10 MUST-DO IN AMSTERDAM

Joana Hellemans
8 avr. 2019
6 min de lecture

Dernière mise à jour : 8 juin 2019

Amsterdam is an incredible city and it is not always easy to choose what to do between all the choices presented to us. Here are the 10 things you must do if you are visiting Amsterdam :)

1- Be like a real Amsterdammer: Rent a bike and wander around the canals

When arriving in Amsterdam, the first thing you will probably see are the thousands of bikes, absolutely everywhere around you. People here are literally born on bikes and you can find no less than 600.000 bikes for 750.000 citizens!!

The city is made for bikes and I would recommend you to avoid coming to Amsterdam with the car because it is almost impossible to drive in the city and the parkings are way to expensive (5€/hour, 30-45€/day). Bike shops are easy to find and you can rent bikes for a few hours or the entire weekend!

The bike shop I usually use with my friend is called MacBike and I'm pretty sure it's the cheapest one.

For a foot-breaks bike: 5€/hour, 9,75€/day, 6€/extra day

You will also need to give an ID and a deposit of 50€.

https://www.macbike.nl/

Once you have a bike, you can go absolutely everywhere, however the canals should be your first stop. I fell in love with the bridges and typical houses on Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Keizergracht.

2- Lay on the grass of the Museumplein

The Museumplein a huge plain surrounded by museums. In front, the Rijksmuseum, on the left, the Moco museum, the Stedelijk museum and the famous VanGogh Museum. During summer, lay on the grass with a drink and enjoy the sun playing cards with friends. During winter the place is covered up by an ice rink and bars where you can eat fries and drink "Glühwein" (beverage made with hot wine).

3- Try a stroopwafel in Albert Cuyp markt

Located in DePijp district, the Albert Cuyp market is one of the most famous in town. Opened every day except Sunday, you can find anything there, especially souvenirs and local food. I recommend you very much the fresh and warm "Stroopwafels". You will only pay 1,50€!

4- Spend a crazy night in a techno party

In the Netherlands, people are quite fans of techno and electro music. There are a lot of festivals during the whole year and it would be a shame not to try a party like those! I like techno since I went to the Amsterdam Dance Event, the leading conference and festival for the all kind of electronic sub-genres, with more than 1000 events spread out over 5 days and nights.

This festival happens at the end of October, but no worries if you cannot be there at that time of the year, many clubs in Amsterdam are throwing techno events every week. The most famous club and probably the best one? De School! I have never been able to go there because you must be 21 to enter, but other clubs like Shelter and Claire are perfect as well. The downside is that an entree for clubs usually costs more than 10€ and as a student I think it is a bit expensive. However, at the Melkweg club you can dance on techno every week for free at the TechnoTuesday. Check the Facebook page for more informations! https://www.facebook.com/technotuesdayamsterdam/

5- Take the ferry and discover the other side of the IJ bay: Amsterdam North

Behind Amsterdam Central Station, there is a bay which you can cross to discover another side of the city: the North (The ferry is free and you can take your bike with you). This area is plentiful of nice bars and activities to do: the Eye-film museum and its A'dam look out tower is the highest point of the city and the view is very pretty.

Pllek is THE place to be during summer for a perfect evenings listening to live concert on the beach or a good dinner in their hangar. Although it is a bit overpriced in overall, the chill atmosphere is definitely worth it! http://www.pllek.nl

Once a month, you can go to The IJ-Hallen: the biggest and most unique flea market in Europe. Because of the size of the market it is very likely that you will find there what you are looking for. The entree costs 5€ and you can find there many different products at very low prices. Check the websites for events! https://ijhallen.nl/en/index.php

6- Have a beer and try Bitterballen in a "Bruin café"

"Bruin café" or "Brown coffee" take their names from their old brown walls caused by tobacco smoke. Today you cannot smoke there anymore but they have very good beers and food for low prices. Bitterballen are local snacks made with meat and served with mustard, you really need to try some!

I went to a very nice Bruin café on Prinsengracht: Onder de Ooievaar. We had beers, bitterballen and burgers for only 12€ per person, definitely a place to go to!

Utrechtsestraat 119, 1017 VL

7- Explore the city from another point of view: Boat excursion

There are as much canals in Amsterdam is in Venice, which means you have to explore the city from a boat. Many kind of deals are available:

Pedal boat: 15€/person for 1h30, departure from 3 different locations. I advice you to order online to pay a little bit less, however you might have to wait a moment for a pedal to come back if it's crowded. It is a very funny excursion to do with family or friends and no worries: absolutely safe. Each boat can have 4 people on it. You'll have to hand a 20€ caution per boat. https://www.stromma.com/en-nl/amsterdam/sightseeing/canal-tours/pedal-boat/

Private boat: different companies offer them but this website https://www.canalmotorboats.com ask for 50€ the first hour and every additional hour costs a bit less. The positive aspect: appart from the price is that you are the captain and to boat welcomes until 7 people. You'll have to give a 150€ caution and a valid ID document.
Common boat excursion: I would myself not go in such a boat because there is a roof and it is a bit crowded but it is a good solution for a rainy weekend! 12,50€ for an hour. http://www.canal-cruise-amsterdam.com/ During winter, Amsterdam hosts the Light Festival and taking a boat to admire the lights around the city is a really nice evening activity. https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/
Pancake cruise: Here is another outstanding concept! They offer you a 75 minutes cruise and all you can eat pancakes for around 20€/adult and 15€/child. https://amsterdam.pannenkoekenboot.nl

8- Have a lazy brunch

If like me, you think breakfast in the best meal of the day, then Amsterdam is heaven for you too. I cannot count how many spots I have found here for breakfast and I'm planning to write another article about it! Until then, I advice you to go to Corner Bakery for a girly and full of sugar brunch. If you like pancakes, Mook pancake is on your list and if you don't know whether you prefer sweet or savory food for brunch, then The Breakfast club will welcome you for an English breakfast, pancakes or croissant and tasty a smoothie.

For even more address to eat a brunch, check this article out!

9- Find happiness in a vintage shop

I like to say that Amsterdam is a vintage city in general and I feel like Amsterdammer always have the perfect mix between practical and trendy clothes. Well, vintage shops are not missing in Amsterdam and although a bit overpriced, if you take time to search a bit you might find the perfect outfit!

Here are some adresses:

Episode: Waterlooplein 1

Marbles vintage & design: Staalstraat 30 Ferdinand Bolstraat 28

Kiloshop Waterlooplein: Waterlooplein 189

10- Visit one of the many museums

From the famous VanGogh and Rijksmuseum to the small Sex museum and the curious Stedelijkmuseum (modern art), you will need way more than one weekend to visit all the cultural spots of Amsterdam. However, if you want my opinion: the Anne Frank house is a must go because full of history (don't forget to book your visit at least a week before coming) and the Moco museum, exposing Banksy paintings is incredibly interesting. Check my future article on museums to choose the perfect fit for you visit!