Amsterdam

Locals in Amsterdam have a saying: ‘If you are not happy with the weather, just wait twenty minutes’… Well, it seems like that is very true! Apart from what some might consider as a turn-off (the weather), everyone must visit Amsterdam at some point in tbeir lives.

I had been there as a teenagers with my parents as part of a road trip around Belgium and the Netherlands, but I must admit that one full day there was definitely not enough. This time we opted for three full days. Even though Amsterdam is not a big European capital city, it is indeed a very unique one, full of interesting sights, smells and flavours… Known for its liberal policy on drugs and prostitution, alongside its wealth of art, monuments and history, Amsterdam won’t disappoint you!

Here are a few reasons why you most certainly end up falling in love with the Dutch capital city:

1) Canals

Amsterdam’s Canal Ring, built during the Golden Age, is simply extraordinary. When you look back at the pictures you took on your trip, most of them will feature a glimpse of a canal. The city has more canals than Venice (1753 in total) and in 2010 Unesco listed the waterways in Amsterdam as a World Heritage Site. 

The city has also an astounding 1753 bridges, more than any other city in the world. Get ready to cross quite a few during your stay. Tip: the best pictures I took on the canal were the ones at sunset!

2) Art and History

The Riksmuseum Musem, the Van Gogh, Stedelijk and Moco Museums… You name it. For art lovers (and not just them), there is so much on offer in Amsterdam, and the list of museums just goes on and on... We found that a visit to the art galleries can also be a good way to find some shelter on a rainy day (which is definitely not unusual here). 

The Anne Frank house is also a must apparently, although unfortunately we could not see it… which brings me to a very important point, that I cannot stress enough: ensure you book your tickets well in advance! To our great disappointment, we could not see two of the major cultural sights because tickets were sold out, and it was not even peak season.

3) Red Light District and coffee shops

Yes, we did smell a lot of weed, especially in some areas of the city, and yes, we did see quite a few prostitutes on display and no, we did not try either! Plenty of sex shops in the area, although apparently you need to hurry up if you want to see the Red District the way it is now. I have read just this morning that the current Mayor of the city wants to bring changes to the way prostitution works and possibly forbid tourists from the area to avoid noise and trouble, not to forget crime, pimps, traffickers and money launderers. Already since 2007 city officials have been reducing the number of Red-Light windows from 482 to 300. 

Interesting fact: despite what you may have heard, cannabis is not technically legal in the Netherlands, although it is widely tolerated. So, strictly speaking coffee shops are conducting an illegal business, which is widely tolerated to a certain extent. 

4) Natures and parks

Vondelpark is where you want to head on a sunny day to enjoy a beer on the grass or in one of the many outdoor cafes. Street performers, joggers, cyclists, children: don’t expect to be alone!

5) Markets and food (and don’t forget brown cafes!)

As soon as we got off the Eurostar on Saturday, we started our day at the Albert Cuymarkt, Amsterdam’s largest street bazar. An authentic feast of Dutch cheeses, fish and stroopwafels (syrup-filled waffles). Beer is a must too, and if you are interested in how it is produced, you should check out the Heineken Experience (although we found it averagely interesting but massively overpriced). Good thing you get given two beers at the end of your self-guided tour!

6) Shopping and Night life

De Pijp, Jordan, the Nine Streets. I don’t need to write here why these neighbourhoods are worth a visit. They just need to be seen and discovered on foot or by bike, with or without a specific plan. We got lost wandering along the canals and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Turn off your GPS and turn on your adventurous side is my suggestion!

7) The People

Amsterdam is free-spirited and Amsterdammers are open-minded, probably also because of the city’s multinational melting pot which creates an incredible diversity of cultures! If Amsterdam were 100 people, 49 would be Dutch 51 would be from somewhere else around the world, mainly Surinamese, Moroccan, Turkish and Indonesian! How amazing is that?

8) Bikes, bikes and more bikes

These people are serious about biking. Honestly… They are everywhere, they dash past you in the cycling lanes, or in the street, or on the pavement. What you need to do is watch out and look not once or twice, but rather three times before crossing the street! Better safe than sorry!

There you go! Hopefully I managed to convince at least a few of you to check out Amsterdam and enjoy its vibe.