Cliches are cliches for a reason. If we go to Amsterdam again, we will do all the cliched stuff all over again because the charms of quintessential Amsterdam things are unexplainable! However, there are so many more things to do in Amsterdam. Read on to find out.
What to do in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also so popular for its nightlife, party scenes & the red light district, seeing which has become more of a tourist checklist thing now. There is so much more that one can do in Amsterdam. Truly, this city can never bore you & you will never want to leave. We compiled a list of things to do in Amsterdam & make the most of your trip when you are there. You can thank us later.
- Canal Cruises and waterbikes: Amsterdam is a city designed very beautifully in concentric circles. Every alternate circle is a canal & the one next to it is a street. So, not only can you take canal cruises, but you can also take waterbikes, basically peddle boats or even walk on the streets & enjoy the beautiful canals flowing by.
- ‘Patatje Oorlog’ & more Dutch food: Well, the truth is that most of the street food of other cuisines also tastes so delicious in Amsterdam! We have had some of the best pizzas & falafel there. However, even if you don’t agree, you simply have to try the Dutch food here. ‘Patatje Oorlog’ are thick Dutch fries served with mayonnaise & many other sauces with onions on top, mmmm…so delicious! You can get them at any snack bars strewn all over the city and, trust us, you will definitely go for them again. Then there are bitter ballen – melt in the mouth meatballs, the Dutch cheeses, croquettes from a vending machine, ’poffertjes’ (these tiny pancakes are truly a must!) and literally so much more. Food is definitely a major reason for going back to Amsterdam again & again.
- Jordaan: One of the most famous Amsterdam neighbourhoods, Jordaan is basically the Amsterdam that you see in pretty pictures. Flowers, canals, bicycles, gingerbread type houses & pretty cafes or shopping places. You can also enjoy the many street markets that keep happening here from time to time. Special mention goes to Noordermarkt if you want to shop like the locals. This one happens on Monday mornings.
- Museums: We didn’t have to tell you this, we know. However, there are many other than the famous ones. Did you know that there is a bags & purses museum (Tassenmuseum) in Amsterdam?
- Peace at the Begijnhof: There will come a point when you will be tired of the maddening crowds but you don’t know where to go. Amsterdam’s Begijnhof is not only peacefully quiet but also very much within the city so you don’t have to travel a lot to get there.
- Max Euweplein: The Dutch love chess & it would be a great way to bond by playing this game on a massive chessboard laid out in Max Euweplein.
- Bloemenmarkt: Netherlands’ tulips are world famous & all its cities have flowers on display super prettily and for those of you who love flowers, roaming in the Bloemenmarkt with fresh flowers & scents all around you will be a great idea!
- The Red Light District: Yes, it can be an emotionally unsettling experience or just a plain weird one, but the red light district in Amsterdam is completely safe to visit and there is so much tourism around it now, that the weirdness will slowly go. In any case, this is something you cannot experience anywhere else so its a must visit, cliched or not.
- The ‘Plein’s: A plein is a square and Amsterdam has some very popular ones, which are filled with tourists, so depending on what you like, you may want to avoid them. We still feel they are brimming with energy and life so at least they are worth a visit once. The Rembrandtplein and the Leidsplein are the main squares for clubs and nightlife. The Museumplein is a large ground with grass and open air where concerts keep happening on one side and people keep enjoying sports or picnicking in the ground. This is where the ‘I Amsterdam’ sign is, the one where everyone gets a customary picture clicked. Museumplein has a supermarket where you can buy things to enjoy a nice picnic in the garden while people watching.
That’s our list of 9 things to do in Amsterdam. We are pretty sure that there is so much more alternate culture brimming in Amsterdam and, in any case, Netherlands is a wonderful country to visit. If you wish to spend time there and observe the culture and city life more closely, you can always get in touch with us to help carry your favourite things there to make you feel more eased into the new city.
Besides, you can discover all the things to do in Amsterdam with our short video guide below. Do not hesitate to visit our Youtube channel for more destinations!
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