Amsterdam

The best museums in Amsterdam and which museums to skip

November 1, 2019 by Karen 3 Comments

Last Updated on November 9, 2019

One of the best parts of visiting Amsterdam is to visit the many museums in Amsterdam. As an Amsterdam resident, I had the Museumkaart, which gave me access to the majority of the museums in Amsterdam (as well as the rest of the Netherlands), which meant that I’d often take an afternoon to explore a museum.

I hope that I can inspire you to visit some of my favorite museums in Amsterdam. I also include some advice about what ‘museums‘ in Amsterdam to avoid. (I put this in quotes as some claim to be museums, but I truly think that you can skip them as they are bonafide tourist traps.)

I’ll first go into the best museums in Amsterdam (in my opinion) with a note about who they’re suitable for and which museums in Amsterdam to skip.

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Secret Amsterdam: 30+ secret places to visit in Amsterdam by a local

May 23, 2019 by Karen 25 Comments

Last Updated on October 22, 2019

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 local’s 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.

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The Best Souvenirs to Buy in the Netherlands by a Dutch Resident

January 1, 2019 by Karen 6 Comments

Last Updated on February 20, 2019

If you’re looking for the best souvenirs to buy in the Netherlands, we got you covered. Jacob and I have lived in the Netherlands for several years now and we’ve sent a lot of gifts from the Netherlands to family members! We include lots of tips for buying great gift ideas as well as souvenirs from the Netherlands for yourself!

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25 Essential Travel Tips for Amsterdam From An Amsterdam Resident

December 31, 2018 by Karen 43 Comments

Last Updated on March 13, 2019

I lived in Amsterdam for over three years. These are my tried and tested tips for visiting Amsterdam based on advice for my friends and family visiting me. I’ve structured in the form of 25 tips including some Do’s/Don’ts.

Although I have plenty to write about living in Amsterdam, I’m most often asked for tips about visiting Amsterdam by friends and strangers. I hope that these tips help you plan your Amsterdam trip!

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

December 29, 2018 by Karen 29 Comments

Last Updated on February 12, 2019

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 Beer: The best craft beer & best beer bars in Amsterdam

December 24, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

Last Updated on February 12, 2019

This is a list of the best beer in Amsterdam from our time living in Amsterdam. If you’re visiting Amsterdam for a stag-do or just a normal visit, this is a list of the best breweries in Amsterdam. Before you say Heineken, this is about Dutch beer besides Heineken and where to drink craft beer in Amsterdam with our favorite craft beer bars from Amsterdam breweries with a free map! Proost.

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

December 8, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

Last Updated on January 11, 2019

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 based on my time as a resident. 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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How to see the tulip fields near Amsterdam for free by a local

November 1, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

Last Updated on January 30, 2019

I’m obsessed with tulips and one of my favorite parts of living in the Netherlands is going to the tulip fields in Holland each year. I include tips for seeing the tulip fields near Amsterdam for free!

Although most people visit Keukenhof, it’s very easy to see the Dutch tulip fields without a tour or a bike. You can easily visit the fields on a budget, so read for tips on how to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands for free two different ways.

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Catspotting: A crazy cat lover’s guide to cats in Amsterdam

October 17, 2018 by Karen 20 Comments

Last Updated on July 21, 2019

I love cats. This is a detailed guide to my beloved Amsterdam with the best places to meet cats in Amsterdam, officially and unofficially, with my favorite cats. If you’re a fan of Catspotting, you’re going to love this guide to Amsterdam. I’m a crazy cat lady and meeting cats when traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.

While living in Amsterdam, my husband and I hunted down the locations of cats in Amsterdam because we are that cat crazy. We found cats living at one of the cat cafes in Amsterdam, roaming the halls of a historic canal house/cat museum filled with cat art, cozying up to potential owners on de Poezenboot (the Catboat), sleeping in various shops, or even breaking into museum gardens.

This also includes coffeeshops with cats…. That said, I was not successful in petting them all. Keep reading for our favorite cat locations in Amsterdam with a map.

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Where to find authentic and cheap food in Amsterdam by a local

October 1, 2018 by Karen 18 Comments

Last Updated on January 2, 2019

Finding the best places to eat in Amsterdam where you’re on a tight budget can be tricky as eating in Amsterdam seems expensive. As a resident of 2+ years of Amsterdam, I wrote this guide to eating in Amsterdam on a budget for anyone looking for cheap restaurants in Amsterdam who want to also eat at non-chains that provide some healthy options!

It’s possible to stay on a budget while eating in Amsterdam, so keep reading for the best cheap eats in Amsterdam.

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