Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
By Sean Luis Cody
/ Gen. 4th Gen
/ Branch
Jan 2, 2026
Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
By Sean Luis Cody
/ Gen. 4th Gen
/ Branch
Jan 2, 2026
Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
By Sean Luis Cody
/ Gen. 4th Gen
/ Branch
Jan 2, 2026
Places to Stay
The Dylan - A Boutique Hotel.
Hotel De l'Europe - Has canal views.
The Conservatorium Hotel - Near the Museums.
The Park Hotel - Less expensive and near the museums and the park.
What to Do
Boat Ride - This is one of the best ways to see the city. Suggest the early morning or the sunset time periods for a cruise.
Bike Ride - Take a tour or rent a bike. Riding in the city is only for the young or brave at heart. Suggest riding outside of the city to explore the bucolic and lush Dutch countryside.
Visit the Museums - Make a reservation in advance as they book up.
See a Concert - Concertgebouw for Philharmonics, Alto for Jazz, Paradiso and Melkweg for rock, and Bimhuis for upscale jazz.
Walk Through the Parks - Amsterdam has some very relaxing and safe parks that are beautiful.
See the Tulips - In the springtime in the fields or at Keukenhof Gardens.
Where to Shop
Bijenkorf - Major department store.
Albert Cuyps Market - Famous outdoor market.
Kalverstraat - Popular shopping street.
Jordaan Area - Charming neighborhood with unique shops.
Local Dishes to Try
Kibbling, Paling, or Haring - For traditional Dutch food, try the Volendam Vishandel; located near the Albert Cuyps market and order Kibbling (fried Cod), paling (eel), or haring (pickled).
Chocolate Almond Croissants or Marzipan Desserts - The Dutch do excellent marzipan.
Dutch Cheese - Avoid cheese shops in the city centre that sell only their brand. Often the organic stores will have excellent cheeses. So does the Albert Heijn supermarket chain.
Stroopwafels - A type of sugary cookie that are even more delicious warm! You can buy them cold and place them on top of your coffee to heat up or buy them warm from vendors all over Amsterdam.
Packing Tips
The weather changes all the time, but rain is usually the only thing you can count on.
It can be colder than the forecast due to the wind so dress warm!
Where to Eat
Hotel De l'Europe - For a tasting menu that is expensive.
Castell - A Dutch/Portuguese grill.
The Volendam Vishandel - Located on a side street of the Albert Cuyps market.
Holtkamp Bakery - An old world chocolatier.
Puccini's - For upscale, more contemporary chocolates.
Simon and Meijssen - Bakery for sweets.
Warung Sweetie Lelydorp - Caribbean food and is a tiny hole in the wall family run business.
Cafe George - Each cafe is different, but they all serve excellent upscale cafe food usually with nice terraces.
Full Moon or New King - Chinese.
Tempo Deloe or Samo Sebo - Indonesian.
Where to Drink
Freddy's Bar - Great old bar located in the Hotel del Europe with piano music on the weekends.
De Zotte - A bar for Belgium beers (it is small and crowded).
Bluetheehuis or Vondel 3 - Great cafes located in the Vondel Park. Easy going and charming places to have a drink or coffee. Vondel 3 is more upscale.
Hilton Double Tree Penthouse Bar - There is an outside penthouse bar that overlooks the city.
Rookies Coffeeshop - This is one of Amsterdam's "Smokey" cafes. It is clean and safe, but gets busy in the weekend nights.
Cafe Eijlders - A cafe where the Dutch resistance used to meet...it hasn't changed much and is a good place for a quiet drink.
The Conservatorium Hotel - Has a stunning lobby with a small outside patio. An oasis of quiet calm next to all the museums.
Museums & Historical Sites
Rijksmuseum - World-renowned art museum.
Van Gogh Museum - Houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's works.
Amsterdam Historical Museum - Learn about the city's fascinating history.
Pasalubong!
Cheese - Dutch cheese varieties.
Clogs - Traditional Dutch wooden shoes.
Art - Prints and souvenirs from the famous museums.
Stroopwafels - Delicious Dutch cookies.
Clothes - Dutch fashion.
Other Notes
Amsterdam is a safe city....but some things to watch out for: There is a problem with pick pocketing... especially in the summer time. Between 2-6:30 in the morning it can be unsafe to be alone and even in groups and you should be aware of people around you. The Dutch never approach strangers on the streets and anyone approaching you on the streets should be ignored.
The Dutch are painfully direct and when dealing with them they will respect you more if you are also very direct while still being polite. They also all speak 4-5 languages...Do not speak Spanish in front of them and assume they will not understand you.
Tipping in a restaurant is usually 5-15 percent. Outside of the hotel workers most people do not expect tips. But they do love to get them.
In the evenings the light is quite magical in Amsterdam. This sunset time period is a great time to take a boat ride or explore the city.
Places to Stay
The Dylan - A Boutique Hotel.
Hotel De l'Europe - Has canal views.
The Conservatorium Hotel - Near the Museums.
The Park Hotel - Less expensive and near the museums and the park.
Where to Eat
Hotel De l'Europe - For a tasting menu that is expensive.
Castell - A Dutch/Portuguese grill.
The Volendam Vishandel - Located on a side street of the Albert Cuyps market.
Holtkamp Bakery - An old world chocolatier.
Puccini's - For upscale, more contemporary chocolates.
Simon and Meijssen - Bakery for sweets.
Warung Sweetie Lelydorp - Caribbean food and is a tiny hole in the wall family run business.
Cafe George - Each cafe is different, but they all serve excellent upscale cafe food usually with nice terraces.
Full Moon or New King - Chinese.
Tempo Deloe or Samo Sebo - Indonesian.
Where to Drink
Freddy's Bar - Great old bar located in the Hotel del Europe with piano music on the weekends.
De Zotte - A bar for Belgium beers (it is small and crowded).
Bluetheehuis or Vondel 3 - Great cafes located in the Vondel Park. Easy going and charming places to have a drink or coffee. Vondel 3 is more upscale.
Hilton Double Tree Penthouse Bar - There is an outside penthouse bar that overlooks the city.
Rookies Coffeeshop - This is one of Amsterdam's "Smokey" cafes. It is clean and safe, but gets busy in the weekend nights.
Cafe Eijlders - A cafe where the Dutch resistance used to meet...it hasn't changed much and is a good place for a quiet drink.
The Conservatorium Hotel - Has a stunning lobby with a small outside patio. An oasis of quiet calm next to all the museums.
What to Do
Boat Ride - This is one of the best ways to see the city. Suggest the early morning or the sunset time periods for a cruise.
Bike Ride - Take a tour or rent a bike. Riding in the city is only for the young or brave at heart. Suggest riding outside of the city to explore the bucolic and lush Dutch countryside.
Visit the Museums - Make a reservation in advance as they book up.
See a Concert - Concertgebouw for Philharmonics, Alto for Jazz, Paradiso and Melkweg for rock, and Bimhuis for upscale jazz.
Walk Through the Parks - Amsterdam has some very relaxing and safe parks that are beautiful.
See the Tulips - In the springtime in the fields or at Keukenhof Gardens.
Where to Shop
Bijenkorf - Major department store.
Albert Cuyps Market - Famous outdoor market.
Kalverstraat - Popular shopping street.
Jordaan Area - Charming neighborhood with unique shops.
Museums & Historical Sites
Rijksmuseum - World-renowned art museum.
Van Gogh Museum - Houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's works.
Amsterdam Historical Museum - Learn about the city's fascinating history.
Local Dishes to Try
Kibbling, Paling, or Haring - For traditional Dutch food, try the Volendam Vishandel; located near the Albert Cuyps market and order Kibbling (fried Cod), paling (eel), or haring (pickled).
Chocolate Almond Croissants or Marzipan Desserts - The Dutch do excellent marzipan.
Dutch Cheese - Avoid cheese shops in the city centre that sell only their brand. Often the organic stores will have excellent cheeses. So does the Albert Heijn supermarket chain.
Stroopwafels - A type of sugary cookie that are even more delicious warm! You can buy them cold and place them on top of your coffee to heat up or buy them warm from vendors all over Amsterdam.
Pasalubong!
Cheese - Dutch cheese varieties.
Clogs - Traditional Dutch wooden shoes.
Art - Prints and souvenirs from the famous museums.
Stroopwafels - Delicious Dutch cookies.
Clothes - Dutch fashion.
Packing Tips
The weather changes all the time, but rain is usually the only thing you can count on.
It can be colder than the forecast due to the wind so dress warm!
Other Notes
Amsterdam is a safe city....but some things to watch out for: There is a problem with pick pocketing... especially in the summer time. Between 2-6:30 in the morning it can be unsafe to be alone and even in groups and you should be aware of people around you. The Dutch never approach strangers on the streets and anyone approaching you on the streets should be ignored.
The Dutch are painfully direct and when dealing with them they will respect you more if you are also very direct while still being polite. They also all speak 4-5 languages...Do not speak Spanish in front of them and assume they will not understand you.
Tipping in a restaurant is usually 5-15 percent. Outside of the hotel workers most people do not expect tips. But they do love to get them.
In the evenings the light is quite magical in Amsterdam. This sunset time period is a great time to take a boat ride or explore the city.
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