The bike capital of the world, the city known for the Red Light District and special "coffee shops," a city that many know and love - Amsterdam is a great place to travel and one of my favorites. I visited in both 2017 and 2019 and don't think I could ever get sick of this place. It's so unique, holds a lot of beauty, and has many hidden treasures for all foodies, history lovers, and more.
All recommendations beginning with an *asterisks are the ones that I recommend the most.
Accommodation:
All of the below accommodations are hostels. I really enjoyed staying in them and would recommend them all.
Food:
Van Wonderen Stroopwafels: A small beautiful bakery full of delicious stroopwafels - the dessert of Amsterdam. You can get various sweet fillings and candy toppings, and honestly... you really can't go wrong.
Avocado Show: Everything on the menu incorporates avocado into the ingredients. The food really wasn't very good but the entire restaurant, including the food, is beautiful.
*Amsterdam Cheese Shops: Okay, one of my absolute favorite things about Amsterdam is all of the cheese shops. You walk in and are immediately surrounded by many samples of free cheese - many of which are very unique. It's so much fun and extremely tasty, even if you don't plan on buying any! Two of my favorites are Old Amsterdam Cheese Store & Henri Willig Cheese Store.
Pancakes Amsterdam: Various "pancakes" but not in the American sense - more like a crepe. So many combinations of yumminess!
*Blushing: One of my favorite brunch spots in Europe, I go every time I visit Amsterdam. Not only is is delicious, but it is a picture perfect restaurant as well. Really just 10/10 overall and in a prime location.
BLOND: A very pink boutique that also has food. Loved the aesthetic as it has a giant flower wall!
Activities:
Bike Rentals: Can you really pass up riding a bike in the bike capital of the world? They take this title VERY seriously, and I'm not kidding when I say that you will get run over by a bike if you are not paying attention - you will literally see hundreds in a day. Bike through the city and the surrounding parks, it's all stunning.
"Fault in Our Stars" bench: The famous bench where the main characters in the movie "The Fault in Our Stars" was filmed. Rumor has it that the original bench was stolen, but a replica is currently in it's place.
Dam Square: The main square in Amsterdam & the center of many events, shopping, and restaurants. You can't miss it, and you won't want to either!
*Red Light District: Probably the most famous street in all of Amsterdam, let alone the Netherlands. The Red Light district is very hard to miss, as it is filled with bright red lights. This street is full of
women working in prostitution, and they will come out and yell at you if you attempt to take their photo. A very interesting, unique, and cool street full of food, entertainment & "coffee shops."
"Coffee Shops": In the Netherlands, this term is used to describe non-coffee shops where weed, hash, and marijuana are sold. There are many places to choose from, but The Bulldog is the most well-known as it was the first.
Museums/Tours:
*Anne Frank House: Anne Franks real house from when she hid during the Holocaust. Seriously one of the coolest places I have ever visited, rich in history and emotion. Highly recommend getting tickets (online) in advance as it is always sold out.
Moco Museum: A very popular modern and contemporary art museum. Very beautiful work, perfect for a relaxing afternoon!
Van Gough Museum: Another very popular museum, and again for good reason. Also has a great gift shop full of his work. You won't be disappointed.
*Red Light Secrets - Museum of Prostitution: Honestly - this is one of my favorite museums I have ever been to - and it's located right in the heart of the Red Light District. This is extremely interesting and gives you the history of prostitution and the Red Light District. You really do learn so much, I couldn't recommend it enough.
Boat Ride: Who wouldn't want to spend a day, or evening, floating down the canals of Amsterdam? Relaxing, scenic, and picture perfect.
*Heineken Experience Tour: A tour you absolutely have to do when in Amsterdam. Coming from someone who doesn't even like beer, I really enjoyed this as there is a lot to learn and many activities throughout the self-guided tour. It even ends with a few free beers and an awesome gift shop. Buy tickets online, as the line to purchase in person is always very long.
Walking Tour: I always recommend to sign up for a free walking tour whenever you visit a new city - there are plenty of tours to choose from! I have seen ranges from 20 to 120 minutes, so you can choose what best fits your schedule. You truly see so much of the city and learn things you wouldn't otherwise know about the area. I also found other various tours that look interesting.
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