Amsterdam is a fantastic city. If its not on your travel list yet…it should be! With 17 million visitors per year, this is definitely a destination that attracts a crowd. And with good reason. There is no city quite like it, and it really has something for everybody.
Canals, canals, canals! There are 165 canals spanning over 100 kms. UNESCO declared the canals a World Heritage Site in 2010. And they are truly stunning. Perfectly Instagrammable and picturesque. There are a number of bridges over the canals with bicycles lining the sides, and beautiful treelined streets running along the canals. Its as gorgeous as you imagine it to be. I could spend days just strolling about the lovely canals. They feel very storybook and whimsical. That is, until you almost get hit by a bicycle. Cycling is HUGE here, and cyclists always have the right of way. There are actually more bikes here than residents!
My favourite thing to do here was to walk around. Give yourself 3-4 days in this beautiful city to truly take it all in. I guarantee you will stumble upon something interesting and amazing. And with that in mind, here are the highlights as I discovered them:
Cheese!! – Cheese is big business here, especially Gouda. This gouda is like nothing I have ever tasted before. Being a cheese aficionado, I appreciated the abundance of cheese shops. Almost one around every corner! Henri Willig Cheese stores are big here. And with good reason. Every cheese shop you go into has many varieties being sampled, and you can snack almost to your heart’s content! Think red pesto, pumpkin, lavender, herb and garlic, smoked, truffle, cumin honey thyme...and the list goes on. Most inventive cheese shops I have ever been to. Best part? They all come in wrapped in wax for easy packing and transportation. And, they will ship the cheese home for you. Winning!! You have to buy at least one. **Fun Fact: The city of Gouda (pronounced “Howda”) is actually only an hour from Amsterdam.
Red Light District – This district is famous the world over. I thought I had an idea of what it would be like before I saw it for myself…but it is so much more than I imagined! Yes, there are actually girls in lingerie sitting in windows. They make eye contact with everyone, and if you’re interested, you can just open their door and discuss a price. You also see these little beds in the room behind them, which makes it seem all the more real. Prostitution is legal here, after all. Both sides of the streets lining the canal are lit up with various lights, mostly red, however other colours create a nighttime rainbow effect. There are a number of bars, brothels and prostitution museums lining the streets, so there really is something for everyone. On the weekends it gets very busy, as many Europeans tourists come here as a quick getaway. Be prepared for a rowdy, yet fun and lively scene! This area is also just a a few steps away from the night club district, so if you’ve seen enough here, just wander over to where the “normal” bars are.
Coffee Shops – These are not your typical Starbucks type establishments. A “Coffee Shop” here is actually a social corner where you can go and smoke weed. Some of them sell weed, some of them just facilitate the consumption of cannabis. And to be honest, just being inside one will basically provide you with enough second-hand smoke to get a buzz! Even if you don’t participate in cannabis culture, I highly recommend you check one out just for the experience…and maybe get a mug of sub-par coffee while you’re there.
Shopping – When I thought of Amsterdam, the last thing I thought about was shopping. I generally associated that with Milan or Berlin. Was I ever wrong!! Amsterdam’s shopping scene is great. Prices are reasonable, and there is a lot of great European selection. There is a large shopping street close to Dam Square, in the centre of town. Also, the Dutch people are tall and thin, so if you have large feet or need longer clothing, this area will really appeal to you. Spend some time shopping here. You will be surprised how much you can find!
Indonesian Food – As a former Dutch colony, Indonesia has had a big influence over their cuisine. Many of their dishes are curry based, and delicious. Aside from Indonesia, this is the highest concentration and best variety of Indonesian food that I have ever found. To get the best variety, I highly recommend going to Sampurna Indonesian Restaurant and trying their tasting menu. Absolutely divine! Make a reservation though, as this place fills up fast!
Canal Cruise – This is a no-brainer. The best way to see this amazing city is from the water. The canal cruises are usually 1 hour long take take you all over Amsterdam, including through the harbour. Your pilot/guide on board will tell you the secrets of the city, and provide a great historical narrative. They depart hourly from a number of piers around the city, so its easy to take one discover something new.
Pannenkoeken – Probably the most famous Dutch food there is, this huge crepe-like pancake is filled with savoury (my favourite is curry chicken) or sweet filling and then rolled and eaten. It is offered almost every breakfast place, with other restaurants featuring it as well. It is a lot of food, so make sure you bring your appetite! For a very unique experience, try Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis in the centre of town. With just 4 tables, it fills up fast, so make sure you have a reservation!
Amsterdam is connected by a large series of Trams. They are everywhere, come very often and are a convenient way to get around. I recommend buying a transit pass (3 day, 4 day, 7 day) to cover your entire stay when you arrive into Amsterdam. This will give you the flexibility to travel at your leisure. The trams require you to tap in and out, so there is no sneaking on or off of them. The trams themselves have a desk inside which also sells tickets, so you can buy a pass onboard. Amsterdam recently opened a new line on their metro as well, so transiting around is even easier now.
That being said, I always recommend that you stay in a central location. Amsterdam is one of those cities that you can stay outside of the centre in get into the centre fairly quickly, however it is still nice to leave your hotel and be right in the action. I had the pleasure of visiting some of my hotel partners while in Amsterdam, and highly recommend these properties if you are going to stay in the city:
The Conservatorium – Located in the Museum Square district, right in the heart of Amsterdam. This hotel combines ultra modern, luxury chic with historical Dutch traditions. Their modern lobby space is truly a work of art, and they are known for their amazing restaurants. Their Taiko Bar is known as one of the best cocktail spots in Amsterdam. This is a place to see and be seen. They have gorgeous modern suites and even an Exclusive Penthouse wing, if you need more privacy. Even if you just come here for a drink, you will be happy you did!
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam – From its construction in 1411 as a Convent, to City Hall to the luxurious 5 Star hotel it is today, there is enough history here to fill novels. You are welcomed into a large, grand courtyard before making your way into the beautiful ornate lobby. They have kept the original buildings and expanded to create a wonderful hotel. Queen Beatrix got married here, and this has long been a favourite of visiting well-to-do clientele. They have a lovely private courtyard, with Oriole, an amazing restaurant and cocktail bar facing the tranquil setting. This location is very central and just steps from the Anne Frank house, which makes it very convenient indeed.
I can get you great rates and exclusive amenities (that you cannot by simply booking online) at both of these properties, so contact me for booking!
You simply have to come to Amsterdam. Its a city that lingers with you long after you depart, and makes you wish that you had spent more time there. There is an abundance of things to do and see, so give yourself time to relax and enjoy it. As a Travel Advisor, I want you to have the best experience possible, so Contact Me today to start planning!
