Being a tourist in Amsterdam is a wonderful experience with so much to do and see, time can easily get away from you. Bars Amsterdam have decided to put a list together of the 10 best things to do in Amsterdam so you you can experience life as a local and still get a dose of the touristy stuff.
1 - Visit a Coffee Shop
With the "tourist ban" coming into effect in 2013/14 visitors must experience the coffee shop culture. In all honesty, I think its ridiculous that they're banning this wonderful substance for tourists so make sure when your in town you hit up a few.
Placed on nearly every corner, you'll find some great coffee shops with an ambiance all of their own. Chilled beats, the smell of weed in the air, comfy couches and an array of interesting characters, definitely pop by for a coffee and a smoke.
2 - Walk through the Red Light District
This has to be done. The red light district is like a city all on its own and can be an enchanting journey. Through the oldest part of the city, the ladies of the night line the cobblestone alley ways with only but a thin window pane protecting them from the hoards of young dudes laughing and giggling like school girls.
Definitely a must see, and a very unique experience
3 - Ride a bike
Riding a bike in Amsterdam is awesome! Bikes pretty much have the right of way here (even more so that cars) so you'll be safe and won't be nervous that a car will fly out of nowhere (although it does happen). Its perfect on a summers day to go for a ride around town with the sun hitting your face, wind in your long locks, an essence of Mary Jane about, and a 6 pack of beer in your basket. Nothing is more liberating. If only every city adopted this concept.
4 - Canal cruise
Canals rule! I live over a canal so i'm always sitting at my window watching the ducks swim by while the sun reflects off the water into my eyes. There are several different cruises you can take, which take you around all the canals in Amsterdam. And lads, don't forget to take your ladies a cruise for the romantic touch to your weekend away.
5 - Anne Frank house
Very popular tourist attraction so I recommend buying your tickets online so you don't need to queue up. Anne Frank wrote her diary from loft while Holland was going through Nazi occupation. Learn about her life, her secrets and her daily turmoils
6 - Try out the Amsterdam Nightlife
I love going out in Amsterdam. There are so many different places which cater for anyone and anything. I also like the fact that I can just order a "beer" and the bartender knows what to do. (where i come from i have to specify the brand name)
When going for a night out, start in a quiet bar in town before making your way to the non touristy bars or clubs on offer. Although these are hard to find, if you befriend a local, you'll soon know where to go to have an awesome night out.
Ofcourse, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein are hard to miss.
7 - Go to an Ajax game
The best football team in all of Holland (although some might disagree). Travelling out to the ArenA to watch Ajax ply their trade is every football fans dream. The atmosphere is special, tickets are cheap, and the ArenA is only a 20 minute train ride from Centraal Station. Ajax of Amsterdam were recently crowned champions 2 seasons in a row, so you'll be in for a good time (especially if they're playing Groningen)
8 - Van Gogh Museum
Does this place need an introduction? I think not. This museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world gain an insight into the mind of Mr Van Gogh and offers various exhibitions on 19th century art.
9 - Picnic in Vondelpark
When the sun is shining, this place turns into a music festival. Everyone all over Amsterdam flocks here for BBQ's, beer, football games and music. Amsterdamers really appreciate the sun, so when its out, so is every man and his dog (literally). Vondelpark has to be my favourite park in Amsterdam. So much going on, yet you can always find a quiet spot all to yourself.
10 - Eat Suriname Food
I didn't know anything about Suriname (apart from Edgar Davids) before I met my wonderful GF. Now I get to eat Suriname food every day! With a mix of different flavors, food from Suriname is spicy, exotic and can warm you up on a cold day (just like their women...joke).
The Suriname population is pretty large so theirs plenty of Suriname eatery's about.
1 - Visit a Coffee Shop
With the "tourist ban" coming into effect in 2013/14 visitors must experience the coffee shop culture. In all honesty, I think its ridiculous that they're banning this wonderful substance for tourists so make sure when your in town you hit up a few.
Placed on nearly every corner, you'll find some great coffee shops with an ambiance all of their own. Chilled beats, the smell of weed in the air, comfy couches and an array of interesting characters, definitely pop by for a coffee and a smoke.
2 - Walk through the Red Light District
This has to be done. The red light district is like a city all on its own and can be an enchanting journey. Through the oldest part of the city, the ladies of the night line the cobblestone alley ways with only but a thin window pane protecting them from the hoards of young dudes laughing and giggling like school girls.
Definitely a must see, and a very unique experience
3 - Ride a bike
Riding a bike in Amsterdam is awesome! Bikes pretty much have the right of way here (even more so that cars) so you'll be safe and won't be nervous that a car will fly out of nowhere (although it does happen). Its perfect on a summers day to go for a ride around town with the sun hitting your face, wind in your long locks, an essence of Mary Jane about, and a 6 pack of beer in your basket. Nothing is more liberating. If only every city adopted this concept.
4 - Canal cruise
Canals rule! I live over a canal so i'm always sitting at my window watching the ducks swim by while the sun reflects off the water into my eyes. There are several different cruises you can take, which take you around all the canals in Amsterdam. And lads, don't forget to take your ladies a cruise for the romantic touch to your weekend away.
5 - Anne Frank house
Very popular tourist attraction so I recommend buying your tickets online so you don't need to queue up. Anne Frank wrote her diary from loft while Holland was going through Nazi occupation. Learn about her life, her secrets and her daily turmoils
6 - Try out the Amsterdam Nightlife
I love going out in Amsterdam. There are so many different places which cater for anyone and anything. I also like the fact that I can just order a "beer" and the bartender knows what to do. (where i come from i have to specify the brand name)
When going for a night out, start in a quiet bar in town before making your way to the non touristy bars or clubs on offer. Although these are hard to find, if you befriend a local, you'll soon know where to go to have an awesome night out.
Ofcourse, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein are hard to miss.
7 - Go to an Ajax game
The best football team in all of Holland (although some might disagree). Travelling out to the ArenA to watch Ajax ply their trade is every football fans dream. The atmosphere is special, tickets are cheap, and the ArenA is only a 20 minute train ride from Centraal Station. Ajax of Amsterdam were recently crowned champions 2 seasons in a row, so you'll be in for a good time (especially if they're playing Groningen)
8 - Van Gogh Museum
Does this place need an introduction? I think not. This museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world gain an insight into the mind of Mr Van Gogh and offers various exhibitions on 19th century art.
9 - Picnic in Vondelpark
When the sun is shining, this place turns into a music festival. Everyone all over Amsterdam flocks here for BBQ's, beer, football games and music. Amsterdamers really appreciate the sun, so when its out, so is every man and his dog (literally). Vondelpark has to be my favourite park in Amsterdam. So much going on, yet you can always find a quiet spot all to yourself.
10 - Eat Suriname Food
I didn't know anything about Suriname (apart from Edgar Davids) before I met my wonderful GF. Now I get to eat Suriname food every day! With a mix of different flavors, food from Suriname is spicy, exotic and can warm you up on a cold day (just like their women...joke).
The Suriname population is pretty large so theirs plenty of Suriname eatery's about.
