Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. It is considered one of the most touristy and popular cities in Europe and millions of tourists visit there every year.
A classic European city surrounded by canals, spectacular and beautiful buildings, bicycles on every corner, small cafes, and excellent restaurants.
Amsterdam is a modern city and has a lot to see both inside and outside the city. I fell in love with this city the minute I got there and I know for a fact that I will be back in this city in the future. We spent six days there.
Lodging
Hotel Beethoven Amsterdam
a 3-star, small and beautiful hotel with spacious rooms, every room has a large and soft double bed, toilet, shower, and balcony.
Our room was clean and well equipped. The service at the hotel was great. The hotel is located on one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the Oud Zuid district of Amsterdam and is surrounded by a wide range of cafés and restaurants.
Right next to the hotel you will find Dunkin ‘Donuts and STARBUCKS. There is a metro station in front of the hotel, which allows easy and quick access to the city center and there are many museums within walking distance.
My recommendation is to stay in an apartment or hotel in a central location in Amsterdam the closer to Dam Square the better, that way you can enjoy public transport for convenient mobility in the city without a car.
Attractions And Tours
Amsterdam has many fun and experiential attractions. Various tours, markets, boutique shops, fashion stores, and beautiful parks.
Boating In The Amsterdam Canals
One of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam is a cruise of about half an hour or more in the Amsterdam canals. During the cruise, you see the beautiful view of the city. There are many cruise companies in the city.
Adam Lookout
A skyscraper with a stunning view of the city. The walls of the building are made of glass so that way you can see the view from all sides.
One of the most extreme attractions in Amsterdam is “Over the Edge”, the tallest swing in Europe that is located on the roof of the skyscraper and overlooks the beautiful landscape of the city. The experience is amazing and I highly recommend it if you are an extreme lover. On top of the skyscraper, there is also a restaurant overlooking the city view.
My recommendation is to take the elevator which has ultrasonic light performance in it.
For the skyscraper itself, you do not need to order tickets in advance, however, for those who want to try the swing, it is worth booking the tickets in advance.
Heineken Experience
Heineken Visitor Center, a tour in the beer factory with a tour guide that explains the process of making the most famous beer in the Netherlands.
The tour goes through different rooms, in some of the rooms you can see the production processes, in some the marketing of the beer, and in others, there are activities.
Moreover, during the tour, there is a beer tasting and at the end of the tour, you also get 3 cold beers.
There is also a large souvenir shop with various Heineken products- I purchased for myself two Heineken cups one with my name engraving and one with my boyfriend’s name engraving.
The experience was so much fun, the tour was interesting and the beers are of a very high standard. It is advisable to book tickets in advance and children can enter accompanied by an adult only.
Vondelpark
A large and beautiful area with green lawns, beautiful lakes, and trees everywhere.
Before we went to the park we bought products for a picnic such as cheeses, wines, some bread, and chocolates. We sat on the shore of the big lake and enjoyed a peaceful and relaxed picnic.
Cycling
In Amsterdam, there are more cyclists than car drivers and it is an integral part of city life.
In my opinion, renting a bike for a few hours is an essential Amsterdam experience.
It is recommended to rent a bike in the Vondelpark area and bike there.
Zaanse Schans
A short drive from the center of Amsterdam there is a picturesque village.
If you are in Amsterdam this experience is one of the things you don’t want to miss, a magical village that provides us a glimpse into the 17th century.
In the artists’ village, you can enjoy a large lake, green lawns, windmills, cheese and chocolate shops, and of course small workshops that sell the traditional dutch clogs.
Giethoorn
A small and peaceful town only a few hours drive from Amsterdam. There you will see houses from the 18th and 19th centuries and a magical view.
One of the main attractions in the town is a cruise on the Giethoorn canals called Whisper boat. The place offers restaurants, boutique shops, and various museums.
Streets And Neighborhoods
DE DAM
The main square in the city of Amsterdam.
In the area, you will find parking lots, coffee shops, restaurants, and various bars. It is considered a central area that you don’t want to miss.
Kalverstraat
A large Pedestrian zone is considered one of the busiest places in the city. There you will find many shops.
DE NEGEN STRAATJES
A complex that includes nine side streets with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries. The whole complex is located in a beautiful area between the city canals.
Red Light District
A well-known district in Amsterdam that is active mainly at night, offering escort services legally.
I Recommend walking around there one evening to see the place and the atmosphere in it.
Markets
In Amsterdam, you will find authentic and special markets. The markets are diverse and fun to walk around.
Albert Cuyp Market
One of the most famous and the oldest markets in Amsterdam.
The market is full of stalls that sell goodies like clothing, bags, food, footwear, etc.
If you are more of a desserts lover you’ll be glad to hear that you can find amazing truffles and amazing Dutch pancakes there.
Bloemenmarkt
The floating flower market, the only one of its kind in the world, is located on a canal.
The display stands are located on canal boats and you can find hundreds of different types of flowers, from daffodils to tropical plants and seeds of different types.
The place is considered one of the most beautiful, colorful, and experiential markets in Amsterdam.
Foodhallen
A large, impressive, and indoor food market with a variety of high-quality restaurants and food stalls that sell food from all around the world. Sometimes in the evenings, there are DJ performances inside the market.
Markets
In Amsterdam, you will find authentic and special markets. The markets are diverse and fun to walk around.
Albert Cuyp Market
One of the most famous and the oldest markets in Amsterdam.
The market is full of stalls that sell goodies like clothing, bags, food, footwear, etc.
If you are more of a desserts lover you’ll be glad to hear that you can find amazing truffles and amazing Dutch pancakes there.
Bloemenmarkt
The floating flower market, the only one of its kind in the world, is located on a canal.
The display stands are located on canal boats and you can find hundreds of different types of flowers, from daffodils to tropical plants and seeds of different types.
The place is considered one of the most beautiful, colorful, and experiential markets in Amsterdam.
Foodhallen
A large, impressive, and indoor food market with a variety of high-quality restaurants and food stalls that sell food from all around the world. Sometimes in the evenings, there are DJ performances inside the market.
Museums
In Amsterdam, you can enjoy various and interesting museums – from wonderful art museums to museums about strange phenomena.
Van Gogh Museum
A museum that has impressive and stunning exhibits of paintings and drawings by the famous artist Vincent van Gogh, located in the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam.
In the museum, you will find a beautiful souvenir shop that offers various products with famous paintings. The museum itself is classic and beautifully designed, a perfect place for art lovers.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
A museum located in the main Dam square and displays various strange phenomena and various exhibits.
The museum is relatively small but special and different from any other exhibits.
Anne Frank House
A museum dedicated to the memory of Anne and Frank and the commemoration of the Holocaust is considered one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam, not only among the Jewish people.
Anne Frank became a symbol due to the personal diary she wrote in a hiding place in Amsterdam during World War II – today the place serves as a museum.
Moreover, the museum displays original documents of Anne Frank and her family, original objects, various photographs, and of course the original diary of Anne Frank. The museum is experiential, interesting, and exciting. Make sure to book tickets in advance.
Madame Tussauds
Museum of wax sculptures of celebrities and historical figures.
Sex Museum
A museum that displays various erotic pictures, paintings, videos, and sculptures. They claim to present the history of sex from the Roman period till nowadays.
The payment for the museum is nominal and you can not enter the museum if you are under the age of 16.
Shopping
In Amsterdam, you can enjoy lots of shopping streets full of brand stores and boutique stores and also luxurious shopping centers.
Kalverstraat
The main shopping street runs through Dam Square. In this street, you can find well-known brand stores, fashion stores, footwear, and souvenir shops. There are also cafes and restaurants on the street. If you love shopping do not miss this street.
Muntplein
A shopping street right next to Dam Square that has a variety of boutique shops, chocolate shops, food stalls, and well-known brand stores.
De Negen Straatjes
Nine small streets are considered one of the most famous shopping centers in the city. You will find their boutiques, fashion stores, brand stores, cafes, and restaurants.
Magna Plaza
A luxury mall in a spectacular structure that is considered by many the most beautiful structure in the city, even if you are not a shopping lover you should visit there.
The mall has three floors of brand stores, fashion stores, and cafes.
Restaurants and street food
In Amsterdam, you can enjoy a variety of quality and stunningly designed restaurants. You will experience a culinary experience of traditional Dutch food and also food from different parts of the world.
Breakfast
Metropolitain
This restaurant offers mainly breakfasts and pastries, every dish is photogenic and delicious.
I ordered for breakfast a wonderful dish of crepe with berries, whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, and maple syrup.
Pluk
A cafe with a healthy breakfast and a variety of yogurts, smoothies, and fresh fruit. Everything is served in beautiful bowls decorated with flowers and a variety of wonderful tropical fruits. If you want to have something sweet but a little healthier, this place is just for you.
The Pancake Bakery
A pancake restaurant that offers a huge variety of pancakes, from sweet to savory.
Winkel 43
A cafe that offers a variety of pastries and is known for the wonderful apple pie they serve, hot and soft apple pie that comes with extra whipped cream.
Restaurants
Caf’e de Klos
A meat restaurant that is considered one of the best meat places in Amsterdam.
The place has a pub atmosphere and the menu has a variety of high-quality and wonderful meats served with baked potatoes and salad.
The place’s flagship dish is spare ribs (pork ribs).
I ordered for starters a great onion soup with cheese and for the main course, an entrecote steak served with baked potatoes and salad.
Momo
Trendy and high-quality Asian restaurant that serves a variety of great dishes and special cocktails. The place is beautifully decorated and the atmosphere in it is great.
Hard rock cafe
A concept chain of restaurants holds performances by musicians and on their walls, there is a display of collectibles and nostalgia from the field of rock music.
There you can enjoy a quality American meal and a variety of drinks with good music.
In the restaurant, you will find musical instruments, clothing, and original objects by the greatest musical artists in the world. There is also a souvenir and merchandise store of the cafe’s emblem that has already become a world-famous emblem.
My recommendation is to order a burger with mac and cheese and a good beer on the side.
Cannibale Royale
A chain of restaurants in Amsterdam that sell excellent meats, the atmosphere is lively and noisy. I ordered an entrecote steak and macaroni & cheese. My recommendation is to make a reservation.
The Butcher
Well-known chain of hamburger restaurants in Amsterdam.
The place offers burgers and meats with a variety of different toppings.
Bulls and Dogs
An American restaurant that serves crazy dishes that include mostly meats. Recommend taking a hot dog in a bun with crispy and delicious fries.
Manneken Pis
French fries are one of the most famous Dutch dishes and are considered a must-try dish during a visit to Amsterdam.
One of the most famous and high-quality places is a fries place that is named after the statue of Little Pissing Man. The fries are crispy and delicious and one of the things that makes it so successful is the different sauces that you can put over your fries.
Desserts And Sweets
Van Stapele
A small bakery that bakes only one famous cookie. A chocolate cookie filled with white and liquid chocolate, the cookie is served hot full of pure and delicious chocolate. Worth the time that you waste while waiting in the long line outside the bakery.
Stroopwaffle
One of the popular desserts in Amsterdam is the Stroopwafel, a special Dutch waffle filled with hot caramel and has toppings on tops like chocolate and candies.
Amsterdam is full of places that sell Stroopwafel but, in my opinion, the best place for having a Stroopwafel is at the stall in the Albert Coop Market.
Dutch Pancakes
Small and crunchy pancakes with a variety of different toppings like chocolates, marshmallows, candies, and whipped cream.
You can find Dutch pancakes at the stall in the Albert Coop Market.
Polaberry
The most photogenic store in Amsterdam of chocolates and sweets.
The place offers amazing desserts like chocolate-coated strawberries, unicorn-shaped cookies, and various chocolate tablets.
Right next to the store there is a canal, my recommendation is to buy some chocolate coated strawberries and eat them next to that canal, that way you can not only enjoy your chocolate coated strawberries but also the view of the city.
Rene’s Croissanterie
This place sells a variety of desserts such as cookies, pastries, and the flagship dish – chorus with different kinds of toppings. Usually, there is a long line outside the store but it is totally worth the wait for the excellent chorus.
Ice Bakery
A famous bakery chain in Amsterdam. The bakery sells many kinds of great desserts such as choruses, pancakes, pastries, waffles, and the flagship dish which is the perfect Oreo donut.
Ree 7
A particularly photogenic cafe offering breakfasts, desserts, and delicious milkshakes. The place is known mainly due to the huge milkshakes that come in a variety of flavors, toppings, and syrups.
Sweetela
A shop that sells the craziest desserts in Amsterdam.
In the store, you will find ice cream, waffles, pancakes and you can also take a tray of desserts.
We ordered an amazing dessert tray that included layers of Belgian waffle, ice cream, whipped cream, strawberries, and bananas. Sometimes there are performances by the waiters in the place.
Night Life
Ice
A bar made entirely of ice, the walls, glasses, and chairs in the room are made of ice. A very special experience.
Before entering the ice bar you can drink alcohol in a small and cozy bar outside the ice complex, then you will be explained a bit about the place and will receive warm clothes like a coat and gloves.
As I mentioned earlier the experience in the ice bar is very unique, you should book tickets in advance.
Maroon 5 Show
During our vacation, we were at an amazing live performance of Maroon 5. The show took place at the Ziggo Dome, a large venue for live performances that usually host artists and bands from around the world.
The place offers food, drink, and alcohol stalls and the hall is huge and impressive.
The performance was exciting and impressive. My recommendation is to look in advance for performances of international artists during your vacation.
Coffeeshop Amsterdam
Amsterdam is called the City of Sins because it has legalization, the law that allows the act of using, growing, and selling soft drugs.
In the city, you will find many coffee shops selling varieties of marijuana that you can smoke legally.
The experience of course is not suitable for everyone and not for all ages but it can be a part of the experience in Amsterdam. Each Coffeeshop has a different atmosphere and different rules.
My Favorite Coffee Shops:
Green House
Amnesia
The Dolphins
1e help
Smoky
Popeye
The Bulldog
Public Transport
Amsterdam has convenient and fast public transportation. The Amsterdamse metro is easy to use and everywhere in Amsterdam, you have stations. Another option is to rent a bike in the city. Use Google Maps to get around with public transport in Amsterdam.
More About Amsterdam
About the locals
Amsterdam is the largest and most populous city in the Netherlands.
The city has about 850,000 inhabitants and the entire metropolis is home to more than 2.3 million people.
Amsterdam is one of the leading and most visited tourist cities in Europe. In the Netherlands there is a Jewish community of about 52,000 people, half of them live in Amsterdam.
Language
Dutch is the official language in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is a mixed city of about 150 different nationalities and therefore about 90% of the inhabitants of Amsterdam speak English, German and French.
Moreover, there are more than 300 languages spoken in the city.
Currency Type
The euro (EUR) is the currency used in the city of Amsterdam.
Weather
Almost every season is recommended for a trip to Amsterdam and there is always something to do and see, all year round.
The summer months are from May to September. On summer days it is sunny and warm. The warmest months are June to August. The winter months are November to April. The Dutch winter is indeed considered moderate compared to other places in Europe.
Additional recommendations
Electrical Outlet
The electrical outlet in Amsterdam is similar to the Israeli one, if you have a different electrical outlet bring outlet adapters.
Using an ID card
In Amsterdam, IDs are checked at the entrance to bars, clubs, and coffee shops, so it is recommended to always carry an ID card.
Souvenirs And Shopping
Amsterdam is the perfect city for shopping, my recommendation is to do at least one concentrated day of shopping in the city and also to buy souvenirs for those who are close to you. In the Albert Kup market, you will find perfect souvenirs.
Planning The Trip
Amsterdam is a city that has a lot to offer.
I recommend planning the places you will want to go to and arrange the various streets, attractions, and restaurants according to their location.
Use Google Maps for navigation.
You can use the guide – “How to plan the best trip” on my website.
What to pack?
I made a list of must-bring items for a vacation so that you do not forget to bring anything for your dream vacation, you can find the guide on my website.
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