Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands…this city has been on my radar for over two years! It is a beautiful multi-cultural city within a beautiful, historically-rich country. So being in Europe for summer 2019, I KNEW that I had to see it! And let me tell you babe, I was NOT disappointed! Art, shopping, culture, history, entertainment…Amsterdam has it all and more!
Famously known as the “Venice of the North” because of the number of canals that lace through the city, it fed every single one of my history-junkie cravings. Not only has it given the world beautiful tulip gardens, Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Anne Frank, and more; it is also the land of windmills, bicycles, cannabis, the Red Light District, and mouth-watering Dutch snacks like croquettes, poffertjes and frikandel (YUM!).
We (my travel buddy sister and I) knew that the best time to visit Amsterdam was in June / July – when the city would be at its highest calibre of perfection in the warmth of summer, so that’s what we did!
Girl, if Amsterdam is on your bucketlist, you’re going to want to keep on reading so you know exactly what to do, and where to go when you get there – completely free of the confusion and overwhelm other first timers who don’t do their research will for sure fall victim to.
P.S. Before we dive in, don’t forget to grab your FREE “Globetrotter Girlie” Travel-Packing Checklist – a handy dandy tool to get you perfectly prepped for your next adventure!
Also, beware! Make sure you get comfy, grab a bag of popcorn or some chips, and your fave beverage to sip on, because this is a LONG one! Hope you enjoy this travel diary of my experiences in amazing Amsterdam, and that it inspires you to visit. Much love beauty!
Below you’ll find my very honest account of 4 amazing days spent in the enchanting city of Amsterdam.
Do enjoy my lovely!
First of all, if you’re anything like me, I’m sure you may be wondering where on earth should you even stay and when is the perfect time for you to visit Amsterdam so that your itinerary is filled with exactly what you want to do.
Fear not my child!
I’ve got all the details right here for you, based on my own experience of staying in 3 separate locations with varying price points, and of course, extensive research.
It’s all neatly laid out for you in bullet points so you can easily grasp the info and ideas you need then move swiftly along – we gots no time to waste here baby!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a small amount of compensation for my book addiction, at no cost to you. I only write about what I am passionate about and have personally used or experienced in my own life so that I can add maximum value to yours!
THE PERFECT TIME
Which time of the year is most suitable to your taste, budget and travel goals?
May to August: Warm weather; more tourists (high season)
March to April / September to October: Moderate weather; a reasonable amount of tourists
November to February: Cold weather; fewer tourists (low season)
Whichever you choose, that would be the perfect time for you to go.
THE PERFECT LOCATION
The very first place we stayed at in Amsterdam was:
CitizenM Amsterdam South Hotel.
Address: Prinses Irenestraat 30, 1077 WX, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Staying here was so amazing! This is what we thought about it…
- Multi-national staff
- Extremely modern and technologically advanced
- Excellent location for transportation links into the city and to the airport (Amsterdam Zuid Train Station is just a 6 minute walk away)
- Amazingly friendly and helpful staff
- Feel like you’re a part of a family
- Rooms and hotel in general feels homey, intimate and close-knit
- Delicious food + drinks
- Work areas are perfect for anyone, from working professionals on business trips to visiting students
- You get your money’s worth in location, accommodation and service (definitely worth the price)
Luckily, there is more than one CitizenM hotel in Amsterdam so you can explore other options. However, at this one it was explicitly clear that their ideal target clientele are tech-savvy, millennial professionals, entrepreneurs, or big budgeters.
We were none of the above (ha!), but after seeing a CitizenM hotel in London we did our research and were so impressed by what we found that we knew we wanted to give ourselves the opportunity to experience a stay in one. Just know that we only allowed ourselves to splurge on a stay for 3 days (more than that would have been naughty for our bank accounts). If you’re curious about experiencing and unforgettable stay at this great great hotel, you can book here.
Hotel Casa Amsterdam
Address: Eerste Ringdijkstraat 4, 1097 BC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
After CitizenM, we swiftly moved on to Hotel Casa.
This is another good hotel with a strong brand, but coming from CitizenM, we naturally felt like we downgraded. We missed CitizenM so much for the rest of our stay. But basically, this is what we thought about Hotel Casa…
- A more affordable option to CitizenM Amsterdam South Hotel
- Huge rooms (but coming from CitizenM it felt too big, cold and disconnected for us – preferred the cosiness & homey, warm, sanctuary feeling of CitizenM more)
- Ice machine outside our room (a dreamn come true for my sister who loves ice)
- Close proximity to public transport links (approximately a 6 minute walk to Amstel station)
- 2 minute walk to Amstel River
- Underground car park (a rare gem in Amsterdam for sure!)
- Bike hire is available at hotel
- Staff is generally helpful; great customer service
- A clean, comfortable and visually-attractive hotel
- Lacked its own unique character as it caters to a wide variety of guests – visitors, students, travelling business people and locals
- Nothing special caught our attention
- Felt like your everyday, standard family-friendly hotel
But please, don’t just take my word for it. If you like what you see, you can book here.
The Student Hotel Amsterdam West
Address: Jan van Galenstraat 335, 1061 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
And lastly, the Student Hotel. Targeted toward visiting students, but a great, affordable stay for anyone. Overall, I believe that this one has to be my favourite place to stay!
This is what I discovered…
- Specifically created and designed for students
- Perfect for students, working travellers, digital nomads, millennial business professionals or anyone who needs to be productive whilst away (study rooms, libraries, desks, and work areas are available)
- Décor is hip, funky, stylish, instagrammable, and millennial-friendly
- The most affordable location of all 3 experiences
- 24/7 free gym
- Dorm-style rooms
- Multilingual, young, very friendly staff in their early to mid-20s
- Great food!
- Most excellent location for public transport into the city (literally outside the doors)
If you like what you see and wish to stay at this winner, you can book here.
If none of these options are what you’re looking for, don’t worry love, I found this really great blog post on the best hotels in Amsterdam for all budgets. Find it here girl.
This post can give you a great head-start on finding the place and space that best serves you and your needs.
Now onto the fun stuff!
RELATED READ: The Top 9 Most Instagrammable, Must-See Spots In Amsterdam For The First Time Visitor
WHERE TO GO
Disclaimer…This itinerary works perfectly for early to midday arrivals into Schipol Airport, okay babe? Lehgo!
Day 1: IAmsterdan Sign ǀ DIY Walking Tour of Canals ǀ Dinner
1. IAmsterdam Sign
I had this sign on my “things to see” list for Amsterdam for AGES, and had already mentally prepared to see it in one of my first few days in the city. However, to my immense pleasure and surprise, as soon as my sister and I exited the airport, preparing to book an Uber to CitizenM Amsterdam South, our first hotel stay, we found ourselves face-to-face with an “IAmsterdam Sign”.
Whaattt?!?!
This sign often moves throughout the city, so girlfriend, we thought ourselves so blessed to have our stay begin with this sign. Apparently this one is permanently set right there! So if all others fail, you can always come back to this one. Woo!
I was fully prepared to figure out how to get to CitizenM in the cheapest, fastest way possible (aka good ole public transport), using my favourite travel app, Citymapper, but I’m SO glad I didn’t, or else I’d have missed what Schiphol had waiting for me outside its doors.
To find out the sign’s most current location, besides at the airport, you can do some digging here and here. But you never know in which uncanny places you may find these letters appear around the city.
After taking our first excited pictures with the sign, we were finally ready to exit the airport and head towards CitizenM. After our taxi experience in Copenhagen we were so thankful that Amsterdam had Uber. OMG! Once we figured out how and where to meet our Uber, within 5 minutes we were on the main roads, bursting at the seams in disbelief at actually being in Holland – somewhere we only used to joke and fantasize about going.
I have no idea how long it actually took for us to get to CitizenM South as I was too busy looking out the car window and snapping quick shots at buildings, at Dutch signs, at scenery and cyclists on the go.
But let’s just say that with the heavy traffic it had that day, it may have been 30 minutes before we arrived.
As our friendly driver put our suitcases on the curb, we were over the moon thrilled that our trip finally felt like it was beginning.
THE PERFECT TRANSPORTATION
Let me just slot in here that there are other time and cost-friendly ways of leaving the airport though. As novices we felt most comfortable with Uber as it’s so convenient, reliable, and you know exactly what you’re going to get; but you definitely don’t have to do what we did! Below are a couple of other options.
The train is the quickest way to get from Schiphol Airport into the heart of the city, especially since you don’t have to compete with other forms of transportation as taxis and buses do on the road. On my 2nd trip, this is what I used. You can find the trains departing for the city centre (Amsterdam Centraal Station) from Platforms 1 and 2 of the airport station – found just under the Main Arrivals Hall.
Secondly, you can also hop onto a bus from the airport and head into the city centre. This is the cheapest option and usually takes approximately 30 mins, depending on the time of day and the traffic. The bus depot can be found just outside the main arrivals and departure halls. All you need to do is get a travel card from one of the ticket kiosks (you’ll find them everywhere) and you’re on your way.
The ideal way for most visitors to get around via public transport is with an IAmsterdam City Card. What’s that you might ask? Well it’s a travel card that has the best value for your first visit. Depending on the length of your stay, you can buy it for 120 (125 euros), 96 (115 euros), 72 (105 euros), 48 (85 euros), or just 24 hours (65 euros). Talk about options! With it, you can capitalize on unlimited access to city-wide public transport, visit 70+ museums and attractions, and more! It’s great. If you’re interested in an IAmsterdam City Card, you can find out all the details right here.
Unfortunately we didn’t get our hands on this for the first visit. Instead, at the guidance of one of my Dutch friends, we got a standard OV chip card for our travels. This is what the locals use. So there were no discounts, freebies or benefits for us. Ugh! Next time I’d be sure to get a City Card to maximize my tourist activities in the city. So you’ve been warned, don’t be like me – grab your IAMsterdam City Card as soon as you’re booked!
If, however, you truly do want to live like a local, you should most def rent a bike during your stay, and wiz through the city like a pro!
FUN BIKE FACT I: There are more than 881,000 bikes in Amsterdam – 4x the number of cars!
FUN BIKE FACT II: Approx 57% of Amsterdammers bike daily, even in the winter snow!!!
FUN BIKE FACT III: Approx 35% of all trips taken in Amsterdam are on bike, compared with 22% by car
2. DIY Walking Canal Tour
Once we settled comfortably into our hotel room, we already knew what we wanted to do with the rest of our day. We desperately wanted to venture into the city centre to see with our own two eyes the magnificent canal network that we’ve always seen on postcards, youtube videos, blog posts, Instagram, and Pinterest. So that’s what we did!
Situated 6 minutes’ walk from CitizenM is the Amsterdam Zuid Station where you can get trams and trains into any part of Amsterdam, Holland, or even internationally.
Equipped with our topped-up OV Chipcards, and using our trusty Citymapper app, we followed the GPS into the city and landed at Roku Station – the cleanest train station I’ve ever laid eyes on in my life.
From this base, we walked everywhere.
I am a big fan of walking around in a new city I’ve never been to. I feel that when you bike or bus or take a car, you can miss out on so much, whilst walking makes it so easy to take spontaneous detours and see things you would most likely miss if moving at a faster pace. Slow travel is my jam – even if it means aching legs and feet at the end of the day.
This walk led us toward Ambrug Bridge, and the Prinsengracht, Keizergracht, and Herengracht canals – the main canal network that flows throughout the Dutch city.
From here, we immediately got a feel for the city’s atmosphere. This afternoon of wandering along every single one of the canals is an experience I can never forget.
Imagine, spring has finally transformed into summer. The air is warm, almost to a fault. But there is a slight breeze. To your left and right you’re enclosed by towering, historically built town houses built in a variety of colours from brown to beige. Trees tower above you, lined along the canal’s edge like armed guards protecting precious cargo. The narrow pathway that divides the canal waters and walls from these buildings is wide enough for cars to narrowly squeeze through the streets, for cyclists to speed past, for walking pedestrians who sometimes have to stand on the edges to allow cars to pass, and for casual eateries along the canal who wish to set up outdoor patios for their patrons to enjoy both their food, and the refreshing feeling of summer warmth.
The atmosphere was simply breathtaking. Unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I wanted to lose myself in it. I wanted to belong to it. As a first time visitor I was in awe of Amsterdam’s dynamism, energy and vibrancy.
We walked along the various canals, soaking up the atmosphere, for hours. We took pictures of the canals. We took pictures of ourselves with the canals. We took pictures of our surroundings. We spoke to other visiting tourists.
In a nutshell, we fully immersed ourselves in the city’s vibe from day 1.
And once night fell and we were needing to head back to CitizenM for a full day ahead of us, I already knew that I was ready, wanting and desperate for more.
Key Notes / What I Wish I Knew Before Going
- Make sure to take your first photo on Dutch soil with the IAmsterdam Sign outside of the Schiphol Airport
- Purchase an IAmsterdam City Card for your stay if you wish to enjoy unlimited access to public transport, freebies, discounts, and free entry into museums and other tourist attractions
- Or, be a local and purchase an OV Chip Card for your current and future travels into Holland – ease and convenience.
- Make sure your accommodation has a bike hire or close public transportation links that make travel super easy and confusion-free
Day 2: Museumplein (Van Gogh / Moco / Rijksmuseum) ǀ Leideseplein
1. Museumplein
Address: 1079 RA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Located in the ‘Museumkwartier’ neighbourhood of the Amsterdam-Zuid Borough, Museumplein is like a wonderland for the history and art lover.
Unlike other countries which have their museums scattered around, I absolutely loved that Amsterdam had its own Museum Square. This Campus is so huge (the largest square in Amsterdam actually) that you cannot see every single museum fully in one day, unless you arrive when it opens, budget your time in each one, and plan to leave when the latest-opened museum closes its doors.
On this vast campus you’ll find 5 huge museums guarding its perimeter, each of which will transport you back into a particular place and time. Each with its own unique vibe, architecture, and atmosphere.
In the middle of the square you’d also find a beautiful, large park. When there, you’d find kids having fun, readers with their heads lost in a book, picnickers, lovebirds and people watchers – a great mix of tourists and locals.
As an avid people watcher, I absolutely loved observing these people relax, and live in the present, enjoying their own company or the company of those around them.
Also, I should note that I went to Museumplein on 3 separate occasions (yes, I’m obsessed!). Van Gogh with my sister, the Rijksmuseum with one of my best friends, and Moco Museum as a solo traveller. But for the purposes of this post, I’m putting them all into one because you can easily have an Art & History Day at the Museumplein.
Just make sure to purchase all of your museum tickets in advance to skip the long lines (especially during high season)!
First – The Van Gogh Museum
Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) is one of history’s most iconic painters. Along with other interesting and intellectual exhibitions from other artists, his museum (founded in his honour by his nephew, Vincent Willem van Gogh, in June 1973) depicts his life story and his artistic genius. Here you’ll find his iconic paintings such as the Sunflowers (1889), the Potato Eaters (1885), Self-Portrait with Straw Hat (1887) and the Bedroom (1888). Feast your eyes on his entire collection right here.
We stayed there for approx. 3h but could have easily lived there for the entire day, moving slowly through each floor of art, taking ourselves back into that time, mesmerized by his excellence.
What I loved most about Van Gogh’s art was his sheer resourcefulness and capability in taking self-portraits during a time when he could not pay for models, and photographic cameras were not yet mainstream. Plus, I was stunned by his amazing ability to transform what looks like simple brush strokes in a variety of colours into intricate masterpieces. His infamous “Sunflowers” painting left me in awe. His eye for art is incomparable.
FUN FACT: Did you know that the Van Gogh Museum is home to over 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 750 letters from the Dutch artistic genius?
Second – The Rijksmuseum
Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
This is the national museum of the Netherlands.
With 80 awe-inspiring galleries, the Rijksmuseum showcases over 800 years of the country’s amazing history, along with the paintings and art pieces of famous Dutch artists.
From Vermeer to Rembrandt, you’ll find such a wealth of beautiful art that you won’t know how to pick a favourite.
Time flew at the Rijksmuseum as well, as we slowly observed the Night Watch, and other famous paintings such as “The Threatened Swan”, “Woman Reading a Letter, and my personal fave, “The Milkmaid”. This was a quick, impromptu trip so we managed to squeeze in approximately 2h before closing. However, again, you can easily spend a full day in the Rijksmuseum. To whet your palette, take a look at its masterpieces right here.
But what I loved most about the Rijksmuseum is its outer beauty. It is one of Amsterdam’s most iconic buildings. Its majestic, historic arch and underpass (which is now used for bicycles as of May 2013), were an integral part of the 19th century original design, and is today a hot tourist attraction. It is perhaps one of the main attributes the Rijksmuseum is known for.
Also, under this arch you can always find musicians and performers serenading cyclists and passers-by with their sweet melodic voices or perfect instrumentals, seducing them with their sounds.
Within its walls you will also find a mural in the oldest wing of the museum that goes from floor to ceiling, and depicts the scientific, philosophical, legal, and literary magnitude of Holland during the 19th century.
For history and art junkies, this mural is a MUST SEE!
I could not stop staring at it!
Times like that, I wish time travel existed so that I could see what life was like in Holland during the times of these paintings and murals.
Third – Moco Museum of Modern Art
Address: Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
I had booked this visit to Moco Museum approximately one month before my 2nd trip to Amsterdam. I had seen advertisements about it on YouTube and Billboards whilst in Holland and felt compelled to visit before leaving Europe.
This time, as a solo traveller, I had given myself a full day to explore every single floor and room of this intimate museum.
In it, there was art on every single wall by world-famous artists such as Warhol, Basqiuat, Haring, Kusama, Arsham and more. I swear, the art junkie in you will want to BREAK FREE when you see these iconic works with your own two naked eyes!
But the highlight that everyone wanted to see was Banksy! OMG! The majority of the museum was all about him and his works of art. But if you’re not familiar with Banksy, or you don’t know who he is, let me tell ya!
Banksy is an anonymous British street artist, graffiti master, painter, activist and filmmaker whose artistic provocations can be seen on streets, walls and bridges in cities all around the world. From his 1990s start as a graffiti artist, spraying cans of paint on urban walls around England, his work now commands hundreds of thousands of dollars in British and American auction houses.
I’ve always heard about him, but this was my first time truly coming face to face with multiple pieces of his art and creativity. Look at these bad boys right here! Do any look familiar to you?
What I loved most about experiencing his art and creativity at Moco was his playfulness and poking fun at the world and its social constructs. I also absolutely loved the way he spreads messages of hope and positivity in his art. He is truly in a league of his own.
After a full day of art and history at Museumplein, you do build up a serious appetite though.
There are countless food options around Museumplein, but the best place to go would be nearby Leideseplein to satisfy your stomachs.
2. Leidseplein
Leidseplein is located in the heart of Amsterdam.
It is a buzzing popular square, and prime hot spot for nightlife and tourist fun. In the 17th century it used to be the parking place for farmers’ horses and carts, but today it is overflowing with bars, restaurants, clubs and coffee shops. Here you can find restaurants that are always busy, bars that are always full, street performers entertaining the crowds, and even numerous concerts and shows.
In Leidseplein, our experience consisted of eating at the Hard Rock Café of all places (my sister never ate there and wanted to experience it). However, there are also other popular options that cater to every taste such as Irish pubs, Sushi restaurants, Dutch pancake bakeries, Indonesian restaurants, and so much more.
To us, this was the perfect way to kick back and relax after a long day in Museumplein.
Key Notes / What I Wish I Knew Before Going
- Head to Museumplein ideally within the first hour of its opening so that you can enjoy a full day without feeling rushed.
- Be sure to plan your day at Museumplein before going; by deciding which museums you wish to visit, what time you would get there, how long you’d wish to stay in each one, the highlights you really want to see in each one so you won’t miss them, and finally, booking the tickets online to ensure that you secure your trip.
- During high season, make sure to book your museum tickets at least a month in advance as the museums in Amsterdam are extremely popular with tourists who pre-plan and pre-book their trips into Amsterdam, from around the world, months in advance – so make sure you don’t miss out by being an early bird!
- Beware of the bike lanes all around Museumplein – cyclists literally own the roads, so before you cross any roads, look left, look right, be aware of them and stay out of their way unless you do want to get run over.
- If you’re a solo traveller, asking strangers to take pictures of you will feel uncomfortable if you’re not familiar with it. You will not like it. But to progress in life and grow as a human being, doing the hard things are what we must do. So build up your courage and just tap someone on the shoulder. 9/10 times you will be helped and slowly but surely your discomfort will fade.
RELATED READ: 23 No-Nonsense Ways To Stay Safe As A Solo Female Traveller (Especially If It’s Your First Time)
Day 3: Anne Frank Museum ǀ Pancake Bakery ǀ Rembrandt Square
1. The Anne Frank House
Address: Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands
On day 3, Anne Frank awaits.
I visited the Anne Frank House on my 2nd visit to Amsterdam. The first time, I badly wanted to go with my sister, and had planned to just “show up” on a free day, however, after a short conversation at the Hotel Casa reception desk with another visitor from the US who was also checking in, I realized that the Anne Frank Museum was so popular that you had to book MONTHS in advance!
As a newbie to the country and everything in it, I had absolutely no idea! When I got to our room, I feared the worse as I googled Anne Frank Museum tickets and discovered that he was right! For the rest of my stay there was not a day that was free for my sister and I to go. And this wasn’t even high season yet! So, at the end of June, I booked tickets for early August to ensure that I was able to see this museum before leaving Europe.
I had studied Anne Frank, the Holocaust and WWII during my high school days back in Trinidad, and never in a million years thought that I’d see with my own two eyes the very home she and her family hid in, that I had read and about as a teen. So you would imagine my feelings of utter amazement at the wonderfulness of my life and the Universe’s goodness in that moment when, as a solo traveller, I giddily headed toward the Anne Frank Museum from the Student Hotel which was an easy, direct 30 minute tram ride into central Amsterdam. Feeling like a child, I was overcome with excitement!
The Anne Frank House & Museum, founded in 1957 by her father, Otto, humanizes the atrocity that was the Holocaust. This is where as a little girl, Anne Frank wrote her diary. This is where she and her family were forced to hide during the Nazi invasion of Amsterdam. This is the place where she and her family were torn apart when the Nazis discovered their hideout. This is the place where she wrote about her dreams of becoming a writer. If only she knew that in her death, her dreams would come true.
When there I finally understood why you had to book months in advance to enter these doors. The place was PACKED! I had booked for a late afternoon visit so there was no winding, snake-like line spilling out into the streets as there usually is, so I was lucky that I didn’t have to wait outside in any lines.
Two days later I passed by and saw the most atrocious line outside though – apparently normal queue times can be more than 3hrs so boy was I lucky with the time I chose. However, once I went inside the doors, the entire foyer was filled with young, excited children, their parents, couples, and general visitors like me. “Wow”, I thought. This museum has impacted lived around the globe, just like it did mine.
It only got worse as I actually began my journey throughout the museum. There was hardly any personal space as each small room was filled with at least 10 people following the trail from room to room, striving to understand the life and times of Anne Frank and her family before they were taken by the Nazis.
There was a tense silence as we all looked at the rooms, trying to picture it in real time how it was back then, read the anecdotes on the walls, listened to the automated tour guide in our ears and contained our deep inner sadness for the evil that befell this family in the end.
Everyone was taking pictures of everything, myself included. But the funny thing is that there was barely anything to take pictures of. When the Nazis captured the Van Pel and Frank families, they ransacked the home and took most of everything, leaving their hiding place destitute.
When the museum was being constructed, Otto Frank had the option of returning furniture into the home to give it a feel of ‘realness’ like it was in the past, but he declined. He wanted the home to be just as the Nazis left it. So with only our imaginations, and 3D pictures on the walls can we recreate in our minds images of how each room was decorated up until their capture in 1944.
What remained however, was the bookcase which separated the main part of the building from the hideaway, and was used to help hide the entrance to the families’ hiding place for 2 whole years. Seeing this poignant piece of furniture with my own two eyes really made an impression on me.
My journey throughout the entire museum lasted approximately 2-3h. I really took my time, read every anecdote, documented what I saw, and soaked up my environment. This was one perk of being there alone. There was no one to rush me, and no one else to think about whilst I allowed myself to revel in this very personal dream come true.
This museum is amazing! So thought-provoking! And this is hands-down a MUST SEE when you visit Amsterdam. It was such an emotional but highly enlightening experience. This little 13 year old girl truly changed the world. Through her young eyes we bear witness to the atrocities committed against the Jews during WWII.
You won’t regret it!
FUN FACT: Did you know that the Anne Frank Museum is the 3rd most visited museum in the Netherlands, just behind the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.
The great thing about this museum is that it also ends with an exit onto the Prinsengracht Canal. So after leaving a stuffy, small, crowded house you exit onto the open air and scenery of one of the most beautiful canals in Amsterdam.
Next – Yummy Dutch Pancakes 5 minutes away at the Pancake Bakery!!!
2. The Pancake Bakery
Address: Prinsengracht 191, 1015 DS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Along the Prinsengracht Canal, perhaps a 5 minute walk from the Anne Frank House, on the same side, you’ll find the Pancake Bakery – #1 best place for Dutch pancakes in all of Amsterdam. My sister, the Queen of Finding Cuisines, had found it on our first trip, and we simply fell in love.
Their menu is huge – you are literally spoiled for choice on any kind of pancake you want. Plus, they also serve divine-smelling omelettes, salads, and traditional breakfast dishes as well. But I’m a die-hard fan of the sweet pancake! Banana pancakes and poffertjes all day everyday please!
With just one pancake you can, and most likely will, be stuffed for the rest of the night. The pancakes are as HUGE as the menu.
So there’s no better way to end a perfect day than to take your stuffed stomach and feel good vibes into a coffee house.
3. Smokey Coffee House, Rembrandt Square
Address: Rembrandtplein 24, 1017 CV Amsterdam, Netherlands
After pancakes, head to Rembrandsplein or Rembrandt Square so that you can have a “coffee shop” (read: weed) experience.
As complete novices, my sister and I entered Smokey’s Coffeeshop, purchased the mildest ones and even needed the waitress to light it for us because we had no clue what we were doing. Ha! On that first trip, all we knew was that you could not visit Amsterdam and not experience its coffee shop culture.
All lighted up, and with non-alcoholic drinks in hand, we sat on two stools at the back of the room and, through the smoke-filled room, we kicked back, relaxed our feet, relaxed our minds and mellowed into talking about the fun days we had so far. We were feeling so good!
Sadly, there is only one more full day to go!
After Crosby’s you can head back to your accommodation to crash, high off of the day’s events; especially if you want to maximize your action-packed last day.
Key Notes / What I Wish I Knew Before Going
- Just like Museumplein, you MUST purchase tickets for the Anne Frank Museum at least 1 month in advance to ensure that you’re booked
Day 4: NDSM Wharf (Ferry to Amsterdam North) ǀ Narrow Houses of Damrak ǀ Amsterdam Boat Cruise ǀ Red Light District
For us, on our last day in Amsterdam we literally wanted to cry. Amsterdam is such an amazing, vibrant city. It gave us a great introduction into Holland and Dutch culture. That last day we were determined to return once again, not only to reconnect with Amsterdam, but to see and experience the rest of Holland as well.
But first, we had to finish our last day in this wonderful city.
1. NDSM Wharf (Ferry to Amsterdam North)
Address: NDSM-Plein 28, 1033 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands
On my first trip to Amsterdam, I spontaneously visited the NDSM-Werf (Wharf) with a friend of mine. From Hotel Casa, we headed on a tram toward Amsterdam Central. Just on the other side of Amsterdam Central is the IJ River. This is where we stood and waited for our free ferry toward the NDSM Wharf.
In its glory days, NDSM was world-renowned as Europe’s largest shipyard, however, today Amsterdam’s art community has taken over and completely transformed the area into a rich melting pot of art and culture.
Here you’ll find artist studios, galleries, restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes, all overlooking the IJ River! Not to mention, NDSM is also the perfect venue for concerts, fashion shows, films, festivals and more, especially during the summer time. Old abandoned containers have also been transformed into tiny apartments as well, so people are actually leaving mainland Amsterdam to live there. Talk about gentrification!
This makes it the perfect hangout spot in Amsterdam to eat, explore hidden gems of artistic genius, enjoy music, dance the night away, and just chill with friends.
So back to the ferry, it took us approximately 20 minutes to get to Amsterdam-Noord (North). The ferry was completely full. Filled with young kids on a school trip, cyclists, residents who live on the island, and day visitors like my friend and I. Once we hopped off the ferry, we made a bee-line for ‘Loetje Aan’t IJ’, a scenic waterfront restaurant, for a lovely lunch on the water.
We sat on the outdoor patio with other patrons and enjoyed the light sea breeze of the IJ River, combined with the stifling heat of the summer sun.
On that patio we ate croquettes and drank wine – so simple, yet I felt like I was living my best Dutch life!!
The food there was so good! You need to go there okay!
When we finished our meal, we proceeded to venture around the Wharf for a bit to begin the process of burning off the yummy calories we just ate. What I discovered was that this space is filled with amazing wall murals like this one of Anne Frank that we discovered, containers-turned-homes piled one on top of the other, businesses, bars, restaurants and a lot of construction as the authorities continue to build the Wharf into a buzzing oasis.
Satisfied with what we saw, we finally made our way back to the ferry and headed for the mainland.
2. Narrow Houses of Damrak
Now, on the other side of Amsterdam Centraal, within 8 minutes of walking, you end up at Damrak.
This is a strip that connects Amsterdam Centraal to Dam Square.
Out of everything in Amsterdam, and everywhere I saw, this was by far my most favourite spot. And I have NO IDEA why!
I don’t know what it was about this area or these buildings, but I just LOVED these narrow houses.
I visited this spot on both of my trips to Amsterdam because I just could not get enough of them. When I look at them, all I see is beauty, art, history – all of the things that I love.
These narrow gable houses are some of Amsterdam’s oldest, and are a national treasure. They are so old, they date back to the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. Today, they are a staple piece of Dutch culture, and on every visitor’s photo bucketlist.
So why are these houses so narrow?
FUN FACT: During the Dutch Golden Age, building taxes were calculated based on the width of a property’s façade. So the smaller the exterior, the less tax you pay!
3. Amsterdam Boat Cruise
Situated on Damrak, you will also find a wide selection of docked boats. These boats are the tour boats that cruise along the canals, introducing tourists and local Dutch to Amsterdam from the water.
After taking pictures at Damrak with the narrow houses, it is only common sense to book a boat cruise for the last day in order to at least see by sea what you couldn’t by land. My sister and I did the boat cruise during my first trip to Amsterdam. With Stromma, Amsterdam’s #1 canal cruise company, we enjoyed a relaxing hour long boat cruise which took us to a multitude of different top attractions that we would have never ventured to on land.
As usual, I sat at the very front, ensuring that my eyes didn’t miss a thing. But unlike Denmark, Amsterdam was so beautifully warm and the boat was big and enclosed with a covering, so we didn’t have to worry about getting splashed with any cold water, or freezing to death by chilly wind.
So comfortably, we sat back and took pictures of The Narrow Houses, the Anne Frank House, and the Westerkerk, amongst other star attractions.
That hour flew past so quickly – we didn’t feel it with our eyes glued to the monuments, attractions, and activity all around us.
We learned so much about the history of the canals and the monuments that line its waterfront.
And before we knew it we were docked back at Damrak.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Amsterdam has 165 canals? Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, these canals were originally intended to foster and promote trade. But today, they are gateways into the city’s historical sites and must-see attractions for visitors and tourists all over the globe.
4. Red Light District
Address: De Wallen
Just like a trip to Amsterdam is incomplete without a trip to a coffee house; equally, if you didn’t venture into the Red Light District, did you even go to Amsterdam?!
The great thing about Amsterdam is that everything is so interconnected. So from the NDSM Wharf to Damrak to the Red Light District, you’ll find yourself walking in a simple straight line in one direction. It’s impossible to get lost. Especially when using a travel app like Citymapper (highly recommended).
After a very enjoyable boat cruise along the centre of Amsterdam, we thought there was no better way to end our stay in Amsterdam with dinner and a stroll around the Red Light District to see it with our own two eyes.
This District, located in De Wallen, Amsterdam’s medieval city centre, is home to 288 individual windows, located in 89 different brothels, spread across 17 different streets and alleyways. Wow!
With its 800+ year history, this District was actually birthed since the late 1200s when De Wallen was a trading port. Sex workers were found there since its inception, their most regular clients being sailors coming from the Dutch Empire. Overtime, in the 19th century, it got its name as the Red Light District when brothel-owners began to use red gas lights to discreetly alert potential customers to the true nature of their business.
Known as “Rosse Buurt” to the locals, there is hardly much to say about this area as I’m sure you already know what it’s about. But this was undoubtedly the busiest canal strip we had ever seen or been a part of.
Most people were passing by, their eyes glued to the ladies behind the windows. But at the same time there were so many men knocking on neon red-lit doors, negotiating with scantily-clad & very seductive “ladies of the night”, and entering those doors, hoping to get their money’s worth in pleasure.
This is a normal part of the culture, but for our virgin eyes, we had never seen such transactions and such a marketplace before! For 15 minutes of pleasure, you’re looking at 50 EUR. The prices go up from there!
In addition to that there were sex shops, sex museums and peep shows dotted throughout the district. You could even find bars and restaurants along the strip, perhaps for those who wished to be entertained from a distance.
I ventured into none of these places, however.
I chose to remain an outside observer.
But with the end of our stroll also came the end of our trip to Amsterdam.
The next day we were due to leave Holland and desperately wanted to sleep in after 4 non-stop days of activity.
So we hopped back on a tram, made our way back to Hotel Casa and snuggled into bed, eager to enter into dreamland on Dutch soil one more time…until further notice.
Key Notes / What I Wish I Knew Before Going
- Be mindful of your cellphone, handbags, cameras and any other personal items you may have whilst in the Red Light District – it is infamous for thieves who rob unsuspecting, absent-minded tourists.
- So, if you know you are going to carry around any expensive items you’ll shed a tear for if you lost them, keep your personal belongings close to your chest or ideally hidden in your bag.
- Don’t take any photos whilst walking in the Red Light District – businesses don’t tolerate it. If caught, especially near a brothel, you face getting your camera confiscated, getting beat up, or both!
Future Dutch Adventures
Of course its impossible to see every single top attraction in 4 days right?! So this is where your future Dutch adventures need to take us next…
A’dam Lookout – a 20 story rooftop home to an awesome bar, panoramic views of the city from above, and Europe’s highest over-the-edge swing (not for the faint of heart)
Keukenhof Gardens – one of the world’s largest tulip fields a short journey from Amsterdam. The gardens only open in Spring when the flowers are in full bloom
Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) – this is the flower region of the Netherlands, famous for its large, beautiful, colourful, flower fields that bloom in the Spring
Vondelpark – the largest, most famous park in Amsterdam that has existed for over 150 years.
Molen Van Sloten – a popular windmill that’s still in operation and used to control water levels in the west of Amsterdam
Zevenlandenuizen – a small street which features architecture from seven different nations in seven different houses, all situated side by side
PLLEK – an urban beach located on NDSM Wharf where you can enjoy outdoor cinema, live music or beach parties
In Conclusion…
That’s a wrap!
After spending such a lovely, action-packed, adventurous time in Amsterdam, I know for a FACT that I can literally move there in the morning! It is so multicultural. The history is so rich. The food is amazing. The people are kind, helpful and friendly. There is so much to see and do. It’s easy to get to anywhere from Amsterdam. It is so picturesque. And when there, you just feel so good about life.
It is amazing!
This is one city I’d encourage anyone to add to their bucketlist!
Over to You…
Have you been to Amsterdam before? If so, what’s your fondest memory?
Or, is Amsterdam on your bucketlist?
Share all your Dutch aspirations or experiences in the comments! I’d love to hear all about it!
[If you made it to the end of this, YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you so much for reading!]
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