Everything I'd tell a friend visiting Amsterdam for the first time

Amsterdam is smaller than you think, busier than you expect, and better than everyone told you. Here's what's actually worth your time.

Getting There

Amsterdam is accessible from all points of the world. If you live in Europe, this is a must visit. Fly into Schipol Airport and get a train (or taxi) into the city. The public transport system is incredible. You tap your contactless card/phone every time you board the metro. You are then charged at midnight for all your trips. Why can't Dublin do this?

Where to Stay

De Pijp

I stayed in the quieter area of town, away from the tourist Red-Light District and surrounding areas. This area is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and bars, and the weekend market with a great transport line into the more popular areas of the city. It is only a short walking distance to the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, and Red-Light District. De Pijp is 100% where I would recommend to stay. There are some super cool AirBnBs in this area.

Must-See Sights

Have you really been to Amsterdam if you haven't seen the Tulips?

Tulip season is in full bloom between late March to mid-May. The Keukenhof is the spot to spend a day wandering around the various gardens. It is always going to be busy but is not overcrowded. The food options are really good quality there too. And I know my food!

It is super important that you book your bus from the city to the Keukenhof in advance (a day before usually does it). It is roughly a 45 minute journey. 

Ever hang upside down from the ceiling?

Spoiler alert: You don't actually hang upside down, it is an illusion. However, this was one of my favourite museums//exhibition/whatever you want to call it. The Upside Down Amsterdam is soooo fun. You get a proper good illusion experience and great photo opportunities. It easily passes up to 2 hours and is a bundle of laughs. It isn't tacky and is well ran. Definitely recommend!

The Heineken Experience

Day Trip to the Countryside

Getyourguide offer an unreal half day tour to the countryside. The trip includes a visit Maarken, Schansen and Volendam. These are windmill villages where you get a tour inside working windmills and then finish off in a fishing village where the seafood is the BEST!

Again, Getyourguide is a great app for booking tours. This tour is a MUST. Any of the canal tours are good but if you can get one that offers cheese and wine, the book it. It is definitely better to book this in the evening as some of the canal bridges do be lit up. Highly educational, highly romantic, and highly picturesque. I highly recommend.

Where to Eat

Okay, here we go. The most important part of this blog. The FOOD! Amsterdam's food scene is top tier. I have handpicked a few different foodie spots for you to try. Here goes...

Little Collins

These guys do incredible breakfasts. It is a New Zealand fusion restaurant with young and fun staff. The breakfasts/lunch are top quality here and the coffee is great.

Location: De Pijp

Florentin

Again, a great breakfast/lunch spot with a good vibes. In the sun, you can sit out and enjoy a top quality meal. The food here is inspired from Tel Aviv. So if you are looking for a super tasty brunch packed with uncommon flavours, this is your spot,

Location: De Pijp

Eetsalon Van Dobben

An old school diner with a smell of grease when you walk in. Not the sentence that would entice you to visit this place, it is? Well, I can confirm, that this spot is worth the visit. A culture shock if anything. It specialises solely in croquettes on a bread roll. When we walked in, it was hopping with locals. We got a seat at the counter and grabbed a menu but was ignored for 10 minutes - so we figured that we must announce our desire to order. Maybe this is just how they do it here. I've seen stranger running's of restaurants. 

The croquette filled with meat on a roll with mustard and a pint of milk is what I ordered. It was simple, unusual, but tasty. I would recommend this for a real insight to a Dutch lunch here in Amsterdam.

Location: Rembrandtplein

Fiona

How somebody can visit Amsterdam and not go to Fiona is beyond me! This Mexican restaurant was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The staff were incredibly helpful and attentive. The cocktails were amazing - particularly the Paloma. And the tacos!!! Get over to Fiona for an amazing evening of food and drinks.

Location: Warmoesstraat 14

Café Piazza

Café Piazza was a restaurant recommended to me before my visit to Amsterdam. An Italian restaurant snuggled along the side of a canal. This was my favourite meal of the whole trip. True Italiano.

The fried fish and calamari for starters was incredibly fresh and the pasta was out of this world. Fresh pasta (that is actually good) is hard to find outside of Italy, but this spot nailed it. The pasta is cooked and then turned on a cheese block (dependent on your pasta choice) and the lasagna is in a league of it's own. 

Location: Kloveniersburgwal 5

Of course, the Stroopwafels and frites from Fabel Frites are totally worth the hype