 |
| Visit amsterdaminvasion.com for more information! |
Amsterdam is a city that you will visit and will never forget. It is a place that you will leave and feel like you haven’t quite seen it all. On the plane/ferry/drive back you will already feel inspired to return and visit it all over again. It is virtually impossible to cram it into a whole weekend but I will try here in this post to condense and highlight the must-see things to do throughout your unforgettable stay!
[ Handy tip! ] I visited Amsterdam in the unfortunate months of winter. If you are snowbound travellers like myself I advise to PACK APPROPRIATELY! I made the cocky error of thinking the “cold will not beat me!” and spent the most of my time in Amsterdam FREEZING. One coat and a pair of Uggs was not enough to battle the ice and snow.
Do a free city walking tour – this is a great way to get to know a city. First things first, try and get lost then find your way back to your homely hostel with help from the locals along the way. You will find great little niches hidden away in corners of the city which you wouldn't have found if it wasn't for your lack of direction. For the less adventurous (or the more proficient map-readers amongst you) you can take a free guided walking tour around the city which will tell you all about Amsterdam’s history and intriguing stories. However, make sure you know where and when these tours start and begin. My friends and I spent the whole weekend with the intention to go on this free city walking tour but it was this sort of mysterious tour in which we didn't know when and where it started. We spent most of our time trekking through the snow and getting lost around the canals and side streets. Ask the staff at your hostel for this much-needed advice.
Do a canal cruise – as you wander around the city you will see that Amsterdam is riddled with canals. Down every winding cobbled road is a river filled with canal boats spilling heat and light onto the cold water, overshadowed by a picturesque bridge crusted with snow. You can take an affordable cruise around these beautiful canals and Amsterdam’s port and harbour. These cruises are enough to lull the worn-out traveller to sleep as you sail gently underneath the famous Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) and the man-made city stars (if you take it at night which is when I did… I was also the worn-out traveller which slept). Interestingly, legend has it that couples who kiss on the Magere Brug will have everlasting love.
 |
| The Magere Brug |
Do something cultural – Amsterdam is a city steeped in culture and it would be a shame to not visit any of the multiple museums it has to offer. The Van Gogh museum is huge, packed full of original paintings that even for someone not of the artistic origin can easily waste away an afternoon there. Or you could visit Amsterdam’s most famous attraction, Anne Frank’s house, which tells you the tragic story of the girl who tried to hide from the Nazi’s. However, if this all sounds a bit too cultural and museums are not really your thing there is still plenty to do. You could visit the Sex Museum which gives you a history of pornography and a seat shaped like male genitals (great souvenir picture to show your parents). Or you could wander on down to the infamous Red Light District . Here women will pose in doorways made of glass, trying to lure in passing men for an unforgettable night behind closed curtains. It is an odd experience, walking down streets filled with barely-clad women. You can even see the bedrooms behind them, king-sized beds covered in silk with massive fury rugs covering the floor, on which a woman has posed herself to sell. It will be a bizarre experience which you will probably never forget and will see nowhere else.
]
 |
| The Red Light District |
Go to a Café – Amsterdam is most famously known for its cafe culture and the legally available cannabis sold over
its counters. Even if you don’t smoke or you think its 'too touristy' it is still worth a visit. It's one of the reasons why Amsterdam is so famous and if you go and don't make the trip to a cafe your missing something which is integral to the character and appeal of the city. It may be touristy and over-exploited, but personally, I think its definitely worth a visit, you probably won't have the chance to visit something like this again. Why not? If you are not a regular smoker don't be put
off by the smoker-savvy environment. My friends and I had no idea what we were
doing when we entered our first cafe filled with smoke and reggae vibes. However, there was an aura of cool visiting a place that Eminem had gone before (black and white photographs covered the walls, displaying proudly numerous rappers and celebs who had also visited before). There is also some beginner-friendly pre-rolled cigarettes that
you can buy. You can also try a delicious brownie or muffin sold at the coffee houses. They are
extremely tasty and bring with it all the benefits of smoking without the
hassle of rolling, lighting etc. So, when your in Amsterdam take a trip to a coffee house, you don't have to smoke when your there (its not obligatory) and its definitely worth the experience.
 |
| The Bulldog, the first coffee shop to open in Amsterdam |
Hire a bicycle and explore –
Amsterdam is also a amazing city to explore on foot or bicycle. It is a cyclists green dream with cycle-only paths scattered everywhere throughout the city. It has numerous public parks to
visit and the winding cobbled roads make a great exploring trail. Remember to
look up as you travel down the streets to view the amazing intricate
architecture which tower above. This was one of the main things which left a lasting impression on me. Maybe give yourself a goal to make the exploration more exciting. A Scavenger Hunt themed-night gone Dutch? (there is a big I AM AMSTERDAM sign to find somewhere in the city center). On my last evening in Amsterdam my friends and I were determined to find a
local restaurant and have a ‘proper’ Dutch meal. We spent hours (no joke)
trekking back and forth across snowy streets and icy tram lines until we found
a street full of restaurants and cafes. We sat down to a welcomed pint, heating and ate a traditional Dutch stew. Trust me; it was worth the walk (or cycle,
if you’re lucky enough to visit in summer).
 |
| I AMsterdam |
Amsterdam is an amazingly vibrant city with an incredible amount going on. As you wander its streets you can see the contrast of cultural and historical museum's along with coffee houses and the Red Light District. It is worth the visit just to see the complete opposites living and working harmoniously side by side. If you're considering a visit to Amsterdam, don't doubt it, go with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment