Amsterdam Summarised

This post is mainly for my friends and colleagues who every now and then approach me for advice for their Amsterdam visit. I keep losing this text and have finally decided to post it here and keep it updated as much as possible in one place online. This is the latest update from late in 2019...ENJOY! 😊

Transport....

• From the Airport there is a train directly into the Amsterdam Central Station. You can buy tickets just as you come out of arrivals. The Airport and Train Station are in the same complex. The busstation outside also has a number of buses going to the Center especially to Leidseplein
• You can also grab a Taxi from the taxi stand directly outside the airport. Cost is around 40-50 Euros roughly.
• If you are planning on seeing a load of museums the iAmsterdam Card (unlimited public transport in Amsterdam, Free entrance to some of the key Museums and attractions in Amsterdam & discount to the Rijks Museum) may be a better option than single metro tickets. http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/deals/i-amsterdam-city-card

What you gotta see and do... ** are my recommendations

• Rijksmuseum**
• Van Gogh Museum**
• If you like Modern Art the Stadelijk Museum** (this and the above three are all in the Museumplein area)
• Anne Frank Museum** – If you haven’t already done so then get the tickets online otherwise you’ll be queuing for ages!
• Canal Cruise. I prefer the evening cruise. Amsterdam is more beautiful when the lights are on. They also do Cheese and Wine cruises in the evening**
• Alternate to Canal Cruises is to rent a boat and cruise around yourself. They have row, paddle and electric motor boats for rent in the Center** – Google for best options
• Red Light District (also the Black light district next to it – Transgender/ Transvestite equivalent)... not such a fantactic place and there is much nicer stuff in Amsterdam. Avoid the Casa Rosa sex show as this is very touristy and really not worth the money they ask.. most are not. If you have to experience one then probably the Banana Bar is your best bet, but I have not been here in a very very long time.
• The Sex Museum on the Dam
• The Vodka Museum also on the Dam
• Have a Pannenkoeken** (there’s a good place in Leidseplein just opposite the Marriot) by the bridge leading to Leidsplein
• If you want to spend a shit load of money shopping go to PC Hoofdstraat (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc) You can see the Amsterdam “It” crowd here. There are some nice little Cafe’s here too.
• If you are around on Sunday there’s a flea market on Sunday Morning at the Waterlooplein**
• Near the Rijkmuseum there is a huge IAMSTERDAM sign.. fun to climb on and take pictures – I think it is still there
• The Floating Flower Market**
• The Jordan Area is a cool area to just walk around in**
• The Nine Streets area** - lots of cool little shops and places to eat
• The Artis Zoo and Micropia (cool place)**
• Amsterdam EYE** – Across the bay from Central Station. A free 5 minute Ferry ride. Café’s on the other side. Nice view and the Amsterdam Eye Tower. This area is growing and the old industrial area at the next ferry stop is starting to get lots of trendy bars and restaurants popping up.
• There is a replica of the huge Floating Chinese Restaurant (from Hong Kong) in Amsterdam. It’s actually quite large even though not the same size as the one in HK.
• The Dinning in the Dark experience** in Amsterdam is pretty cool and actually affordable compared to the one in Copenhagen (though probably not as posh as the one in CPH).

Eating...

There are hundreds of fantastic places to eat and drink in Amsterdam and the Netherlands at reasonable prices . These are a few on my favourites. Most of these you will need reservations as they get packed.

• Bazar - Never been here but head it is pretty good. Not Gourmet Michelin but good.
• Ctaste (Dining in the dark) - A fraction of the cost of the equivalent in Copenhagen and still a really great experience.
• Foodhallen - A tendy cool food hall with loads of stalls for different types of food and bars (For those who know Copenhagen, it's a little similar to Paper Island).
• Sazankan **- A very cool and fantastic Teppanyaki close to Amsterdam Zuid. They have a sparkling Sake here which I highly recommend. Michelin starred place. I personally love the place
• Cafe Cuba - A very cool, laid back bar in the center of Amsterdam serving good beer and Cocktails. My go to bar in the center.
• 'T Loosje - Another cool "Brown" Cafe (or pub) in the center near to Cafe Cuba. More traditional Dutch I would say than Cafe Cuba. Good Food and Drinks. Nice atmosphere.
• Moeders Restaurant ** - This is a very unusual restaurant serving traditional Dutch food. Great. One of my favourites in Amsterdam.
• GlouGlou Wine Bar ** - A fantastic Wine Bar in Amsterdam and there is a really good ice cream parlour just opposite.

The area of the Pijpe in Amesterdam also has really interesting restaurants and a google will give you a list of the latest recommendations.

Best places for clubbing...

• Leidseplein
• Little Buddha (Smaller version of the Buddha Bar)
• Hard Rock Café
• Holland Casino
• Bubbles (cool bar with a lot of locals around)
• Bunch of Touristy Restaurants and bars around the area
• Rembrandtsplein
• There a whole load of night clubs in this square. All are busy and open at least till 05:30. I know from experience 😜
•  Nieuw Maarkt Area (take the Metro stop of the same name (1 stop before central station). 
• Loads of Café’s and bars here. Cool area
• Waterlooplein Area
• Also cool for loads of small café’s and bars – you can walk from Nieuw Maarkt.

Shopping..

unusual and cool shops in the area of The Nine Streets - De Negen Straatjes. http://www.theninestreets.com/

For a smoke and a “Coffee Shop”..

Abraxas close to Spui Straat. Avoid the normal Damrak Touristy Area (this is still touristy but not lik the ones directly around the Dam. If you want a good souvenir Bong go further down Spui Straat and avoid the central touristy areas.

Day Trips...

I would really recommend Utrecht. Especially in summer - I love this city. Loads and loads of cafes, bars and restaurants, nice and compact. A smaller version of Amsterdam, relaxed and not so touristy.

DON’Ts;

• Go to any food places to eat on Damrak or on the Dam. Very Touristy, mediocre food, expensive comparatively and generally they can be full of Rats and Dirty. that being said restaurants or café’s that have a cats around inside are much better… there is a reason they have the cat and in the areas near the Canals with food around it it is very difficult to not attract rats.Especially in the older buildings.
• Watch your wallets and be smart – usual stuff, no alleys, etc.
• I would recommend getting away from the usual Dam Area and Red Light area, where all the UK Stag and Hen crowd go to – you just get very loud drunk people in these places.

Anything else just drop me a question :-)