Summer is fast-approaching, my friends! This summer I’ll be working in Amsterdam, and I’m so excited to be back. I visit at least once a year, and there’s always so much to do. From picturesque parks to famous museums to breathtaking canals and buildings, Amsterdam is full of life. Here're some ideas for you, should you ever choose to visit this amazing city:
1. Rent a Canal Bike
If the weather permits, this is one of my favorite things to do. Rent a little canal bike/boat and cycle your way through Amsterdam’s canals! It’s an entirely different experience than simply walking along the canals. It also gives you a much more genuine and real experience of the city, and you choose where you go. Get tan, take beautiful pictures, and get in your daily workout, all at the same time!
2. Vondelpark
Comparable to New York’s Central Park, Amsterdam’s Vondelpark is one of the city’s biggest attractions. It’s perfect during warm weather, and everyone brings their bike. There’s also an amphitheater, where concerts are always held and attract many people.
3. Rijksmuseum
This famous national Dutch museum dedicated to history and arts just went through a €375 million renovation. Over the years, the Rijksmuseum has held famous masterpieces, such as Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” and several pieces by Vermeer and van Dyck. Not into museums? That’s totally fine, just visit and look at it!
This picture of the Museum is gorgeous, but it does not reflect its impressive grandness. (Fun facts: The entire Rijksmuseum collection holds over 1,000,000 items, and the walking distance through all the Museum’s galleries is approximately 1.5 kilometers).
4. Anne Frank Museum
You can’t visit Amsterdam without visiting the Anne Frank Museum. Of course, it has been renovated over the years, but it is, in fact, the actual house Anne Frank hid in with her family. You can even see the secret bookcase and the attic Anne cherished as a place of escape from everything going on. Watch out, though, because the Museum is notorious for its long lines - if you don’t purchase tickets in advance, you’ll most likely end up waiting for a few hours.
5. Neighborhood Jordaan
The Jordaan neighborhood is a must for any visitor who wants to avoid mobs of tourists and who wants to experience truly residential Amsterdam. Visibly, it’s pretty similar to other parts of Amsterdam with beautiful row houses. Still located centrally, it’s a neighborhood not many tourists visit because of its lack of famous attractions.
Walk around and experience the true Amsterdam, with local coffee shops and hidden canals all around. Maybe you’ll even spot some houseboats (yes, they are literally houses in boats)!
6. Stedelijk Museum
Similar to New York’s MoMA museum, the Stedelijk Museum is a museum dedicated to modern art and design. In addition to wonderful exhibitions, the Museum has a Family Lab, where parents and children get creative with artistic experimentation.
Located in the middle of Amsterdam with a wonderful restaurant, the Stedelijk Museum definitely makes it onto this list.
7. Van Gogh Museum
Dedicated to the work of Van Gogh and his contemporaries, the Museum is an attraction for many tourists. And as Van Gogh was Dutch, the Museum’s importance in Holland is self-explanatory. It is not my personal favorite museum in Amsterdam, but I would definitely recommend it to any tourist.
8. Amsterdam’s Flower Market
Known as the Bloemenmarkt (bloo - mun - markt), Amsterdam’s flower market is the most elaborate and colorful display of tulips you’ve ever seen.
The Market is a conglomeration of small flower shops floating directly along a canal. It can get busy, but you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself with the Market’s sweet smells and vibrant colors!
9. Kroket
Last but not least, you MUST try a real Dutch kroket. If you’ve ever had French croquettes, they’re pretty similar. There’s no cute or elegant way to describe the snack food, but it’s basically a fried roll filled with meat ragout. It’s so good that we Dutch people don’t like to ruin its deliciousness by trying to describe it. It’s regarded as our fast-food delicacy and is typically eaten on white/brown bread with mustard.
On coffee shops and the Red Light District:
There are a few perceptions of Amsterdam (and of Holland in general) that makes Holland a popular tourist destination. Many times, a tourist’s desire to travel to Amsterdam is motivated by these perceptions, such as the fact that everyone is always high or enjoying themselves in the Red Light District.
Sure, there are dozens of coffee shops in Amsterdam, and they’re pretty fun, but you’d be surprised to hear that the majority of customers are actually not Dutch citizens. These perceptions thrive because tourists contribute to them, but oftentimes it’s only tourists.
And because information travels, perceptions about the legalization of marijuana and prostitution are translated to Holland in its entirety, almost as a reflection of our culture. As this listicle communicates, there is so much more to a wonderful vacation in Amsterdam.
