Are you planning on visiting the capital of the Netherlands any time soon? Great, because Amsterdam is awesome! It's a buzzing city with many hotspots to visit, but what places do you really need to see?
Things to do when in Amsterdam, we know a thing or two (actually 10) about that. We've been to this magical and very unique many times over and we know exactly where you need to go. Follow our lead and your stay in Amsterdam will be unforgettable!
Visit The Dam (city center)
The city center of Amsterdam is called The Dam area. It's where the train station drops of many thousands of people every day and it's where the tourists come to experience the theme park-vibes of this part of town. It's very busy, buzzing, and a bit crazy! And it's kinda like a tourist trap because of all the typical shops, fast food restaurants, and typical streetsellers, homeless weirdos, eccentrics and many typical tourists.
That sounded like criticism, but it's actually not. The city center is more like an amusement park for adults. You get in and you get out, more than two days in the area of the Dam is more than enough. Be sure to visit the Damrak (a lovely view of the atmospheric crooked canal houses), the Dam square (with its many artists), and don't forget to shop at the Bijenkorf (the premium warehouse in Amsterdam, leave your credit card at home!) and the narrow but long shopping street called the Kalverstraat.
If you are also looking for a great hotel, hostel, or Airbnb rental in Amsterdam, be sure to check out our recommendations.
Visit the authentic Jordaan
This is Amsterdam at it's finest. This is what locals call ‘the Real Amsterdam‘. This neighborhood is very near to the city center (about 5-10 minutes walking) and it's truly breath-taking. The typical architecture of the canal houses, the atmospheric old streets, and the lovely canals make the Jordaan an absolute gem. A must-visit if you love taking photographs of beautiful buildings and sceneries.
In the Jordaan, you'll find many cute boutiques, cozy cafes, and excellent restaurants. It is by far the most beautiful area of Amsterdam. It's what the Dutch would describe as ‘mooi voor het oog‘. That means ‘it's beautiful to your eyes'. Sounds weird in English when translated, but you'll understand what it mean's when you walk around the Jordaan on a sunny day in spring.
Pro-tip; try to rent a boat or get on a boat with a tour. You'll love cruising around the city, looking up at the many crooked canal houses.
Try all the delicious food
The Netherlands is not very well known for great food, but this multi-cultural city with thousands of restaurants, cafes, and stores have enough for you to eat like a spoiled brat for a lifetime. Sushi, curry's, meat, fried food, snacks, cheeses, sandwiches, poke bowls, all kinds of pasta and so much more.
We've had so much great food while in Amsterdam, it's hard to even make a list. We have a couple of recommendations to consider;
If you fancy avocado's or not, this hip restaurant is a must-visit. The food is truly excellent and the way it's presented is very Insta-worthy.
You read that right, Amsterdam has a junk food bar for vegans. And you will be surprised at how good all these dishes are. We especially loved the ‘kapsalon' with vegan shwarma. It's amazing what they can do with vegan meats to make it all taste, look, and feel like real meat.
Another great tip is to go to the Foodhallen, a big collection of little restaurants within a giant hip food court. You can order all sorts of things from your phone (by scanning the QR code) from all sorts of restaurants. So you can get sushi, with pancakes, with beer, with sugary sweet desserts, and everything in between, all at the same time!
> And, typical Dutch food
If you encounter a shop or food truck with these items, go and try stroopwafels, fries with peanutsaus and mayonnaise (patatje oorlog), licorice, fresh haring, bitterballen, a frikandel and a kroket.
Pro-tip; The supermarket everybody loves in Holland is called the ‘Albert Heijn‘, also known als the ‘Appie'. If you need a fast affordable snack or something to drink, or just anything you need for your stay (dinner, refreshments, grceries etc.), you go to the Appie!
The Adam Lookout Tower in Amsterdam Noord
In the city center, there's the central station. At the back of that station, you'll find a giant river called the ‘IJ'. On the other side of the station, you'll find Amsterdam Noord (North). This area has a quite different vibe than the rest of the more historic center. It's more modern and it feels more like a different little city from the buzzing Amsterdam city center.
There are many free ferries going up and down the IJ-river to bring all the people towards the city and towards Amsterdam Noord. Within a minute you're across the pond and on your way to your next highlight; the Adam Lookout Tower!
This cool little skyscraper is 100 meters high and has by far the best view of the city. The Adam Tower is not very impressive in numbers, but the view from it is absolutely stunning. Be sure to grab your tickets online for a discount (€12,50, per person) and for faster check-in. But before we talk about the view from the top floor, you will first encounter the awesome psychedelic elevator and the cool restaurant floor. At this level, you can enjoy drinks, food, and look at the history behind the area. The seating here is quite nice and you'll feel on top of the world!
The Lookout and The Swing
When you are done relaxing and feeling like a king, it's time to go outside and marvel at the views from the 360 degrees Lookout deck. The wind might be howling up there, so take a jacket with you just in case. When it's fall or winter, don't forget your scarf, cap, and gloves. Thank me later! There are also seating arrangements here and food stands to get yourself a drink or snack.
If you are a daredevil, then you will love the kick you will get from the Over The Edge Swing. This crazy construction will make you feel as if you are ‘swinging of the building'. For about 5 euro's you will get your heart pumping a whole lot faster! We have done it and we will never do it again, lol!
Pro-tip: Go to Adam Tower an hour before the sunsets. The amazing pink-red-purple hue in the sky and the city lights turning on slowly is a sight you will never forget.
Visit a lovely museum
When in Amsterdam, definitely go to one of the great museums. There are many to choose from and they are all located quite near each other in an area called the ‘Museumplein'. It's like a park/square where museums like The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the ‘Stedelijk Museum'. You'll find beautiful paintings, many historic items from thousands of years ago, and some very excentric modern art. There is something for everyone, even when you don't even fancy art, you will appreciate the amount of work people put in their craft.
Our favorite; The Van Gogh Museum. The story of the Dutch painter is tragic, but it's magical to appreciate his work many years after his death. Vincent van Gogh was a true master of his craft and you will be able to see it up close and personal.
Pro-tip; take your time, be on time, and enjoy the art. And bring your good walking shoes!
The neighborhood De Pijp
A little more south of the city center, about 10-15 minutes, is the lovely and very atmospheric neighborhood called De Pijp. If you love hip restaurants, great food, enjoying a drink or two on a terrace, shopping in brand stores, and boutiques, you will absolutely like De Pijp. And they also have the ‘Albert Cuyp'-market. It's a long street with many food stands and charismatic Dutch salesmen who will try to sell you fresh haring, stroopwafels, cool outfits, and trendy jewelry.
There are many cool places to visit when you are in de Pijp, but these four great spots we have to mention because the food and the atmosphere was just excellent;
Got some more money to spare in exchange for high-quality dining? Then you have to go to Maris Piper in the Frans Halsstraat (lovely street by the way!). We've enjoyed a little lunch here by eating a luxurious edition of marrow. I couldn't repeat what the gentlemen said to me about what was in it, but it was very tasty and worth the money. We would love to come back here and enjoy a royal dinner.
> Kaasbar
Do you love cheese? Then you are in for a treat. The Kaasbar is a cheese-bar. Yes, you read that right. It's a bar where you can enjoy your drinks with a wide variety of very tasty cheeses. We choose very strong blue cheeses and loved every bite of it.
Oewhh, for the perfect lunch, go to Le Petit Deli in the Jordaan. These healthy and very yummy bowls are just delicious!
This authentic Italian shop has everything Italian. And most importantly; great Italian sandwiches!
> bonus; The Vegan Junk Food Bar & The Avocado Show
We have mentioned The Vegan Junk Food Bar and The Avocado Show before, but these were different locations. They also have their shops in De Pijp, so do yourself a favor and go to one or two of these recommendations. You will love it!
Pro-tip; when you're belly is full and the sun is shining beautifully, go to the Sarpathipark and ly down for a while.
Your bucket-list location is waiting for you. But first, you´ll need a ticket up in the air!
Talk to a local and try the ‘G'
The Dutch are amazing. These friendly locals – who almost all speak English – will love to have a chat with you. Be nice and you will be treated nicely as well. If you are rude, don't look weird when they call you all sorts of names. The Dutch are real, they prefer to be the opposite of fake. They are also quite direct in their questions and opinions, don't be offended by maybe something you find rude, it's just the way there always have communicated.
The Dutch have a known saying that goes like ‘doe normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg', which means; ‘be normal, you're already being weird enough!'. So it's like ‘relax dude, act normal and we will treat you with respect and life will be great'. It perfectly described the Dutch people. So, be normal and go have a nice chat with them, you'll get to hear some insider-tips and learn more about their great culture!
Pro-tip: when trying the hard Dutch ‘G', for words like ‘goedemorgen' , don't make it a GUH-sound, but more a subtle growl, like ‘Grrr'. The Dutch will find it hysterical but don't be offended, it's just such a normal sound to them, it's just funny that people can't make that sound. After a hundred times, you'll have mastered the infamous Dutch ‘G'.
Alternative heaven: NDSM Werf
If you love hipster/alternative/punk-kinda settings, as you will find in Berlin and Tel Aviv, you will also love the NDSM Werf. It's a colorful mix of creative souls coming together and sharing their excentric view of art, partying, and relaxing. The whole area is transformed from a harbor to a place to chill and vibe with like-minded people. The whole lot is covered in graffiti and other ‘alternative' arts.
If the weather is great, definitely go to PLLEK. It's an outside terrace on the waterfront looking out on Amsterdam. The views here on the water and the city, especially when the sun goes down, are just breath-taking.
You will find the NSDM Werf on the north-side of Amsterdam. You can take a free ferry from the Central Station and be at the NSDM Werf in a couple of minutes by bus, taxi, or Uber. Or think more like a local and take a bike ride!
Red Light District & Coffee shops
Of course, when visiting Amsterdam, you want to see the world-famous area of the Red Light District. This area is also called ‘The Wallen'. Here, you'll find many sex shops, weed-paraphernalia stores, shady unexplainable stores, fast-food restaurants, shops with sweets, windows with red lights (with of course prostitutes behind them), and not to forget; coffee shops! And when people go to these so-called coffee shops, they are coming for the excellent (legal) weed and not the coffee. ‘The Wallen' is truly the theme park for adults. No kids should be allowed in this neighborhood.
Pro-tip; if you are not well known with Dutch weed, start slow. This should be a very enjoyable experience!
Pro-tip 2; watch out for pick-pockets, avoid drunk idiots, and don't be here after 02.00 on the weekend.
Have a great time at the many cafes
To finish this top 10 list off, let's close it off with some fun. How about a nice drink or two? Or three! Go to the many cafes and terraces Amsterdam has and enjoy a nice conversation and probably a couple of drinks too much. The Dutch have great beers, wines, and many other beverages that make you feel wobbly and funny.
The locals love to have a chat with you,… but don't be that annoying drunk. Maintain your cool and you will truly enjoy drinking in these atmospheric cafes. Especially on a sunny day, you'll love spending many hours on the terraces looking out on the canals, canal houses, and fascinating people. People-watching is the most fun in Amsterdam!
Our top recommendations;
This beautiful old cafe in the Brouwersgracht is just so atmospheric and photogenic! You can get all sorts of beers and wines here and enjoy yourself along cozy lovely afternoon with your best friends, date, or partner. Proost!
If you get lucky, you will find a seat on the bridge or outside this lovely old cafe in the Jordaan. This has got to be the most gorgeous hotspot in Amsterdam. Enjoy a couple of hours here, especially if you get a seat on the Hilletjesbrug, because this special moment needs to be cherished.
> All the gay bars in Reguliersdwarsstraat
If you are gay, wow, you're in luck, because there is a whole street filled with cool-looking gay bars. The atmosphere here is very welcoming and friendly towards all LGTBQ-people, as Amsterdam in general also is by the way. But when you're looking for a great night out to have a great time or find the love of your life, you'll feel right at home in the Reguliersdwarsstraat.
Bonus tip; just walk around and enjoy the city
You don't always need clear and concise planning of where to go in Amsterdam. Just walking around can be entertaining enough. You will see so many unique people, unique buildings, and encounter so many unique moments, that you don't even need Google Maps to bring to your next destination. Just wander around, get lost a little, and enjoy the good life Amsterdam has to offer.
And last but not least, the ultimate insider pro-tip; Rent a bicycle or (electric) scooter to get around quick!
Where to stay in Amsterdam? We've curated the finest luxury hotels, but also the best hostels, hotels, and Airbnb rentals!
Also, check out:
>> Top 7 best hostels in Amsterdam
>> Top 7 best hotels in Amsterdam
>> Top 7 best Airbnb rentals in Amsterdam
>> Top 7 best luxury hotels in Amsterdam
More Travel Inspiration: Is Amsterdam a country? No silly, it’s the capital of the Netherlands!
