the extent that it is hard to imagine anybody actually lives there: they seem to miss the point that homes are meant to be inhabited. They should be able to take scuffs and knocks and to be part of a community, whether in a Chicago skyscraper or on Australia’s sunshine coast.

Discover Monocle’s favourite places to stay, eat, shop and visit across Spain.

Hot on the heels of Portugal: The Monocle Handbook, Monocle’s latest title turns its focus to sunny Spain in the next of its country-specific books. This practical guide will steer you from the streets of Seville to the mountains of Mallorca, introducing Monocle’s favourite places to stay, eat, shop and visit across the country.

Discover the sleekest beachside boltholes in the Costa Brava, the family-run restaurants plating up the tastiest tapas in Andalucía and the buzziest bars in Barcelona before getting your cultural fix in Valencia, Bilbao or Madrid. You’ll meet the Spaniards making waves in the fashion industry, visit the artisans turning out beautiful contemporary designs and hear from the chefs shaking up the country’s food scene. And of course you’ll find out the finest stretches of sand on which to lay down your towel.

For those looking to put down roots in Spain, the book also profiles the cities, towns and neighbourhoods worth investing in, the architects and designers to commission and even some interior design inspiration for your apartment or holiday home. So, whether you are putting together an itinerary for a sun-soaked weekend or planning to stay a little longer, Spain: The Monocle Handbook makes the perfect companion.

About the Authors:

Tyler Brûlé is Editorial director and chairman of Monocle. Andrew Tuck is the magazine’s editor-in-chief. Joe Pickard is Head of book publishing.

From the team at Monocle, the first in a new series of practical travel guides

Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful Monocle Book of Italy and The Monocle Book of the Nordics, Monocle’s latest title turns its focus to Portugal in an exciting new series of country-specific books.

A handbook in feel and tone, this practical guide will transport you to the sun-dappled hills of Lisbon and the winding streets of Porto as well as lesser-known locales from the Alentejo region, with its plentiful vineyards, to the dramatic landscapes of the Azores. Plus, discover Monocle’s favourite places to stay, eat and shop – stop off at an elegant palácio, indulge in a family-run tasca and scour the streets for the creamiest pastéis de nata – and the cross-country trips we’d make (whether by car, boat or horse). You’ll also be introduced to the country’s rich culture, including the history of Portugal’s vibrant visual identity and the folks at the heart of it all. So join in, hit the tiles and explore this fascinating country in Portugal: The Monocle Handbook.

About the Authors:

Tyler Brûlé is Editorial director and chairman of Monocle. Andrew Tuck is the magazine’s editor-in-chief. Joe Pickard is Head of book publishing.

Monocle heads north in this exploration of Nordic design, business, food and fashion

The Nordic region has long fostered a distinct set of values that have helped its nations excel in quiet diplomacy, thoughtful design and reasoned debate and Monocle’s editors have returned time and again for inspiration on how to live better. This book looks beyond the clichés and uncovers the folks, firms and stories that help the region rank highly in everything from art and architecture to eating well. Join us as we meet the retailers reaching higher in Reykjavík and experience Helsinki’s hottest hospitality. We will introduce you to Norway’s most notable designers and the Danish dishes not to be missed. We may even swing past a Swedish crayfish party and strip off at a sauna or two.

The world can learn a lot from our knowing northern neighbours – and The Monocle Book of the Nordics is the ideal place to start.

About the Author:

Tyler Brûlé is the editor-in-chief of Monocle. Andrew Tuck is the magazine’s editor. Joe Pickard is its books editor.

The Monocle team celebrates the endlessly fascinating and culturally rich country of Italy

Italy feels comfortingly familiar for many. The very name conjures images of ruby red tomatoes, zippy Vespas and classical statues – yet beyond the clichés lies a complexity and variety that’s perpetually surprising. This is a place where laid-back living meets industrious craft, where well-heeled patrons tuck into simple dishes at rustic trattorie and where family, community and passion are the threads that lace it all together. For well over a decade Monocle has roamed the length of the boot – from the craggy peaks of the Dolomites to the azure waters of Sicily – and this is the result of their dedicated reporting. Join them as they throw down their towels at the best bagni, sit front row at dazzling runway shows, call in at vineyards, gelato spots and furniture fairs and maybe even hit a disco or two. Be prepared to see Italy through a whole new lens.

About the Author:

Tyler Brûlé is the Editor-in-chief of Monocle. Andrew Tuck is the magazine's Editor, Chiara Rimella is its Culture Editor and Joe Pickard, its Books Editor.

Hamburg is a historic but forward-thinking city, home to arbiters of tradition and avant-garde artists alike. Ready? It’s time to pull up a chair and meet the lot of them.

If Berlin is Germany’s clubbing capital then Hamburg is the dinner party that’s as raucous as it is refined – and the guests are a varied bunch too. Stroll around this prosperous port city and you’ll brush shoulders with local fishermen casting their nets on the banks of the River Elbe, world-renowned gallerists hosting exhibitions by cutting-edge artists, and independent retailers flaunting wares that are either “Made in Hamburg” or highly exotic.

The magazine, Monocle, covers the world with its network of bureaus in New York, Toronto, Zurich, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Singapore. It also employs more than 30 dedicated correspondents - in cities from Bangkok to Bogota, Sao Paolo to Stockholm - as well as a team of on-the-road reporters based out of its headquarters in London. This team's deep understanding of cities and all they have to offer has now been compiled in The Monocle Travel Guide Series.

Chicago is a warm and welcoming city that brings together the best of many metropolises in the US.

We’ve ridden the rattling L train around Chicago in search of our favourite hotels, from luxury lodgings in the Loop to a family-run find in a former publishing house across the river. We’ve taste-tested restaurants serving dazzling dishes from around the world, as well as the odd joint offering cheesy slices of deepdish pizza. Join us as we explore the museums and galleries shaking up the art world, and the improv clubs making us laugh until we cry. Plus, more than a handful of intimate bars at which to end – or extend – the night.

The magazine, Monocle, covers the world with its network of bureaus in New York, Toronto, Zurich, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Singapore. It also employs more than 30 dedicated correspondents - in cities from Bangkok to Bogota, Sao Paolo to Stockholm - as well as a team of on-the-road reporters based out of its headquarters in London. This team's deep understanding of cities and all they have to offer has now been compiled in The Monocle Travel Guide Series.

Milan has a reputation for being industrious but look in the right places and you’ll discover that it also knows how to let its hair down. Don’t take our word for it: don your snappiest gear and see for yourself.

Few things will be handed to you on a plate in Milan – except, perhaps, a generous portion of rich and creamy risotto con ossobuco. The Lombard capital has an enviable wealth of restaurants, shops and galleries but the best are often hard to find. This is a city that rewards those who take the time to tap on a closed door and look beyond an unassuming stone façade. 

Naturally, as a mecca for fashion fans and design aficionados, Milan can also be a fast-paced and dizzying affair. That’s where we come in. We’ll steer you towards the top bars for a negroni and reveal our favourite spots in which to savour both innovative fare and authentic cucina Milanese. We’ve sifted through the city’s labyrinthine retail offering for the tailors making the sharpest suits and the homeware shops packed with rare finds. Plus the hotels that we long to hunker down in, from polished renaissance palazzos to cosy family-run boutiques.

Authors: 

Monocle reports from around the globe in print, on radio, and online. As its editors and correspondents dart from city to city, they get to know the best places to rest their heads, stretch their limbs, and kick back with a contact in a hard-to-find cocktail bar. 

That information is now available in Monocle’s Travel Guide Series: a line-up of titles that speaks to you in an informed but informal way about everything from architecture to art, late-night bars to early-morning markets. These are books that go beyond the traditional tourist beats to make sure you get the best out of a city — no matter how short your stay. Designed to be compact and collectable, they are also discerning; Monocle’s team won’t list a hundred places to eat but they will tell you where’s best for everything from some tasty fast food to something truly celebratory. Cities are fun. Let’s explore.