From picturesque canals, to tasty stroopwafels, to quintessential European city charm- this Dutch capital has it all! This was my first visit to Amsterdam and, other than the pictures I have seen all over Instagram, I didn’t have many expectations! I was so pleasantly surprised by how quaint the city felt, despite it being the country’s capital city. It’s incredibly walkable, is so beautifully diverse, and I felt safe the entire time. Here’s how to spend one day in Amsterdam!
Breakfast at De Bakkerswinkel
Start your day bright and early with the fuel it needs for a full day of exploring! Breakfast at De Bakkerswinkel is just what the doctor ordered. This cute, authentic Dutch restaurant is located right in the center of town and is an easy walk from major hubs. On the menu, you’ll find traditional Dutch dishes, fresh baked goods, delicious coffees, as well as a couple American staples. I got the french toast which was so good! The freshly baked bread was so fluffy on the inside, and had a crisp shell on the outside. The side of bacon is a must do- it melts in your mouth! I loved also trying Hagelslag- a simple dish, meant mainly for kids, that is simply buttered bread topped with chocolate sprinkles. Sounds silly and uneventful, but it’s fun and tasty!
Walk Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
After breakfast, work off those calories with a long stroll along Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. This main street runs from the Centraal train station all the way to De 9 Straatjes and has a lot to explore! We loved ducking into the Magna Plaza for some shopping, viewing the Koninklijk Paleis, Dam Statue, the Nationaal Monument, and the New Church. So many great photo ops and things to explore in such a small area. This really is the “heart” of the town and it’s fun to feel part of the hustle and bustle of the city.
Explore De 9 Straatjes
Literally translates to “The Nine Streets”, this is the picturesque part of Amsterdam that you see on the postcards! De 9 Straatjes passes over a few canals and has thin, colorful buildings that line the streets. It’s the perfect place to stroll, take pictures, or sit on a bench and watch the boats float by on the canals. Weave up and down the streets and take it all in- but be sure to watch out for bicyclists!
Cookies at Van Stapele Koekmarkerij
If you spent more than 5 minutes planning for your one day in Amsterdam, chances are you’ve seen Van Stapele recommended. Don’t sleep on it! These cookies are out of this world and live up to the hype! No matter what time of day you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a line that wraps around the street. Seeing as the shop only sells one thing, the line moves relatively quickly. We tried to arrive right at opening at 10:00 am, and still had to wait about a half an hour! Don’t let it discourage you. These chocolate cookies filled with white chocolate chips are so delectable. The shop itself is also really adorable and they have a small area where you can watch the cookie masters roll the dough. You can get a max of 8 cookies per person, and trust me- you’re going to want one for later.
van Wonderen Stroopwafels
I know what you’re thinking- two snack places back to back? Trust me, if you’re in the area you are going to want both a cookie and a stroopwafel! van Wonderen is the cutest shop on a picturesque, car-free street. Here, you can pick up a made-to-order stroopwafel, customized just to your liking. Don’t let the size of them fool you though, these things are filling! We ended up really hitting a wall towards the end (but don’t worry- no stroopwafel went to waste). Depending on your hunger level, a mini is usually more than enough! I got a mini topped with warm, fresh chocolate and Smarties (which are basically like mini M&Ms). No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong!
Afternoon Coffee at Bagels & Beans
After your Dutch snacks, take some more time to work them off by strolling along the canals and taking in the sights! A few blocks (and canals) away was one of our favorite stops for afternoon coffee: Bagels & Beans. I got one of my favorite drinks on the whole trip here: a mochaccino (which I didn’t even know was a thing!). Just outside they had plenty of tables and chairs lined up so you can sip your coffee right on the canal. We loved watching all the boats and bikes go by. Plus, after a big morning on our feet it was a nice place to rest, recharge, refuel, and digest!
Albert Cuyp Markt
After coffee, make your way up to the iconic Albert Cuyp Markt. This outdoor market is open every day (except Sunday) from 9 am – 5 pm. It’s a bit of a walk, but it’s incredibly scenic and you won’t regret it! If time (or not killing your feet) is a priority, the M52 subway has a stop just a few blocks from the market and is very easy to navigate! The market stretches for about 3 (long) city blocks and has everything from fresh fish, to fruits, to plants, to souvenirs. I loved strolling and just taking it all in! Just a reminder to my US friends, that fruits/vegetables/plants cannot come back into the states with you, so any fresh food you buy you must eat before you fly home.
Stroll near Vondelpark
Not too far of a walk from the market is Amsterdam’s museum district, and one of my favorite corners of the city! The city’s famous Vondelpark is located nearby, and while it’s huge and would take an entire day to explore it all, I’d recommend strolling through this little stretch here. It’s so beautiful and surprisingly whimsical. Since this is the museum district, that’s exactly what you’ll find here! Most famously, the Van Gogh Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of van Gogh paintings.
Just across the canal from the Rijksmuseum was the neighborhood of De Weteringschans, which was probably my favorite neighborhood in the entire city! It was so clean, beautiful, and charming. I can’t really explain, but it gave me major Upper East Side vibes.
Dinner at The Butcher
There is really no bad place for a dinner in Amsterdam. Especially around the museum district, you’ll find endless variety of cuisines and all different levels of “fanciness”. Whether you’re in the mood for grab and go or a sit-down five star meal, it’s not hard to find. And they’re all good! We compromised with something right in the middle and landed back in De 9 Straatjes at The Butcher. After a really long day of exploring (and lots of walking), we were pretty beat and wanted something low-key that would fill up our empty stomachs. The Butcher scratched us right where we itched. It’s a burger, fries, and shake restaurant that reminded me a lot of Shake Shack. All the food is made-to-order and was really solid. Call us classic American Tourists, but we loved it!
Explore the Red Light District
No visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to their famous/infamous Red Light District. It’s definitely gives a “seedier” vibe (especially at night), but so long as I followed basic safety tips like keeping my valuables in zipped pockets (or better yet, a theft-proof backpack), I felt perfectly safe. Located in the neighborhood of De Wallen, you’ll find streets lined with sex shops and of course, sex workers in the windows lit up with red lights. Stroll the streets and take it all in, but very important to remember not to take photographs of the workers! There are steep fines for doing so and best not to risk your phone being thrown into the canal.
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