Windmills, tulips, wooden clogs, and Gouda cheese. These words all come to mind when you think of Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital. This amazing city, however, is so much more.
Its artistic heritage is on full display in the Museum District where visitors can get lost in a variety of museums including the Rijksmuseum where the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer are in full display. Delve into Van Gogh’s art at the museum of the same name. Take in the city’s unique beauty as you walk along its canal system, admiring its narrow houses with gabled facades. Then, last but certainly not least, interact with Amsterdam’s charming and friendly people, many of whom seem to have been born speaking English.
My hubby and I were lucky enough to just return from a winter getaway to this enchanting city. Is this city landing somewhere in your future travel plans? If so, here are my top tips to make your visit as perfect as possible.
Don’t ignore the winter season!
Don’t dismiss traveling to Amsterdam off-season. Many plan trips here in April and May when the tulips come in bloom and prices are much higher. But I’m here to say why limit yourself?
My husband and I visited in January and, yes, it’s cold but this cloudy city rarely dips below freezing. It does, however, on average have 300 rainy days a year but with everything it has to offer including art, history, festivals, and more, Amsterdam can certainly be enjoyed any time of year.
The tulips may not be in bloom but on National Tulip Day, the 3rd Saturday in January, this is not an issue. Tens of thousands of locals and visitors descend on Museumplein and line up to pick up to 10 tulips (with bulbs) per person. A touch of spring in January.
Then there is the beautiful Amsterdam Light Festival which runs from November to January, transforming the city center into an open-air museum with light installations along its canals.
Thanks to the smaller number of travelers at this time, although this is certainly changing, you won’t have much difficulty landing a reservation at a tourist site or restaurant. Best of all, you can spend time enjoying a drink at a cozy cafe. Just perfect!
Use their transportation system!
Amsterdam may have one of the best run transportation systems I’ve experienced. Their trams, metro, and buses are clean, efficient, and easy to use! Since each ride is quite costly, about $4 per ride depending on the exchange rate, purchasing a transportation pass for anywhere from 1 to 7 days is highly recommended and will pay for itself very quickly. These passes, however, do not include the train from the airport into central Amsterdam and to outlying cities like Haarlem, Utrecht, etc…
Book popular sites and dining options ahead of time.
The Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum, for example, only offer timed online tickets. Don’t be shut out and disappointed by not taking the time to book BEFORE you depart for Amsterdam.
Restaurant reservations are also highly recommended, especially for dinners. Amsterdam is a small city and the seating in many restaurants represents this. For example, if you want to experience the popular Moeders for its Dutch fare, reservations open up 6 weeks in advance and fill up quickly.
Beware of the bicyclists!
Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths. It’s flat and its citizens have been raised to use this mode of transportation.
The red lanes are for bikers. Make sure to look both ways. According to one resident we spoke to, the lanes are red because they’re painted in tourist blood. He was, of course, only kidding but seriously, be careful.
Take a canal cruise!
You’re in Amsterdam after all! Their canal ways are one of the main reasons for its uniqueness and beauty. Book at least one cruise and there are a variety of options to choose from. Day cruises, night cruises, cruises with food and drinks. Something for everyone! When we visited, we were lucky enough to experience the Amsterdam Light Festival.
Prepare for rain.
Amsterdam is not known as a tropical destination. Visitors don’t come here to experience the weather. As mentioned in my intro, Amsterdam sees about 300 days of rain annually. Bring rain gear, especially waterproof shoes. No worries, though. If you need to get out of the weather, just slip into a brown pub for a cup of coffee or a drink and take in the atmosphere.
Take at least one day trip outside of Amsterdam.
Our week’s itinerary included a day tour of Zaansdam for its famous windmills. We also learned about clog-making. Hubby even bought a pair to use for gardening! Volendem and Maken gave us a taste of some typical Dutch life and we even attended a brief cheese-making and stroopwaffle demonstration. Yum!
Don’t dismiss staying outside Amsterdam.
The Netherlands is a small country. We stayed just one short stop outside of Central Amsterdam and saved substantially on hotel costs.
And, last but not least, take note of my husband’s heartfelt tip…
Try Dutch pancakes!
Although resistant and a supposed pancake hater, my husband was won over by these crepe-like delights. While I went for the traditional Dutch Apple and cinnamon, hubby ordered a savory one, complete with bacon, cheese, and apple.
We were lucky to snag a table at the very popular The Pancakes Upstairs, located in a 1500s home, up a narrow, steep staircase and only four tables. It’s worth it. Make reservations so you’re not disappointed.
Enjoy your trip!
