Amsterdam

Amsterdam is my favourite European city, beloved for its quaint canal houses, iconic bridges, and cyclists that rule the narrow cobblestone streets. I love how the Dutch and visitors alike spill out from bars to enjoy their drinks by the water’s edge. My affection for the city began over fifteen years ago on a brief three-day visit, and despite travelling all over Europe, it remains the place I most love to wander, especially along the beautifully lit canals at night

Top areas to explore in Amsterdam!

ANNE FRANK HOUSE

Don’t miss a chance to see where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years. Step back in time and see where she wrote her famous diary. Book tickets online early as they often sell out. It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to tour through the attic and the history.

Buy your tickets at the official Anne Frank House website.

RIJKSMUSEUM

The Rijksmuseum is a world class institution with an impressive collection that includes masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, as well as a famous self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh.

Plan to spend at least 3 – 4 hours to see the highlights, but you could easily spend a full day here. Get your tickets directly from the museum.

CANAL CRUISE

This is one of the best ways to experience Amsterdam and see the lovely canal houses. You’ll tour through the main canals as they point out unique history, including the smallest house at just under 7 ft wide x 16 ft deep. The glasstop boats allow you to view all of the sites as you cruise through different Amsterdam neighbourhoods.

BLOEMEN
MARKT

The world’s only floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt, was established in 1862 and evokes the days when the market flowers were supplied by boat shipments. When you’re buying Tulip bulbs to take home ensure they have a certification stamp on the package which indicates they are disease free and will allow you to bring them home to the US or Canada.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM

The Van Gogh Museum is home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s work in the world. It traces his life and artistic development through his letters and paintings. You’ll find the iconic Van Gogh work called Sunflowers, plus Almond Blossom. Estimate about 2-3 hours to walk through. Both of these museums are in the Museumplein area that is accessible by tram and has lots of restaurants and cafes to relax your legs after your museum tour.

FOODHALLEN

This food market is similar to Time Out in Lisbon and provides a variety of high-quality street food stalls and bars, perfect for the solo traveller or for a group that can’t agree on what to eat.

I enjoyed foodhallen on my last trip to Amsterdam. With a wine in hand, I discovered different food stalls ordering small snacks throughout and ate comfortably at a communal table.

THE TULIP
FESTIVAL

The Tulip Festival happens from early March to late May and is the best time to visit the Tulip fields located in the Bollenstreek area or by visiting the Keukenhof Gardens. Explore the photo album below to get a view of the magnificent fields.