Ah, Amsterdam. Such a gorgeous and fascinating city. What’s not to love about a place that welcomes marijuana and prostitution? Maybe that part’s not for everyone…
Regardless, it’s reputation completely leaves out the fact that the entire city is a web of canals (similar to Venice), which is perhaps one of it’s greatest qualities. Another wonderful thing about Amsterdam is that English is the most commonly spoken language, so don’t fret if you’re American like myself! Even though I have now been to Amsterdam twice, I absolutely love it and I am dying to go back for more.
How to get around
Getting into the city from the airport takes about 20 minutes by train ride. Most areas in Amsterdam are walkable, but it may take time. There are hop-on/hop-off boats that you can purchase tickets for or you can rent a bicycle (be wary, locals are not too patient with or fond of oblivious tourists who don’t know the rules riding bicycles). Taxis and other ride shares are available as well if you aren’t interested in riding on busses, metros and trams.
The I AMsterdam city card is a popular option for tourists looking to utilize the many types of transportation they have to offer, as well as access to some museums.
How much money
Amsterdam isn’t too expensive, but it’s not exactly cheap either. It isn’t necessarily that things are overpriced, but rather there is just so much to do, you’ll have to spend a lot to accomplish it all, but it’s worth it.
Where to stay
I would recommend staying in the area near the Van Gogh museum. It is a quiet and beautiful area. Anything within walking distance of the central train station is also good. If you’re on a budget, there are tons of options at hostels all over the city.
When and how long to go
I have been to Amsterdam twice now and I still don’t feel like I’ve had enough, there are literally just so many things to do. I would recommend two or three days for your first visit (think extended weekend). Like many other European destinations, spring and fall are the best times to go. It’ll be an absolute zoo during the summer and rather cold during the winter (although there probably won’t be many crowds).
My journeys thus far have been during late summer and early fall. In Springtime, there is a Tulip Festival, and although I have not been during this time, I hope to attend some day as it looks absolutely stunning. It’s also gorgeous in the Fall when the leaves change color.
What to do
I was able to go to the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, the Heineken Experience, sightseeing by boat, a hip nightclub, the “I AMsterdam” sign, plenty of “coffee shops,” a stroll to the edge of the Red Light District 2x and countless orders of fries (seriously, they were delicious). It was especially lovely to be able to stroll around the streets during the daytime and take breaks sitting by the peaceful canals which run through the city like a giant spider web. We spent a lot of time relaxing by the water. If you like getting dressed up and doing something a little fancier, there are plenty of tour companies that offer a champagne canal cruise, some even have charcuterie. If that’s not in your budget, you could opt for the same thing without alcohol and bring your own. 😉
Art is literally anywhere and everywhere you look. My eyes were overwhelmed by all the gorgeous and interesting things I encountered. The architecture of the buildings alone is absolutely breathtaking and everything seems to be artistic expression in some way. You could easily spend an entire day wandering around the Van Gogh Museum, and it was definitely a highlight of my visit.
The Anne Frank Museum was a must-see but there was an extremely long line to get inside for walk-ups (which may be due to the fact it was a busy weekend). Though you are not allowed to snap pictures inside of the Anne Frank house, it was an emotional experience to be present in the secret annex where the Frank family spent over two years of their lives. During the tour, you walk through the same rooms that Anne, her family and several others used to eat their dinner, sleep, and spend their days together in hiding. I definitely recommend buying a copy of her diary as well on the way out!
As cliché as it is, I also highly recommend stopping by one of the local “coffee shops,” or five, which is one of Amsterdam’s claims to fame. It is one of the only places in the world that you can legally purchase and smoke marijuana in public. I learned how to roll a perfect joint here and even had an opportunity to try chocolate cannabis ice cream!
The Heineken Experience was also a blast; they show you how they make their beer and you get to taste some fresh out of the tap, as well as learn how to pour it yourself! By the end of the tour, you’ll be happier than you were when you walked in (which is pretty difficult to imagine considering you’re already in Amsterdam). I did find it interesting to learn that the rules on public consumption of alcohol seem to be more strict than that of marijuana.
Oh and holy moly, the Red Light District was nothing quite like I could have anticipated– I didn’t realize how massive and crowded this place would be. It was certainly a culture shock. We only walked by a couple windows before turning around, but it was crazy to see how acceptable prostitution is. To my knowledge you cannot photograph or videotape the ladies in the windows, and if they notice you are doing so, they will remove themself from view.
Please eat the fries. They are done so well. They come with a sauce of your choice, except there are SO MANY to choose from. The sauces with mayo are the most popular, but the peanut sauce they offered was mouthwatering. I’m obsessed. I’m also too basic for all the sauces and ended up just getting ketchup. Ha.
A piece of my heart will always be in Amsterdam. It’s such a beautiful city with a unique culture.
For those who have visited, what was your favorite part? Did I miss anything? And if you haven’t had the chance to go yet, what are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments.
Happy traveling!
(this post was last edited and updated on February 11, 2024)
Laura the explora: the blog 
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