A Long Weekend in Amsterdam!

Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth, it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.

John Green

It’s about this time of year I start to get itchy feet! I start to long for those short cultural trips to some of the delightful cities dotted across Europe, a short hop skip and jump from the UK – apologies to those reading from further afield!! One of the cities that is well worth dedicating a long weekend to is – Amsterdam!

I’ve been to Amsterdam several times and I Love it! It’s one of the shortest flights you can take from London, yet you really feel like you’ve landed somewhere totally different. For me, it’s a city that oozes fun! It’s a wonderland of treasure-packed museums, Golden Age canals, Dutch brick buildings and narrow lanes. Here’s my quick guide on how to get the best out of a long weekend in the city!

Getting Around

If you’re a cyclist Amsterdam is going to be a real treat, Amsterdam is a cyclist’s paradise, thanks to its flat terrain and extensive network of bike lanes. Bicycles are an essential part of the local culture, and renting a bike is an excellent way to explore the city for a weekend. There are numerous bike rental shops throughout the city, offering a variety of options and prices. A popular choice for a bike tour is to ride along the picturesque canals or explore the charming streets of Jordaan.

If you’re not a cyclist, fear not dear reader! That flat terrain I mentioned earlier makes Amsterdam the ultimate city to discover on foot. Walking tours are a popular way to appreciate the rich history and architecture. One option is to join a free walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide – free but a generous tip is always well received!

No matter how you choose to explore, I’d highly recommend getting an “Amsterdam City” card. The card gives you access to over 70 museums including the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt Museum& the Rijksmuseum. It gives you open access to the extensive public transport system including the metro, trams busses and ferries. It also covers bike rental and canal cruises so, for €85 for the weekend, it’s a steal!

Spend A Few Hours in Museumplein!

The Museumplein district allows you to jump right into Dutch history, culture and more by visiting some of Europe’s top museums.

From the artwork of top Flemish masters to ensemble portraits to Van Gogh masterpieces – you’ll find it all here. If you only have 48 hours in Amsterdam, then perhaps choose one or two museums rather than trying to cram all of them in to a short time!

Rijksmuseum – This is definitely a tourist favourite. Visited by over 2.2 million people each year, the museum is a treasure trove of Dutch arts and history. The star of the show is Rembrandt’s Night Watch. Even with your I Amsterdam card, I’d still recommend booking in advance.

Stedelijk Museum – If you’d rather get a good old dose of contemporary art and design, then this is the museum for you. It’s home to both temporary and permanent exhibitions, so check out the latest listings for what will be on during your visit.

Van Gogh Museum – This museum gives you the chance to step into Van Gogh’s world. Along with the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, you can also see some of the artist’s personal belongings and letters. It can get busy, especially at weekends, so again, consider booking in advance.

Other Museums Worth a Peep

The Anne Frank House – Is a writer’s house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk. It’s the one place I found that isn’t covered by the I Amsterdam card so, make sure you pre-book your tickets and either visit super early in the morning or towards the end of the day.

Amsterdam Tulip Museum – Until today, this flower remains the Dutch favourite, one of the symbols of the country. A small private museum just across the bridge from the Anne Frank House shows the history of the Dutch fascination with the tulip and sells in its shop various bulbs of the most beautiful existing flowers.

Amsterdam Cheese Museum – Just a step from Anne Frank House, on the other side of the Prinsengracht a small museum has been organised, dedicated exclusively to Dutch cheese. It is an attractive shop with also an exhibition part and one of the sellers always wears traditional Dutch clothes. On the ground floor when you come in you can taste the different varieties of traditional Dutch Gouda cheese. Then, if you take the stars down, it will lead you to a little Gouda cheese museum.

The Sex-museum – Or the Venus temple is a sex museum located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The museum opened in 1985. It had 675,000 visitors in 2015, making it one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands, I wonder why??!

Not a museum but well worth a visit is the Heineken Experience – The Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam doesn’t just brew beer for the general public it’s also a sensational interactive tour through the dynamic world of Heineken – Whilst in Amsterdam a few years ago, I enjoyed an immersive, behind the scenes guided tour of the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam and explore the old brewery where Heineken was first brewed. Then the best bit, following the tour, a Heineken connoisseur takes you to an exclusive bar where you get to sample 5 premium beers, served with a fine selection of Dutch cheeses and traditional Dutch ‘bitterballen’.

The Red Light District

It’s what many go for, and what many try to avoid! However, it is undeniable that Amsterdam is famous for its red-light district! If you’re looking for sex, drugs and/or rock ‘n’ roll, you’ll find all you need for a lost weekend in Amsterdam without much preparation.

The Red Light District (known locally as De Wallen), sited in an approximate triangle formed by Central Station, Nieuwmarkt and the Dam, is at the very root of the city’s international notoriety. It also is home to the first-ever “coffee shop” The Bulldog, Cassa Rosso and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum.

It’s well worth a visit just to see this world renowned inner city district but actually, there a few very good restaurants and bars in the area where the staff keep their clothes on!

Remember: You cannot take photos of the women in the illuminated red doorways (it’s illegal).

Bars and Nightclubs

When it comes to nightlife in Amsterdam, there are venues, dance festivals and club nights to suit every taste! DJs keep the crowd going with everything from techno, dubstep and trance to hip-hop, funk and deep house. Amsterdam has so much to offer from boutique cocktail bars to a killer rave in a warehouse.

Where to Eat

In a city built on the culture of explorers and spice traders Amsterdam’s restaurant scene will not disappoint no matter what your budget! Here’s just a few that are all well worth a visit;

Café Loetje – if you’re a carnivore, try the house specialty, a thick filet of tender steak slathered in buttery gravy!

Moeders Restaurant – Moeders, which is Dutch for Mothers is the ultimate in beautifully cooked comfort food!

The Pantry – is restaurant specializes in Dutch home cooking with a focus on quality over quantity!

Long Pura – the Dutch East India Company was established in what is now Indonesia, Long Pura is a celebration of Indonesian cuisine.

La Oliva – A Dutch spin on a tapas bar, perfect after a long day sightseeing with a cheeky glass of Rioja!

I could go on but actually, I’m going to stop here! I hope this has given you at the very least, a taste of what lies ahead of you in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world!

What’s on this week?