What I Love About: Amsterdam

Nov 14, 2009 Author: Amirah | Filed under: Other |

So, this is the start of a new series of posts about the things I love to do/see/eat/etc. in some of the cities I’ve visited. I guess its kind of like a list of my recommendations of stuff to do but most of these things aren’t the kind of thing you would find in a tourist guidebook!

what-I-love-about-amsterdam

I’m going to start with a city I know pretty well – I lived in The Netherlands for, like, half my life and visited Amsterdam loads! It is probably my favourite city in all of Europe! It is really, really beautiful and there is a lot more to the city than the infamous coffeeshops (where using and selling cannabis is officially tolerated) and Red Light District.

NOTE: I really suggest visiting Amsterdam during the summer, there’s a lot of stuff to do outdoors and walking when its cold and raining just isn’t as much fun!

1) The first thing that I do whenever I visit Amsterdam is to shop. Dam Square is right in the centre of the city and is surrounded by loads of shops including The Bijenkorf – this huge department store that has a great bakery!

But that is not the best place shop. There are 9 streets (9 straatjes) which is a-less-than-two-minute walk from Dam Square (just look for the sign pictured!) that have the best shopping in the whole city! There are some really cute, kitschy shops, designer boutiques, small art galleries, specialist stores, it is an awesome place to just wander around!

ALSO: While you’re there definitely check out Pancakes! Amsterdam. Dutch pancakes are thinner and bigger (and tastier!) than American ones, they are baked instead of fried and usually come with a load of cool toppings. This particular pancake restaurant or ‘pannenkoekenhuis’ is on Berenstraat (one on the nine streets)…I love the Greek yogurt and strawberry pancake or the creme fraiche, guacamole and smoked salmon version!

Basically there is lots to do around the nine streets!

2) Okay, so this is a slightly touristy thing to do, but if you do ever go to Amsterdam you have to visit the Anne Frank Museum – which is also within the whole ‘9 streets area’! It is actually incredible to see the family’s hiding place during the Second World War, and the famous diary itself. This museum gets really, really busy though, so either go really early in the morning or an hour before it closes!

3) When in Amsterdam do as the Dutch do, right? Well the Dutch ride bikes everywhere! And Amsterdam is a tiny city which is very bike-friendly. So the best way to get around is on a bike. You can rent one anywhere, really cheap, there are always to ‘park’ it. Plus, it is just so much fun to admire the gabled houses, canals and houseboats when you are cycling around! Also, it is really hard to find car parking in Amsterdam and, if you do find parking, the streets look so similar – you will lose your car!

4) So Amsterdam has loads of history but also NEMO – The Netherlands’s largest science building! But, as much as I love science, that is not the reason that NEMO is one of my must-visits in Amsterdam. The building is just a beautiful example of modern architecture! It was designed to look like a ships hull, which is very fitting as it sits by the docks. From the amazing rooftop deck you get stunning views of Amsterdam and its harbours! You can bike there, its very close to the Central Station, you you can get a boat tour that goes through Dutch Canals straight past the centre!

ALSO: While you’re there, you have to check out Sea Palace my favourite source of Chinese food in all Amsterdam! The restaurant is awesome – Its built like a pagoda and FLOATS on the water!

5) So Leidseplein is considered the city’s main nightlife spot, there are numerous, bars, cafe’s, theatres, restaurants and street performers and live musicians! It is a really lively place and great on a summers evening. And, its is my favourite place in the whole city because of the ice cream! There are three ice cream shops in a row, Haagen-Dasz, Ben and Jerry’s and a Dutch branch of a Belgian ice cream chain called Australian Homemade – which is ohmygosh so good! They do hot, fresh Belgian Waffles with, smooth, creamy ice cream on top! A visit to Australian ice cream actually makes my day!

6) And the final thing I love about Amsterdam are the 2 metres tall letters in the ‘Museumplein’ that spell ‘I amsterdam!’ The phrase spans like 23m and is like the Hollywood sign of The Netherlands! The square is surrounded by four museums; The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Diamond Museum, which are all the a look, the real fun though, is clambering over the letters and taking pictures!

Amsterdam is just an incredible city and there is so much to see and do, way more than can be summarised in any list! Those were the things that I love to do the most whenever I visit, but the best way to experience the city is just to get a bike and explore!