Click for my Amsterdam blog post
BEWARE OF THE BICYCLISTS. They are everywhere. I was constantly in danger of being run over by the freaking Tour d’France. There are bike lines, but sometimes they are poorly marked so it would be in everyone’s best interest to be aware of this and watch out.
The transportation system is incredible and so well organized. They have buses, and trams that can basically take you anywhere in the entire (tiny) city. They come frequently, are easy to use, it’s heavenly. 7 euros for a 24 hour thing, which is not bad if you’re going to be moving all around in the cold.
Everything is closed until 12 on Sundays and Mondays, so sleep in.
They speak Dutch. It’s equally as entertaining to listen to as German is.
Accommodations
I stayed in Hotel Fita, and could not recommend it enough. It’s a tiny, family run hotel and the family was SO friendly. The breakfast was delicious (they would make us pancakes to order. Un. Real), the coffee they had 24/7 was amazing, they were so helpful, and it was really just the greatest experience and I wish I could take Roel and Martijn with me everywhere. Right in the Museumplein- perfect location and near 2 tram stops and the main canal.
Other people really highly recommended the Marriott to me, which was also very close by. They said the beds were “like clouds”, which is always a great thing.
Food
OMG prepare to eat like you’ve never eaten before. The food in Amsterdam is amazing. I ate like there was no tomorrow.
In a lot of the places the waitresses don’t seat you or give you the check, you have to physically seat yourself and go to the cash register when you’re done. Watch for social cues.
George Deli USA: Right above Marqt near Rembrandtplein and the Jewish quarter, they had delicious “American style” sandwiches and salads, except it was better than American style. I had a chicken avocado sandwich on the most delicious artisan bread and followed that sucker up with a giant piece of Red Velvet Cake. Go. Website
There were a million delicious looking restaurants in Rembrandt Square, it was hard to choose. Can’t go wrong.
L‘entrecôte et les dames: If you leave Van Gogh and make a left and a left you may stumble, just as we did, upon this amazing restaurant. There is no menu- you decide between fish and meat. You get a salad with walnuts and a delicious wasabi dressing then beef/fish with fries and the most delicious green sauce I have ever tasted and I don’t know what it was. And they bring you seconds of the beef and fries. We only went here because we somehow managed to go until 10:30 without eating dinner after Van Gogh and all of the other restaurants kitchen’s were closed, but this was amazing and I would definitely recommend it.
Bouf: Right next to L’entrecote et les dames. Equally amazing. I had a pumpkin carrot soup and then a salad with avocado, craisins, chicken, walnuts, and a honey mustard dressing. They use such great ingredients. I’m salivating just writing about this.
Pancake Bakery: Everyone has heard of this. Right by the Anne Frank house, further away from the center but on the same side of the canal. Delicious savory and sweet pancakes (which are actually like crepes here). I got an Indonesian crepe and a banana nutella one for dessert. Can’t go wrong. Can be a long wait, so try to arrange your schedule so you get there when it opens at 12.
Joselitos: Adorable tapas restaurant near the Red Light District. Cute decor, good food, thumbs up!
Saturninos: Italian restaurant in the Canal Area, near the Spui stop on the 2,5 tram. We got a goat cheese avocado salad and grilled salmon, but they have all of your classic Italian food as well. Yum Yum Yum.
Brix: Recommended by the hotel, we couldn’t find it, in the canal area, we trust anything the hotel says.
Activities
Jewish Quarter: They have a museum and stuff that we didn’t go to, but seemed good. The Synagogue was closed since we stupidly went on a Saturday, but it looked pretty. Right near Rembrandt Square, so good to check out
Flower Market: Also near Rembrandt square, pretty. They sell flowers and bulbs. Worth just taking a walk past on your way to and from places.
I AMsterdam sign: Right behind the Rijks museum. Go to take your cliched pictures or no one will know that you went to Amsterdam.
how creepy is this?
Diamond Museum: Right by Rijks and the sign, not really worth it. You learn a thing or two about diamonds and see some replicas of crowns jewels. They had a creepy “Glamour Room” which was a diamond-shaped mirrored room with a rotating diamond-encrusted ape skull at the end. I kid you not.
Van Gogh Museum: I was annoyed because they didn’t have Starry Night, or even a replica of it, and they completely bypassed his ear situation. Learned a lot about Van Gogh (the audio tour pronounced it Van HHHock, which I got a kick out of), but pretty surface stuff. Word on the street is that it is worth going to after a coffee shop. On Friday’s it’s open until 10pm, and they had wine and a DJ pumping some soft jazz which added a classy albeit confusing touch.
Rijks Museum: Was good, but smaller than I had expected. A lot of Rembrandt and Dutch history, cool dollhouses. If you pretend you’re 18 years old or younger it’s free.
Anne Frank House: You must go. It’s haunting and tragic and terrible, but also weirdly inspirational and you just need to go and see it and learn and make connections between the past and present and reflect on your life. Reserve your tickets online (IN ADVANCE) so you don’t have to wait on the ridiculously long line.
Heineken Experience: A lot of interactive things that had nothing to do with beer, but were entertaining nonetheless. They had a “ride”, but they really took liberties with the term. Learn how to drink beer properly, how its made, and then record a message to harass your sorority listserv from afar.
Coffeshops: There are a million. Word on the street is that Bulldog (in Leidensplein which is near the museum area) is good and touristy and friendly. Do as you wish.
Red Light District: Go to say you went. Don’t be there past like 10:30 because that’s when the tourists leave. It’s a weird experience.
whatisshedoing 