Amsterdam: an itinerary

I was visiting my brother in Dusseldorf in November 2021 so a quick long weekend train trip to Amsterdam was needed! Here is my itinerary and recommendations!

*Note: Things I researched but didn’t end up doing are denoted with a `` (asterisk)*

Accommodation

I stayed at the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel. I remember the hotel being well located and the room ok by Amsterdam sizes. It’s main con was the lack of canal views! :(

Activities

• Museums: Amsterdam has enough museums that you could spend each day at a museum easily! Here are ones I would recommend!

  • Rijksmuseum - a celebration of Dutch sculpturists, artists, interiors and all!

  • Van Gogh Museum - you can’t go to Amsterdam and not go to the Van Gogh museum, after all he is the eminent Dutch painter!

  • Anne Frank’s House - a sombering walk through Anne Frank’s memories!

  • Heinekin Experience* - Interactive tour through beer giant's history in former brewery, with a tasting room finale. Sad I missed this one!

  • Anti recommendation: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam - this contemporary art museum is one you can miss in favour of the other’s on the list for sure!

  • Tony’s Chocolonely Superstore - for all desserts made with Tony’s! And a tour of how their chocolate is made! Make sure to buy some chocolate to go!

  • Albert Cuyp market - a market full of food stalls and local vendors! Grab a bite and spend some money!

  • Walk along the canals and look at the different boutiques and cafes! Pay special attention to the area called De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets)

  • Vondelpark* - it was too cold to sit in a park when I went but it’s worth a shot if you are headed there in warmer times!

Food

• Meals

  • Eddy Spaghetti for great Italian food!

  • SOTTO Pizza - Another great Italian place (makes me wonder why I only ate Italian food on this trip for dinner :/ )

  • Cocotte for breakfast - a cute little bakery in Amsterdam (but you don’t need to limit yourself to this one!)

• Dessert

  • Van Stapele Koekmakerij - they make only one cookie. It’s a dark chocolate cookie with white chocolate in the center. I have recreated the cookie at home and miss it every day!

  • van Wonderen Stroopwafels - Stroopwafels! You need to get them and eat them fresh. Be warned these are very sweet so maybe share one amongst two?