It is known as the “ Venice of the North” by its inhabitants, or “that place with all the weed and prostitutes” by Chad the Frat Bro. Whether you enjoy experiencing other countries like some cultural savant, or you are looking to get “messed up” like our friend Chad, this is the place for you. I’m talking about Amsterdam .

The famous I Amsterdam letters.

If you want to start traveling the world, I suggest that one of the first places you go to is Amsterdam. It’s a perfect city. I know, I know, nothing is perfect, but when you’re traveling you will see a lot of cities and towns that range from the familiar to the extraordinary. You’ll experience this sense of belonging yet be surprised at how different this city is from what you’re used to.

A view from a bridge, overlooking a canal.

Disclaimer: This post will not feature any suggestions to Amsterdam’s infamous coffee shops. Sorry, Chad…

The wonders of this city begin the minute you step off the plane. When you arrive in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol it might come apparent that you’ve stumbled on one of the finest airports you’ve ever seen.

Schiphol at 1 a.m.

*Amsterdam’s airport is regarded as one of the best airports due to the amount of effort put in to relieve travelers. Aside from rest areas, they have massage therapists, parks, casinos, a tiny museum, and pretty much everything an airport doesn’t need, but is greatly appreciated.*

Restaurants and lounges for travelers in the airport.

The best bet of getting into the city is by the metro system located within the the airport. You’ll most likely end up in the rustic but modern Amsterdam Centraal.

A train pulls in to Amsterdam Centraal Terminal.

*To ride the train, buy a ticket from the yellow machines located around the entrance, and make sure to buy and validate your ticket before getting on the train. It’s an honor system, so you might not be asked, but if they find you without one, you’re subject to a fine.*

The platform at Amsterdam Centraal Terminal.

**If you are worried about not speaking Dutch, don’t panic. Everyone speaks English, as well as two or three other languages. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. I only ask for you to please follow the first rule of The Amado Travel Assistance System, or TATAS for short,  which is to be respectful everywhere you go.**

Side Note: If you are looking for a place to stay, I recommend Stayokay Amsterdam -Zeeburg, or any of their other locations. Some of the rooms are on the pricier side, but the staff are nice and they have great security.

Stayokay Amsterdam – Zeeburg

*I feel that I should say that I have not been paid by any organization or facility to say nice things. However, if anyone associated with any place I mention wants to give me free stuff, DM me.*

Cafeteria within the building.

View from my window.

Once you’re settled in, the best way to travel around the city is by bicycle! Check first if the hostel you’re staying at has bikes to rent, because they tend to be cheaper. Otherwise, you could find one of the Black Bikes locations across the city.

Bikes everywhere!

*Biking is the best way around the city. However, you still have your options of trains, trams,  ferries, and busses to take you in and out of the city*

My bike taking a ferry.

The first place you’ll want to visit is the I Amsterdam letters, and heads up, there will probably be A LOT of people there. If you’re looking to take a photo of the letters without a bunch of strangers in the frame, I recommend going at night.

The letters at night.

The letters during the day from afar.

The letters are right in the middle of the Museumplein, where you could spend hours visiting the many museums like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, as well as a concert hall, but if art and history aren’t up your alley, the Heineken Experience isn’t too far off.

Rijks Museum at night

The Van Gogh Museum was my personal favorite. It is an extremely moving exhibit that gives you insight to the troubled artist’s life as well as informing you about his impact on the art world.

*Buy your tickets in advance to avoid the lines, and for a more immersive visit, I’d recommend getting the audio tour. You can move at your own pace while simultaneously learning about the history behind key paintings.* 

Museumplein

 From here you can travel towards Vondelpark, which is large park within the city that is known for people to gather in and have “fun”. Notice the quotation marks, because you’ll see many people smoking or tripping balls. However, my fun consisted of exploring the paths, seeing the sites, stumbling upon a Picasso and just lying in the grass. Whatever “fun” means to you, you are sure to have it here.

Gazebo in Vondelpark

Fish Sculpture by Picasso in the park

A lovely tree.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, then I suggest you take an hour and a half bike ride out of the city to see The Zaanse Schans.

The Zaanse Schans.

The Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum that recreates an old fashioned Dutch village with functional windmills. It’s a long ride, but it is relatively flat and the sites of the countryside are amazing.

The countryside

*If biking seems too strenuous, you can take the train, which you can get from Amsterdam Centraal.*

Free ferries that travel between the city and Amsterdam Noord.

Once you’re back in the city, you’ll probably be starving, so here are my food highlights:

• Jacketz – They are famous for their delicious and inexpensive stuffed potatoes. A word to the wise, the potatoes are filling. I recommend you order a half-pound, but if you order a whole pound potato, you could take it home and it could serve as two meals. Plus, their to-go boxes are pretty darn cute.

  Salmon baked potato.

   

  Inexpensive and delicious

   

  Cute to-go box.

• Broodje Bert –  For lunch, this is the place. It was also inexpensive, and the servings are mighty generous. I recommend ordering the chicken sandwich, then stuffing your face on the side of a canal.

  Broodje Bert storefront.

   

My lunch view.

Chicken sandwich with a side of salad.

*People say that Amsterdam is an expensive city. However, I use Tripadvisor to find points of interest and places to eat that don’t break the bank. It is geared towards travelers, and you can trust many of the recommendations. Also, if you work at Tripadvisor and see this…. HIRE ME!*

If you’re still hungry, then head to Frens Haringhandel to try the Dutch delicacy of herring. I know that raw fish might not sound too appetizing but believe me, for someone who does not like fish, IT WAS… OKAY.

Frens Haringhandel stand

*If you want culture points, you traditionally grab the fish by its tail, look towards the heavens, and lower it down your mouth, sort of like a seal. If you don’t want to do that, then you can go the hot dog route and no one will look down on you – except maybe the Dutch.*

The Dutch delicacy in a hotdog bun.

There is also a popular snack called bitterballen, which are thick hard covered meatballs that are typically served with mustard.

Bitterballen served at my hostel.

*If you want some delicious bitterballen, our friends on Tripadvisor suggest you go to either FoodHallen or De BallenBar.*

After eating your bodyweight in herring and bitterballen, make your way to Wynand Fockink and wash it down with some jenever, the predecessor of gin that the Dutch also invented. (Yes; the Dutch sure do know how to party.)

Wynand Fockink

*To drink jenever the old-fashioned way, place your hands behind your back, lean your head over and take a sip of it before picking it up so you don’t spill any. Warning: You might leave drunk.* 

A glass of jenever

As night begins to fall across the city, the famous Red Light District comes alive. It’s here you may want to spend a couple of hours drunkenly roaming around the tiny streets and singing English drinking songs in a place that is pretty unique. 

An outer street of the Red Light District.

*The Red Light District is beautiful, and famous for the hard-working ladies behind the windows. However, I warn you to not take photos of the women. It’s disrespectful to them, and if they catch you, there are stories of their pimps throwing phones in canals, and pee being thrown on people.  So if you fancy a walk around the district,  just keep your phone in your pants. Other than that, it’s your body! Just respect the women working, behave responsibly, and remember the first rule of TATAS.*

A photo of street art reminding you not to take photos.

Front view of a hotel in the Red Light District.

There is an endless amount of bars that you can find within the city. However, my friend Anthony Bourdain and I recommend stopping by In’t Aepjen, one of the oldest bars in the city with loads of history. It got its name from the owner accepting monkeys as a form of payment, which is why you’ll see many sculptures of monkeys within the bar.

In’t Aepjen bar.

*Ok so Anthony Bourdain is not my friend… yet.* 

Decorative lamp in the bar.

Honestly, you could find many blogs and vlogs about this city with recommendations of where to go and places to see, but with so many opportunities in this tiny city, the only trouble you’ll have is picking a place to start your adventure.

Zeedijk Street

There is always something to do; always something to see. You’ll never be bored with the endless amount of entertainment and beautiful landscapes this city has to offer, and every time you visit it’ll be a little harder to leave. That’s why Amsterdam is so great.

Have you traveled to Amsterdam and think we missed something? Want more information about planning your next getaway? Leave a comment below with your tips and ideas and a wanderlust consultant will get in touch with you! #YourWorldBetter