Amsterdam. Most people have Amsterdam on their list of destinations when asked where in Europe they want to go. Whether it’s the party vibe, the windmills, the beer, or the wooden shoes everyone has their reason for wanting to go to Amsterdam.
But, what do you do when you get to Amsterdam?
Go to the Sex Museum and See a Sex Show.
The Sex Museum is only €9,00 and can take up to an hour to tour through (depending on how much you read- maybe even more). It’s a 3-minute walk from the Centraal Station and really holds some amazing photography, paintings, and sculptures. It is the first and oldest sex museum in Amsterdam which takes you on a tour through the tall building by spiral staircases and unique rooms floor by floor.
The museum showcases eroticism over the decades and is definitely worth the money. We won’t go into much detail about the sex show, other than finding one that interests you and go. Basically, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Let loose, live a little, and have some fun. We went to Cassa Rosso if you’re looking for a suggestion. This is why we have the Sex Museum and a Sex Show on our list of what to do in Amsterdam.
Tour through the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
The palace was originally built as the Town Hall in the 17th century (opened its doors in 1655!). In 1808, King Louis Bonaparte had it converted into his Palace and since then has been used for meetings of world leaders and heads of state, royal weddings, receptions and holiday events. They open up the palace to visitors as much as possible and you can walk through these ornate and untouched rooms for €12,50 per person.
We are suckers for cathedrals, castles, and palaces so of course we were drawn in. They are open 10 am-5 pm pretty much every day of the week and we would advise you to book your tickets in advance because the time slots do fill up. There is so much to see here and read about. Just to see the magnificent regal furniture, wallpaper and decor, makes it worth the trip.
Ride a bicycle through Vondelpark.
Contrary to what you will read in a few minutes below, renting a bike and riding it through Vondelpark is an excellent idea. It’s a beautiful park and opened in 1865 with 120 acres of land. We went in March so it wasn’t ridiculously warm but we had a jacket on and really enjoyed the leisurely peddle through the park in the sun. There are a bunch of things to see in the park; Vondelchurch, the Statue of Joost van den Vondel, a Picasso sculpture, a Rosarium, an open-air theatre that has performances run throughout the summer months, and a beautiful pond in the middle.
Additionally, there is a restaurant in the park, Groot Melkhuis, but we would suggest you pack a picnic instead. Enjoy the grass, and the flowers, and pull out some of your hippie roots by sitting on a blanket and just being. The Van Gogh Museum is also not far (maybe a 6-minute walk from the tip of the park) and is attached to the Museumplein, which is a park and garden area for festivals and just enjoying the outdoors. After that, head another 4 minutes to the tip of the Museumplein to the Rijksmuseum!
Walk up to the top of the NEMO Science museum for a beautiful view.
It’s the highest city square in the Netherlands, it’s a beautiful view and it’s free. There is a large terrace and some fun interactive sculptures which are part of the energetically open-air exhibition.
There are also some pretty cool water features (4000 litres of water flowing through 30 pools and receptacles). The roof is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm. They also have a restaurant on the terrace as well. The museum entrance is at street level, but we did not visit.
Check out an outdoor market
There are so many great markets in Amsterdam.
Albert Cuyp Market
The first one we would suggest is the Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp. Originating in 1905 the market has anything you could possibly want; fresh meats, fruits and veggies, haring, stroopwafels, and an endless supply of yummy treats. It is the most popular market in Amsterdam, as well as the largest outdoor market in Europe, and is such a vibe. It’s open Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 5 pm.
Bloemenmarkt
The second we would suggest is the Bloemenmarkt. It is the world’s only floating flower market and has 15 florists and garden shops. They don’t just sell tulips but an array of other flowers as well. We actually got some wooden tulips while we were there as a souvenir to take home with us. They are open Monday through Saturday 9 am – 5:30 pm and Sunday’s 11 am – 5:30 pm.
Waterlooplien Market
The last one we will suggest is the Waterlooplein Market (in Waterloo Square) which is more like a Flea Market. We stumbled upon this one accidentally. This market is for the thrifter. It has over 300 different traders that sell vintage clothing, second-hand items, and antiques. If you need a new denim jacket, this is the place to go. The first market here was in 1885! They are open Monday through Saturday 9:30 am – 5 pm.
Check out the markets here; Waterlooplein, Albert Cuyp Market, Bloemenmarket.
If you have more time and are able to travel outside the city we would definitely suggest;
A windmill sightseeing tour. We have been to Amsterdam twice and it’s always on our list but we never seem to make it happen. On the first trip, we made it to one, photo below for proof.
Other things to see and do as you walk along the endless canals in Amsterdam;
- Basilica of Saint Nicholas
- De Wallen
- De Oude Kerk
- Montelbaanstoren
- Visit a coffee shop
Things not to do (or ’tread’ lightly -teehee).
Rent a bicycle. Now, let me preface this with this is how I (Hayley) feel about renting a bike in Amsterdam. Trevor, after a day of riding around actually enjoyed it and felt more comfortable. So, let me begin…I know I said earlier to rent a bike and ride it through Vondelpark but that’s where it ends for me. Do not pass the borders of Vondelpark on your bike, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Well, you can… but I would advise the only people that do are people who live in major cities and use a bicycle as their main mode of transportation already or are extremely comfortable riding a bike through lots of traffic.
Riding a bike in Amsterdam is a very stressful task. There are so many reasons for this;
- There are more bikes than cars in Amsterdam.
- People are commuting to work and do not like maneuvering around tourists who don’t know where they are going.
- Motorbikes share the bike lane and drive extremely close to you.
- You don’t get to enjoy the streets, you’re too busy worrying about your safety.
- The traffic lights are at the base of the canals. So upon the light turning green, you immediately have to get up a hill (I have a hard enough time getting a bike started on flat ground).
- You can walk or take the bus instead.
There, I’ve said my piece. If you want to ride a bike in Amsterdam, all the power to you, but be careful my friends. It’s not for the faint of heart. Click here for Mac Bike rentals right out of Amsterdam Centraal.
This photo below is from our 2019 trip (where we rode bicycles, in 2022 we did not). You can see the fear behind my eyes.
Random Tips for your trip to Amsterdam.
- It is 3 times the price to stay in Amsterdam on the weekends. If you can, try to play a mid-week trip.
- It is also 10 times busier on the weekends. If you hate big crowds this is not the place for you Friday-Sunday.
- Most people speak English. So, no need to stress about learning Dutch unless you want to impress the local cute bartender.
- They take cards for payment everywhere. Contactless is preferred right now.
- Space cakes are made with “special” ingredients.
Now that you’ve read some of our suggestions on what to do in Amsterdam, you better figure out where you want to eat!
Click here for our suggestions on where to eat in Amsterdam!