Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Notes

  • Houses in Amsterdam have NARROW, STEEP, winding staircases. We are talking about 45-70 degree angle – like a ladder. Be mindful of this when you book a AirBnB. This is because of historical reasons – citizens paid taxes based on how wide the front of their house was facing the street. Most hotels will have (tiny) elevators.
  • A “coffeeshop” (one word) is a weed shop. If you want to drink coffee, look for a “cafe”
  • Its generally very safe, but things can get a bit belligerent at night – nothing too bad to worry about.
  • Its pretty flat, and very walkable. Look out for bikes when walking! Bikes are everywhere.
  • Amsterdam is a great place to set up your base and do day trips to Haarlem, Delft, Gouda, Hague, Rotterdam, etc

Must See / Must Do

  • Amsterdam Canal Cruise (★★★★★)
  • Stroll through Albert Cuyp Markt (★★★★★)
  • Have a hot stroopwaffle from Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels (★★★★☆) – its touristy, but do it once anyway.
  • Anne Frank’s House
  • Rijksmuseum (★★★★★★★★★★) – one of the best museums in the world!
  • Van Gogh Museum (★★★★★) – requires advance reservations – be prepared.
  • Dam Square (★★★★★)
  • Rederij Plas (52.376143, 4.897361) (★★★★★) – Perfect Amsterdam photo location with the camera facing east across the canal. Go in the afternoon/evening so the Sun is above/behind you.
  • Fabel Friet Runstraat (★★★★★) – Fries!
  • Upstairs Pancakehouse (★★★★★) – Great pancakes in a very small place that only seats 16-18. Get the bacon brie pancake. This restaurant was featured on the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil and has blown up since. Make a reservation – you have to call/message them on Whatsapp. Do it, its worth the hassle.
  • Stroll through the Jordaan neighborhood.
  • Foodhallen (★★★★★) – bustling food hall
  • Stroll Bloemenmarkt (★★★★★) – floating flower market
  • Stroll through the Red Light District – you are in Amsterdam, gotta do this. This is not as seedy as you might think. Prostitution in Amsterdam is fully regulated, and the red light district, while a “working” neighborhood, has the look and feel of a tourist attraction. It is safe, and you will see all kinds of people walking through the alleys.
  • Frens Haringhandel (★★★★☆) – raw herring “Amsterdam-style” (eating it cut into bite-sized pieces and topped with raw onions and pickles, served on an open plate and picked up with a small toothpick with the Dutch flag 😭) – VERY touristy, do it once anyway.
  • Try Indonesian food in Amsterdam. There are many good Indonesian restaurants – The Dutch colonized Indonesia for 150 years (“Dutch East Indies”). There is a large Indonesian population in The Netherlands because of this historic tie.
  • Try Surinamese food in Amsterdam. There are many good Surinamese restaurants – The Dutch colonized Suriname for 100+ years. There is a significant Surinamese population in The Netherlands because of this historic tie.

To Do for next time