Amsterdam travel tips for first timers

When to go to Amsterdam?

With 920,000 inhabitants versus 21 million overnight visitors (2019), it is safe to say that I can get a bit busy. Pick your potion: opt for better chances of dry days and get more crowds, or the other way around.

Where to stay?

• City Center: Immerse yourself in the action, but be prepared for noise and higher costs.
• Jordaan or Plantage: Quaint neighborhoods with charming canals and unique shops.
• De Pijp or Oud-Zuid: Trendy areas with trendy accommodations and vibrant nightlife.
• Cool experiences: consider canal boats, unique but limited space and privacy.

Read this blog to learn about the different neighborhoods, and what there is to do there.

Getting around

Choose your favourite way of moving around; biking, walking, e-scooters, tram, bus or metro. Amsterdammers prefer their bike. Practice riding in a calmer area before you dive into the city madness. Read more tips about cycling in the bike capital of the world here.

• E-scooter: if you have a driver’s licence, make an account on Felyx or Check. Do it in advance, because they have to verify your licence. You can find them all over town. Make sure you are aware of the rules of driving in Amsterdam.
• Public transportation: the provider in Amsterdam is GVB. You can get a ticket inside the tram or at the metro stations, or check in with your bank card. For convenience, purchase a 24-hour ticket, where you have unlimited checking in and out.
• Taxis: travel by car way using Uber, Bolt or regular city taxis.

What to visit in Amsterdam?

You have come to the right place. There are some essentials that every tourist has to visit when they come to Amsterdam.

• Anne Frank museum: the house where Anne Frank and her family were hiding during the second world war. This is where she was writing in her diary during that period. Get your tickets on time, because it can be booked up for months.
• Canals: take a cruise on the waterways that make Amsterdam the city it is. Enjoy a relaxing tour that gives you better understanding of the city.
• Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum: two art museums, in close proximity to each other that cannot be missed. Learn about the biggest Dutch masters. At these places it is also recommended booking your tickets in advance.
• Red Light District: a sight to see once, and then maybe you never return again or you want to party there every night.
• Heineken Experience: did you know this beer was created here?
• Vondelpark: the prettiest park of the city. When the sun shines, this place is full of people hanging out on the grass fields or jogging, walking, skating, biking around.
• Albert Cuyp Market: shop and taste flavours from all over the world. Nothing like some market atmosphere!

Coffeeshop culture

The coffeeshops in Amsterdam are little different from the ones with your selection of hot drinks. In here, you can buy and smoke cannabis and hashish. You have to show legitimate identification proofing you are over 18 years old to enter. These cannabis cafes area place to hang out where you can eat, drink and smoke.

Day trips from Amsterdam

Explore beyond the rings and visit some quaint old Dutch towns. Choose for a catered package where you follow along, enjoy the views and learn about the Dutch culture. Or, you can create your own trip using the public transport system.

• Countryside and windmills: visit the most picturesque Dutch villages.
• Rotterdam, Delft and the Hague: tour to new cities, from modernity to classic.
• Utrecht: board the intercity train, departing every 10 minutes, and within 30 minutes you will arrive in the student city Utrecht. That feels like a smaller Amsterdam (but don’t say that to the Utrechters).

Why go to Amsterdam?

We can write an infinite amount of blogs about why you should visit this city. The house boats, canals and merchant houses are some of the views that you will never get tired of. There are lots of nice cafes and interesting food to try (read more here). The people are friendly, the parties wild. So, what’s keeping you?