Feature photo by goulao Photo by rhoadeecha
Clear your head and get outside to explore Amsterdam like a local.
Contrary to Pulp Fiction lore, there’s more to Amsterdam than hash bars.
Coffeeshops are the shit for many an Amsterdam virgin, yet locals view them as tourist traps lacking in “gezelligheid,” or coziness, the cornerstone of Dutch culture. Smoking yourself into a coma at the Bulldog is just fine, but you’re going to miss out.
Follow these ten tips and you’ll do Amsterdam like a local.
1) Immerse yourself in art.
From Spui take tram 2 or 5 to Museumplein, where the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum keep you occupied for hours.
View Van Gogh’s life through art, from the Potato Eaters up through the last two months of his life in France.
Holland’s Golden Age is the highlight of the Rijksmuseum. Don’t miss Vermeer’s Milkmaid.
2) Day trip it.
For an excursion, the 15-minute train ride to Haarlem is worth the trip.
Browse fashionable boutiques, visit the Gothic St. Bavo church, and walk to the Frans Hals art museum.
For eats, kick back at the spacious Café Brinkman (grandcafebrinkman.nl) on the square, and to top off the day, have drinks at Café 1900 (Barteljorisstraat 10) on the way back to the train station.
Photo by goulao
3) Drink up.
With more than 1200 intriguing pubs to crawl you’ll have more than your fill.
Start at the Heineken brewery (Stadshouderkade 78) to see how famous beer is produced. Check out Café Belgique to taste smooth Belgian brews like La Chouffe and La Trappe Dubbel.
Other standouts: gallery/bar Schuim (Spuistraat 189), Gollem, and In De Wildeman.
4) Night bike it.
Amsterdam is most romantic at night, when the city is aglow from lit up bridges and canals.
Start at Leidseplein and bike down Kerkstraat to the Amstel River, where you’ll find the Skinny Bridge in all its glory.
Cut across Waterlooplein to Jodenbreestraat, which takes you into Nieuwmarkt. Pay a visit to the Waag, a pub/restaurant that once formed the city wall, or brown bar Café ‘t Loosje (Nieuwmarkt 32-34).
Photo by katielips
5) Club it.
For pre-partying, head to Lux (Marnixstraat 403) Bitterzoet (Spuistraat 2), or Seymour Likely (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250) for live DJs.
Join the dance crowd at Mazzo (Rozengracht 114), Club More (Rozengracht 133), and Paradiso (Weteringschans 6-8). For a laid-back vibe, check out Café Alto (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115) for local jazz acts.
Photo by tylerdurden
6) Shop for treasures.
Walk the famous 9 streets (theninestreets.com), to pick up cutting edge fashion and eclectic wares.
Don’t miss Lady Day, which sells vintage and secondhand European fashion for a steal. Browse for a designer fragrance like Creed at Skins Cosmetics, investigate the Paul Frank Store , and get pampered at Spoiled, where you’ll be custom matched to a designer pair of jeans.
Photo by earcos
7) Do it like the Dutch.
Nothing says typically Dutch better than a hunk of Gouda stuffed in a fresh bread roll.
Savor this ritual by picking up a sandwich at Broodje van Kootje (Spui 28). Grab a newspaper at the Athenaeum bookstore across the way, and plunk yourself down on a bench in the square.
For another Dutch favorite, visit the Pannekoekenhuis, a tiny upstairs restaurant on the second floor of a narrow canal house. Dive into big pancakes, served sweet or savory.
8 ) Indulge, Indonesian style.
A former colony of the Netherlands, Indonesia now occupies Amsterdam, in terms of cuisine.
The rice table (a smorgasbord of dishes) is the name of the game but you can opt for the Nasi Goreng (fried rice) at Sie Joe.
For something more upscale, consider Tempoe Doloe, on the boutique-lined street, Utrechtsestraat or Puri Mas, located in the entertainment district of Leidseplein.
9) While the day away in a café.
At Café Zeezicht (Hoofdweg 456), people watch on the outdoor terrace, sipping a Dutch style latte and nibbling on the best apple tart in town. Brown cafes, named for their wooden interiors, are good for mingling with the locals.
Cafes not to miss: De Balie, Café De Tuin (Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 13), and Café ‘t Smalle (Egelantiersgracht 12).
10) Walk it.
Start at the eastern end of the Albert Cuyp street market in the ethnically diverse neighborhood De Pijp.
Peruse Dutch treats like fish, cheese, and chocolate among 300 stalls. Take a right on Ferdinand Bolstraat, then a left on Stadshouderkade.
Take a right at Spiegelgracht for a stroll in the antique district. Turn left onto Herengracht to see splendid 17th century canal houses. Make a right at Leidsestraat and go up to Singel.
Hit the Singel lunch Café (Singel 404) for homemade soups and baguette sandwiches.
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144 Comments... join the discussion!
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dude, for your information, museums are not there for tourists, they are there to share and preserve culture and knowledge……..so if there is a museum wherever you live…go to it, and do ask for a guide, you might like it…..as for getting drunk well you can do that at home to, what is the point of visiting a place if you can't see it because you are to intoxicated……..you are in Amsterdam, smoke pot, go to the red district, do all those things that Amsterdam is famous for, but you can also enjoy it's culture and try to see things, so that when you talk to somebody and you say I've been in Amsterdam, and they ask how is it there, you can answer something different then i can't remember because i was to waisted to remember…man all the luck to you, but there is more to life then you describe
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Nice article Marla! Even if many tourists visit the city for smoking, Amsterdam is also a family-friendly holiday destination and a great place for art lovers.
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"Walking sucks, you will be labelled a loser or tourist" Spoken like a true American tourist Senator. Sounds to me like you're trying too hard to fit in. If there's one city to put in your walking boots it's Amsterdam. It has so many unexpected backstreet gems that walking is the best way to get around so as not to miss anything. After all, if you're on holiday, why rush?
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Visiting the Netherlands means plenty of gorgeous scenery and friendly people, but the small world-class city known as Amsterdam has many of its own features not to be missed by travelers. Many visitors book a trip to this northern European city between the middle of spring and late summer when the city’s festivals and special exhibitions are in full force. There are a variety of Amsterdam sites sure to please a wide variety of travelers. The subsequent article discusses several that are not to be missed stops on your visit to Amsterdam.
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. . . WELL, SMOKE-ING POT, TOO, WOULD BE NICE . . . . .
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If you go to Amsterdam do NOT waste your time by visiting the van gogh museum. you are pushed around and horded like sheep, you get about one second with every painting before getting horded forward by the mob forming behind you. It’s basically a experience that makes you like van gogh and museums LESS. >____<
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True… there is sooo much more to do than just smoking pot. Yes, I looove Haarlem, too. Jordaan was also when I really felt that I was in Holland. Can’t forget the markets, either… I loved Bloemenmarkt, a floating flower market that’s on the Singel Canal. : )
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Eindhoven, I miss Eindhoven parks. Looks a bit like Melbourne.
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“there’s more to Amsterdam than hash bars.” – no there isn’t. Amsterdam is special because there you can do what in other places you can’t. All the culture and night biking and everything else can wait until you’re old. I have museums in my home town, so what. Also, i’m on vacation, so why should I do it like a local? I’m a local in my city, and it’s boring the hell out of me….
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I would rather smoke pot than do any of that
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Great tips, though personally (besides clubbing) I would probably have a blast doing all those things while smoking pot throughout!!
Seriously though, good tips I’ll have to save them for my trip to Amsterdam.
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Wel i am dutch, and i happen to live in amsterdam, and i can tell you there are a lot more things tho see than you are telling
like for an instance there is a village on the border of amsterdam, really really small and entirelly existing of hippies google for ruigoord if you want to know more :p or there is also the party’s during koninginendag that is the birthday of the queen.
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i would reather smoke
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I just want to say that I have gone to Amsterdam every year since 2000, and I am going again this year in July. As for most travelers to A-dam, I went for the coffee shops, but its everything else that brings me back.(i dont smoke pot anymore) walking is the best way to get around by far, riding bikes is awesome as well, but not everyday. I dont understand why she did not mention an open boat tour of the canals, not the big tour boats. You take your own beer or wine and the captian will take small groups through the big and small canals, not to be missed. Also there are alot of small museums such as, the sex museum, the torture museum etc. that should not be missed. And as for the clubs make sure u have women with you or good luck getting in, even if you just meet them on the way there. If you do make it in the club, be sure to tip the bouncer on the way out, like 5 euros each if you want to come back another night, they remember. the falafels and shoarmas ARE NOT TO BE MISSED! A big tip for taxis, ONLy use TCA taxis, they dont rip u off and always have a set starting price, they always have nice cars and usualy wear suits, ask him for his card and have your bar or wherever call him or the company for u. Take a day trip to the beach, the hague or haarlem. Walk around the modern part of Amsterdam, east harbor islands is a great contrast to the old center. Enjoy your time in Amsterdam, and stay there longer than a couple days, if not you will wish that u had.
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All those ideas are fab…. but popping into a coffee house first for a spliff will only inhance the days activities! (unless ur not used to smoking…also pick a nicer place then the bulldog… I mean I know they’re everywhere but there are a hundred better places within walking distance!!)
Can I add… going to Nemo stoned or visiting the mini village stoned are two of the best things you can do in Dam
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I hate it when commenters do what I am about to do, but it is for a good cause and it takes place in Amsterdam on July 25, 2009. I am using this popular post to promote a rally in support of the struggle for democracy and human rights in Iran. It will be in Museumplein from 12:30 – 15:30 on Saturday with music, speakers, and surprises.
Going to a rally would really make you feel like part of the culture and provide you with an especially interesting Amsterdam experience! For more information go to the site: united4iran-nl.org.
Thanks to Maria Seidell for allowing me to post this.
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Make that 11 things to do in Amsterdam…
Thanks for the information Tori.
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hhhmmmm… Indonesian food… now I feel..very hungry.. the fried rice.. hhhhmmm yummmy…
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I love to go to Amsterdam for long weekends and find the cheapest way to stay there is to book cheap holiday rentals. You can get some great deals for short stays and late availability – I usually use Compareaway.com to book them.
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Oh, Ok, Don’t smoke pot. Just sit and drink and beer all day. Then at night, go to a club and drink more. Then get on a bike and ride around. Good plan.
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1200 pubs! SAY WHAT! I wonder what the pub to coffeeshop ratio is.
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Well there is around 300 coffeeshops and you say there is 1200 pubs so id say the ratio is 4 to 1 ish. I’ve not been there yet but will be there in november and can’t wait. I’m certainly gonna be doing a tour of all the museums and without a doubt im gonna be sampling some of that sweet sticky strong skunk. I’ve made myself a little list of strains im gonna try, got myself a list of coffeeshops on a coffeeshop map. Im really looking forward to trying the likes of Blueberry, Amnesia Haze, Mango, White Widow, and the all famous Ice-O-Lator Jellyhash hmmmmmmmm yummy! Ive been watching lots of videos on youtube, getting myself all syked up and even going on google maps and checking out the 360 degree streetview photos so i have an idea of the place before i go there. As for the pubs i cant say alcohol really interests me, nor smoking any tobacco. I reckon i nice relaxing tour, meeting new people, hopefully get some cool videos on my HD cam to reminise and upload to youtube and il be sorted. If i remember this site il try to report back in a 2 months. Untill then il just continue to get excited and count down the days. woohoo! lol
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Going to Amsterdam for the first time soon and I can’t wait. Unfortunately however, I fear I will spend most of the time in a coffeeshop or 5 lol
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FYI – the Van Gogh museum is one of the city’s finest, and should not be missed. That’s probably why there are such large crowds. Keep in mind, there are even more people in the museum on rainy days (typically, that’s the Dutch weather forecast). Also, the museum is open late on Friday nights – so you can get some culture without the crowds.
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Hi folks ! I live in Amsterdam since three years and I love it.
As an Amsterdammer (or Amsterdamned as we like to call us) I am very glad the tourists are so blind and mindless to stick only to the center of the city, following always the same tracks like horses with blinkers and being able to come back by themselves to the stable. This is allowing us and the Dutch to live our lives enjoying the real Amsterdam without the big issue of having to deal with tourists, that are here only to smoke or to enjoy the prostitutes, totally unaware of the rules and the rythmes of the city. Amsterdam has more than one hundred times more things to offer, but if you are not a local this is rather completely hidden from the tourist’s eyes.Cheers !
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We went to Holland a few years back when we were stationed in Germany. We stayed in one central spot and headed in a different direction every day. All day trips. We saw the miniature city of Maduradam, The Hague and the boardwalk, Madam Toussauds Wax Museum, the windmills, and had an excellent canal boat ride. We saw the smallest house in the world and lots of wonderful little shops and restaurants. We bought a small waterpipe where the clerk asked casually if we wanted a screen for it. There are tons of things to see and do that don’t all require just smoking pot or sitting on your butt swigging coffee all day. This life is not dress rehearsal, make the most of it!
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There’s seems to be a lot of hostility in the comments. These are just other ideas (besides going to a coffee shop) that you can do in the city. I went to Amsterdam last year and found it to be a great city, very chill and beautiful. I went with a tour so my time there was very limited, but I would love to go back and explore more of Amsterdam and The Netherlands. I’m surprised The Anne Frank House wasn’t on the list, although it does get very crowded. While I don’t think you should have to spend every second of your travels at a museum, it also seems like a waste just to spend your time drunk/stoned (especially when you can do that at home). I say everything in moderation, but to each their own.
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all them things are great but go to the dam and not get stoned come on like you can do all them things and even injoy some of that crap with a couple of js in you . besides a bet van gogh was a stonner most likly stoned the night he cut his ear of
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hey, I’ve been in Amsterdam for bout 6 months and after seeing all the tourist places and seen how all tourists go same damn places, I would like to know bout some more local places maybe a bit from the city center…
So for any local u got any recommendations for places like panama ?
I’m also looking for a smaller kickboxing gym than the major ones meijro and so on, any one got a good one in the center it would be much appreciated.↵ -
My personal favorite is meeting a goodlooking non hooker Dutch girl and getting her back to my hotel room to play some scrabble or something like that….HONEST, well maybe not scrabble….!
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Nice article Marla, and you’re right; there is more to Amsterdam than the coffeeshops.
A tip: the Mazzo has closed down a couple of years ago. Instead, head to either Trouw or Studio 80 for some dancing.
Another: instead of going to De Balie, head to cafe De Druif. A visit to this tiny bar feels like going back in time.
And finally: the Heineken brewery is a tourist trap. Make your way to Brouwerij ‘t IJ where you can join a free tour on Friday’s at 4pm.↵ -
Sweet updates/alternatives, Jasper. Thanks!
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Thanks for the great article about ‘my’ city
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The point is to smoke nice ganja herb AND do things like these, you don’t need to spend the WHOLE day in coffeeshops, just drop in a couple of times..
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