Lazy, woven Canals. Tilted Gables. A million Bikes. and despite the coldest of winters, some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet. Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands, and one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
I visited AMS in May of ’18,
right before I left Europe for good. It was my last trip before returning to California and since I had ended my teaching position, so it felt like a holiday.
I believe AMS is one of those cities where there is no “bad time” to visit.
In winter, you can enjoy the vibrant indoors: restaurants, museums, clubs, shopping. This is when room rates are cheaper, and being in public is less crowded and feels more genuine.
High season is spring, Tulip Season (early April – mid-May), and European school vacations are in July and August. That said, these months have the best weather and let you enjoy the Dutch mode de vie (“way of life”)- you can ride bikes literally everywhere !
AMS itself
We visited during great weather, so I specifically planned our days away from being shut in a museum for an afternoon. It’s fun to walk the streets and take in the unique vibe of AMS.
Rent a Bike
The absolute best way to get around Amsterdam is on a bike. There are lanes practically everywhere. There are bike rental shops all over the city, and the rates are very reasonable. However, I would stay away from any of the too touristy ones like bright yellow branded things (embarassing much?). We got ours from our hostel and they were regular looking bikes with a basket (for my purse). I would tell the average person, just pay attention to your surroundings, no one wears a helmet, and everyone rides quick and with purpose.
You never know what concept shops, flower carts, or little hole in the wall cafés you’ll find. So traveling by bike, you can stop, lock up and check it out or be on your way in a flash.
My fave neighborhoods:
–Jordaan (Haarlemmerdijk street + Haarlemmerstraat street have great shopping)
-de Pijp
-Nieuwmarkt en Lastage
Feel Gezellig
Gezellig a Dutch adjective that translates roughly to “convivial” or “cosy”. It’s a quality more easily experienced than defined- like a warm glow. There’s a sense of time slowing, a reacquaintance to the present, that leaves your troubles at home or at least until tomorrow. I first encountered this for myself while lingering after dinner in a large restaurant- that felt snug because we were some of the last to leave- while the candles burned low and our waiter snuck us extra pours for my now ex boyfriend’s birthday.
Coffeeshops – but not for coffee
Deceiving, especially for English speakers. But your average joe see what I did there will probably be surprised to find that little to no coffee is served here. These shops are for if you want to get LEGALLY rocky mountain high. The Netherlands was ahead of the curve on decriminalization of weed (and other things) fostering of an open, informative, and ultimately safer environment.
A Canal Tour
Yea it’s touristy, but still romantic and a the ONLY way to see a city build on canals.
To Do
Amsterdam is one of those cities where something is always going on. Scope out social media. Talk to the locals.
The weekend we were there, there was an awesome music festival for the Dutch Memorial Weekend.
It was such a great opportunity to hear new Dutch artists like
Banner.
Wanderlust? Here’s $40 on Airbnb
Keukenhof
one of the world’s largest flower gardens, but mainly full of tulips. Approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares (79 acres). It’s good, clean fun for all ages. We spent a few hours exploring in the morning before returning to town.
Though it’s southeast of Amsterdam, it’s quite easy to get here by bus (~20 min.) from the Schiphol airport. We took public transit the whole way.
I even ordered bulbs to be shipped to my mom for her birthday.
Hortus Botanicus
is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It was established in 1638 by the city municipality as Hortus Medicus, an herb garden with medicinal plants for Dutch doctors and pharmacists. In the second half of the 17th century, the garden expanded with exotic plants from all over the world à grâce à (“thanks to”) the traders of the Dutch East India Company. Some like one of the coffee, Coffea Arabica, plants or two small oil palms are the parents for the entire cultures of these plants we see today. Today, it has more than 6000 different plants. Some *stars* are the 2000 year old agave cactus and a 300 year old Eastern Kape giant cycad. This was of interest to me because I took a medical ethnobotany class at Cal. Once a bio nerd, always a bio nerd
Whether you know plants or not, this is a beautiful place to visit when it’s cold and sunny.
Tickets: €5-9
To Eat
-Bitterballen : fried gravy balls
-Genever *slurping encouraged* : gin
-French Fries, but this time with MAYO
-Stroopwafel : a waffle made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel syrup
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If you have time, try to combine your trip to Amsterdam with a trip to Rotterdam
