Amsterdam Bucket List

Amsterdam is a bustling hub all year round. If you are a regular visitor or perhaps you’re planning your first-ever trip to the Dutch capital, I’ve got you covered with this Bucket list. Before diving into it you can read the post fun & weird facts about Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam, housing world-famous pieces such as the Milkmaid by Vermeer, the Night Watch and Van Gogh’s self-portrait. The building is spectacular with arched tunnels where cyclist and pedestrians can pass underneath. While walking through the tunnel you are serenaded by a band of musicians playing classical music.

Inside you’ll find 1.5km of galleries housing incredible collections of RembrandtVan GoghVermeer and countless other Dutch painters. The museum houses more than 1 million pieces of artwork. The museum also houses some amazing statues and historical objects, such as jewels, costumes, weapons, model ships, furniture and Asiatic art.

Tickets 17.50 Adults, 8.50 for CPJ or EYCA cardholders, Free for children under 18 I Amsterdam City Card and Museumkaart holders, and Friends of the Rijksmuseum | Location: Museumplein

Tip: The Iamsterdam sign can no longer be found on Museumplein. The sign is on tour and can be found at various pop-up points all over the city. You can still snap photos with the giant letters at Schipol Airport and Sloterplas lake in West.

Moco Museum

A place for exploring modern contemporary art. A 20th-century mansion, the museum features various modern contemporary artists, from the household names such as Banksy, Yayoi Kusama and Warhol, to up and coming artists like Icy and Sot. Moco runs different exhibitions throughout the year, so there are always new things to explore. The museum is perfect for exploring modern art. Each artist’s work a strong commentary on the perspectives of modern society. Many of the pieces left a lasting impression and were on my mind long after I visited the museum. The main attraction in the Moco Museum is the collection of Banksy works which are on loan from private collectors. The artist’s works focus on such topics as surveillance, consumerism, the government and the impact people have on the world around us. These pieces force us to stop and think—something that we often avoid doing in our day-to-day lives. One of my favourites is Banksy’s “Girl with Balloon”.

Once you’ve explored the museums, visit the basement floor down Moco’s illuminated staircase and complete your experience by heading out into the sculpture garden and enjoy the inverted sculpture of Mickey and others.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 9 AM – 7 PM, Fri – Sat 9 AM – 8 PM | Address: Honthorststraat 20

The flower market

It is the only floating flower market in the world and one of the most fragrant places in Amsterdam. Covered in a rainbow of colours tulips, narcissus, geraniums and many other types of flowers can be found here.

If you’re coming to Amsterdam in December, you’ll see the flower market also sells green Christmas trees of all sorts and varieties. And if you are looking for cute typical Dutch souvenirs to bring back home with you, every shop at the Amsterdam Flower Market has some such as clogs, wooden tulips or cheese.

Open from Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 and Sunday from 11:30 to 17:30. Located: on the Singel canal between the Koningsplein and the Muntplein.

Tassen Museum

Also known as the museum of bags & purses, the museum houses over 5,000 bags and it’s the only one in Europe. The museum is in a historic Canal House that houses the amazingly extensive collection. The museum is open every day except for a few holidays.

There are luxury designers, timepieces, bags and purses that are actually a piece of art in design and intricacy. The museum takes its visitors through time as they move through the display rooms.

Plan on spending about an hour to two hours. A little longer for those who would like to enjoy the café and garden area. There is even a high tea offered, it is recommended to secure a reservation.  There are guided tours at select times too.    

Open: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day | Tickets are priced reasonably and can be purchased online or at the museum.

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Negen Straatjes

Located right in the middle of the canal belt straddled with quirky streets. Known as De Negen Straatjes “The nine streets”, this area is known for its vintage shops, cosy cafes and speciality stores.

Navigate: Start off at the Magna Plaza( Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal) walk through the Raadhuisstraat to the Hartenstraat. This is the first of the nine little streets. Cross the bridge over the Keizersgracht canal and stroll into the Reestraat, which ends on the Prinsengracht. The nine little streets crisscross along in the district between the Rozengracht, Leidsestraat, Prinsengracht and Singel.

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Foodhallen

Explore the diversity of Amsterdam, food, culture, media and craftsmanship. Fun Fact the building used to be a service station for trams. De Foodhallen is easily accessible on foot or by tram – about 20 mins walk from Leidseplein and 10 mins on the tram and it is so well worth the trip out there.

Local treats like Bitterballen & Kroketten are available, but there is also a diverse range of food from other cultures (dumplings, french pastries, tacos etc). Definitely opt for a small portion size if you plan to eat your heart out! The Foodhallen got you covered with drinks too. The beer bar sells special beers from around the world, both on draft and in bottles. The wine bar uses a clever system making it possible to order all of their wines by the glass which makes it easier to select a special wine for every course of your meal. And lastly the gin bar with loads of gin choices and tonic

Open 11:30 am-11 pm from Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 am-1 am Friday-Saturday |Location: Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam

Anne Frank House

A museum that’s run in the actual home that Anne Frank was hiding in during World War II where she wrote in her diary that would later become the incredibly famous “The Diary of a Young Girl.” Located at Prinsengracht 263-267. Purchase tickets in advance, as it is often sold out. Tickets are only available online. Tickets are released online 2 months ahead of time for specific dates with timed entries which need to be kept in mind when planning an itinerary.

It is not allowed to take photos inside of the museum, due to the historical factor and sensitive subject matter. Visiting the Anne Frank House is a somber experience and one that can leave you quite emotional, but it’s an important part of a visit to Amsterdam and one that you should absolutely not skip.

Hours: Open 9am-7pm from Sunday-Friday, 9am-10pm Saturday | Admission: € 10 (adults), € 5 (children age 10-17), FREE (age 9 and under)

Heineken Experience

An experience for all the beer lovers out there, it’s a fun way to learn about the history of Heineken. The experience takes you through how the beer is made, the history and souvenirs are available as you make your way through the experience. What I love about the tour it is self-guided so you can explore at your own pace, leave enough time to have a beer at the bar or to learn how to pour the perfect pint.

It’s recommended to buy tickets online as the waiting in line takes quite a while

Admission: €18 per person (tickets are timed, includes two beer tokens)| Location: Stadhouderskade 78 Amsterdam. Located close to Albert Cuyp market perfect to grab a bite before or after

Best beer cafe Arendsnest

Another one for my beer lovers out there, the best place to go Arendsnest.

This beer cafe specializes in serving only Dutch alcohol. Gin, cider, liquor, craft beer (no Heineken). All of the beers are brewed in the Netherlands. The staff is friendly and happy to help the customers choose their beer of which over 50 are on tap.

Every Monday at 6 PM, Arendsnest holds a Dutch beer tasting with some bites which requires a reservation. For the foodies, they offer delicious snacks, such as sausage and cheese (after all, this is the Netherlands).

Hours: Open 12pm-12am from Sunday-Thursday, 12pm-2am Friday-Saturday | Location: Herengracht 90, 1015 BS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pancake Bakery

By far the best pancakes in Amsterdam. Massive sweet & savoury pancakes are served up at this 2-storey converted warehouse with canal views. The Pancake Bakery what it is today: a world-known pancake restaurant loved by all. Open Monday-Sunday: 9am-9:30pm

Location: Prinsengracht 191

Albert Cuyp

Located in the de pijp area, This particular street market has been opened for more than 100 years and is named after a leading Dutch painter. The market has a vast offering of food, drinks, clothes and household goods stalls and of course flowers.

It is a great place to get some souvenirs from your time in Amsterdam, as prices are generally lower than the souvenir shops near the main attractions.

Besides the fruit and fish stalls, there is plenty of delicious street food from the four corners of the world. Unsurprisingly, there are also many local staples available, including an endless array of cheesesbitterballen, and warm stroopwafels.

Hours: Open Monday-Saturday from 9 am-5 pm, closed Sunday | Location: Albert Cuypstraat, 1073 BD Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pro tip: the market is sometimes closed early due to weather conditions, so double-check before you go

Classic canal tour

A fun activity to do during summer of winter, during winter the boats are heated warmed. This is the best way to appreciate the beauty of Amsterdam day or night.

During the day, a canal cruise along Amsterdam’s UNESCO canal belt showcases the picture-postcard images of the famous capital of the Netherlands. At night, cruises float along the canal underneath bridges lit up by fairy lights, giving the experience a magical feel. This is one of the most romantic things you can do in Amsterdam and something you will not forget.  A canal boat cruise in Amsterdam will not only show you the beauty of the city, but you’ll learn some fascinating facts about the city. As you float along the canals, you’ll learn facts like why the tilting homes along the canals are known as ‘dancing houses’, pass along Amsterdam’s famous attractions like the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Albert Cuyp market and Gassan Diamonds. 

There are different tours available, ranging from hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tours to romantic candlelit night time cruises with food and wine. 

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Explore the city by bike

The best way to explore Amsterdam is like a local. Amsterdam is known as the best bike-friendly city in the world.

There are many different options for bike rentals and tours. The most popular ones are A-Bike Dam Square and Mike’s Bikes (which, for example, is €7 for up to 4 hours or €10 for a full-day rental).

A popular route to take by bike is to the A’DAM Lookout and back. With that route, you can explore the streets of Amsterdam and cross the canal on a barge which takes you to the opposite bank and back.

Tip: Avoid cycling during rush hour, which is around 8 am – 9 am and 5pm to 6pm, as there are hundreds of bikes on the road. Cycle during more “off-peak” hours to enjoy the serenity of cycling along the canals.

Bicycling through Amsterdam is an incredible experience to check off your Amsterdam bucket list!

A-Bike Dam Square: Rokin 105A, 1012 KM |Mike’s Bikes: Prins Hendrikkade 176, 1011 TC

Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Crispy and warm, still fresh from the oven. This is known as the best cookie in Amsterdam visitors from all over the world indulge themselves into the cookies. One variety of cookie a crunchy Valrhona dark chocolate base with a soft white chocolate centre. The story goes: When the founders were deciding on a recipe, they all sat down to try their various creations. As soon as they bit into what has since become the iconic Van Stapele cookie, they all looked at each other with pure delight: the bakers had found ‘the one’.

Located down a little cobbled alley off Spui and close to Amsterdam’s main Begijnhof, you’ll smell this nostalgic sweet shop before you even see it. Often with a long line out the door and decorated in traditional wooden furniture, this is one bakery that should be on your Amsterdam bucket list.

Finally, should you visit Amsterdam during the tulip season, you’ll soon discover that there are plenty of amazing florally themed day trips to be taken from the city. The best way to experience the tulip season is to visit Keukenhof one of the largest flower gardens in the world. More info on this blog post

xoxo

Chante’