Amsterdam

Tourist Guide to Amsterdam: What you need to know before your first trip to Amsterdam by a local

March 14, 2018 by Karen 32 Comments

Amsterdam is a city to RELAX in. I’m not talking about the abundant coffeeshops, but about the gezellig (cozy) atmosphere that you’ll find in this city.

Take your time to sit back to enjoy the passing bikes, unique architecture, and beautiful canals among the many things to do and delicious things to eat. I’m a proud Amsterdam resident and this is an ultimate guide to Amsterdam with all the questions that I feel like I’ve been asked most often.

Find out how many days to spend in Amsterdam, get advice on what are the “must-sees”, where to stay in Amsterdam, what to eat in Amsterdam, which museums to visit in Amsterdam (and skip!), what to do before you arrive in Amsterdam, how to get from the airport to the city…and more!

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First Time Guide to Amsterdam: Three Days in Amsterdam itinerary by a resident

March 8, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

I’ve been living in the Netherlands for nearly three years with most of my time spent living in Amsterdam. I usually recommend that if you’re visiting Amsterdam, three days in Amsterdam is perfect.

I’ve created a three day itinerary for Amsterdam with advice on what to do in Amsterdam for all budgets. As someone who’s spent quite a bit of time in Amsterdam, I cover the famous sights, but I try to focus on showing you some of neighborhoods that make Amsterdam unique rather than the touristy hubs. I include a free map (at the bottom) with the best places to visit in Amsterdam during 3 days.

This is a suggested itinerary for Amsterdam, so I try to give options and I completely understand if you choose to skip something. That said, I’ve carefully crafted this Amsterdam itinerary to minimize walking, public transit, and biking.

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20 tips on how to survive biking in Amsterdam by a resident

March 6, 2018 by Karen Leave a Comment

One of the most common questions that I get about the Amsterdam is about biking. Bicycling in Amsterdam is the best way to get around, however biking can be terrifying for people who are used to leisurely bike rides in the park who haven’t done city biking before.

Keep reading tips from a Dutch resident on what to know about biking in Amsterdam, without a tour, before your trip to the Netherlands! This guide to cycling in Amsterdam includes Amsterdam bike rules to know prior to biking in Amsterdam for both tourists and residents.

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One Day in Giethoorn, the Dutch fairytale village without roads

March 5, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

You’ve probably seen photos online of the prettiest village in the Netherlands, Giethoorn. Visiting Giethoorn from Amsterdam is a doable day trip from Amsterdam if you’re patient enough to spend two hours getting there independently.

I personally preferred staying overnight at Giethoorn in the picturesque village, so you get to enjoy the sunset over the calm canals without the crowds… Keep reading for my tips for visiting Giethoorn, the Netherlands without a tour. I also include information on how to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam!

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15 books about Amsterdam that you’ll want to read!

February 23, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

One of my favorite things to do is to pick up a book about a destination before I get there. I’ve been living in Amsterdam and these are my favorite books about Amsterdam. I’ve also included some favorite books about Amsterdam from friends of mine….

17 things to know before celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

February 20, 2018 by Karen 1 Comment

If King’s Day in Amsterdam is not on your radar, you need to put this Dutch holiday on your bucket list. One day a year, the Netherlands becomes a street party of massive proportions; Amsterdam is the epicenter of this party. Tourists and locals alike take to the canals to drink, dance, and buy/sell goods from the street.This post is full of things to know before your trip to Amsterdam for King’s Day….

Amsterdam on a budget: Insider tips for the Netherlands on a budget

February 20, 2018 by Karen Leave a Comment

I’ve been living in the Netherlands now for almost three years with two years living in Amsterdam. As the Dutch capital, Amsterdam isn’t a cheap city to visit. Keep reading insider tips for visiting Amsterdam on a budget and surviving Amsterdam on a budget by an Amsterdam tourist turned local. …

Secret Amsterdam: 25 secret places to visit in Amsterdam

January 30, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

I’ve been putting off this guide to secret Amsterdam for a while as living in Amsterdam has made me worry about sharing my secret places in Amsterdam where I go to avoid the tourists. However, it’s not nice not to share.

In this guide to Amsterdam off the beaten path, you’ll be visiting some Amsterdam secret spots as well as some really non-touristy things to do in Amsterdam. Keep reading for information on the interesting things to do in Amsterdam that you won’t read elsewhere as well as a map.

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One Day in Amsterdam: A local’s free self guided walking tour of Amsterdam

January 17, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

I recommend spending more than a day in Amsterdam, however that’s not always possible. I’ve been living in Amsterdam for over two years and this is an itinerary for 24 hours in Amsterdam with insider tips for Amsterdam.

This is a self guided walking tour of Amsterdam by a resident (7miles/11km) or an Amsterdam itinerary for one day with public transit (4 miles / 6km). It includes more than 20 attractions/famous food places in Amsterdam. Keep reading for the perfect itinerary for 24 hours in Amsterdam (starting bright and early). This guide to one day in Amsterdam includes a free downloadable map of your walking tour of Amsterdam.

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Amsterdam Light Festival: The best thing to do in winter in Amsterdam

November 28, 2017 by Karen Leave a Comment

The Amsterdam Light Festival is a yearly festival in Amsterdam with changing lights (on an annual basis). I consider the changing light exhibitions created by artists from all over the world one of the best things to do in Amsterdam in winter.

You can see the Amsterdam Light Festival on foot, by boat, or by bike. Read for tips for visiting the Amsterdam Light Festival, which can only be done during January or December in Amsterdam.

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