Tips for your trip to Amsterdam
In the city
The original house of Anne Frank is interesting for those who want to know more about Amsterdam during WW2 and what happened to its Jewish community. Be aware of tourist cues though. Entrance fee: € 15.
2775 locals recommend
Anne Frank House
20 WestermarktThe original house of Anne Frank is interesting for those who want to know more about Amsterdam during WW2 and what happened to its Jewish community. Be aware of tourist cues though. Entrance fee: € 15.
Take a city tour on a boat! You will see Amsterdam from a different perspective: the canals. The rides usually take about 1 hour and cost around € 20,- per seat.
102 locals recommend
Amsterdam BBQ Canal Cruise
75 RokinTake a city tour on a boat! You will see Amsterdam from a different perspective: the canals. The rides usually take about 1 hour and cost around € 20,- per seat.
Try the highest swing of Europe - if you dare! On top of a high building, you can view the city from high.... and you can take a scary swing. https://www.adamlookout.com/
603 locals recommend
A'dam Lookout
5 OverhoekspleinTry the highest swing of Europe - if you dare! On top of a high building, you can view the city from high.... and you can take a scary swing. https://www.adamlookout.com/
The Jordaan is the most authentic neighbourhood of Amsterdam, proud home of the folk music tradition of the city. Its inception is to be placed around the 16th century, and the area is said to be built by French religious refugees, the Huguenots, who baptized the area as "Jardin": many streets in the area are named after flowers, and it definitely feels like a gracious city garden in the summer! One of the most authentic experiences you can have in Amsterdam is also enjoying some beer in a brown cafe (bruin cafe). They are called like this because it is mostly wooden furniture, and their homey feeling comes from the cafes evolving from, well... living rooms. The most popular cafe's in the Jordaan are Rooie Nelis, De Twee Zwaantjes and Cafe Chris. But the Amsterdammer can get into party mode too, and the party church of the Jordaan is Cafe Nol!
756 locals recommend
Jordaan
The Jordaan is the most authentic neighbourhood of Amsterdam, proud home of the folk music tradition of the city. Its inception is to be placed around the 16th century, and the area is said to be built by French religious refugees, the Huguenots, who baptized the area as "Jardin": many streets in the area are named after flowers, and it definitely feels like a gracious city garden in the summer! One of the most authentic experiences you can have in Amsterdam is also enjoying some beer in a brown cafe (bruin cafe). They are called like this because it is mostly wooden furniture, and their homey feeling comes from the cafes evolving from, well... living rooms. The most popular cafe's in the Jordaan are Rooie Nelis, De Twee Zwaantjes and Cafe Chris. But the Amsterdammer can get into party mode too, and the party church of the Jordaan is Cafe Nol!
This street is located between Central Station and metro station Niewmarkt. It's a historical street and also home to Amsterdam's China Town. Zeedijk means "dyke on the see", and it was a neighbourhood pressed against the old western walls of the medieval city. In ancient times this used to be the street where sailors jumped off onto their boats, and where they tried to get drunk trading exotic animals for beers, like at cafe 't Aapjen. Since the end of the 19th century, this place has seen strong immigration from China. The northern part of the street, known as the Head of the Zeedijk (Kop van de Zeedijk) has been for more than thirty years, starting in the seventies, the most dangerous area not only in Amsterdam, and definitely in the top ten of West Europe. One of the remnants of that crime era, where traffickers of Chinese descent partnered with romantic Dutch gangsters (known as the Penoze) is the old mansion of Fritz van de Wereld (where the diner Bordello Aperitivo is found).
118 locals recommend
Zeedijk
ZeedijkThis street is located between Central Station and metro station Niewmarkt. It's a historical street and also home to Amsterdam's China Town. Zeedijk means "dyke on the see", and it was a neighbourhood pressed against the old western walls of the medieval city. In ancient times this used to be the street where sailors jumped off onto their boats, and where they tried to get drunk trading exotic animals for beers, like at cafe 't Aapjen. Since the end of the 19th century, this place has seen strong immigration from China. The northern part of the street, known as the Head of the Zeedijk (Kop van de Zeedijk) has been for more than thirty years, starting in the seventies, the most dangerous area not only in Amsterdam, and definitely in the top ten of West Europe. One of the remnants of that crime era, where traffickers of Chinese descent partnered with romantic Dutch gangsters (known as the Penoze) is the old mansion of Fritz van de Wereld (where the diner Bordello Aperitivo is found).
There are many bars and restaurants in this area of the city. During the day, there is a large market for food items and clothing called "Albert Cuyp Market". You might enjoy walking there.
499 locals recommend
De Pijp
There are many bars and restaurants in this area of the city. During the day, there is a large market for food items and clothing called "Albert Cuyp Market". You might enjoy walking there.
On the way back home from the city or vice versa, you could stop at "Wiboutstraat" and go to the top floor of the Volkshotel. You can enjoy food and drinks during the day, and a party during the evenings. For sure, you will like the view.
346 locals recommend
Canvas
150 WibautstraatOn the way back home from the city or vice versa, you could stop at "Wiboutstraat" and go to the top floor of the Volkshotel. You can enjoy food and drinks during the day, and a party during the evenings. For sure, you will like the view.
Dutch food is not that culinary but if you want to try it, you might like the restaurant Moeders (the name means mothers). You can eat traditional dutch dishes like mashed potatoes with slow-cooked meat etc.
252 locals recommend
Restaurant Moeders
251 RozengrachtDutch food is not that culinary but if you want to try it, you might like the restaurant Moeders (the name means mothers). You can eat traditional dutch dishes like mashed potatoes with slow-cooked meat etc.
This is one of the nightlife areas of Amsterdam. Many bars, snack foods etc. If you walk from there towards Dam Square, you will pass many shops and little side streets you might like.
1535 locals recommend
Leidseplein
LeidsepleinThis is one of the nightlife areas of Amsterdam. Many bars, snack foods etc. If you walk from there towards Dam Square, you will pass many shops and little side streets you might like.
Get off at metro stop Waterlooplein and walk towards this square where you will find many bars and restaurants. In the evenings this is an area where people go out.
1024 locals recommend
Rembrandtplein
Get off at metro stop Waterlooplein and walk towards this square where you will find many bars and restaurants. In the evenings this is an area where people go out.
This is the gay street of Amsterdam. It's full of bars and restaurants and there is always a party going on.
106 locals recommend
Reguliersdwarsstraat
ReguliersdwarsstraatThis is the gay street of Amsterdam. It's full of bars and restaurants and there is always a party going on.
Have a look at Amsterdam's flower market. It's not huge but it might be nice to see if you are nearby. You can buy tulip bulbs as a souvenir gift to bring back home to people.
447 locals recommend
Bloemenmarkt
SingelHave a look at Amsterdam's flower market. It's not huge but it might be nice to see if you are nearby. You can buy tulip bulbs as a souvenir gift to bring back home to people.
If you want to try typical Surinamese food, why not here? This place is located at the metro station Waterloopplein. It's cheap and fast, and therefore might be a good lunch on your way to the city.
De Hapjeshoek
6 WaterloopleinIf you want to try typical Surinamese food, why not here? This place is located at the metro station Waterloopplein. It's cheap and fast, and therefore might be a good lunch on your way to the city.
This is just an example of a typical Indonesian restaurant where you can order a "rijsttafel" which is a mix of different traditional dishes. If you like peanuts and spicy stuff, you will love that experience. Google Indonesian restaurants and you will find similar ones.
11 locals recommend
Djago
18 ScheldepleinThis is just an example of a typical Indonesian restaurant where you can order a "rijsttafel" which is a mix of different traditional dishes. If you like peanuts and spicy stuff, you will love that experience. Google Indonesian restaurants and you will find similar ones.
If you like art and history, go and visit this national museum. Outside of it, there is a nice park where many people picnic and relax during the summer.
3186 locals recommend
Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatIf you like art and history, go and visit this national museum. Outside of it, there is a nice park where many people picnic and relax during the summer.
Around the house
When it's nice weather and you have a spare morning or afternoon, you could have a walk around the Gaasperplas park and lake. In summer, people swim there or just hang out for drinks and a bbq. Ask me if you need a picnic blanket or a badminton set :)
65 locals recommend
Gaasperplas
1001 ValburgdreefWhen it's nice weather and you have a spare morning or afternoon, you could have a walk around the Gaasperplas park and lake. In summer, people swim there or just hang out for drinks and a bbq. Ask me if you need a picnic blanket or a badminton set :)
Around Bijlmer Arena Station there is a shopping area where you can buy clothes, practical things etc. You will also find there a food court and Nelson Mandela Park is around the corner.
40 locals recommend
Amsterdamse Poort
101 BijlmerdreefAround Bijlmer Arena Station there is a shopping area where you can buy clothes, practical things etc. You will also find there a food court and Nelson Mandela Park is around the corner.
If you like to have a walk (<30 min) and want to enjoy a drink or some food around the area, I recommend the "circular" café Elixer. It's a laid back local experience.
Restaurant Elixer
1a EgeldonkIf you like to have a walk (<30 min) and want to enjoy a drink or some food around the area, I recommend the "circular" café Elixer. It's a laid back local experience.
Want to relax? A short Uber ride will take you to Spa Weesp where you can swim, enjoy different saunas, and rest in a calm and green environment. Just keep in mind that all guests in dutch SPAs are naked :)
9 locals recommend
SpaWeesp
1 BasiswegWant to relax? A short Uber ride will take you to Spa Weesp where you can swim, enjoy different saunas, and rest in a calm and green environment. Just keep in mind that all guests in dutch SPAs are naked :)
For lunch or diner within 20 min walking distance from the house, you can go to the Turkish restaurant Meram. For a good price, you will have a tasty meal. Ps: they don't serve alcohol there.
10 locals recommend
Meram Zuidoost
1181 BijlmerdreefFor lunch or diner within 20 min walking distance from the house, you can go to the Turkish restaurant Meram. For a good price, you will have a tasty meal. Ps: they don't serve alcohol there.
Need a car for an hour or a day? Greenwheels is a very comfortable choice. Register and reserve the car in advance though. If you do it on time, you can grab a car next to the Kraaiennest metro station and head wherever you want to.
Greenwheels deelauto
75 KraaiennestNeed a car for an hour or a day? Greenwheels is a very comfortable choice. Register and reserve the car in advance though. If you do it on time, you can grab a car next to the Kraaiennest metro station and head wherever you want to.
This is the metro station where line # 53 stops. It will take you in 18 minutes to Central Station. Want to get off earlier to see the city? Stop at "Weesperplein" and walk towards the city centre.
9 locals recommend
Kraaiennest station
This is the metro station where line # 53 stops. It will take you in 18 minutes to Central Station. Want to get off earlier to see the city? Stop at "Weesperplein" and walk towards the city centre.
Day trips
If you have a spare day, try some nice places that are not too far away from Amsterdam.
If you like flowers, go and see a huge park full of tulips! The most convenient way is to book a tourist trip in advance. The tourist bus is much faster than the public transport and you will have a guide included. The price is around € 35.
465 locals recommend
Keukenhof
166A StationswegIf you like flowers, go and see a huge park full of tulips! The most convenient way is to book a tourist trip in advance. The tourist bus is much faster than the public transport and you will have a guide included. The price is around € 35.
Volendam is a charming fishermen's town that you can visit by train (30 min from the central station). It's nice if you like to see local historic architecture. I also recommend the nearby town Edam. Try the local cheese!
301 locals recommend
Volendam
Volendam is a charming fishermen's town that you can visit by train (30 min from the central station). It's nice if you like to see local historic architecture. I also recommend the nearby town Edam. Try the local cheese!
Within 20 minutes from Central Station by train you can reach Haarlem. Some people see it as a "smaller Amsterdam". There are many nice bars and restaurants.
372 locals recommend
Haarlem
Within 20 minutes from Central Station by train you can reach Haarlem. Some people see it as a "smaller Amsterdam". There are many nice bars and restaurants.
City advice
Getting around
Taking the metro to the city centre is the most efficient.
Close to the house, there is the metro station "Kraaiennest". Metro line 53 goes directly to Central Station in 18 minutes. You can buy tickets from a vending machine, using cash or a card.
Ways to save
From the airport, take the train to Bijlmer and then Uber.
This will save you money and will bring you to the house almost as fast as an Uber or Taxi directly from the airport. The train ticket to "Bijlmer Arena Station" is around € 5,- per person and the Uber ride from there to the house is usually less than € 10,-.
Customs and culture
Most people speak English (and some German)
Don't worry about communicating with people. Feel free to ask questions on the street. People are friendly and generally speak English quite well and understand German too.
Customs and culture
Try Indonesian and Surinamese food
Although traditional Dutch food is rather boring (simple potatoes etc), colonialization from the past allows us to try nice and interesting dishes like "roti", "rijsttafel" or "saoto soup" from cultures far away.
Customs and culture
Eat "from the wall"
If you see somewhere the sign "FEBO", check it out. It's a snack bar chain that has little windows with food that you can open when you put in some coins. Don't expect a delicacy, but it's fun!
Getting around
Bike like the Dutch
In Central Station, you can rent a bicycle for a few hours and explore the streets at your own pace. You will feel like a local.
Customs and culture
Try a Jeneverbar
Jenever is the original version of Gin and Amsterdam has a great tradition of brewing this drink. There are some bars that serve many types, usually located in historical buildings. Go to "Wynand Fockink" around the Dam or "Proeflokaal de Ooievaar" near Central Station.