I laaaaaaaaave when people ask me what to do in Amsterdam. LAAAVEEE. After living there for 6 months I feel like I have mucho knowledge on this. I was able to experience the touristy things and the local things as well. So here is my Amsterdam guide...
FOOD
I'm starting with food because I think it's the most important.
Places to Eat:
Restaurants of all kinds are ALL over. It's very hard to go wrong in Amsterdam. Check Yelp or Trip Advisor too. If you are staying in an Airbnb or a place with a kitchen and need a grocery store, I would go to Albert Heijn or Lidl.
- Bagels and Beans: I think I ate here about once a week. BEST hot chocolate ever. And the bagels. omg. I can't. Great for breakfast or if you are me, anytime of the day.
I mean come on. Sesame seed bagel with chive cream cheese, tapenade, pine nuts and sundried tomatoes - Wagamamas: Asian fusion. This place was DELISH
- Wok to Walk: Fast, easy. It's like chipotle but Asian
- Febo: A must try. Best drunk food evaaaaa
- Restaurant Gerb. Hartering: If you are going for a really nice, fancy meal, I highly recommend this place. My mother said it was probably her favorite meal she's ever had. And she's old, so she's eaten at a fair number of places. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
- Tempo Doeloe: This in an Indonesian restaurant. The Netherlands used to "own" Indonesia back in the day so there is a great Indonesian influence here. This place was recommended on Anthony Bourdian's Amsterdam list. It was a fantastic meal.
I found some of the best restaurants just by walking around and exploring. It never crossed my mind to jot down the names of the restaurants back then but everywhere I stumbled upon was good! Can't really recall any bad meals.
Foods to Try:
- Chips: if you are American, like me, we call these fries. They have them all over the city, I don't have a favorite location because I wasn't really sober every time we had some. Recommend with the mayo.
- Stroopwafels: A MUST. It's like a caramel waffle cookie. They sell them hot and freshhhh at the Albert Cuyp market. (Details on the market below). Don't buy them at the souvenir shops. Go into a grocery store (Albert Hejn) and go to the cookie isle, they have a huge pack for like 2 euro. *Pro Tip: Place a stroopwafel over your hot tea or coffee to heat the insides to make it nice a gooey.
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| Ohhhh when the stroopwafel is warmed from the steam of your coffee. ohhhh lord |
- Pancakes: These aren't your normal flapjacks my friends. They are kind of a pancake/crepe hybrid. I would get the cheese and bacon one. I also like the strawberry and Nutella ones obviously. The hardest part is deciding if you are in the mood for sweet or savory.
- Profiteroles: They are like mini pancakes. If you catch yourself in Amsterdam during Christmas time, get them fresh at a Christmas market. It's also entertaining to watch them being made.
- Pickled Herring: Did I try this? No. Do most tourists? Yes. So I'll let you decide how adventurous you are feeling.
- Cheese: I tried lots of different Dutch cheese all around the city center. Since I lived there, I always bought my cheese from the grocery store (Albert Hejn). When my sister and mom visited me that is the cheese I bought for them. Cheese stores in the center do have samples though!
Must See:
I hope you are spending more than one day in the 'dam so you can experience as much as possible. I think getting an I Amsterdam card is a good idea if you plan on going to one or more of these sites. It even includes transportation. Click here for more info on the card.
- Anne Frank House: Must visit. Get there early to avoid the lines. In the summer expect huge lines. Book tickets online before your trip. Be prepared to feel all the feels here.
- Van Gogh: Personally, I am a huge Van Gogh fan so I really enjoyed the museum. The layout is kinda weird but that's my only negative.
- Rijksmuseum: If you are pressed for time, I'd skip this museum. Unless you are a huge history/art fan. This place is HUGE. Smaller than the Louvre, but still huge. The outside of the Museum is GORG. And there is usually someone playing music in the tunnel that runs through it.
- Iamsterdam: The famous Iamsterdam sign is located in front of the Rijksmuseum. Usually surrounded by tons of people trying to get a pic on top of a letter. Also in front of the Rijks is where the ice rink is in the winter. In the fall it was a huge pond with a fountain. It seemed to always change.
- Vondelpark: SOOOOO pretty. I used to bike around there or lay out with my friends on a nice day. In the summer there are a lot of concerts.
- Bloemenmarket: This is where they sell the tulips! Great to see if you can't make it out to the tulip fields between March-May. It's a good substitute. Just remember, if you buy bulbs, buy the American ones. And you will have to go through customs and get them checked and what not when you fly back. I personally just bought tulips from Costco when I got home.
- Dam Square: Super touristy but still a must see. If you are exploring the city center already, you will most likely stumble across Dam Square. Watch for pick-pocketers. There is also a huge souvenir shop right on the corner. Best place to buy gifts.
Mini Trips:
If you have the time I highly recommend taking a quick train ride to these locations. All of these places are accessible from the train station in the city center.
- Keukenhof: The biggest flower fields in the world. I was in Amsterdam in the fall/winter so I never got to experience this but it's 100% on my to-do list for next time. They are open from March 23rd- May 21(ish).
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| Google image Keukenhof and you will be verrrryyyy impressed. |
- Windmills at Zane Schans: This is the best place to see the famous Dutch windmills. They also have a cute little town there.
- Haarlem: A quick 20 min train ride from the city center puts you in my second favorite place in the Netherlands. I ABSOLUTELY loved Haarlem. The shops were all so unique and amazing, great churches, beautiful canals. I found a tea shop called "Babette's Tea" and it's one of my favorite places. It's walkable from the train station. Everything is walkable, honestly! Could not recommend Haarlem more.
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| It's like a mini Amsterdam |
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| I highly recommend the Babette's blend tea and the scones |
- Bejlmer Arena: For those of you who are soccer fans and want to see the arena. This is also the area where I lived. So if you want to go over in that area let me know and I can give you more restaurants and things that are in that area.
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| See the little yellow star? That's where I lived! Could I hear every soccer game and concert? INDEED. |
Things to do:
- Canal boat ride: There are a ton of different tour companies with similar prices. This is such a great way to ride throughout the canals and get a great look at the city. Try and fit this in if you don't have much time. You get to see so much.
- There are pizza cruises, wine cruises, architecture cruises, history cruises, dinner cruises, night cruises, etc... Just search the web for the one that fits best for you and the time you have there.
- Rent a bike: No better way to experience the Dutch way of life than riding a bike around! Don't rent the brightly colored orange or green ones because those have a greater chance of gotten stolen because it screams TOURIST. Most hotels/ hostels should have some you can rent from them. Ride to Vondelpark! (please be super cautious and be really aware, the Dutch don't stop. And they do yell at you if you are in the way.) Also, be aware that there are sidewalks AND bike lanes that look alike if you aren't paying attention. Red brick = bike lane. Still confused? Watch this helpful, hilarious video.
- Heineken Experience: Great way to learn how Heineken beer is made while enjoying two free beers.
- Sex Museum: Take your mom!
- Red light district: And then take your mom here! Won't see much during the day. Night is the time to go if you want to see some ta-ta's. No pictures. Security guards will take your phone.
Shopping:
- 9 straatjes- Literally 9 streets in the Jordaan area with the cutest shops and restaurants. It's like the hipster part of the city. Greaaaaat place for instagram photos.
- Kalverstraat/ Liedjesstraat: Main shopping streets. You can find just about anything here: Forever 21, H&M, Steve Madden, Zara, etc.
- Albert Cuyp Market: My favorite market. Many nice vendors and food. THIS IS WHERE I WOULD GET A FRESH STROOPWAFEL. The stores around that area are nice too.
Transportation:
I think Amsterdam has the best transportation out of any city I've been to.
Now here is the (fun) section of my blog for those who really want to dabble in that Amsterdam life.
Note: Cafe = sells coffee. Coffeeshop = sells weed.
I think Amsterdam has the best transportation out of any city I've been to.
- Bike: Yes the city is small enough to walk around but, I just love to bike. (see video above about biking)
- Walking: Amsterdam is a great walking city. However, while you are walking, watch out for bikes. Remember the RED BRICK PATHS are for bikes, not pedestrians. Bikes always have the right of way.
- Trams: If you aren't biking, this is the next best thing. Amsterdam has a great tram system. Can purchase 1 or 2 day tickets in a metro station. Works on metro or tram.
- Metro: Not necessary if staying in the city center, but if you need it it's cheap and easy. Can purchase tickets inside any metro station
- Train: Best way to get from the airport to Centraal Station. No need to Uber.
- Uber/ Taxi: They have it if you need it.
Now here is the (fun) section of my blog for those who really want to dabble in that Amsterdam life.
Note: Cafe = sells coffee. Coffeeshop = sells weed.
Coffeeshops:
- Coffeeshop Old Amsterdam
- Bluebird
- Bulldog
- Grey Area
- 420 Cafe <- my personal fav.
- Greenhouse Centrum
If you are nervous and want some more info, Click HERE. They are all over the place. Some are sketchier than others. They do check ID to make sure you are over 18. Some places charge extra for a lighter. It's cheaper to roll yourself vs. a pre-rolled. Pre-rolled usually contained more tobacco than I cared for. The people who work there are usually super nice and very helpful.
Nightlife:
- Leidseplein: Best area for night life. Young crowds. Also great christmas markets in the winter.
- Melkweg: concerts and clubs are held here.
- Paradiso: Spent many nights at this club. Always fun.
Any bar is usually pretty poppin on the weekends. Tons of bars and pubs in the city center. I went to one bar that was filled with arcade games and board games. Even had a ball pit! It's called De TonTon Club if you are interested.
Other side notes:
If you forget anything find a Hema, it's like a mini Target. If you need food, snacks or water find an Albert Hijn. This is where I recommend getting stroopwafels. They also have pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks. There are mini Albert Hijns at the airport and at the major metro/ train stations.
If you forget anything find a Hema, it's like a mini Target. If you need food, snacks or water find an Albert Hijn. This is where I recommend getting stroopwafels. They also have pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks. There are mini Albert Hijns at the airport and at the major metro/ train stations.
Most importantly HAVE TONS OF FUN because Amsterdam is the best place evaaaaa. And feel free to send me snapchats and pictures while you are there. And bring me home stroopwafels.
Doei doei,
Marissa
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| JUST LOOK AT THAT GOODNESS |
Doei doei,
Marissa
