THE ULTIMATE AMSTERDAM BUCKET LIST!

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE RICH TO TRAVEL WELL” – EUGENE FODOR

Amsterdam is one of my all-time favourite cities in Europe! I love the food, I love the house boats, I love the atmosphere, I love the flower market, I love the canals, I love the architecture, and I love learning about the history.

The city is always buzzing with activity, and it’s so easy to explore Amsterdam on foot or by bicycle – I’d definitely recommend seeing it this way. It is a city full of character and there is so much to see and to do in Amsterdam which is why I have written up the ultimate bucket list!

1. VISIT THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE
   

   The Anne Frank House is a historic house and biographical museum dedicated to the young Jewish girl, Anne Frank. The line can get quite long as it is a very popular museum, so I’d recommend arriving 30 – 45 minutes before it opens.
   

2. EAT PATATJE OORLOG

   Delicious hot chippies with your choice of sauce and other toppings! Traditionally served in a cardboard cone, these bad boys can be found at stalls scattered throughout the city. Vegan, Vegetarian and GF options available!
   

3. VISIT THE RIJKSMUSEUM

   This national museum is dedicated to the arts and history of Amsterdam. It is a magnificent building located at Museum Square and is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside.

   

4. TAKE A CRUISE ON THE CANALS

   A trip to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a cruise down the canals! Enjoy a drink or two as you float through the city from one of the best vantage points.

5. STROLL THROUGH THE FLOWER MARKET

   Located on the edge of a canal, strolling through the flower market is a perfect start to any day. It looks especially beautiful in tulip season!

6. SELFIE WITH THE ‘IAMSTERDAM’ SIGN

   It’s basically a traveller’s rite of passage to get their picture with the ‘IAMSTERDAM’ sign. As such, it’s packed with people all day climbing all over it, so if you’re hoping to have the sign to yourself, it’s pretty unlikely, but your best bet at beating the crowds is to get there at sunrise.

   

7. WANDER AROUND THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT

   No visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Red Light District. It is fascinating both day and night, so I recommend you visit in both. It can at times be quite confronting with prostitutes standing in windows and tickets being sold for live sex shows, but it is perfectly safe.

8. VISIT THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM
   

   A must visit for Van Gogh fans if you’re visiting Amsterdam as this museum holds the largest collection of his work.  
   

9. POP INTO A “COFFEE SHOP”

   Now, you all know what I mean when I refer to a “coffee shop” right? For those who don’t, it’s where you’ll find most tourists taking advantage of the laid-back attitude the Dutch have towards weed. If you’re actually looking for a real café, best avoid the red light district – you can find real café in Jordaan which brings me to my next point.

   

10. EAT POFFERTJESE
    

    This is the real deal! Nothing like those school fair imposters. These mini Dutch pancakes covered in sugar and whatever toppings you desire will melt in your mouth. There are many stalls located throughout the city and GF and vegan options do exist!

11. VISIT A CHEESE & CLOG FACTORY

    Just for funsies! Why? Because it’s Amsterdam! You can take a tour, or make your own way by bicycle or public transport if you want to make a day of it and explore the outskirts of the busy city.

12. THE HEINEKEN EXPERIENCE

    A great interactive tour through the history of Heineken in the former brewery with the much loved tasting room finale. Great gift shop for picking up gifts for friends and family back home. If you book tickets online, you save a few dollars and you get to jump the line when you get there.

    

13. GO MUSEUM HOPPING

    With over 50 museums in the city alone, your options are endless. Among the more famous museums there is a Tulip Museum, Sex Museum, Diamond Museum, Tattoo Museum, Museum of Bags and Purses, Torture Museum and so many more.

14. PICNIC IN VONDELPARK
    

    Enjoy the 47 hectares of greenery that is Vondelpark and hire a bicycle to explore the gardens and find the perfect spot to have a picnic lunch and read a book.
    

15. WALK AROUND DAM SQUARE

    You can’t do much in Amsterdam without walking through Dam Square – so this is an easy one to cross off!

    

16. GET LOST IN THE STREETS OF JORDAAN
    

    One of the quainter neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, Jordaan is home to many unique boutique stores and cafes (as us westerners know them to be) with great coffee and food.
    

17. SHOP UP A STORM AT ALBERT CUYPMARKT

    Amsterdam’s most popular street market! Be sure to check it out and pick up a few one-off gifts for friends and family back home – or better yet – treat yoself!

18. HIRE A BIKE AND GO EXPLORING

    You’ll notice that most locals get around on two wheels in Amsterdam, so why not join in on the fun? There’s so many great places you can check out in this list by bike and it sure is quicker than walking!

    

19. DO A FREE WALKING TOUR OF THE CITY

    As mentioned in a few of my other posts, Sandeman’s New offer FREE walking tours throughout Europe and they offer one in Amsterdam. What could be better than a free walking tour? A great way to see and learn about this cities rich history.

20. VISIT DE GOOYER WINDMILL

    You can’t miss an opportunity to get a photo with/of a windmill when visiting the Netherlands. Lucky there is one not too far out of central Amsterdam. It is the tallest wooden windmill in the country and was once used as a flour mill!

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