Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and a city of great dichotomy. Let’s start with colour; a place built on the foundations of the Golden Age, when Dutch art, technology and innovation were at the forefront of global sophisticated thinking; to the modern day red light district, where stags on wild weekends are anything but.
Then there’s the food; you can enjoy the finest that molecular European haute cuisine has to offer, with plates elevated to high art; or, you can elevate yourself higher by dining on the city’s famous ‘cakes’. And then there’s Amsterdam’s world renowned museums and art galleries, where you can get as high or low brow as you like. Basically, there’s something for everyone in this great city. So without further ado, here are 8 IDEAL things to do in Amsterdam.
EAT PANNEKOEKEN AT UPSTAIRS
Going to Amsterdam and not eating pannekoeken, which are a Dutch version of pancakes, would be a real crime. Traditionally, the Dutch rendition is larger and thinner than its English and American counterparts, and can be enjoyed in sweet or savoury form. We love the version at Upstairs, housed in a tiny 16th century house, with quirky and kitsch decorations including 100 hundred teapots hanging from the ceiling, and interesting pictures of the Dutch Royal Family and old paintings of Amsterdam.
It’s like entering the house of an eccentric old aunt who has never redecorated. With only 4 tables, the room is absolutely tiny and Upstairs claims to be the smallest restaurant in Europe. The pancakes are absolutely huge – so come here hungry. Some of the combinations may seem a little odd – ginger and cheese, for instance – but it totally works. Since the place is so small we recommend booking – don’t be late as they only hold your table for 10 minutes.
TRY A SPACE CAKE
Well, it would be rude not to, right? Surprisingly delicious and super strong, these edibles laced with cannabis are the one type of brownie you should not scoff. The space cakes take up to two hours to kick in, and it’s recommended to only eat half at first. Don’t be tempted to eat the other half if you don’t feel anything straight away – bide your time.
Since there are hundreds of coffee shops in Amsterdam, with many of them selling marijuana related products, it’s not hard to find them. However, some places are a little more seedy and touristy than others, and should be avoided. According to our insider, Utopia on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Paradox on Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat and 420Café, Oudebrugsteeg 27 are some of the best in the city. Oh and if you get the munchies after your space cake, then a few stroopwafels (a traditional Dutch treat) are ideal.
VISIT THE CHEESE MUSEUM
Amsterdam’s Cheese Museum is small, but it packs one hell of a punch. Dutch cheese has a long and proud history, ingrained in the culture, with many of its most famous cheeses named after towns in the country. This museum pays respect to the cultural and culinary heritage of the good stuff. The place is divided into two floors, with historical intrigue catered for below and the tasting of hundreds of vibrantly coloured wheels provided above. As it’s free to enter, a visit here seems like a no brainer. However if the cheese museum is full and you don’t want to face the throngs of tourists, there are plenty of cheese shops dotted around the city where you can sample the finest Gouda the Netherlands has to offer.
STROLL AROUND JORDAN
Jordan is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. Situated bang in the centre, it’s full of trendy shops, luxury boutiques, lovely galleries, lots of cosy cafes, breakfast and brunch spots and great restaurants. You could easily (and should) spend the entire day here, wandering from shop to shop, stopping for some coffee when your legs get weary. Follow it with some brunch, lunch and maybe even dinner for a decadent day. Every Saturday, the whole of Lindengracht becomes a market, selling everything from handcrafted items to cheese (of course). Westerstraat is another great street market in Jordan that opens on Monday mornings.
Psst, Hey you, shopping fan. An area near Jordan, known as The Nine Little Streets (De 9 Atraatjes) is also a great place to wander. Quaint and quirky, it’s full of cute cafes and stylish shops. Oh and don’t forget to have a slice of appletaart with your coffee. This thick and crumbly Dutch apple pie (which is more like a cake) is always served with a dollop of whipped cream and is absolutely delicious.
GET CULTURAL
Speaking of Jordan, Galerie Buuf is one of our favourite places in the area if you’re looking to get cultural. It exhibits all types of modern art, so if that’s you’re thing, it’s definitely worth a visit. Elsewhere, Upstream Gallery is another favourite, showcasing a well-curated mix of contemporary artists. W139 is another cool space for contemporary art – it was a former theatre which was squatted in 1979 by five young artists as ‘ a movement against the closed world of commercial art and museums’.
If you’re into photography then you must go to Huis Marseille. Housed in two 17th century canal houses, it’s absolutely stunning and its ever changing exhibitions mean a constantly evolving cast of unique pieces.
Want to learn more about the canals that makes Amsterdam unforgettable? Then Museum Het Grachtenhuis (The Canal Museum) is a natural starting point. Other popular museums to visit include the historic Anne Frank House, The Van Gogh Museum which is home to the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh and The Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam.
RENT A BIKE
Amsterdam is the bike capital of the world and no trip to here would be complete without getting on two wheels and exploring. Small cobbled streets, beautiful bridges and picturesque canals make Amsterdam ideal for bikes. There are hundreds of places to rent from, so if in doubt, just ask your hotel. A couple of tips: avoid rush hour – Amsterdam’s roads are super busy during which commuters getting to work become less forgiving to tourists and novice cyclists. Next, the city has many unwritten cycling rules, such as not to chain your bike to a stranger’s. This will be viewed very unfavourably indeed.
VISIT VONDELPARK
Vondelpark, appropriately titled ‘Amsterdam’s Favourite Park’ is a beautiful open space to kick back in after all the food and drink has got the better of you. 8 hectares of public green space play host to sculpture and open air theatre, and there are also restaurants, cafes and skate rental on offer, meaning it’s possible to spend the whole day here if you wish. The surrounding area of Vondelburrt has amazing nightlife when darkness falls, so whether it’s dancing the clubs, sipping cocktails at the bars, this lively area of Amsterdam has got you covered.
SPEND AN EVENING AT FOODHALLEN
Set in the old tram depot in Amsterdam’s cool Oud-West neighborhood and inspired by Torvehallerne in Copenhagen, Foodhallen is the first indoor food market of it’s kind in the Netherlands. Streetfood fans will delight in the large space lined with over 20 street food vendors serving up gastronomic delights from Michelin star concepts to ‘international streetfood’. There’s live music in the evenings and every Friday and Saturday the market hosts a live DJ set until 1am. So if music and food is your thing (and it is very much ours), you’d be mad not to visit Foodhallen.