Wandering the streets of Amsterdam transports you to the Renaissance era with it’s poignant architecture, teeming with culture. From canals and cafes to museums and tulips, this historic city has a breathtaking adventure for everyone.
Rudi’s Original Stroopwafels
A stroopwafel is a delicious dutch treat, consisting of two wafer waffles, joined together with a thin layer of caramel. Rudi’s started making stroopwafels in 1978, and to this day they are still sold fresh, right out of the food truck. Easily accessible to anyone looking for a sweet treat, their truck can be found parked in the middle of the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam. They are widely regarded at the best stroopwafel in town! A must try!!
Neighborhood: De Pijp
The Carrousel
You think you’ve had a big pancake, but you’ve never been to The Carrousel! Their pannenkoeken is a pancake on steroids. Not having tasted a savory pancake before, we ordered the ham & cheese pannenkoeken (left plate in the picture), and found it was more like a pizza than any pancake we’ve ever had before— but delicious nonetheless. We also sampled their poffertjes (right plate in the picture), and rather enjoyed this fluffy dutch pastry. They were actually so tasty, we went back to The Carrousel a second time, just to enjoy them again.
Neighborhood: Centrum
De Koffieschenkerij
We happened along this cute bakery cafe while we were out walking around, and it was a delightful oasis. I’m not terribly picky when it comes to sweet treats, but Kayla is plant-based and gluten free, and she was delighted by their vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. We were drawn in by the quaint outside garden terrace, but the hipster chic ambiance inside and the cozy lofted attic make for all sorts of nooks and crannies to relax into. If you see it while you’re out, definitely stop in and enjoy a bite!
Neighborhood: Centrum
The Historic Heineken Brewery
The Heineken Brewery was founded in 1864 in Amsterdam. While production has outgrown the space over the years, the original building is now used for the Heineken Experience Museum. We are far from connoisseurs of beer; however, we found it rather interesting to learn more about such a widespread beer-drinking staple. The price of admission also includes two beers, which is the best way to end any tour!
Neighborhood: De Pijp
Van Stapele
Have you even been to a bakery that only sells a single kind of cookie? That’s the name of the game at the Van Stapele bakery. Their infamous cookie is made of a dark chocolate dough with a delicious white chocolate filling. It is cooked to perfection: crisp around the edges, but perfectly soft and gooey on the inside. Cookies are made throughout the day as they sell like hotcakes, so they are often warm when you get them. The cookies are packaged up in a cute little paper bag… so you can buy ten and carry around your afternoon snack with ease.
Neighborhood: Centrum
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam is home to dozens of niched museums, but none so breathtaking as the Rijksmuseum. Great masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh are housed in this pinnacle of art history. All are able to enjoy not just the art, but the story behind the art as all displays have an English translation.
Admission into the museum is free to those under 18 years old and €20 for adults. We recommend booking your tickets in advance online, as lines can become long. While the museum is open 9am to 5pm, we advise going as early as possible. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the rich culture living within the Rijksmuseum.
Neighborhood: Museum Quarter
Anne Frank House
Truly a historical landmark, the Anne Frank House is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the midst of unimaginable horror.
We booked our tickets in advance, and recommend you do the same if you feel passionately about visiting. All tickets for the coming month become available every first Tuesday of the month. If you make a last minute decision to check it out, they release about 20% of the tickets on the day of, but you need to be on the website waiting to really have a chance at getting them. Tickets cost €14 for adults, €7 for children 10-17 years old, and €1 for children 9 years old and younger. As a note, the Anne Frank House Museum does not reschedule tickets or give refunds for any reason, regardless of it’s validity.
Neighborhood: Centrum
Red Light District
The Red Light District is a world of it’s own as red neon windows illuminate prostitutes acting as live action billboards to attract clients. While services rendered are certainly not of interest to everyone, it’s an intriguing cultural phenomenon— especially since this sex-culture so vastly differs from typical socials norms for prostitution.
Important to note, as a tourist, you should understand that this is not an environment to have your phone out snapping pictures of girls in the windows. If someone sees you, this is considered a violation of privacy, and your phone may be confiscated. Photographs of the district, shops, and cafes are allowed but just not of the alluring individuals vying for attention.
Neighborhood: Centrum
Fields of Tulips
If you plan to visit Amsterdam in the spring, the Keukenhof Tulip Garden is a MUST visit!!! Thousands and thousands of tulips cover the grounds of this gorgeous garden and make for a beautiful spring attraction.
If you are planning on visiting Europe and are considering stopping by Amsterdam on your travels, the Flower Forecast could be a good resource to keep you in the loop. Weather cycles can affect the blooms, so keep an eye out for prime blossoming!
There are restaurants on the premise of the gardens, but visitors are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks if you were hoping to have a fun garden-adjacent picnic moment (visitors are not permitted to stroll through the bulb fields).
Tickets for 2022 will only be available online. There is no sale of tickets at the entrance of the park. Tickets available for purchase here beginning in November 2021. Cost is €19 for adults, €9 for children 4-17 years old, and children three years old and younger are free. If you drive to the garden, parking will cost €6.
Neighborhood: Bollenstreek (about 25 miles outside the Amsterdam city centre)
Canal Boat Tour
Amsterdam is known for its canal labyrinth, and there’s nothing like riding in an open air boat to take in all the sights. Cruising through the canals is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a cultural experience. Perhaps a little touristy but delightfully enriching nonetheless. We love love loved Flagship Amsterdam’s small-group nautical canal exploration experience. The boat environment felt rather luxurious and Hans and Isabel (the best guides!) provided a warm, intimate tour, with all our various local inquires welcomed. Pricing varies according to which tour option you’re interested in and how long you wish to adventure around.
Neighborhood: Centrum
Brouwerij Troost
If you fancy yourself a craft beer savant, then visiting Troost Brewery is a must. Beers are quintessentially brewed for universal appeal, yet unique flavor profiles. With all organic beers— and even one gluten free, Troost is comprised of beer aficionados with a conscience. While they’re always concocting something new, they do maintain three regular beers on tap: their signature blond ale, the I.P.A., and a weizen. Their palatable array of beers is guaranteed to hit the spot— for even the most discerning hophead.
Neighborhood: De Pijp
Oliebollen
This is less of a specific locale recommendation and more of a general memo regarding a delectable Dutch donut, called an oliebollen. Think a beignet, but lighter and fluffier. This rec comes from our brother-in-law Salvador as he has been to Amsterdam a few times, and has found this sweet treat becomes more popular around the holidays. The weather turns a little chilly and suddenly it seems vendors are selling them from street carts all throughout town. Give it a taste and let us know what you think!
Go City Pass
Go City offers an all inclusive pass to 22 different attractions, ranging from the Moco Museum to the Keukenhof Bus Excursion, this cornucopia of adventures is yours for the taking. The website provides the normal ticket value of each attraction, so you can calculate the potential savings. This might not be for everyone, but it is certainly helpful to know about. If you are looking to museum hop or go nuts with tours, this could be a good option for you.
Helpful Hints for the City
Be cognizant of bikers!! This heads-up is not singular to Amsterdam, and if you have spent much time in Europe, you know bikers do not take kindly to meandering pedestrians wandering into the bike lane. It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, but keep an extra keen eye out for bikers! This is less of a true safety concern, and more a warning to avoid getting yelled at.
Commonplace in many countries outside the Unites States, if you need to use the restroom while out adventuring, it will likely cost you a small fee. Nothing crazy to budget for, but certainly different from our cultural expectation.
Cannabis, marijuana, weed, grass… whatever you call it, it’s legal and widely available in Amsterdam. If you are looking to indulge, there is abundant opportunity to do so. In the Netherlands, a coffee shop is colloquially understood to be an establishment where cannabis is sold. Many coffee shops still operate as you would expect, selling coffee, with areas to sit and lounge— they just offer ~enhanced relaxation~ as well as the usually pick-me-up coffee shops are known for.
If you’re still deep in the planning stages of trip planning and don’t have your stay booked, check out our post highlighting a collection of unique, authentically Amsterdam Airbnbs in the city.
written by Dana
CEO of being stubbornly independent, Dana lives to speak her mind as her feisty personality lends itself to her outspoken nature. Dana epitomizes the concept of “spending money on experiences, not things” as she is constantly complaining that she has nothing to wear, but ALWAYS has her next trip on the docket. Dana is finishing up her final year at FSU this fall, but plans to jet-set off to Hawaii for a few months before joining us big kids in the adult workforce.
