Synesthesia: interdisciplinary research in a multisensory world
MAY 27TH - 29TH 2026 AMSTERDAM, NL
Locations: University of Amsterdam + The Orgelpark, Amsterdam
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Professor Anina Rich, School of Psychological Sciences,
Macquarie University, Australia
CHAIRPERSONS
Tessa van Leeuwen, Associate Professor,
Tilburg University, Department of Communication and Cognition
Romke Rouw, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Program Group Brain & Cognition University of Amsterdam
WELCOME TO AMSTERDAM!
Below you will find practical information to help you prepare for your visit.
The most important advice is to begin searching for and booking accommodation as early as possible. You can explore your options online, on consider our suggestions below. There are a wide range of hotels and alternative lodging options. Keep in mind Amsterdam is a very popular destination and availability tends to disappear quickly.
Below, we have listed a few suggestions to give you an idea of what is available - from more luxurious choices to slightly 'out-of-the-box' options that may help you limit expenses.
Hotels / Places to stay
(From more to less expensive)
Hotel Arena
Conference Hotel. Four-star hotel, walking distance from UvA. Nice seating & dining area & opportunity to walk in the nearby park:
Starting from ~225 EUR
https://hotelarena.nl/en/
Bastion Hotel at Amsterdam Amstel, still in Amsterdam and both train and metro and busses leave from there, good connection to UvA or downtown. ~140EUR p night
Bastion Hotel Amsterdam Amstel
Hostels at walking distance from UvA:
https://thebeehostel.com
https://theelephanthostel.com
Airbnb
Other cheaper options are rooms via Airbnb. This can be a room in someone’s house, you might share or be alone in the accomodation. In general, Amsterdam is very safe and hosts are friendly. However, do use common sense and check reviews, the host, the location, cancellation policy, etc.
Camping:
Amsterdam is safe and it is spring, so why not go camping? You can also rent cabins in the campground.
Zeeburg: https://www.campingzeeburg.nl/
Vliegenbos https://www.amsterdam.nl/vliegenbos/english/
Conference Locations
27 May (9.30-1800); "Orgelpark" Gerard Brandtstraat 28
The Orgelpark is housed in the beautifully restored monumental Parkkerk in the Gerard Brandtstraat, near the Amsterdam Vondelpark, and aims to integrate the organ into mainstream musical culture through a new presentation. Moving away from the traditional function of the organ serving the building (the church), in the Orgelpark the building serves the organ and its music. The location has genereously opened its doors to house our first day of the conference; filled with arts, music, synesthesia talks, exhibitions and poster presentations.
28-29 May (9.30-1800); "University of Amsterdam" Roeters Eiland Campus,
- Building M (business school): Plantage Muidergracht 12
The University of Amsterdam (UvA), founded in 1632, is a research-intensive university located in the heart of Amsterdam. The UvA offers a highly international academic environment with more than 15,000 international students and one of the largest selections of English-taught programmes in Europe. Unlike traditional campus universities, the UvA is integrated throughout Amsterdam’s historic city centre, making the city itself its campus. The 'Roeterseiland' houses the Faculties of Social and Behavioral Sciences (including Psychology), Economics and Business, and Law. The historic heart of the UvA is de 'Oudemanhuis poort' and 'Agnietenkapel'.
Conference Dinner (- 28 May 19:00-
Restaurant "De Waag", historic building on the Nieuwmarkt
Originally constructed as a city gate, its current name refers to its later function as a weigh house. This beautiful 15th-century building has served various purposes, including a guild hall, museum, fire station and anatomical theatre. Since 1996 it has housed the Waag Society, with a café-restaurant on the ground floor. It is located at just a few minutes' walk from Central Station and is close to the Red Light District and Chinatown. Cafés, small restaurants, and historic houses surround the Nieuwmarkt square.
SOCIAL: Canal Cruise -29th May 18:00-
The best way to explore Amsterdam is by boat! Come with us on a tour through the Amsterdam canals
separate registration, information will follow soon
Lunch / Diner
Near UvA
Cafe Koosje. Traditional cozy (gezellig!) Dutch 'brown cafe', within walking distance of the UvA-M building. Serving breakfast, sandwiches, pancakes, simple dinner dishes. Plantage Middenlaan 37
Coffeecompany Plantage Muidergracht 69, opposite to building M.
The Breakfast club. Breakfast, cake, pancake, burgers, this is the place to be for an all-day brunch. Roetersstraat 10A
Café-Restaurant De Plantage Chic, light-filled Mediterranean restaurant located in a historic 19th-century conservatory at the Artis Royal Zoo; watch the flamingos while eating a delicious dinner or lunch. Please note that lunch here tends to take longer and reservations are needed.
Near Orgelpark
In the Vondelpark:
Proeflokaal 't Blauwe Theehuis / Pizzas, sandwiches, plates etc.
Groot Melkhuis / Pizzas, sandwiches, plates etc.
Same street as Orgelpark:
Japonism / Japanese for fine-tasters Overtoom 255H
Bagels and Beans / Nomen est omen Overtoom 306
A little bit further: Rangla Punjab / Indian restaurant Overtoom 350-0
Yet a bit further: Mima WEST / Great salads J.P. Heijstraat 180
Getting Around
A brief reassurance: everybody in Amsterdam speaks English, and we generally are happy to show it off ; )
The quickest and most convenient way to travel from Schiphol to Amsterdam is by train. You can buy a ticket in the machine. Train tickets are from "NS". Tram, metro and bus are from "GVB". You can buy a card once, and then use it for all your public transportation (OV card). There are different types of public transportation card (e.g. for a day or for an hour, for 1 trip). Check for different options at the machine.
You can also tap in and out directly using your contactless debit card, credit card, or mobile phone (Apple/Google Pay) on all GVB and NS transport.
Public transportation in Amsterdam is relatively reliable, if your accommodation is the outskirts you can get into town by train, subway or bus.
Train, bus, metro, tram: don't forget to check in and check out
Subway (Metro) lines
If you choose accommodation further away from the city center, please note that public transport in Amsterdam stops running at midnight. There are night buses, but they operate less frequently and might take a bit longer.
Fortunately there are other options:
- Bicycle (the local favorite)
- Uber, Bolt, or taxi (TCA)
Safety/ Other
Amsterdam is a very safe city. That said, here are two things worth keeping in mind:
1. Watch out for pickpockets. Especially in very busy areas or public transportation. Be particularly aware when travelling from Schiphol; pickpockets are active in the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station.
2. Pay attention to bikes. Many tourists mistake our bike lanes for nice wide pedestrian paths. Amsterdam doesn't have nice wide pedestrian paths! We have (fast) bikes.
Weather
May is a good moment to visit Amsterdam, you can expect mild weather and occasional rain showers. A general description of our climate is 'all seasons within one hour'; our clothing advice is to bring layers.
