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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Amsterdam recommendations?

28 replies

RavenclawDiadem · 05/02/2022 13:44

Have three nights booked in Amsterdam for May. Staying very close to Dam Square, hotel is the Port van Cleve. Looking for recommendations of things to see and do.

Neither DH and I particularly interested in drugs or the red light district. Only thing we both really want to do is the Anne Frank House.

OP posts:
SisterRuth · 05/02/2022 13:47

Art deco cinema just off Fredericksplein. I may have spelt that wrong. Just off to google.

Ted27 · 05/02/2022 13:49

my last trip abroad was to Amsterdam with my son, we had a great time.
You need to book the Anne Frank musuem, numbers are very limited and places go quickly.
Boat trip on the canal, Van Gough musuem, Maritime Musuem.
I managed to persude my son to go to the Musuem of Handbags because it also housed an amazing Afternoon Tea overlooking the canal.
Very easy to get the train out to the windmills - we had a lovely day there

SisterRuth · 05/02/2022 13:49

It's off Rembrandtsplein. Called the Tuschinski. It's amazing.

MercedesBenz · 05/02/2022 13:50

Van Gogh museum ?

Original poster
RavenclawDiadem · 05/02/2022 13:53

I quite like the idea of a day/afternoon seeing the windmills - what destination should I be googling for that?

Good point about tickets for the Anne Frank House, looks like they release tickets monthly. It also says "n accordance to guidelines made by the Dutch government a COVID Certificate (EU DCC) is mandatory for all visitors aged 13 and over. " DH and I fully vaxxed but we're not in the EU any more... so will have a bit of reading to do i think.

OP posts:
Ted27 · 05/02/2022 13:53

www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/things-to-do/attractions-and-sights/overview-of-attractions/windmills-at-the-zaanse-schans

also look on the Iamsterdam site for ticket passes, we saved a lot of money on entrance charges

SpunCypher3 · 05/02/2022 14:04

You can get a bus near the main train station to see the town with the windmills. We spent a whole day there

If you buy an "I am Amsterdam" pass it gives you discount on transport & exhibitions

www.iamsterdam.com/en/see-and-do/things-to-do/attractions-and-sights/overview-of-attractions/windmills-at-the-zaanse-schans#:~:text=The%20Zaanse%20Schans%20is%20an,visitors%20from%20April%20to%20October.

JustJam4Tea · 05/02/2022 14:09

Museum attic. It is very small but interesting.

winterowl · 05/02/2022 14:17

We went years ago and used Viator to book a few things. One night we took a canal trip where they stopped for pizza and beer in the way. It was freezing but beautiful with all the twinkly lights and bridges.

feejee · 05/02/2022 14:19

I love the Vondelpark to wander round, but it's been many years since i've been.

Happy36 · 05/02/2022 14:22

Kantjil & De Tijger, an Indonesian restaurant with a lovely vibe and reasonable prices (there are lots of Ibdonesian and Surinamese restaurants as they were Dutch colonies, a rice table plate was invented to fill up the European invaders)

A hidden church

De Jaren bar - sit out the back on the canal, early evening is the perfect time (but never too warm)

The Van Gogh museum is outstanding.

You will see the flower market on the Singel, go into a cheese shop, and eat a cone of chips with sweet mayo or satay sauce. It's a nice, compact city to walk or cycle around. Cold wind so dress appropriately.

I wouldn't bother with a canal boat trip and I would steer clear of the red light district if you don't like stag dos and a sense of unease. The Leidsplein area is very touristy so I wouldn't eat or drink there but it's pleasant enough to walk around when sightseeing. The Vondelpark is a bit Marmite (I'm not a fan.) The botanical gardens are lovely.

Beware of pickpockets if you go to the Albert Cuyp market.

Enjoy!

duvetdayforeveryone · 05/02/2022 14:29

Keukenhof is open between 24th March- 15th May :)

We took a coach from the airport.

SpunCypher3 · 05/02/2022 14:33

You can walk, boat or tram to see the flower market & there are some interesting second hand markets

Behind the main train station, you can get the free ferry to the film exhibition building & that side of the river

AmberRoseGold · 05/02/2022 14:34

Was all excited about the handbag museum (mostly the afternoon tea bit tbf, but looks like it has closed

Ted27 · 05/02/2022 15:22

Thats a shame about the handbag musuem, it was very good, the afternoon tea was excellent.

lonelySam · 05/02/2022 15:27

Canal boat trip is well worth it as a) you will find out a bit of history and b) you will see Amsterdam from the water. Tuschinsky cinema is a must and if you are into Art Deco there is a Deco Sauna on Herengracht. You can skip Vondelpark, it's usually very crowded. Sex Museum is better than the RedLight district if you want to add a bit of spice to your trip. Zaanse Schaans is the place for the windmills (and Kinderdijk but it's difficult to get there by public transport).

snowgirl1 · 05/02/2022 15:57

We went a couple of years ago with DD (8), went to the Van Gogh museum (we rented headsets which tell all about the artwork), went to the Nemo Science Museum (excellent for children); went on a canal boat cruise; hired bikes; had breakfast at the Corner Bakery (there are several branches across the city - we went so that DD could have a freak shake, which is an OTT milkshake); had one meal at Food Hallen in the De Hallen cultural complex - which has lots of different eateries and an central shared eating area (very popular get there early to get a seat). We had a really lovely weekend - hope you have a great time.

Soffit · 05/02/2022 16:00

The Hermitage - not as impressive as the Rissian one but interesting

Cheermonger · 05/02/2022 16:08

You can get a train to Utrecht too which is stunning!

TheDivineOddity · 05/02/2022 16:15

There's a dinner cruise on the canal which is lovely.

I second what other posters have said that booking the Anne Frank museum in advance is essential.

We also took a coach tour from Amsterdam which ticked a few boxes - windmills, cheese, clogs and very pretty scenery too, it was a very relaxing day.

Original poster
RavenclawDiadem · 05/02/2022 17:30

@duvetdayforeveryone

Keukenhof is open between 24th March- 15th May :)

We took a coach from the airport.

We're going the following week. Planning fail.
OP posts:
NoHeavenNoMore · 05/02/2022 17:37

Amsterdam is my all time favourite place in the world. And I don't smoke weed, nor use the red light district.

Zaanse Schans windmills. Easy enough to get a bus there.
Make sure you book the Anne Frank house as it books up in full weeks in advance. Or it always used to!

MissAmbrosia · 05/02/2022 19:05

Canal boat trip. Pre-book Anne Frank house. Van Gogh museum. Plenty of time for wandering around the canals. The Albert Cuypmarkt. Flower market. Do a Rijstafel.

Georgyporky · 05/02/2022 19:22

I've been three times, there's so much to see & do.
Take hankies to the AF house; I've been twice & I wasn't the only one who needed them.
I've used the trams a lot to get around, your concierge should be able to sell the tickets & give you a route map.
One of the best meals I've ever had was at The Hotel School; all trainees, but excellent food & service at a price that was probably just the cost of the ingredients !

NoHeavenNoMore · 05/02/2022 19:34

Oh yeah, ADAM swing is cool 😊