Is it your first time visiting Amsterdam? Whether you’re just passing through or have a few days to explore the capital of the Netherlands, we got you covered! We’ve put together a fun guide our top Amsterdam travel tips you should know. From strolling along the canals to relaxing in iconic cafes, or discovering its rich history, Amsterdam offers so many unforgettable experiences!
Our First Time in Amsterdam
If you’re reading this Amsterdam travel guide, you’re likely planning your first trip. Our first visit to this famous city was to start a 7 day journey with Boat Bike Tours.
Amsterdam was the beginning and end point of our Southern Holland cycling trip, where we biked all day and slept on the boat at night. This gave us plenty of time to see the city. Yet, we honestly could have spent a whole week with so many fun things to do in Amsterdam!
Top 1o Amsterdam Travel Tips
1. How to Get to Amsterdam
If you’re coming from abroad, you’re likely be flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. From there, it’s an easy 15-20 minute train ride to the city center. You can also take the bus, but make sure you hop on the express to save time.
We actually drove from Interlaken Switzerland as we were spending some time in the stunning Swiss alps. Be sure to check out Discover cars if you’re considering renting a vehicle to see more of the Netherlands. However, as you’ll see in our Amsterdam travel guide, you definitely won’t need one to get around the city!
Another option is to take advantage of their great public transportation system. We love using the trains to get between cities in Europe, and it will only take you 2 hours to get to Amsterdam from destinations like Brussels, Belgium.
2. Navigating the Canals
One thing we loved about our first time in Amsterdam is how walkable it truly is. Although it’s large, we had no problem strolling around the different neighborhoods and taking in the sights.
You could literally spend days wandering around the colorful streets and dipping in and out of the restaurants and cafes. Amsterdam is especially known for its canals, and you can even take boats in between the neighborhoods!
We highly recommend hopping on a boat at least once to experience the waterways. You can book a canal tour like this one for a fun way to see the city.
3. Cycling Culture
Amsterdam is known as the bicycle capital of the world, and it truly lives up to its title! While cycling is common in many European cities, we’ve truly never seen a place that was so set up for bikes.
Practically every street has a designated bicycle lane so they don’t interfere with pedestrians and cars. Our best tip for walking around in Amsterdam is to actually watch out for the bikers.
You may hear some dutch curse words directed at you if you accidentally step out in front a cyclist. Still, as long as you have a bit of experience, biking can be one of the most exciting ways to see the city. Joining a cycling tour is also one of the best things to do in Amsterdam on your first visit.
On the last day of our Boat Bike trip, we coasted into the city and had the chance to do just that. Eventually, we decided we wanted to walk around, and found this great free parking area right in the city center.
The intricate underground parking system felt so futuristic. We’ve really never seen so many bikes parked in one place!
If you have a few nights on your first time in Amsterdam, you could rent a bike and cruise into the countryside. Stay tuned for the awesome day trips that we will touch on later in this article.
4. Red Light District
Aside from the cycling, there are a few other interesting things that Amsterdam is known for. The Red Light District is an infamous zone of the city where prostitution is legal and open.
We’d obviously heard about it before our visit and didn’t plan on going there. Nevertheless, we weren’t expecting it to be so centrally located!
We walked through it by accident one afternoon as we were walking along the canals. Needless to say, we were a little bit stunned to see scantily dressed men and women standing right in the windows.
Even if you’re not keen to participate in this fashion, know that the Red Light District has become a popular tourist attraction. There are also tours where you can learn about the history, which would be a unique activity to add to your Amsterdam itinerary.
5. Booking Amsterdam Accommodations
Now that we’ve covered the Red Light District, you can see how important it is to pick the right spot to stay. This is a city with a wide range of accommodations at every price range.
For travelers looking for a bit of luxury, check out Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Breitner House, and the Conservatorium Hotel. You could also pick a mid-range hotel slightly outside the city centre like WestCord Art Amsterdam, or look into Airbnb’s with a kitchen and living rooms on longer stays.
Don’t worry, there are plenty options if you’re traveling on a budget for your first time in Amsterdam! The Bee Hostel and THIS HO(S)TEL are very highly-rated, especially for solo travelers.
The most central location is around the neighborhoods of Jordaan and Grachtengordel, where you’ll be walking distance to everything.
6. Delicious Street Food
One of our favorite parts about Amsterdam is all the amazing street food! While it has its fair share of high-end restaurants and exquisite Dutch cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on the cheap eats of the city.
Our first treat in the Netherlands (and Northern Germany) is always pickled herring. You’ll also want to try the frites and hot dogs with unique toppings.
Some of the best street food in Amsterdam is actually the desserts. You may have heard of the famous stroopwafels, but make sure to taste Poffertjes (pancake balls) and donuts called Oliebollen as well.
These tasty options can be bought from carts all around the many winding streets of Amsterdam. One of the most fun things to do in Amsterdam is to visit the popular food markets such as Albert Cuyp and Foodhallen.
7. Coffee Shops vs Cafes
Another notorious aspect of Amsterdam is its cafes… but some of them aren’t just any old coffee shops! An important thing to know before you go is the stark difference between the two.
The cafes in Amsterdam are typically stocked with a full liquor bar, wine, and beer. For actual coffee you’ll want to visit the “koffiehuis.”
Yet, when it comes to the coffee shops, it’s a whole other story. This is where you can buy marijuana to smoke and enjoy with your drinks.
Just know that weed is technically still illegal in the Netherlands and limited to within these coffee shops. Never buy from the street dealers and we wouldn’t recommend smoking outside.
8. Beware of the Amsterdam Weather
The Netherlands in general is known for its rainy and cold weather for many months of the year. Despite that, we had sunny and pleasant days during our visit in early September.
The time of year is definitely something to consider when planning your Amsterdam trip. While summer offers the best weather, also know that this is when the prices are much higher for accommodations.
The swing months of the fall can be a great time to go. Just beware that the most popular time to visit for tourists is the during tulip season from mid-March to May.
9. Tours & Museums
Have a rainy day in Amsterdam? Don’t worry! There are endless museums to explore on your visit.
It’s home to the Dutch National Museum (Rijksmuseum), which is full of amazing history. Art lovers will want to make a trip to the Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt House.
One of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam is to visit the Anne Frank House and learn about her harrowing story of the holocaust.
We’ve mentioned some of the best tours already, but also check out Life of Anne Frank and World War II Walking Tour and this Super Fun Food and Walking Tour.
10. Fun Day Trips From Amsterdam
If you have a few days in Amsterdam, there are endless day trips that aren’t far from the city. We got to visit many of the beautiful towns around Amsterdam such as Haarlem, Breukelen, and Utrecht.
It’s also easy to go to cities like Rotterdam and the Hague that are less than two hours away. One of our favorite places we went on our recent Netherlands trip was located just in between the two, in a town called Delft. This is where they’ve been making the famous Delft Blue pottery since the mid-17th century.
Another day trip we highly recommend is to the Kinderdijk Windmills! You may have seen pictures of these already, as they are some of the most famous in all the Netherlands.
Have any questions before your first time in Amsterdam or want to share more helpful Amsterdam travel tips? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
