Top Things To Do In Amsterdam




Amsterdam with it's historic architecture, beautiful canals and laid back culture is one of the most famous cities in Europe. Being only a short flight from the UK, and with some world class museums as well, it's certainly an interesting place to visit.

Take a canal cruise


 Amsterdam has many canals

This will help orientate you for the city and I can't think of a better way to see the city than gliding along on the water. From this viewpoint you can see the beautiful architecture of the narrow houses, and watch the world go by. The canals are also home to the many gorgeous houseboats. In days gone by the poorest people used to live on the houseboats as they were used for transporting goods but now these structures moored on the canals are home to many people and are worth as much as some homes.
Visit the museums 

The houseboat museum

From the large world renowned museums like the Van Gough and Rijkmuseum to the small and quirky museums like the Houseboat Museum and the Erotic Museum, Amsterdam has something for everyone. 


The Kitchen Maid by Vermeer

 The Rijkmuseum has the Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Kitchen Maid by Vermeer whilst the Van Gough museum has the famous Sunflowers. Find out how Anne Frank lived in the Anne Frank House, and if modern art is more your thing the Stedelijk museum houses art from Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. If you like lager, try the Heineken museum, where the history of this brew is examined. Did you know it used to be delivered on horse back? As you walk around you are given lager to enjoy and a souvenir glass to take away. 

 The Rijkmuseum

Experience the sex and drugs, from near or afar

 I bet that headline caught your attention! Amsterdam is a very laid back city. You can't visit Amsterdam without at least walking down 'The Red Light District'. The sex shops, live sex shows, peep shows and doors with the red lights where ladies entice you in are famous around the world. If you are unsure about visiting, walk down during the day, when there are plenty of couples, coach parties and even the odd family around. Although during the day it feels safe, at night it has a different vibe and gets sleazier with stag parties and single men.  

The Red Light district

Amsterdam's coffee shops, where cannabis is openly sold for personal consumption, were legalised in 1980. There are now at least 250 in the city. If you want to visit one but are unsure check out the Timeout Guide on Amsterdam's drug laws and etiquette.  Staff are reportedly helpful and a menu is available if you are not sure what to order.

 Eat local food
A Febo machine

From bitterballen (meatballs) to fries with mayo and stroopwaffle (a waffle with syrup inside), Amsterdam has many delicious street foods particular to the region.  The FEBO machine dispenses snacks such as meatballs, fries and hamburgers, whilst a number of cool organic cafes sell delicious salads, juices, cakes and sandwiches. Have a piece of warm apple pie with slagroom (cream), whilst people watching in a pavement cafe.

Amsterdam is famous for Indonesian food due to their link with the country and if you can, try an Indonesian rice table or Rijsttafel whilst visiting the city. A wide selection of small portions are served, sometimes up to 40 dishes, with the emphasis on different flavours and textures, and popular dishes being satay and rendang. 

 There is also a great foodie scene in Amsterdam, with a number of upmarket and Michelin starred restaurants, for those that like their food stylish and refined.
Amsterdam in under 60 seconds from my new travel blog FlyDriveExplore

 For tourist information check out I Amsterdam.  I was given the I Amsterdam city card for entrance to the many museums, and free unlimited public transport. It is worth checking out the card if you ever visit. Book your accommodation in Amsterdam now if you want to enjoy this amazing city.

 So this is my guide to the top things to do in Amsterdam. Tell me, have you been or do you want to go?
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35 comments

  1. Elizabeth19 April 2016 at 07:43

    Fantastic! I spent five nights in Amsterdam many, many years ago. I can highly recommending camping in the city centre as a budget way of staying there. There's a camp ground right in the middle of the city - about a 10 minute walk from the ferry to the city centre. Amazing. :)

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:12

      I didn't even know there was a camp site in the centre of the city, that is what is great about Amsterdam, it is so surprising.

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  2. Philocalist19 April 2016 at 10:18

    I absolutely love the sound of Amsterdam. I've been trying to get my fella to come with my for years but he says he's only interested in travelling outside of Europe - who says that!? It looks so lovely and picturesque but it's got this unnecessary shady rep.

    Jess
    Philocalist.co.uk

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:13

      I love the US but sometimes you just want to go somewhere with a short flight. Europe is so diverse, there must be somewhere he wants to go, surely?

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  3. Erica Price19 April 2016 at 10:24

    It's such a beautiful city! I haven't been since my early 20s so I'd really like to go back.

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  4. Stephanie Merry19 April 2016 at 10:27

    Gorgeous pictures! Amsterdam is one of my favourite places in Europe x

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:14

      Thank you, it is one of my favourite places in Europe too Stephanie.

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  5. passport and toothbrush19 April 2016 at 14:45

    I loved reading this. Brings back a lot of memories.

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  6. Unknown19 April 2016 at 17:01

    I have never been to Amsterdam. I would love to.

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:21

      It's a very vibrant city, and really close to the UK. Hope you get the chance to go one day.

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  7. Sarah Mumx3x19 April 2016 at 18:21

    I really want to visit Amsterdam, mainly because I'd like to visit the Anne frank house and what not! Amsterdam is a beautiful place! Lovely pics, too! xx

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:22

      My mother-in-law said it was well worth visiting.

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  8. My Life As A Mummy19 April 2016 at 19:22

    I have wanted to go to Amsterdam for years, like Sarah I want to visit the Anne Frank house.

    Laura x x x

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:22

      You should go, I honestly can't recommend it highly enough.

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  9. Ickle Pickle19 April 2016 at 20:03

    Great post - I would love to visit Amsterdam, ir sounds and looks amazing. Kaz x

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    1. Mellissa Williams20 April 2016 at 08:23

      It's not all sex and drugs - it unfairly gets a bad rap. It is such a cultural city. We love it there.

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  10. Georgina Ingham | CulinaryTravels19 April 2016 at 21:04

    Beautiful photography. I loved Amsterdam when I went. Such a lovely place full of culture.

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  11. Ayss20 April 2016 at 19:50

    It's somewhere on my to visit list. It looks so cultured and fun at the same time

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  12. Ana De-Jesus20 April 2016 at 19:50

    I really want to visit Amsterdam especially to see the Anne Frank museum and see all the amazing street art there is out there! So exciting!

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    1. Mellissa Williams22 April 2016 at 15:50

      It is an exciting place Ana. You must visit one day.

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  13. Unknown20 April 2016 at 21:11

    I have wanted to visit Amsterdam for ages! I love the sound of the museums and all of the culture. It looks like a beautiful place as well :) X

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    1. Mellissa Williams22 April 2016 at 15:50

      It's really beautiful and so different to other cities in Europe as well.

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  14. Little Lilypad Co20 April 2016 at 21:54

    This is definitely on my bucket list and you are right, you have to go and see the Red Light District, so maybe I will wait until the children are a bit older and we can go on our own. :-)

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  15. fashion-mommy21 April 2016 at 16:59

    I've never been, but would really like to go, it always seems such a friendly, interesting city.

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    1. Mellissa Williams22 April 2016 at 15:51

      It is friendly, cool, laid back, and everyone speaks English too, a really great place to visit.

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  16. Kacie22 April 2016 at 09:22

    Amsterdam is firmly on my bucket list of places in the world I NEED to visit :) Such an eclectic city!

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  17. Renna's Discoveries24 April 2016 at 00:08

    You've made me really want to go back. It's a beautiful city, and definitely well worth a visit.

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  18. jrandrews728 May 2016 at 05:13

    I lived in Holland for nearly 2 years and you have captured the highights of Amsterdam very well. My best tip for Amsterdam is to spend some time outside of the city as well. The public transport is fast, reliable and reasonable and cities such as Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden are all within an hour.

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    1. Mellissa Williams13 July 2016 at 09:50

      Thanks Jeremy! That's a great tip, we haven't explore outside of the area much although we have been Marken once/

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