The Ultimate Guide to Travelling in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the cultural, creative and financial heart of the country. Once a fishing village in the 12th century, it has come a long way from those meagre days. Becoming important later in the world stage as the capital of the former Dutch empire, now it’s a sprawling cosmopolitan city and a popular international travel destination for tourists from around the world. If Amsterdam is going to be your next destination, here are some practical tips and relevant info that you may find useful.

1. Planning Your Trip

A. Best Time to Visit Amsterdam:

Being in the temperate zone, Amsterdam sees an average of 3℃ of winter days and nights. In summer, the average temperature is about 17°C and the coldest month is January. From mid-March until September, the days are the longest and brightest.

Having been to the Netherlands on different trips throughout the year, and taking into consideration the above weather tidbits, I would say the best time to see Amsterdam is during the summer between May to August, although it can rain a bit in August. But if you don’t mind temperatures in the lows and look for deals that are on offer, go for a winter vacation in Amsterdam. Hotels offer lower rates, and must-see tourist attractions will be visited by fewer tourists. Whatever time you plan for a visit, the city offers a crammed social calendar. To put this into perspective, Amsterdam hosts more than 300 festivals every year.

B. Duration of Stay

• If you have just a day or two to roam around, you might want to choose only the highlights of the city. Those may include the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, the Jordaan District, and the Red Light District. You can also opt for a cruise in the canal or a bike tour to get a glimpse at the beauty of the city. Although be prepared to face one of the busiest bicycle traffic systems in the world, if not the busiest.
• When you have more time, finish visiting the highlights first. Then you can choose the Stedelijk Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Rembrandt House Museum. If you want something unusual and unique, take part in the Heineken Experience, the Brouwerij’t, and visit the Cheese Museum. You can also go on day-trips to places like Keukenhof, Marken, or Zaanse Schans. That will allow you to experience beautiful flower strips, traditional Dutch villages, historic windmills etc. For a bit of relaxation and if the weather is right, you can visit VondelPark, the Amstel Park, and the Hortus Botanicus. From my experience, Dutchies love going to the park on a sunny day, as they don’t come along often.

2. Accommodation

A. For Budget Travellers

When not staying with friends, I stayed at Generator Hostel when I was visiting Amsterdam. Usually Generators are quiet hostels, but this place wasn’t something that I would call ‘quiet’. At least during ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event), there were a few DJs playing throughout the day all weekend. But there are plenty of other hostels for backpack travelers to choose from, like these below:
Cocomama
ClinkNOORD
Hans Brinker Hostel

All these properties offer private and dorm rooms. Fares for staying in private rooms start at $70 USD, while dorm rooms can cost as little as $20 USD per night. These are the rates you will be given in the winter or off-season. The rates are usually doubled during the high season, if not higher. During festivals like ADE, you can expect to pay $60 USD for a dorm room if you book months in advance and even close to $100 USD for last minute bookings, so plan in advance.

B. For Non-Budget Travelers

If you are not traveling on a budget want to spend your stay in style, you can check out options below:
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
The Dylan Amsterdam
The Clock Tower

3. Getting Around

Amsterdam is ripe with an extensive public transport network. The transportation system has trains, buses, trams, ferries, and metros. The I Amsterdam City Card provides unlimited access to every public transport option available in Amsterdam. You can get the card for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours. You can order it online or purchase it at Amsterdam Central Station. This card also provides free access to over 70 museums, a canal cruise, and bike rentals. Check the website for up-to-date prices.

• You can also pay directly at the entrance of each station/ public transport vehicle by debit or credit card. An important note to remember is that public transportation in Amsterdam is cashless. If you tap your credit card to pay on the way in, make sure you tap again on the way out, or you will be charged the maximum amount for a day.
• You can walk around the city, and do a nice walking tour of the highlights as it is a walkable city.
• Cycling is another popular way to travel. But I would suggest avoiding it unless you’re used to cycling, as there is crazy traffic in the bike lanes and locals don’t like slow tourists clogging up the streets. You might hear angry bells if you don’t know what you are doing.

4. Exploring Amsterdam’s Neighborhoods:

Amsterdam has eight districts, or boroughs, that are divided into neighborhoods. If you want to get a good feel of the Dutch capital, I would suggest making time to dig into a few of its neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is unique in its own right and has plenty to offer to keep you busy.:

A. De Pijp

De Pijp, for a long period, had been the place for the city’s low-income working class. This part was built in the 19th century to meet the demand for increased housing. Remnants of the absorbing urban history are still visible throughout the region. In the present day, this whole neighborhood orbits around Amsterdam’s most famous Albert Cuyp Market. Hundreds of visitors visit this market every day. You will also find numerous excellent cafes and restaurants.

B. Red-Light District

The Red-Light District may have a bad rap, but it is the oldest neighborhood in Amsterdam and has remained an important cultural concentration for more than 600 years. The neighborhood is famous for its legal sex shops, theatres for sex, window brothels, a sex museum, red neon lights, peep shows, a cannabis museum, and several coffee shops (where you can legally buy weed if that is what you are into). The place is much safer than it used to be and any policemen can be seen patrolling throughout the day. Though the Red-Light District is not for everyone, it is worth visiting for a walk for its historical and cultural significance. Be courteous and be sure not to take pictures near any business involved in sex-work as that could land you in some trouble.

C. Jordaan

Jordaan, also a former residence for working-class people, is now famous for its picturesque canals, houses built in the 17^th century, and a lively atmosphere. This area has a proportionate blend of art galleries, restaurants, cafes on the patio, and street musicians. The canals, along with all the food and arts on offer, make this neighborhood a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

5. Must-Visit Attractions

A. Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is a must-go destination for art lovers. It holds the largest collection of artwork by Vincent van Gogh. Over 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters drawn and written by the master are on display. The museum regularly arranges exhibitions on various subjects from the 19th century, showcasing art history. You need to pre-book to visit the museum, and you should book your entrance in advance to avoid a long queue. Tickets can be collected online only.

B. Anne Frank’s House

During World War 2, 15-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family went into hiding in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263. This building, known as Anne Frank House, has been a biographical museum since 1960, showcasing the story of Anne. You can also see the secret annex and her diary, along with film images, historical documents, and photographs. The museum is a very popular tourist destination, and you need to book in advance for a visit. 

C. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum, or the National Art Gallery of the Netherlands, has an extensive collection of Dutch art and history. Head over there if you want to experience original masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age that include works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh.

But the Rijksmuseum is so much more than a museum. Rather, it is a work of art itself. Each of the four floors manifests a different century; the bottom floor expresses ancient times, and the top floor represents the modern era.

You have to book your entrance in advance, and tickets can only be collected online.

D. Vondelpark

Amsterdam’s most popular park is Vondelpark. Nearly 10 million people from all over the world visit this park. It has an open-air theatre, numerous food service facilities, a playground, picnic spots, cycling routes, and plenty of activities.

E. Dam Square

This town square in Amsterdam has historic buildings and acts as a hangout joint for locals and tourists alike. When you get to Dam Square, or simply the Dam, you can view the National Monument, the Royal Palace, the New Church, and the Amsterdam Diamond Centre. The square is surrounded by food stalls, cafes, restaurants, and shops. During the summer, there are no shortage of street performers. The Square also acts as the place for national gatherings and demonstrations for change, and there was a big one happening on my last visit to Amsterdam which felt more like a party than a demonstration.

6. Nightlife and Entertainment

Amsterdam can safely brag about its energetic nightlife and entertainment. Many world-renowned clubs play everything from jazz to techno and house to hip-hop and funk.

A. Live Music, Theaters and Cultural Events

If you are a live music enthusiast, hop on to Café Hoppe or The Waterhole Live Music Bar.. For a memorable theatre experience, check out the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Concertgebouw, Koninklijk Theater, and Anne Frank House. Please check their official websites for the most up-to-date schedules. The Amsterdam Light Festival, King’s Day when seemingly all Dutchies wear orange and get drunk, the Amsterdam Dance Event (my favorite festival in the world), the Amsterdam Music Festival, National Tulip Day, etc. are a few that can help you taste the nation’s cultural landscape. Check if your itinerary matches any of them. Amsterdam is also heaven for Techno (and electronic music) lovers in general, as you can find many good parties on almost any weekend featuring the world’s best DJs.

Hopefully, you enjoyed reading, and my experience helped you in planning your trip to Amsterdam. If you want a video tour of some of these places feel free to check out my vlog from Amsterdam when I was there for Amsterdam Dance Event.