As a local to Amsterdam, I’m going to let you in on the secrets the city beholds. Why? Because giving you a standard list of top 5 things to see is cliché and the lonely planet can probably cover it better than me plus how awesome is it to experience Amsterdam like no other tourist has done before! So, Hé Ho Let’s Go!
Must See
Red Light District- This is absolutely my favorite neighborhood because, literally the red lights give the canals a mystical effect combined with the hundreds of swans swimming through the water, you’d almost find it romantic! A few streets further you’ll find china town, just follow the smell of good food and hop on into a restaurant and step into Beijing.
Must Eat
‘Kanen bij Ten Kate’-Every Thursday evening/night the Ten Katestraat 119 is filled with food trucks of all sorts and styles. It’s more for the go and hanging around while enjoying drinks and gives a relaxed feeling. The vibe here is awesome and you’re smack in the middle with all the local trendy hip Amsterdammers. What’s this in my hand you may be asking: yup, it’s an ‘ice cream’ filled with roast beef in a toasted bread formed like a horn with a truffle mayonnaise dressing. The ice cream reference sounds horrible actually when I write this down, but BOY was this good: yummy in the tummy!
Must Do
Rent a Bicycle- To be one with the city I’d recommend everyone to rent a bicycle, even if you’ve never done it before: it’s really easy. When choosing a bicycle (and this is where it get’s weird), choose the ugliest and the most beat up one you can find. This is because of two reasons. First all the pretty bicycles get stolen first and second you want to blend in and not look completely like a tourist. Extra tip: Bicycle to central station and take the free ferry behind the station with your bike to Amsterdam North. There are a lot of super hip and trendy lunch spots there like: Café de Ceuvel or PLLEK.
Must Find
The Sawing Man- This is the ultimate hidden gem and only a true Amsterdammer will find it and even then a lot have never noticed it. In the neighborhood of the busy and famous Leidseplein, nearby is the intersection of Stadhouderskade and Leidseplein. There you will find this mini guy sawing a tree branch. Amsterdam is definitely a very creative city, that’s why you’ll find so many more hidden arty farty gems around the city. So keep your eyes and ears open you never know what you’ll find.
Author’s Bio:
I quit my job and sold my house because, I wanted to stop saying no to my craving to see the world.
I’m the writer and creator behind the travel blog LittleBrookRoad, which I’ll use the next 6 months to share with you my tips & tricks, discovered hidden gems and the Must Do’s while I go backpacking though Southeast Asia.
Hope to see you there, so Hé Ho Let’s Go!
