Three years ago today I was traveling to the incredible city of Amsterdam. If you’re anything like me, you’ll think Amsterdam feels like a different universe. It’s simultaneously wild and civilized; it’s both lively and still; it’s beautiful and messy; iIt’s historical and modern. It’s also massive and will make you feel incredibly small while standing under the enormous buildings and the magnificent sky, fully exposed. Honestly, Amsterdam kind of made me dizzy (and I never even smoked anything). It’s absolutely magical and completely exceeded my expectations for my first trip to the continent while studying abroad in the UK. If you’re planning a trip Amsterdam, consider this travel guide before you go.
When to go to Amsterdam
April-May
Honestly, I would say you can travel to Amsterdam any time when the weather is nice and you’re not in a pandemic. I went with a group of friends during the first week in March. We had an amazing time and had plenty to do, but if I did it again I would wait until the end of the month. I only say this because many universities were on spring break when we went, so there were more tourists around than we had expected (though tourists will always be around). We also went a couple weeks too early and missed the tulips. If you want to travel to nearby tulip fields or see Amsterdam full of tulips, you would be more successful going in April or May, or perhaps even during the last couple weeks in March.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Hostels
It’s entirely possible to find nice and safe hostels while traveling, and I especially recommend them if you’re only paying for one bed. I went with four other people, so we each paid for a bed in a six-bed female dorm at Stayokay Amsterdam Oost (booked through Hostel World). If you reserve a bed closer to your date of visiting, the price could be as little as $20 per night, but I believe we paid around $30 for two nights. This left one bunk remaining, which could have been filled or left empty during our stay. A university student visiting from Australia ended up bunking with us.
This is one of the reasons I actually really enjoyed staying in hostels while traveling around Europe — you never know who you’re going to meet. Every time I stayed in a hostel, I found that the people bunking with me were usually in a similar stage of life or had similar ambitions, which made the experience less frightening. Don’t be naive and careless, but also don’t be too scared to talk to strangers, especially when sharing a room with them.
The Stayokay was wonderful and I honestly didn’t have any issues with it. Our room was a good size and clean, with a nice loft area and fun designs on the walls. The lobby area was colorful and modern, with a lively cafe and bar, and the staff was incredibly friendly. The location of the hostel was in a fairly quiet neighborhood about fifteen minutes outside the city, which was further than I would have liked, but the trams made it easy to get wherever we needed to go. We later found out there’s another Stayokay in Vondelpark, which is more central to the city.
Airbnbs
I would also recommend looking at airbnb.com if you want to stay somewhere with more privacy, but compare the prices to see which works better for you. Even if you can afford to stay in a nicer hotel, you might enjoy the experience of staying in a hostel or airbnb, so I recommend trying it at least once.
How we got there and how we got around
Budget airlines
If you’re traveling from within Europe, you will benefit greatly from budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet (which are much better than train passes such as the Eurail Pass, which I wrote about more in my Florence post). We were able to get roundtrip tickets from Liverpool to Amsterdam for about $40 each with EasyJet (see pictured: my friend Hannah looking adventurous with her travel essentials). Flights like these are easy to find with providers like Skyscanner, which we used constantly while traveling around Europe.
Instead of paying additional fees for checked bags, we fit everything in our carryons, which also helped us get through security quickly at the airport. Unfortunately, we then waited over an hour on the runway, but the flight itself was quick and smooth after takeoff. When we later landed at the Schiphol Airport, we purchased train tickets and rode the train for twenty minutes from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal, located near the center of the city.
Walking or biking
Amsterdam is a great city for walking. Even if you have to walk a couple miles to get to your destination, there’s usually plenty to look at on the way. I was thankful for the flat terrain and impressed by the condition of the roads and the brick sidewalks, which are also great for biking. It seemed like everyone — I mean everyone — in Amsterdam rode a bike. The city has several rental bike services, with some even providing tours.
Trams
When walking is not an option or you want to get somewhere quickly, the trams are easy to figure out and affordable (just don’t get confused by the Dutch names). Tram passes are available for purchase at GVB service points and vending machines, usually located near the tram stops. At these machines you can choose what kind of pass you want, and each has a different price. The day pass is about $10 and works for the entire tram system.
Note: I said the trams are easy to figure out. What I mean is that I relied heavily on Apple and Google Maps to understand which trams to take, where to find them, when they would arrive, and how long it would take to get to our destination. We normally just entered in our location and destination, and then selected the transit option.
This, of course, required the use of cellular data, but if you have access to wifi at your accommodation (or different restaurants and shops), you can look up locations prior to leaving and save a note or screenshot of the details. By the time we traveled to and from our hostel a couple times, it was easy to recognize the Dutch names of different locations and rely less on electronic maps. If this isn’t an option for you or if you still feel completely lost, you can always ask for directions. People are wonderful. I love people.
Uber
Depending on the number in your party and the distance you’re traveling, an Uber might cost more than you’re willing to pay but will perhaps be more convenient than the trams. We took an Uber from our hostel to the Anne Frank House on our first night and it took fifteen minutes. A tram would have taken twice as long, so weigh your options and preferences. (Once, I actually chose to pay £200 for an Uber to London instead of taking a train, but that’s a story for another time.)
What to eat in Amsterdam
Bakers & Roasters
The credit for this one goes to Sidney, who discovered it while we were planning our trip and suggested that we all get brunch on our only full day in Amsterdam. This day happened to land on Fat Tuesday, so we happily committed to an indulgent brunch consisting of pancakes and French toast at Bakers & Roasters. We walked about twenty minutes from our hostel to the restaurant, which was located near the Nemo Science Museum and surrounded by many other cafes and bakeries. The cafe itself was New Zealand and Brazilian inspired, with modern decorations and a comfortable atmosphere.
Although we didn’t eat traditional Dutch food here, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. The menu had a variety of brunch options, but at this point in our semester abroad, many of us were feeling a little homesick (including myself), so I settled for the “American Style Pancake Stack” and enjoyed a taste of home. We were also very impressed with the banana nut bread French toast and beverage selection. One thing that was especially respectable about this cafe was their commitment to the use of ethical and sustainable products, which I didn’t mind paying a little more for.
Proffertjes
If you aren’t feeling homesick for America and are looking for traditional Dutch food, proffertjes are Dutch mini pancakes. Many say they resemble French beignets and American pancakes.
Stroopwafels
Sold at many bakeries, cafes, and dessert shops, these caramel waffle sandwiches are a classic Dutch treat that can be topped with a variety of sweets and are very affordable.
Fries
My only exposure to these thick-cut crispy Dutch fries (also called patat or frites) was at the Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafe on our first night in the city. (The decision to go to Hard Rock was also heavily influenced by the homesickness.) The city, however, has many other shops that make fries and offer different condiments to pair them with.
Cheese
You had to have seen this one coming. It’s Amsterdam. You can find cheese shops and companies scattered throughout the city as you explore and shop for souvenirs. I won’t say this is a requirement when you travel to Amsterdam because I never actually purchased a cheese sample and still deeply cherished my experience in the city, but if you love cheese then perhaps it will heighten the experience for you. 🙂
What to do in Amsterdam
Tour the Anne Frank House
Please don’t go to Amsterdam without trying to reserve tickets to see the home where Anne Frank hid with her family during WWII. Walking through the Anne Frank House was an incredibly intense experience, which was to be expected, and yet it was also a beautiful way to honor and learn about the people who lived there and about the horrifying experiences they endured. For this reason, I’m not sure that I would recommend this as the first item on your daily itinerary unless you can avoid rushing through it. My friends and I were able to go just after 5pm, which meant we only had dinner to follow it with, though I can’t promise you’ll have an appetite immediately after leaving.
To purchase tickets, you can visit the website annefrank.org. When I went with my friends, we paid €50 for 5 tickets, but the last time I checked, tickets were €14 per adult. At the time of our trip, they released 80% of tickets to be purchased two months prior to the date of visiting, and the other 20% of tickets would be released for purchase the morning of your visit. Because we didn’t start planning this trip until a couple weeks before taking it, we were fortunately able to purchase some the morning we left before heading to the airport. This system has possibly changed, so check the website to make sure you’re able to reserve tickets. You can also see their opening dates and hours of operation, though this is subject to change depending on the time of year.
Go to the Royal Palace of Amsterdam
After our first night in Amsterdam, we stopped for brunch and walked to the city center where the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) was located. The palace itself was very impressive from the outside, and there were several souvenir shops and cafes conveniently placed around it. If we had had more time, we might have paid €10 to go inside the palace, but we were content to simply explore and shop before catching a tram to the Van Gogh Museum. We were told this is also a great place to go when the tulips are in bloom.
Go to the Van Gogh Museum
My favorite part. I certainly didn’t have enough appreciation for this artist prior to visiting this museum. You may know almost nothing about Van Gogh, but if art means anything to you this needs to be one of the items on your Amsterdam itinerary. Although my knowledge of great artists and their art is fairly limited, this didn’t stop me from quickly becoming enthralled by Van Gogh’s work. The museum was successful in honoring his life and work while providing sources with which you could educate yourself. Paid tours were also available, though I preferred to admire each piece at my own pace.
I’m not embarrassed to admit I was overwhelmed when standing in the presence of Van Gogh’s work. You won’t find The Starry Night here because it’s located at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, but you will see pieces like The Potato Eaters (1885), The Bedroom (1888), The Sower (1888), Sunflowers (1889), Almond Blossoms (1890), several of his famous self-portraits, and more. We also saw pieces by other artists like Claude Monet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Camille Pissarro, Paul Signac, Edvard Munch, and many more. In one afternoon, I came to appreciate art history more than I did in an entire semester of high school. I especially appreciated the way they used Van Gogh’s story to draw attention to mental illness and encourage seeking help.
My friends and I were able to purchase a bundle through GetYourGuide.com which provided tickets for a canal tour, in addition to our Van Gogh Museum tickets. The pass was $40 and the experience was well worth it. Our bundle provider also has a variety of other offers to explore if you are planning a trip, whether in Amsterdam or beyond.
Explore the Museumplein
The Van Gogh Museum is located in a public square with other art museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. If you have more time, you can purchase a museum pass that gives you access to multiple museums, or you can simply stroll around the square and browse additional souvenir carts while listening to street performers. The museums are fairly affordable and incredibly easy to spend several hours walking through.
You may also find the “I Amsterdam” letters there. Amsterdam places these letters in various locations around the city, so it may be necessary to figure out where they are located prior to your arrival in this extraordinary city if you want to get a picture.
Explore the Floating Flower Market
Floating in the canals of Amsterdam just a short 15-minute walk from the Museumplein is a beautiful flower market called Bloemenmarkt. After our visit to the Van Gogh Museum we took a tram to this lovely little market and admired the flowers for sale in each stall. Even though we were too early for the tulips, it was nice to see other colorful blooms that Amsterdam takes pride in.
Go on a canal tour
This was the final activity on my itinerary for the day and the second part of the pre-purchased bundle we bought from GetYourGuide. Exploring Amsterdam from this point of view was extremely nice after walking around all day. We were able to sit and absorb more knowledge about the city as we cut through the canals and crossed under bridge after bridge. No matter where you go, boat and bus tours are a really easy way to see and learn about the city you’re visiting, without actually having to move. I personally found it to be the best way to end a day of exerting energy.
Explore the parks
Amsterdam has several parks open to the public and perfect for moments when both locals and visitors become tired of the busy energy in the city. Vondelpark, for example, is a ten-minute walk from the Museumplein. Within the park there are pubs, playgrounds, and even an outdoor theater. Some other parks to explore in Amsterdam include Sarphatipark, Beatrixpark, Erasmuspark, Westerpark, and Rembrandtpark. Amsterdam is also home to the Artis Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Europe.
Ride a bike
This is yet another thing I didn’t do but wish I did. In all honesty, I was kind of scared to go cycling in Amsterdam (which will hopefully make more sense as you keep reading). As I stated, there are several biking rental services located throughout. You can join one of the many cycling tours offered or simply rent a bike to travel from place to place.
What not to do in Amsterdam
Walk in the bike lane
It might seem strange that I’m mentioning this but it was a real concern of mine. Though somewhat entertaining, I almost got hit by a bike more than once because I mistook the bike lane for a sidewalk. Let me be clear: the bike lane is not a sidewalk. There are traffic intersections specifically built for cyclists. It’s amazing and terrifying at the same time — another paradox I attribute to Amsterdam.
Walk 45 minutes from the train station to the hostel
We were ambitious and tight on money. Poor students with ambition can do really dumb things, and this was one of them. The walk itself would have been better if we had taken a route through the city, but we ended up staying on the edge and were completely exposed to the wind as a result. By the time we reached our hostel, it felt like we had just completed a trek across Europe as vagabonds. This experience made me seriously question why people ever backpack across the continent. Even if you have time and enjoy walking, save your energy (and save yourself from scheduling an appointment with the chiropractor) and use public transportation for traveling longer distances.
Mistake a coffee shop for a cafe
Coffee shops are for cannabis. Cafes are for coffee. I never found myself in a coffee shop while in Amsterdam, but it wasn’t hard to know where these coffee shops were located as the smell gave them away. If you now think Amsterdam is a city that smells of weed everywhere you go, then I’ve completely misinformed you. The city was very clean and had all the unique smells that come with city life, in addition to the occasional scent of weed.
What to budget
In total, I did not spend more than $300 on this trip. This included the cost of my flight, accommodation, transportation, meals, attractions, and souvenirs purchased in three days, though I easily could have spent more. It certainly helped that I was already in Europe and found an affordable flight, and that we only ate a couple full meals each day.
Bottom line: Amsterdam is out of this world. There‘s no place like it. If you’re going to Europe, go to Amsterdam. You won’t be bored.