Amsterdam: A Micro Travel Guide

Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities. When I first arrived I adored the tiny houses, beautiful lakes and the volume of great things to do. I didn't worry about fitting everything in one that first trip, as I knew I'd be back. There is so much more to this friendly and exciting city than people sometimes imagine.

This is by no means a tell all guide, just my experiences and ideas. So if you are going to Amsterdam or considering it, here's why I think it is great and what I recommend.

Contents

1. Tours
2. Bikes
3. Museums
4. Food
5. Drink

1. Tours

I do love to start off a city trip with one of the free walking tours that have become abundant in many interesting places. There are two reasons to this: 

a. As I used to travel alone, this was a great time to meet other travellers, and we'd often make plans to hang out afterwards. You have to play the leech a bit when you're solo or you'll be on your own a lot. No shame in a bit of leech action!

b. Whether you're a massive wandering loser like me, or if you actually have friends, these tours are a great way to get your bearings in a new place. As a rule of thumb I'd say don't hope to remember all the facts you learn but you will at least be fairly orientated by the end of it.

I've taken the Sandemans tour before which is worthwhile. If you're staying at a hostel they should have leaflets for lots of other free providers too. 

2. Bikes

Whilst a bit cliche, getting around by bike truly is a great way to see Amsterdam. Its certainly a walkable city as its not very large, but cycling along the canals or through the parks adds some extra joy to getting around. There are plenty of bike rental shops so just click the link and choose one. (That sounded a bit demanding. No pressure)

I'd also say that Vondelpark is the perfect place for a bike ride. Its long and thin with twisting waterways down the middle, so you can zoom down one length of the park, do a U-turn around the water and then pedal back up the other side. Conveniently, its also very near the Rijksmuseum which is one of the star attractions in the city.

Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum

3. Museums

Actually, TripAdvisor rates The Rijksmuseum as #1 thing to do in the Capital. In addition to that, I liked it too.

As the National Museum, it has some of the best pieces in the country. Now I won't say "There's an array of art from Rembrandt to whoever..." because I cant really remember. But I will say that spending extra to get the audio guide is worth it and make the whole experience much more interesting. Put aside two hours minimum if you want to make the most of this attraction.

TouristTopTip: The building is beautiful inside and out... but I'm sure you are interested that an

I Amsterdam installation is located around the back. Grab camera. Go nuts.

Credit to: Van G

I'd not recommend doing two big museums in one day- there's only so much art the brain can take in (for me anyway). But for another day, or if you fancy it instead, the Van Gogh Museum is right around the corner of the National Museum. The audio guide narrates Van Gogh's life in chronology so this museum is more like a good story time than the Rijksmuseum is. Again I'd budget two hours of your time for it (though I spent closer to three).

On a final museum related note, Ive not been to Anne Frank House (yet) but have heard it is worth a visit. Its very popular so go early in the day to lessen an experience called queuing.

4. Food

What I have visited is an establishment near to Anne Frank House- the Raypenaer cheese shop. I don't know how you pronounce it though. On the Raypenaer website you can book and cheese tasting sesh (with wine!) for 15 euros. There's also an actual Cheese Museum where you can reportedly get free samples, and you can dress up as cow milkers. Go on.

Also, I am in love with Febo. Its an odd shop where the food of choice (crocketts) are kept in heated cages that you unlock by putting money in. Its sort of like a walk-in vending machine and there are meaty and veggie varieties of this national-treasure-of-food. If peckish or drunk, look no further.

My slogan for this would be:
Tastes waaay better than it looks!

5. Drink

I've got a friend in Amsterdam called Amsterdam Sam, who tells me that there are more bars in Amsterdam per square mile than anywhere in the world.

So you won't have a hard time finding a place to sample some lovely local brew. Whether that's true or not, Sam did take me to a special place called Brouwerij 't IJ. Its a very Dutch venue to grab a drink as this brewery and bar is right next to a windmill and a canal. The beers there are strong, reasonably priced and delicious. Its a little out of the way but easy to cycle to. Click the link for more info.

Is it a brewery, is it a windmill?
Its both!

On the theme of drinking, along the Amstel River (that's the name of the river that the beer is named after... its not a river of beer) there is the Heineken Experience which is a brewery tour. I'd not say it looks like the most exciting thing to do in a city as rich as this, not without a beer river anyhow, but it could be an option. Its certainly a popular one.

Bonus

And finally I'll just add that there's a mental 1920's cinema called Pathé Tuschinski Theatre. Its really worth a wander in, even if only to see the atrium. If you do decide to stay, there's a tour you can take which I've not been on but heard is interesting. Plus if you decide to see a film you can also get a beer, because, you know, this is Holland!

Sneak preview of the Tuschinski interior..
Needless to say its more spectacular when viewed in person.

And that is all I'll say about Amsterdam. There's so much more to do here but these are my favourites from what I've done so far. I'm also aware that I didn't mention anything about the Red Light District or Coffeeshops, which are what Amsterdam is suppodedly famous for. 

Which goes to show that there's a lot more to do here than weed and prostitutes. Enjoy Amsterdam and please ask questions in the box below if you have any :)

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