Seven Tips For A Weekend Away In Amsterdam

Photo Credit: @livingnetherlands

Amsterdam is such a curious place. Curious in a sense that those that have not been there wanting to know what goes on and those that have traveled to Amsterdam want to see more! Amsterdam is a popular destination for a weekend getaway if you live in Europe but for those in the U.S. this is a destination!

If you are looking for some Amsterdam travel tips then this post has got you covered. Amsterdam is an extremely busy city and there are so many things to do in Amsterdam for solo travelers, couples, and big groups! Although Amsterdam is regarded as a party city, there is so much more to this stunning and historic city that is just waiting to be uncovered.

Make the most of your European travels with just a few travel tips that will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.

Fly into Schiphol airport

The Netherlands has a number of airports. The biggest and most convenient for accessing Amsterdam is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. There are lots of budget airlines that fly into Eindhoven and Rotterdam, but you can expect a long journey to Amsterdam from these. That’s more cab fair out of your pocket and less time in the city!

Look for central accommodation

Staying near the centre will give you the best access to all of their fun attractions. It is definitely appealing to stay in the outskirts of the city but, as I stated before, you will spend a lot more time traveling to and from the city.  Some of the best central areas to stay in Amsterdam include Westerpark, Oud Zuid and Jordaan. If you’re thinking about checking out the nightlife and you want to be close to the action, try De Pijp.

Get an I Amsterdam City card

Photo Credit: @lellalamarcella

Buy an Amsterdam City card will allow you to use public transport across the city freely. You’ll also get free access to many of the city’s museums (which can be expensive without this card). The card also includes a 24-hour bike rental, a free cruise on the canals and discounts to many other attractions including restaurants and music performances. It really is a great concept. People travel by bike here too so a bike rental is an extremely generous offer!

Rent a bike

Like I recently stated, most of the locals get around by cycling. Renting a bike is a great way to experience Amsterdam like a local, plus you’ll get around faster than walking or driving. The streets are crowded since there is so much foot and cycle traffic. The pedestrians consume the streets. There’s no shortage of places to rent a bike. Or check with your concierge if you’re staying at a hotel. Some hotels even offer free bike hire to guests.

Consider looking into luggage storage

Many hotels will require you to check out before noon and THEY WON’T KEEP YOUR LUGGAGE. The nerve, right? Kidding. It’s not a thing in Europe like it is in the states. Hotels in Europe are small so they don’t have the space to store luggage for a guest that is no longer spending money with them.  If you’ve got a late flight, this could mean having to carry your luggage around with you for the whole afternoon. It could be worth looking into luggage storage in Amsterdam so that you aren’t burdened with your bags. There are a few decent concepts out there like Stasher that will hold luggage for you.

Plan out your museums

Photo Credit: @thecuriousdesi

There are over seventy museums in Amsterdam. You won’t be able to see them all in a weekend, so you should research them beforehand and plan out the ones you really want to see. The most famous museums include Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Anne Frank’s house, and the Van Gogh Museum. There are also many smaller quirky museums dedicated to everything from cats to death. To get the full experience, it’s worth visiting a mix of both popular and quirky museums. Like I said, Amsterdam has people curious!

Allow a few hours for the Red Light District

A trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without a visit to the notorious Red Light District. We all hear about it and we are all curious.  However, what most people fail to realize is that that there’s more to this part of town than brothels and coffee shops. It is actually the oldest part of the city and there are lot of historical sights and museums here. There are also many great bars and breweries here. Take a good chunk of a day and spend some time here!

What Amsterdam tips do you have? Have you been there before? Share your wisdom in the comments below!