For as long as I remember, I’ve wanted to visit Amsterdam. Looking at photos of the city, I was just enamored with the narrow buildings, canals, and free spirit of the city. I finally got the chance to visit last month, and all of my expectations were fully met. While Amsterdam does have a reputation for kind of seedy things, I think it has a lot to offer in other ways too! So here’s my guide on how to spend a weekend in Amsterdam!
Currency: Euro
Language: The official languages are Dutch, Frisian, Papiamento, and Yiddish, but English is so widely spoken that there were never any language issues.
When to Visit: Amsterdam is lovely at any time of year, but I think the best time to visit is during March-May, when the tulips bloom.
Water: The tap water is potable and fully drinkable
Getting Around: The city is pretty walkable, but for longer distances, take the tram (an above ground subway) or rent a bike! Tram passes can be bought on the tram cars themselves as a 1-hour pass or a 24-hour pass. Bikes are available all over the city and bikes are a huge part of Dutch culture, so highly recommend this!
Anne Frank Museum – This place is a must visit when you come to Amsterdam. Anne Frank’s diary about her time in hiding during the Holocaust was published and became a worldwide sensation. The place where she and her family hid is where the museum is now. It is a really sobering experience, and not a place for pictures or fun, but it definitely worth the experience. Tickets sell out extremely quickly so buy them a month in advance!
Hortus Botanicus – If the weather isn’t great outside, consider a visit to Hortus Botanicus, a gorgeous indoor botanical garden. It’s also one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world!
Van Gogh Museum – The famous artist of Starry Night grew up in the Netherlands, so explore his life in a museum in Amsterdam! From his humble beginnings, to his sad end, you can see his entire artistic process.
Rijksmuseum – One of the most famous museums in Amsterdam, and the biggest, Rijksmuseum has Rembrandts, Vermeers and 7500 other masterpieces over a huge space! Another must visit in Amsterdam.
Red light district – Amsterdam is infamous for the Red Light district. Funnily, we accidentally stumbled upon this district one night, surprised to find that the entire area was literally red from neon lights! I think it’s worth a visit, but if it’s not your thing, then skip it.
Vondelpark – The biggest public park in Amsterdam, Vondelpark is a great place to escape the city for a bit and enjoy nature.
A’DAM Lookout – This is where you’ll find the best view of the city for sure! It costs a bit for a ticket, but swinging over the edge of a building while enjoying an amazing view of Amsterdam is priceless.
Bloemenmarkt – Have you ever been to a floating flower market? That’s what Bloemenmarkt is. It’s a gorgeous place to browse, take pictures, and smell the flowers.
Visit a Coffeeshop – This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re interested, a coffeeshop in Amsterdam doesn’t sell coffee, but marijuana. Some quick tips are to bring cash with you (they often don’t take card) and any joint that doesn’t say ‘pure’ next to it is rolled with tobacco.
Cruise through the canals – Although pictured above, I do not recommend Lover’s Cruises for your Amsterdam cruising experience. Instead, if you can, I highly recommend booking a cruise through a local on Airbnb experiences. That way you can see the canals from a new perspective with a local guide.
Explore the De Pijp and Jordaan neighborhoods – These are the two prettiest neighborhoods in Amsterdam, and it’s worth your while to just wander around the streets, enjoying the ambiance and snapping photos.
Go Shopping in the 9 Streets – The best shopping area of Amsterdam, it’s always lively and full of fun goodies to buy!
Stroopwafel – Unlike a traditional Belgian waffle, Stroopwafel is a really thin and crispy waffle with a layer of caramel in the middle. It’s absolutely delicious!
Poffertjes – The best way to describe these are mini fluffy pancakes. Instead of filling a whole plate with just 2 or 3, poffertjes are served 15-20 per plate.
Bitterballen – Delicious, deep fried crispy meatballs traditionally served with mustard for dipping – they’re the ultimate in Dutch pub snacks. They’re quite sticky and gooey in the middle and seem to be an acquired taste. Still, they’re worth trying!
Frites (Fries) – Being so close to Belgium, where french fries were invented, Amsterdam has some amazing fries.
Indonesian Food – Interestingly, Indonesian food is really big in Amsterdam, so try some Mi Goreng!
The Avocado Show – If you’re an avocado lover, this is definitely the spot for you! This restaurant is dedicated to avocado everything, and the decor is super cute too! However, this spot is insanely popular as well and doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait quite a while.
Pluk – A store and restaurant, this spot (pictured on the left) is super cute! There’s a bakery & shop up front, and a restaurant in the loft. This spot is also incredibly popular and is always full, so be prepared to wait (although there are two locations!)
Corner Bakery – With four different locations all around Amsterdam, Corner Bakery offers all sorts of brunch options to satisfy any palate. As a bonus, most of their dishes are extremely aesthetically-pleasing as well!
Pancakes! – A popular chain in Amsterdam, this place sells exactly what it advertises – pancakes! They sell Dutch pancakes (which, for Americans, are more like crepes), American fluffy pancakes, and poffertjes.
Foodhallen – This food market offers almost every type of cuisine you could be craving. From Dutch, to Chinese dim sum, to Mexican, you’re sure to find at least five different stalls that you like!
Blue Amsterdam – This is the best spot for food with a view! Open for all day brunch until around 6PM, this is the ideal midday lunch spot.
Mama Kelly – The trendiest restaurant in Amsterdam, Mama Kelly is an all pink wonder. Reminiscent of Pietro Nolita in NYC, the pink decor and gold accents are a great compliment to delicious food! Just note that this restaurant is far out of the center of Amsterdam, and therefore takes a while to get there.
Long Pura – If you’ve been looking for a place to try good Indonesian food, look no further than Long Pura!
Sticky Fingers – If you’re looking for a quick bite, Sticky Fingers is the cutest option! Selling all sorts of different pastries and sandwiches, they’re sure to satisfy your hunger!
Vleminckx – Hungry for fries? This hole-in-the-wall spot has a massive cult following, and that’s how you know it’s good.
Van Wonderen Stroopwafel – This is the best and most famous place to get stroopwafel in Amsterdam, and if you’re going to try it for the first time, you must get it from here. Not only do they sell plain stroopwafel, but they also usually sell it with melted chocolate and toppings.
Skylounge Amsterdam – Not so much a snack spot, but this is a best place for drinks with a view! Come here at sunset for the best ambiance, but be prepared to pay a premium for the view.
If you want to have a good night out in Amsterdam, without the sleaziness of the Red Light District, check out these nightclubs. NOTE: Don’t expect the clubs to be lively any time before 2 AM.
Jimmy Woo – A two-story nightclub with an Asian style bar. It has international appeal, visiting celebrities have often been seen here. They normally play hip hop music.
Escape – All sorts of music, huge venue, live dancers. In my opinion, this is the most fun nightclub in Amsterdam
Chicago Social Club – Intimate, 2-story club for house, hip-hop & techno nights, plus a cool cocktail bar.
AIR Amsterdam – Consisting of three separate music areas, AIR Amsterdam is one of the most famous clubs in Amsterdam. They play EDM and House music or RnB depending on the night.
Shelter – If you’re into techno music, this is the post for you. Located in the basement of the aforementioned A’DAM tower, this nightclub is for all types of people.
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