Inspired by my and Scott’s recent trip to Amsterdam, I decided to put together a guide of what to see, do and eat in this beautiful city. I include all of my favorites, along with a few things I believe you should skip.
Where to Stay
If you plan to spend at least two days or more exploring Amsterdam, I recommend staying in the city versus commuting back and forth from another town. Many people will stay outside of the city and take a train in, which is great if you only want to take a day trip, but if you plan to spend a few days here it is so nice to be in the actual city. And this way, you won’t miss walking the canals at night!
If you are visiting during tulip season with the flowers as your main draw, but you’d still like to see a bit of the city, I recommend staying in Hilversum. You can easily train in to Amsterdam for a day trip, while having quick access to your car to drive to Keukenhof and visit other tulip fields. Not to mention, hotel prices skyrocket during peak tulip season. We could not afford to reserve a place in the city for three people (we may have been able to get away with a place for two) when visiting with my mom.
On our most recent trip, we stayed at Hotel Aalders. Like I mentioned in my last blog post, this was not the place I wanted to stay, but it was available, affordable and allowed us to take a wonderful trip. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, they happily stored our bags for us on our last day, and I appreciated the water station, along with breath mints, always available in the front lobby. It is a stone’s throw away from the Rijksmuseum, a quick walk to the Van Gogh Museum, only 10 minutes from Bakers & Roasters (priorities 😉), and even though it took 30 minutes to reach the Jordaan district, Scott and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk there and back along the canals.
Morgan & Mees was my first choice for our New Year’s trip, but it sold out halfway through the booking process. I have also heard great things about the Pulitzer (the holiday pricing was too expensive for us).
How to Get There
Arriving by train seems to be the most popular way to get to the city. There is even a rail that connects Schipol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal Station. The first time I visited Amsterdam it was by way of a 13-hour layover (I was returning to the States from Prague) and I stayed at a hotel right near the airport. I was able to take the hotel shuttle to the airport and then get on a train that took me right to the center, maximizing every minute of my short time there. Not only was it easy and convenient, but I also felt safe navigating on my own.
Driving to the city from another location in Europe? No sweat! The Park + Ride system is extremely easy and cheap. We paid 1 euro per day. Parking costs upwards of 50 euros a day in the city center, so park at one of the P+R locations instead and use the metro or tram to get to your lodging in the center. A detailed description of how the P+R system works can be found here. The availability for each P+R location is updated here every minute. We have lived in Germany for over two years now and it still amazes me every time that we have the ability to hop in our car and drive from our house to these incredible European destinations.
Where to Eat
Bakers and Roasters: Proper brunch. Worth the wait.
Don’t miss! We liked it so much we ate there twice on our most recent trip. To be fair, we LOVE brunch and don’t hesitate to repeat restaurants we know we like (as you’ll see below), but still…eat here. It appears on many a “best brunch in Amsterdam” list and deserves its place on the charts. And I could not get enough of our sweet waitress’s English accent! I got the Huevos Rancheros on both visits (love when I can combine Mexican food + breakfast) and really enjoyed the mini pancakes that came with one of Scott’s meals.
The first time we ate there, we snagged the last table available and did not have to wait. On our second visit, the wait was about an hour. Fortunately, you do not have to wait in a queue outside. They have an online waiting list that will text you when your table is ready. I recommend biding your time at the Albert Cuyp Markt and sampling some delicious dim sum at the market to hold off your hunger.
Los Pilones: Delicious, authentic Mexican food + Strong Margaritas.
People often ask us what we miss the most living outside of the United States. For me? Mexican food! While I cook Mexican cuisine at home, there is just something special about going out for some margs, chips and salsa, and enchiladas. Eating at La Hacienda was a weekly staple for my family growing up and a Chava’s chimi satisfied my and Scott’s cravings in Soulard on a regular basis. Not having a go-to Mexican option in Germany, I was overjoyed when a friend recommended Alebrijes Bar Bar in Prague! And equally satisfied with our experience at Los Pilones.
I found out about Los Pilones through a travel blogger I follow. I had not tried any of her food recommendations before, but she is from California and lived abroad for a few years (so can relate to the lack of quality Mexican food in Europe), so I thought we’d give it a shot. We went in with low expectations, but the food far exceeded them. I got the Cochinita Pibil and Scott got the Enchiladas Verdes. Yum!! It was the perfect meal to toast (with margaritas) to January 1, 2020.
Overall – delicious food, cool interior and very friendly staff. We ate at the Kerkstraat 59 location.
La Perla: Simple. Casual. Pizza that will hit the spot.
We first ate here when we visited Amsterdam with my mom and knowing we liked their pizza, we planned to return on our trip this winter. We usually eat pizza or pasta at least once on our trips to get in our Italian fix. Initially thinking we would go for lunch one day, we ended up eating here for New Year’s Eve dinner after striking out with Moeder’s and Los Pilones (both were closed). We were thankful to get the very last available table despite having no reservation! Pizza and a glass of red – does it get more simple than that? It was a lovely meal to end 2019 on.
I have eaten the Margherita and the Salsiccia Fresca and would recommend both. The sauce is slightly sweeter than what I normally prefer, but it is still really good!
The restaurant is on an adorable street in the Jordaan district, one of my favorite areas in the city. If you are craving pizza, this is the place to have it.
Winkel 43: Three words: Dutch. Apple. Pie.
I first heard about this place from a food blogger my mother-in-law follows; she sent me her Amsterdam recommendations before Scott and I visited with my mom. We didn’t make it to Winkel 43 on that trip, so we made a point to take her when we visited the next year.
Winkel 43 is most famous for its apple pie and it only takes one bite to see why! For starters, it is not too sweet. I have found that most European desserts are significantly less sweet than what you find in America. (which I prefer!) You can distinctly taste the fresh apple slices. And don’t even get me started on the whipped cream…oh, the Dutch know how to do whipped cream.
Scott and I went again on our most recent trip! We didn’t get into the city until late that first evening, but still made our way over for a slice of pie. Winkel 43 is oozing with gezelligheid during the holiday season! We got some yummy, mushroom soup as well and, though we did not partake, their dinner options sounded delicious. Unsurprisingly, we went back a second time that same trip. They have a small lunch menu, so we helped ourselves to a toastie and, of course, more apple pie. ☺️
When you arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is the very long line outside. There are only a handful of tables inside, so be prepared to wait, but it typically doesn’t take too too long. Offer to sit outside or at the bar for a shorter wait time.
What we didn’t get to: We really wanted to try Moeders, a well-known Dutch restaurant, but they were closed on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day. So, while I cannot speak from firsthand experience, I think this may be worth checking out.
What to skip: Foodhallen
The food here wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t anything to write home about. After great experiences at food halls in Copenhagen (don’t miss the cinnamon roll at Lauras Bakery if you go!) and Napa Valley, this one fell short. With so many other restaurant options, don’t waste a meal here!
What to Do
Walk the canals!
My absolute favorite thing to do in Amsterdam is stroll alongside the canals. I could (and have!) spend hours simply walking the canals, admiring the unique canal houses and peering into people’s windows. Okay, I know that last part sounds creepy, but most people in Amsterdam do not have blinds or curtains, so their homes are completely open for the world to see. I was amazed at the number of homes that appeared to have a home library, making this book lover’s heart swell. And especially loved these ballerinas!
I have strolled Amsterdam’s canals alone, in the company of others, during the day, at night, in the cold, and in warm weather. And I would recommend them all. ☺️ I don’t think I will ever top my first experience – wandering in wonder on my own, simply following my feet in curiosity down whichever street looked most interesting. It is hard to beat novelty and those who have traveled alone (and like it) know how rewarding that is, but I really enjoyed sitting canalside, with my legs dangling over the water, watching the boats go by with my mom and Scott in springtime. And I’m blushing now thinking about a big ole, quite memorable, smooch I received from my love as we walked hand-in-hand along the canals this winter.
I have a feeling the canals are at least part of the reason, if not the big draw, for your trip and if there is any question, yes – they are absolutely worth the visit!
Shop De 9 Straatjes.
A lovely, lively neighborhood along the canals. A great way to spend an afternoon!
Visit the Anne Frank Huis.
I am a big history buff but have especially been drawn to learning about the World War II era and the Holocaust specifically. I was the girl who took AP European History, along with a class solely on the Holocaust in high school. When I only had 13 hours in Amsterdam my first time there, visiting the Anne Frank House was at the top of my list. It was a dark, cold January night almost exactly 7 years ago. I arrived about an hour or so before closing and had the museum practically to myself.
It was a very moving experience, especially when you stand in the actual annex and think about the families confined to such a small space (and never being able to go outside!) for over two years.
When I first visited (they have made some changes to the museum since then), you were able to record and send a video message to a loved one at the end of the exhibition. I sent mine to my mom. This made it extra special to bring her back five years later and share the experience with her.
In 2018, it was much more crowded than when I first visited, but having not visited before, I do not think this detracted from my mom’s experience. She was moved to tears after learning how close to the end of the war they were discovered. Like other Holocaust and World War II sites, the atrocities you learn about here can be difficult to digest, but I think it is of upmost importance for us to never forget them.
To note, tickets are only available for purchase online.
Go to the Van Gogh Museum.
I highly recommend! Not only is the art beautiful, but the museum is really well done, and it was a hit with the hubby. While Scott likes art, I knew he must have really loved the Van Gogh Museum for him to suggest re-visiting it with his mom after already having seen it with my mom just a year prior. Yes – we took both of our moms to the Netherlands! You must order tickets beforehand and reserve a specific date and time. Be sure to do this months in advance during prime tourist seasons.
Peek inside the Rijksmuseum.
Before you even get to the art, the building of the Rijksmuseum is beautiful in and of itself. And the I am Amsterdam sign is behind the museum. Once inside, witness the works of the Dutch masters!
I think it’s really neat that we got to see Vermeer’s paintings of his hometown of Delft here before visiting Delft in person the following year.
Stroll the Albert Cuyp Markt.
If you are not planning to check out De Pijp (pronounced Pipe), do not go out of your way to come to this market, but if you are already in the neighborhood it is worth a stroll. The shopping is far better at other street markets, but we enjoyed some good food here.
The first time we walked it, we came after brunch-ing at Bakers and Roasters. We were most intrigued by the dim sum and “morning ramen” stalls but did not indulge as we were extremely full from our meal. As I mentioned above, we ate at Bakers and Roasters a second time and on that occasion had to wait to be seated. We decided to head back to the market to bide our time and I am so glad we did! We had one round of dim sum and had to come back for another because it was so tasty. Delicious, cheap, and so fun to eat it right there at the stall.
Once you walk the market, don’t miss Dille & Kamille! It is just a few streets up. I first discovered Dille & Kamille in Delft and then shopped there again in Bruges. It is like the Dutch version of Williams Sonoma, but an expanded one that offers other home goods too. Those who know me well know how much I love home goods and kitchenware especially, so this is my kind of store. They also have bath and spa products, stationary, and a large collection of children’s toys and books. It was all I could do on this last trip to restrain myself from buying a handful of their children’s toys.
What to skip: Bloemenmarkt
Given that we visited during springtime, I pictured finding rows upon rows of beautiful, fresh tulips for sale at the flower market. It is safe to say I was more than a little disappointed to find absolutely none here. Especially after hiking a bit out of the way to see it! Instead, they sell bulbs, seeds and stereotypical Dutch souvenirs. If that is what you are looking for, by all means, check it out. But even if you are, I think it would be more fun to shop for those at the Keukenhof gift shops. Save yourself the trouble (it was crowded, too) and skip this one!
If you have made it this far, thank you!! I appreciate you reading. ☺️ I hope you found this helpful and that you have a wonderful trip to Amsterdam! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Comment below or send me a message through the contact page.
Reisen, Abenteuer, und Love. 