Well hello to you my reader chums! If you're a regular reader of this blog then you'd know about my love for travelling. A place I've always wanted to visit was Amsterdam. The endless canals, biking way of life, and its historic significance had a place in my heart that I wanted to explore. I found a fab flight deal (only £46!) with EasyJet so decided to make a trip there. With only 2 and a bit days in the city, I made a plan and researched everything I wanted to see.
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Here's my take on a 48-hour guide to Amsterdam...
Lines of colourful bikes, canals at every turn, and bursts of nature all around, you can't fault the natural beauty of Amsterdam. Everywhere you look it's a picture moment, whether that's a bicycle propped up against a canal, the twin buildings, or blooming flowers, it's a city not to miss.
There are 101 things you can do in Amsterdam from the museums, endless walking paths, restaurants, shops to sightseeing, bike, and boat tours, you need to prioritize what you want to see if you're there on a short-term basis. With this guide, I'm going to run through my must-sees and tips, to help make your planning a little bit easier.
I arrived in Amsterdam on a Thursday night and delved into hopping on a tram, to get a general idea of how the public transport worked before the two big days panned out. A tram stop was outside my Air BnB which stopped in Central Station, the prime location to hop onto any tram for each region of Amsterdam. The accommodation is pretty pricey in the centre of Amsterdam and I would recommend booking a hotel or hostel slightly out of the centre and travel in each day to save money.
Day 1 - Anne Frank's house, Museum Quarter, Jordaan district, and Dam Square
Westermarkt
On the first day, I headed straight to Westermarkt where the famous Anne Frank House stands, a landmark I've always wanted to see. If you use the tram to reach this location, the stop is only a 5-minute walk from the house.
I'd recommend booking online tickets with a time slot to visit the house, otherwise, you could be queueing up for hours to get in. Anne Frank's House was beyond any words. She's such an inspiring young writer and through reading her diary, I really related to her love of writing that when I walked through the house I couldn't help but feel emotional. It was moving yet an insightful experience to what hiding was really like during the war. I was astonished by the size of the annex they lived in and the grueling reality that happened. This has to be my number 1 must-see to any Amsterdam newbie.
The surrounding Westermarkt was stunning; its beautiful canal boats and quaint cafes warmed my heart, I could walk around the area forever to take it all in.
Museum Quarter
When in Amsterdam, you have to visit one of their famous museums. The Museum Quarter is home to their top three, the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum as well as the big I AMSTERDAM letters.
There are also cafes and restaurants surrounding the area if you'd like to stop off for a bite to eat. I first made a stop at the letters to get a candid snap of each of us in them then took myself around the area. Out of the three, I chose the Van Gogh Museum to visit as I knew the most about his work.
The Van Gogh museum was ever so interesting. I've never been a major art enthusiast, however, seeing his work and learning more about his background was truly eye-opening. His drawings are amazing to witness in person and I loved finding out the inspiration behind each one. I'd highly recommend visiting!
Dam Square
Only a short stroll from Central Station stands Dam Square, a bustling area for locals and tourists. The centre features the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace), Madame Tussauds, and the National Monument that's opposite the palace. With hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and shops, it's a focal point of Amsterdam and we loved looking around, absorbing the busy city vibe.
Jordaan district
On a quieter note, Jordaan is the opposite of Dam Square with a much calmer vibe and less going on, however a charming location for a lovely stroll. I'd describe it as the 'Brooklyn of New York' because it's more residential than tourist-based and doesn't feature as many restaurants nor shops. It had that quiet appeal with the Amsterdam beauty shining through. I took a walk through here before heading back into central for dinner.
Day 2 - Vondelpark, Red Light District, canal cruise, and Glow Golf
Vondelpark
Sometimes you can't beat a charming little walk in the park and that's exactly how we began our second day in the city. Vondelpark is a hidden gem of Amsterdam and it's not raved about enough! The draping trees, quaint streams, and ongoing bikes create a calm atmosphere you wouldn't want to leave. There were dog walkers, best friends cycling through and old couples chatting along on benches as the morning passed by; it was beautiful.
City strolls
Amsterdam has natural beauty at every angle so wherever you are, a historic building or stunning canal will take your eye. Even if you're there for a short amount of time, take a break from the agenda and walk around to get a glimpse of hidden gems and see what you can discover.
Bloemenmarkt (Flower market)
Amsterdam is renowned for its tulips so when you're there don't forget to take a stroll down to the Bloemenmarkt. It's located in a charming little area with bakeries, cafes, and shops. The flowers are a treat to admire as they smell amazing and look even better. You can purchase your own seeds, real flowers, and fake ones, whichever floats your boat.
Canal cruise
Amsterdam has thousands of canals running through the city so what better way to see it than a canal cruise? In the tourist centre, they offer various different tours from 1-hour cruises, hop on/hop off to dinner, and a cruise.
I chose the hour option, as it gave us the opportunity to go round the canals and learn a bit about the city's history. Riding along the canals, it felt so peaceful and the views were phenomenal; I loved every minute.
Red Light District
Amsterdam has a weird and wild side to it, that being the Red Light District. I took a gander around in the afternoon and it was everything I thought it would be. There's the sex museum, erotic shops, and ladies waiting in the window, something you don't see back in England. I can imagine, it's a bustling and crazy atmosphere at night but unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit in the evening.
Glow Golf
Before the trip, I saw a 'Glow in the dark' mini-golf in Amsterdam advertised on Facebook and added it to the 'must-sees' straight away. When I arrived, I discovered it was the downstairs of a pub and couldn't wait to begin. They gave you 3D glasses which made the game extra fun but also a little bit hard. It was so inventive and I loved the different experiences!
Tips and tricks for visiting Amsterdam
- Public transport is easy - I took the tram everywhere in Amsterdam as I found it was the most accessible way to everything I wanted to see. You're able to buy a 48-hour pass for only 12.50 euros and you'll definitely get used out of it. If you're ever in doubt of which direction to go, take a tram back to central station and go from there or ask one of the tram drivers which is the best route as they are always incredibly helpful
- Walk everywhere- Yes, I got the tram a lot but also found for a few things, going by foot was best. This way you can take in the ambiance and discover new places you wouldn't have seen before.
- Look out for bikes - I underestimated how significant bikes are in Amsterdam. Every single resident practically rides one so watch out as you're walking or they could knock you over. As you go throughout the city, you'll see thousands parked up ready for their owners to collect.
- Know the difference between coffeeshop and café - Coffeeshops are cannabis cafes and cafes are your usual coffee shop.
- Use an Uber instead of taxis - Taxis can be pretty expensive in Amsterdam so if you'd prefer to get around my car, order an Uber as they're efficient and much cheaper.
- Beware of pickpockets - Like, in every city, pickpockets are around. Always keep an eye on your bag if you're at a bar or restaurant and know the whereabouts of your important personal belongings.
Amsterdam was everything I could have wished for and more. The picturesque views, calm canals, and safe environment made you feel at home. I loved learning all about Amsterdam's history, talking to locals, and immersing myself in somewhere new. Amsterdam, I will be back!
I hope you enjoyed this 48-hour guide to Amsterdam. Have you ever visited?
Thank you for reading <3
