As a pretext to this series of posts following my trip across some of the Northern and Eastern areas of Europe I will lay out the backstory of why it was such a whistle-stop tour. I elected to do a Contiki trip, specifically the Trail to Rome route, which took me through 10 cities in 2 weeks and across more countries in the process. From Rome, I continued on to Florence and then Zurich, finishing my journey back in London. It was the wildest 3 weeks of my entire life and I loved every single second. I spent no more than 2 nights in each city up until Rome, so that I quite literally covered each city in an evening, a full day and shot off to the next destination the following morning. Hence, I am doing a series of 24 hour “how-to guides” of tips and tricks and must-dos for each city I visited with the help of the Contiki experience as well as some of my own discoveries thanks to apps like Culture Trip and Maps.Me. So, without further ado. My first stop: Amsterdam. The capital city of the Netherlands, famous for it’s abundance of tulips, canals, coffeehouses and bicycles.
The Rijksmuseum and Vondel Park
I think when travelling Europe it is almost a given that you have to do at least one museum of some description in each city. Amsterdam’s greatest museum is found next to Vondel Park and next door to the Van Gogh museum, south of the city centre, with a vast exterior that resembles something of an old English private school or university building. Adult admission was €19, so quite a dent in your daily budget, but I would still vouch for this experience given the huge amount of artwork, sculpture and history found within the walls of this building, not to mention the three-storey library! Most well known to the museum is Rembrandt’s Nightwatch, currently under operation to discover more about the vast masterpiece painted in 1642. Aside from this, you will find multiple Van Gogh painting, including his own self-portrait. Once you’ve wandered the halls of the museum, you can walk around Vondel Park, which was adorned with a wonderful flea market and ice-rink when I was there in November. However, on the green there were groups playing football, families having lunch and people from all walks of life walking in the sunshine. Not to be missed!
The Flower Market (“Bloemenmarkt”)
While I thought tulips were a spring-flower, I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire strip of fresh tulips and tulip bulbs along the Singel river, most famously known as the “floating flower market”. A particularly colourful attraction, Bloemenmarkt will bring a smile to your face and you take in shades of tulip you’ve never seen or imagined before. Although you are unlikely to purchase tulip bulbs during your stay in Amsterdam, the experience is not to be missed. If you do plan to purchase some bulbs, be cautious. This area is highly touristy and scams often occur, you may not get what you are paying for. If you’re so lucky to visit during January when National Tulip Day where a temporary garden is created in the centre of Dam Square not far from this market area, or in April when the annual Tulip Festival takes place city-wide.
Why tulips you ask? Well, a brief history lesson showed me that tulips became so popular in the 16th century and the bulbs so prized they were used as currency for a time before the market crashed. Tulips offered the people of Holland their first economic bubble, otherwise known as “tulipomania”. Since, tulips have remained an icon of Holland and wider still in the Netherlands. Quite a pretty icon I must say. For more history, there is actually the Amsterdam Tulip Museum in the city too!
Visit A Coffeehouse
While it is all very well discussing the history and views of Amsterdam, there is another side to the culture of Amsterdam which is widely known worldwide: “coffeehouses”. Many people believe marijuana has been legalised but this is actually untrue. The use of cannabis has only be decriminalised for personal use within the confines of properties known as coffeeshops, which are quite literally just that. They are cafes that sell coffees, cakes as well as a vast selection of cannabis: pre-rolled joints, edibles or you can buy cannabis by the amount of up to 5 grams which is generally tolerated by the authorities. Whereas, other types of cannabis sales or transportation of prohibited in the Netherlands. Either way, you are liable for confiscation by authorities if the drug is found on your person. All that aside, the culture of visiting a coffeehouse during your visit to Amsterdam is very popular among both locals and tourists alike. Generally leave aside €10-15 if you intend to purchase any products during your visit. Otherwise, there is a great selection of different coffeehouses around the city which provide all kinds of vibes to suit your preference. My friends and I visited one near the Centraal Station right beside a canal called Siberie. It had the modern, clean coffeeshop interior of any café you might find in the likes of cities like Melbourne or Wellington. Take your pick, there is likely one on every corner.
Walk the Canals and see Dam Square
Walking the canals of Amsterdam is a given when visiting the city, but if the day is as good as it was when I was there, it is worth getting lost and following the canals around. In the centre of the city lies Dam Square, a hectic area where you will spend 5 minutes just trying to cross the zebra crossing because so many bicycles are coming out of nowhere and hoards of people are filing in from the tributaries of other areas of the city. Dam Square exhibits the awesome architecture beloved by Amsterdam fans and is a beautiful place to get some great panoramas.
VleminckX FRies To-Go
Fancy a spot of lunch? These fries will blow you away with their super crispy outside layer and an inside of fluffy, cloud-like potato which will melt in your mouth without all of the grease. The Dutch are apparently famous for combining French fries with mayonnaise so if this sounds like you then you have to try this place out. They also have loads of other toppings including Satay, Ketchup, Mayo and Onions (seen above). Hidden down a little street, not far from the Bloemenmarkt, VleminckX Fries is a small hole-in-the-wall shop that almost always has lines of people waiting to get their fried fix. Be prepared to practice your best Dutch and feast your eyes on the fast-food goodness in either small (€3.00), medium (€3.60) or large (€5.20) with over 25 different sauces to choose from. This is also perfect for the vegetarians among us, made without any contact with meat products and for only €0.30 you can get an extra sauce or a double portion too! If I have sold this place to you right then you’ll have already booked your flight and be halfway to Amsterdam by now.
Do a Canal Cruise
Try Stroopwaffel
On my journey, the trip manager shared with us a special dessert or sweet treat from each country. The Stroopwaffel is found everywhere in Amsterdam and is so good. It is essentially two very thin wafers help together by a gooey caramel layer. It is entirely indulgent and I managed to easily polish a pack off during the bus ride to Berlin. There was no way these gems would make it past another border.
THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT
The Red Light District or ‘De Wallen’ is one of Amsterdam’s most famous nightlife attractions and largest red light district. This area contains all sorts of entertainment activities for the adult eye as well as museums, exhibitions and concerts. Neon-lit in ethereal red and under the haze of marijuana clouds, the network of alleys are lined with women behind windows offering themselves for the night. The red lights used to act as symbols for brothels, therefore the name seems apt. Prostitution is legal and regulated in this way within the country, but for some the concept of the district may seem a little unfamiliar. Nevertheless, the experience for those open to the idea is worth it to see the culture. You are forbidden to take pictures along these red alleys but you could take a trip to the Sex Museum or Hash Museum. Other things to do and see including attending a show or going to a strip club, go to a coffeeshop or the condomerie for shapes of condoms you’d never have imagined. It isn’t for everyone but the whole Amsterdam requires somewhat of an open mind! Moreover, for the LGBTQ+ community the friendly ‘Warmoesstraat’ offers a vibrant array of clubs for the gay community.
Other Things to Explore…
- Anne Frank Museum
- The Heineken Museum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Best Apple Pie in the city (as rumour has it…): Winkel 43
- Hire a Bike
I hope that you have enjoyed the first instalment of my Europe trip. This is certainly not the ultimate list of Amsterdam activities but you can fit a lot into a day in this beautiful, quirky and fun city. Walk or bike everywhere, push yourself out of your comfort zone and embrace this very chill and friendly culture!
Next: Berlin!!
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Little City Window 