Amsterdam is a city that captivates with its historical buildings, canals that weave through the city like a web and connect each neighborhood, culture, museums, and nightlife. As you wander among the old houses and canals of the city, you won’t notice how time flies. Here is the Amsterdam Travel Guide!
Amsterdam Travel Guide
In this article, we covered transportation in Amsterdam, places to visit in Amsterdam, eating and drinking in Amsterdam, and accommodation in Amsterdam.
Transportation in Amsterdam
The best way to get around the city in Amsterdam is by bicycle. Because elevation in the city is very low, which makes cycling very enjoyable. When we visited, the weather was very cold, so we didn’t choose to bike, but if we visit in the summer again, we will definitely rent bikes.
There are some challenges with the widespread use of bicycles. Walking on the street as a pedestrian is quite difficult; due to bicycle traffic, you have to be constantly alert because cyclists don’t pay much attention to pedestrians.
Places to See in Amsterdam
If, like us, you are going to Amsterdam for a short time, we shared our three-day itinerary for inspiration.
Bloemenmarkt
If you visit Amsterdam, you should definitely visit the flower market. The flower shops lined up along the Singel Canal are filled with colorful flowers. Since the Netherlands is famous for its tulips, you can find different varieties of tulip bulbs and tulips at the flower market. You can even buy tulip bulbs as a gift for yourself or your loved ones. A package of 25 tulip bulbs costs only 8.5 Euros.
Google Maps: Bloemenmarkt
Waterlooplein
Waterlooplein is Amsterdam’s oldest and most famous flea market. At this flea market, where you can find many products, there are antiques, clothes, bicycles, artworks, books, souvenirs, and second-hand items. Prices seemed a bit more affordable compared to flea markets in Stuttgart. The market has been active since 1885 and nowadays attracts many flea market enthusiasts with around 300 stands and it is open every day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM except Sunday.
Google Maps: Waterlooplein
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum is a magnificent museum with a wide art collection where you can see works by Dutch painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh.
Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” is one of the must-see masterpieces in the museum with all its splendor. Rembrandt’s style to use of light creates incredible realism and dimension in the painting. It’s impossible not to be amazed!
Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” is another interesting piece with its captivating composition.
Additionally, you can see some of Van Gogh’s self-portraits, one of my favorite painters, in this museum.
We recommend to buy tickets online and in advance to avoid long queues. The entrance fee for adults is 22.5 Euros.
Google Maps: Rijksmuseum
Koningsplein
Meaning King’s Square, Koningsplein is a square known for its historical buildings, canals, surrounding restaurants, and popular shopping streets.
Google Maps: Koningsplein
Anne Frank Huis
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who hid in a secret room at the back of a building in Amsterdam during the Nazi Holocaust. During her two years in hiding, she wrote a diary describing her experiences, fears, and hopes during the war. Unfortunately, she was eventually found by the Nazis, sent to a concentration camp, and died there from a typhus epidemic. Her diary was translated into many languages and reached many people after her death. In 1960, the house where she lived was turned into a museum.
Google Maps: Anne Frank Huis
Begijnhof
Begijnhof consists of a courtyard from the 14th century and the surrounding houses. These houses, inhabited by women with a religious life, reflect typical Amsterdam architecture.
Google Maps: Begijnhof
Van Gogh Museum
In this museum, you can see Van Gogh’s famous works up close, such as “Sunflowers,” “Almond Blossom,” “Bedroom,” and his self-portraits.
Google Maps: Van Gogh Museum
Oude Kerk
Oude Kerk is a church known for its Gothic style and stained glass. Although it was initially built of wood, it was later expanded with stones. Contemporary art pieces are exhibited here today. The entrance fee for adults is 13.5 Euros. However, we preferred to see this building only from the outside.
Google Maps: Oude Kerk
Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam
Located in the central Dam Square, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a magnificent structure. Initially used as a city hall, it is now a venue for royal receptions and state ceremonies.
Google Maps: Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam
Red Light District
Red Light District is a famous area in central Amsterdam known for its nightlife, bars, coffee shops, and sex work. Also known as De Wallen, this area has existed since the Middle Ages.
Google Maps: Red Light District
Eat & Drink in Amsterdam: Amsterdam Travel Guide
Amsterdam offers a wide range of international cuisine. There are so many great restaurants that you might find it difficult to choose. Since many tourists visit Amsterdam, it’s very hard to find a spot in good restaurants without a reservation, so making reservations as soon as you plan your trip is a good idea.
The Seafood Bar
The Seafood Bar is a restaurant that offers incredibly delicious seafood. We can say this restaurant is our favorite in Amsterdam. The shrimp and sea bream were very tasty, definitely our number one restaurant in our Amsterdam Travel Guide!
Reservations at this restaurant are often booked in advance, so you can only find a spot spontaneously if you’re lucky. We decided to visit Amsterdam spontaneously and luckily made an online reservation while on the way.
Google Maps: The Seafood Bar
Portugalia Tasca
Portugalia Tasca is a restaurant offering delicious Portuguese cuisine in tapas-sized portions. The restaurant has a warm atmosphere and offers many different dishes.
Google Maps: Portugalia Tasca
Foodhallen
Foodhallen is an indoor area with small shops offering a wide variety of international cuisines. They offer so many options that you will definitely find a meal to suit your taste and budget. You can choose your food from the stalls and eat it at the shared tables in the middle. The only problem with Foodhallen is the ventilation, in our opinion. After sitting here, you will inevitably smell like food.
Google Maps: Foodhallen
Winkel 43
Winkel 43 is a very sweet café famous for its apple pies. There is an unexpectedly long line during the day. So, we think it’s worth going early. The apple pie is really as good as its reputation.
Google Maps: Winkel 43
The Pantry
The Pantry is a very cute restaurant that serves Dutch cuisine. This restaurant is quite famous and has a small space, so you definitely need to make a reservation.
Google Maps: The Pantry
Moeders
Moeders is also a restaurant that serves Dutch cuisine. Although it doesn’t have as many reviews as The Pantry, you can visit this restaurant.
Google Maps: Moeders
Bakers & Roasters
Bakers & Roasters is a modern and cozy café offering delicious brunch options, homemade pastries, specialty coffees, cocktails, and cold drinks. This restaurant, opened by a young Brazilian and New Zealander couple to offer their favorite dishes, delicious street food, and exquisite coffees, is a must-visit for breakfast or brunch.
Google Maps: Bakers & Roasters
Barney’s Coffeeshop
You shouldn’t think of coffeeshops in Amsterdam as ordinary cafes. In Amsterdam, marijuana sales and use are legal in these coffeeshops. Barney’s Coffeeshop is one of many places in Amsterdam where you can buy marijuana. They sell space cakes as well as different types of marijuana focused on various sensations. If you want to experience something like this, we can say they’re quite successful. The only problem is there aren’t many places to sit. Our advice is to buy what you want to try from here and try it at your accommodation.
Google Maps: Barney’s Coffeeshop
Green House Centrum Coffeeshop
Green House Centrum is another famous coffeeshop. Due to limited time, we didn’t have the opportunity to visit this place. But if you have time, you can add it to your list. It has many tables inside, as it is spacious.
Google Maps: Green House Centrum
House of Bols Cocktail Experience
This place offers cocktail workshops. You can also spend time here drinking cocktails. They offer many different varieties. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to visit this place, but if you have time after visiting the Van Gogh Museum, you can go.
Google Maps: House of Bols Cocktail Experience
Van Stapele Koekmakerij
Van Stapele Koekmakerij is a shop famous for its chocolate cookies. If you like cookies, we recommend trying them. The cookies are very delicious when warm.
Google Maps: Van Stapele Koekmakerij
Shopping in Amsterdam
Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat are two of Amsterdam’s most popular shopping streets. Additionally, Koningsplein is surrounded by various shops and boutiques for shopping enthusiasts.
Accommodation in Amsterdam
Did you know that you can camp in Amsterdam? We chose Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam, located on an island a bit outside the city. This campsite has a small kitchen, showers, toilets, and coin-operated washing machines. We were quite satisfied with its cleanliness and facilities. Since we went in January, which is off-season, we stayed very affordably. Additionally, it is easy to reach the city center from this campsite by metro.
Google Maps: Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam
This concludes our Amsterdam Travel Guide: Places to See in Amsterdam!
We wish you a pleasant travel! ☺️
Also read: A Complete Hamburg Travel Guide: Top Places in Hamburg, How to Spend 4 Days in Paris in Winter, Best Places in The Black Forest.
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