How To Do Amsterdam Right

Don’t fret, we’re here to help. We want to make sure that you get the most out of your time in this wonderful city. So if you’re planning on visiting Amsterdam anytime soon, read through this article to learn everything you need to know!

WHERE TO STAY

THE ALBUS

The Albus, located right in the city center of Amsterdam, perfectly combines comfort and modern style. Everything you may need is within walking distance, including Rokin, the main shopping drag in the city. And there’s plenty of other museums and exciting attractions within a ten-minute walk. This is a great place to start when looking for accommodations in Amsterdam.

THE AMSTERDAM CANAL HOTEL

This charming little hotel is tucked within some beautiful houses on the Reguliersgracht canal, which puts it right on the border of the city’s center and the De Pijp neighborhood. The De Pijp neighborhood is a wonderful little place full of cozy cafes, friendly bars, and delicious food options from all around the world. So if you’re looking to really explore the city, but want to avoid the really big crowds, this is the perfect spot to stay.

WHERE TO EAT

’T SMALLE

This spot has been a local favorite since all the way back in 1786! So you know it’s worth a visit. It’s right in the heart of the popular Jordan neighborhood, and it’s the perfect place to get a proper taste of Amsterdam. They serve primarily locally made beer and gin, and the food is almost entirely traditional Dutch dishes. This certainly falls under “doing Amsterdam right.”

WARUNG SPANG MAKANDRA

Little known fact: the tiny and almost unknown country of Suriname was formerly a Dutch colony. So Amsterdam is actually chock-full of great Surinamese food! And Warung Spang Makandra in the De Pijp neighborhood is one of the best Surinamese spots in the city. The food is truly unique and combines various flavors and styles found in Creole, Indonesian, and Chinese foods. You simply must try it.

D’VIJFF VLIEGHEN

If you’re looking for an especially exquisite dining experience in Amsterdam, then D’Vijff Vlieghen is the place to go. The restaurant includes multiple dining rooms that are spread out through five former canal houses that date back to the 17th century. Each dining room has its own unique design and every one of them seems more extravagant than the last. This place is definitely worth a visit just to see the different dining rooms!

WHAT TO SEE, WHAT TO DO

THE CANALS

This should really be the first thing you do when you get to Amsterdam. So much of this city’s charm lies in the canals that run throughout it, and they’re also the perfect way to take the whole city in quickly without rushing or stressing about traffic. There are plenty of wonderful and cheap boat tours available in the city. So take your pick, really. It’s a great way to start off your time in Amsterdam!

THE MUSEUMS

Amsterdam is practically overflowing with museums. Both Van Gogh and Rembrandt have their own museums (Rembrandt’s is actually set in his old home), the Rijksmuseum has a breathtaking sculpture garden, and if you don’t mind the lines, there is, of course, the Anne Frank House. And those are just the first few we can think of. There are so, so many more amazing museums that are worthy of a visit. So you might want to set a couple days aside for just museums!

GOUDA

No, we’re not telling you to simply eat some gouda. We’re telling you to take a short trip outside of Amsterdam and visit the town of Gouda. Which is, as you might have guessed, where the wonderful cheese was born and gets its name! It’s only about an hour away and the cheese markets there are really something to behold. Even if the weather isn’t great and the markets aren’t active, stop by the Gouds Kaas-en Ambachtenmuseum to learn more about the history of this wonderful town and their wonderful cheese.