I’ve wanted to go to Amsterdam for as long as I can remember. Somehow I’d made it to Schiphol airport twelve times before but never managed to leave the departure gates. So when it came time to plan my own 30th birthday trip- Amsterdam was the perfect choice. I ended up doing a lot of research pre-trip and wanted to share my weekend itinerary & personal recommendations. I hope you enjoy.
OVERVIEW
Amsterdam is a city of canals. Prepare to walk, eat and repeat. Spend your time digesting at one of the many museums or taking a (romantic) stroll through the canal.
Best for: Couples, Solo Travelers, First Time Euro-travelers, LGBTQ friendly
Avoid If: Craving a Non-English experience, Hate Water
Travel Hacks:
- Keep some cash. Credit Cards without “PIN numbers” aren’t always accepted.
- Book your museum tickets (well) in advance.
- Bring walking shoes
- Research & reserve favorite spots in advance
- Keep a bottle of water with you
- Dutch pancakes & cheese (Old Amsterdam is a classic)
- Indonesian Rijsttafel
- A Sunset Canal Tour
- At least one museum (see below)
GETTING THERE
Amsterdam is a relatively quick trip from the US East Coast. G found an amazing deal so we ended up with a quickly layover in London. Thanks to our priority pass, we lounge-hopped and basically tried every type of bread, cheese and wine combo possible. Cheap Trips to Europe are all the rage right now (Summer 2017).
GETTING AROUND
Upon Arrival: Once you land, take a train/tram combination to your destination (€5-10). Walk towards the train signs after customs, and the ticket vendors are on the right in the main hall. Traveling by train is very simple. There are clearly marked Dutch & English signs, trains are typically on-time, there are elevator/escalator access in all the stations and there are a lot of helpful attendants to guide you to the right spot.
After: We used a combination of wanderlust, Citymapper and Google Maps to get around the city proper. Since it was summer, it was easy to walk 20-40 minutes between every spot and discover new canals. In the winter months, you can buy unlimited tram passes (1 to 7 day tickets range between €7.50 to €34). Uber is also available if you are in a rush because you walked 20 minutes in the opposite direction and are trying to make a strict reservation…not that that happened to us.
We rented a houseboat dream in Amsterdam Oud-West, which was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Every morning I’d wake up, make a cup of tea and step out onto a floating terrace to watch the neighborhood ducklings swim by. Our houseboat was parked in quiet residential neighborhood so it felt like we were coming home after a long day of walking. Hots can be very expensive in Amsterdam so try searching Airbnb before you commit.
Stay in: Jordaan, Amsterdam Oud-West, Everywhere on the “crescent shaped” canals is nice (Lijnbaansgracht, Prinsengracht, Heerengracht, Singel).
Avoid: Any place more center than the Singel River (so de dam, Redlight District, Damrak, Rookin, Rembrandtplein etc) because it will be too touristy.
WEEKEND GUIDE: 72 HOURS IN AMSTERDAM
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Friday
12PM: Check into your hotel or Airbnb
6:30PM: Take a canal tour at sunset.
This is a wonderful way to orient yourself to a city. G & I found this great tour company- KINBoat– while walking through the Jordaan. They specialize in “like a local” tours where you can take a small boat (8-10) people through the less traveled canals. Our captains- Frank and Floris- were a dream, giving us the inside scoop on boat parking, government bribes and the best bar snacks- bitterballen.
Pro Tip: Aim for a sunset tour. There is nothing more romantic/relaxing than sipping on some rosé while cruising through the many canals and bridges.
9PM: Grab a drink & food at Cafe De Klepel
This beautiful little cafe is tucked away in the uber trendy Jordaan district. Run by a young sommelier duo, you can pop in (before 7pm or after 11pm) for a glass of wine or charcuterie. It’s tiny and filled with locals. If you want to eat a full dinner, book in advance. It’s definitely worth it. Check our the charming De 9 Straatjes –9 streets with lots of shops and bars– before or after the cafe stop.
10:30PM: Take a walk on the wild side
My impression of Amsterdam is about 95% picturesque canals and idyllic long walks. 5% is the super touristy take on Amsterdam’s liberal laws. Should you choose, take a quick (and definitely awkward) stroll through the Red Light district. Remember: Don’t be that person. There are absolutely no pictures of the women.
Saturday
10AM: Grab a coffee and head to Bloemenmarkt Flower Market
11:30AM: Brunch at Bakers & Roasters
This Brazilian & New Zealand brunch place is the perfect combo of healthy & sinful. They serve everything from freshly made juices to homemade granola to pancakes. G & I did a 50/50% split on the Instagram worthy Acai bowl and crispy Huevos Rancheros. You can’t make reservations but you can grab a drink (boozy or otherwise) while you wait.
2PM: Head over to the Van Gogh Museum
Book your tickets 2-3 months in advance…or risk waiting in the bitter cold/heat for hours.
The Van Gogh Museum was one of my personal favorites. I’d never been to a museum dedicated to a single artist. The museum examines Van Gogh’s life in the context of his multiple homes, peers, and his letters to his family. On the fifth floor, you can actually x-ray a piece he did in the beaches of Provence and see the grains of sand that were embedded into the paint.
4:30PM: Take a selfie in front of the IAMSTERDAM sign
Or just play on the lawn in front of the Rijksmuseum. This is a wonderful people watching place and a perfect place to rest in between your afternoon and evening plans.
5PM: Drinks at the Conservatorium Hotel’s Brasserie and Lounge
This is hands-down the most impressive lobby-cum-dining spaces in Amsterdam. It’s super close to the museums. Simply walk through the front stairs and cross into the small atrium. It is a completely Instagram worthy spot and perfect place to refresh with afternoon tea or a whiskey.
7PM: Take the long walk over to Guts & Glory
12AM: Roll home because you’ve literally been out all day
Sunday
11AM: Have a late start and head to de Foodhallen
Treat yourself to a nice lie in and then when the stomach dictates head over to de Foodhallen. This super trendy food hall was formerly a tram depot. It’s an excellent place to get a taste of dutch street food- grilled cheese sandwiches, bitterbals, poke.
2PM: Bike around Vondelpark
This was actually one thing G & I didn’t do in Amsterdam– a surprise given G’s love of biking. Amsterdam is a biker’s paradise. There are clear biker lanes & signals and bike rental places on every corner. I’d recommend heading to Vondelpark and biking around Oud-West.
6PM: Try an Indonesian Rijsttafel at Restaurant Blauw
There is a huge Indonesian influence in Amsterdam. One of my “must-dos” is to try a traditional Indonesian Rijsttafel. This is a table-filling feast of small dishes, rice, and condiments, a hybrid Dutch-Indonesian tradition that originated during the Dutch colonial era. There’s a vegetarian rijsttafel option, and you can also order more traditional Indonesian dishes from the a la carte menu. Arrive hungry!
9PM: Relax
Monday
8:30AM: Pack up, grab a juice or coffee and head to the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank house is a really interesting museum. As a guest, you see where the Franks (and four other people) hid in the Secret Annex in a Canal House as the Nazi slowly implemented a series of racist and discriminatory laws (registry lists, travel bans) targeting a marginalized group. Given the current political climate, I was disturbed to see the similarities between then and today.
10:30AM: Grab a pancake at the Dutch pancake House
Dutch pancakes are wonderful. I’m deeply sad that we waited until our last day to have them. Try a savory Ham & Cheese pancake and have your taste buds explode with happiness.
12:00PM: Head Out & Starting planning your next trip back.
Eat with: Partner, Best Friend
Eat When: You want to feel like a local and munch on really lovely cheese and meats.
Avoid When: You are in a rush and hangry
Eat with: Partner, Best Friend
Eat When: You’re feeling fancy
Avoid When: If you are in a rush
Eat with: Partner, Best Friend
Eat When: Eat when you want good quality and unpretentious food
Avoid When: You want a cheap meal
Eat with: Small Groups
Avoid When: You want a fancy sit down meal
Eat with: Small Groups
Avoid When: You want a fancy sit down meal
Bloemenmarkt Flower Market
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