Tips on a trip to Amsterdam

Nelly 21

Going to Amsterdam in July. (First time)Looking for tips on what area to to stay, hotels etc

I've been googling stuff but the tips from the experienced Amsterdam traveller would be great

The Black Oil

Worth doing one of their boat tours.

https://www.thosedamboatguys.com

igCorcaigh

Hotels are expensive. Beer is expensive. Be very aware of open canals, holes in the ground (basements) that appear out of nowhere and are badly lit, bikes that come from nowhere, impossibly steep stairways… seriously!

But it's a great city; enjoy! And bring an umbrella.

Dublinandy3

I like to go once or twice a year. I tend to stay in Zandaam. It's cheaper, less than 10 minutes on the train to Amsterdam central, direct train to the airport.

Dublinandy3

Also Zandvoort is a great place to visit, 30 mins on the train from Amsterdam, nice beach, little seaside town, especially in July with nice weather.

Strumms

I stayed in the NH Caransa on Rembrandt Square, central, safe and looking now seems to have been renovated recently… check public transport links I genuinely forget what options were best..

Genghis

Book the Anne Frank House when it opens for online, esp as you are going in near peak season. It opens for booking on Tuesday for dates 6 weeks in future. Set a reminder to do it now.

https://www.annefrank.org/nl/

waterfaerie

I used to live there but it was a long time ago so I'm not sure how much of this is still relevant.

If you have the money, go for as nice a hotel as you can afford. There's no point in staying in a cheap one. They are all horrible. You might as well be in a hostel where there's more atmosphere. Obviously that wouldn't work if you're on a family holiday but if you're on your own or with a partner or friends, there are some great hostels where you can get a private room. I stayed for quite a while in the Meeting Point hostel on Warmoestraat and also the Flying Pig on Nieuwendijk when I first moved there before I got sorted and both were great. Cleaner, friendlier and more buzz about them than any of the cheaper hotels.

Bikes are the way to go to get around. Just cycling around you'll discover so much on the smaller streets and canals.

To be honest, I didn't really do most of the regular touristy things like the museums, art galleries and canal boat trips but I've heard the Rijksmuseum and Nemo are supposed to be brilliant. There are also quite a few unusual museums.

If you like cats, you have to go and see the Poezenboot! It's a cross between a cat cafe and a cat rescue centre but it's on a canal boat. And if you like chess, there's the Max Euwe Centre. There's a giant chess board outside where there's almost constantly a game going on between some amazing players and lots of people hanging around to watch. Even if you don't like chess, it's quite a cool thing to see and it's not far from Leidseplein where you will no doubt end up at some point.

Not too far from there is the Vondelpark. I used to spend a lot of my free time there. It's quite a nice park and there used to be a brilliant atmosphere to just hang around. The Hortus botanical gardens are also really fabulous and so worth getting out to if you like that kind of thing.

One of my favourite places to eat of all time, including all the many places I have lived, is the Kam Yin on Warmoestraat. I still miss it and would nearly go back just to eat there. And get yourself some Kaassouffle from Febo, which is a chain fast food place you'll see all over the place.

If you're there for more than just a couple of days, there's so much more to see in the Netherlands than just Amsterdam and lots of places are just a short train journey. I agree with the above about Zandvoort and it will probably be very hot in July. Leiden, Delft, Gouda and Utrecht are all really lovely as well. Also, if you're looking for coffee shops you'll get stuff much cheaper in the smaller towns.

Like I said, it's a long time ago but I hope some of that helps anyway.

finbarrk

Durty Nellys bar is an ok spot if you are on your own.

Welcome to Durty Nelly's Irish Pub and Hostel in Amsterdam

Stephen_Maturin

Would strongly recommend the Rijksmuseum, amazing collection

JohnDoe2025

If you are there between mid-March and mid-May a trip to the Keukenhof gardens is a must-do. It only opens during that period as it is 90% tulips. Absolutely amazing, have visited twice.

Would also recommend the Vondel Park and the Hortus Botanical Gardens.

Watch out for the cyclists is good advice for pedestrians - it is an easy city to get around.

I like to stay central when on European city visits - Ibis hotels the option I prefer, a clean room and a bed, as I only spend the eight hours sleeping in the hotel.

The tram and metro systems are easy to use. Walk the city is always good advice.

mfceiling

I was there at the weekend past for the rugby game that never took place!!

3 day travel pass that covers you on all trains, Metro and trams (including too and from the airport) is only €34. Well worth buying.

Food is good (Moak for pancakes, Cannibale Royale for meat lovers). Also worth going to the foodhallen for lunch. A lot of different types of food to try.

Enjoy, it's a great place.

ktsul

We stayed in the Park Plaza near the train station, very central location. We had an issue with a rodent in room 1st night, this will explain why you see so many cats in commercial properties ... anyway when we mentioned this to reception they explained that with canals and construction in the area this is an issue in the city. We were upgraded to a beautiful room in another part of the hotel. No night time visitors in that room.

Amsterdam is a lovely city, I would second the comments watch out for the cyclists!

We had good fun there, enjoy!

Billy Mays

Op could you give a bit more detail on your planned trip? How long you're going for, if it's a lads trip or you're going with your parner, interests etc…

Vondelpark as mentioned is well worth a visit. De Pijp is my favourite neighbourhood in Amsterdam. Great bars and restaurants and also has a great street market (Albert Cuyp) open every day. It's much more laid back than the centre of the city and has a real locals vibe to it. Jordaan is a lovely neighbourhood aswell.

Possibly an unpopoular opinion but personally speaking I find the area around Dam Square, the red light district and Central Station a bit of a kip. Worth seeing as it's your first trip but I wouldn't be basing myself there. Way nicer parts of the city to stay in.

Deregos.

Watch out for street trams appearing out of nowhere and ringing their bell right behind you. Especially when you've just been visiting a coffee shop.

The Nal

Jordaan is the nicest area imo. Take a right out of the train station.

Eat some bitterballen, go the the Rijksmuseum, go to Anne Franks house, smoke some weed, walk around the 9 Streets, walk through the red light district, Vondelpark will be lovely in July.

Stayed here last time.

https://www.thebankhotel.nl/

brokenbad

Amsterdam is a very walkable city and is well served by public transport. Centraal Train Station runs direct to Schipol airport which is very convenient. Hotels in the city are overpriced for what are essentially glorified hostels - most are run down old buildings with no lifts or A/C. Food and drink is expensive - think Temple bar prices especially in the tourist trap areas. Hire a bike to get around and see the city at your own pace. Do a canal boat trip. Trips to Anne Frank house and Heineken museum are must do items.

ollaetta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124148059#Comment_124148059

Not an unpopular opinion at all, that area is a dump and worth at best a walk though on a first time visit. Others have mentioned the many nice areas but the short train trips out to Haarlem or a bit further to Utrecht are also worth doing. If the OP wants to see a traditional Netherlands landscape another short train spin takes you to Zaandijk where there's a beautiful vista of windmills along the river.

Nelly 21

Wow thank you all so much. I am only getting to look at the comments now. Its a 4 day trip for me and my husband. We are going to the Luke Combs concert on the Saturday night

Good to know we have to budget well for it, always good to plan ahead. I've always wanted to see Amsterdam and with the concert on we decided to do a few days there

I am happy to have comfort staying without breaking the bank but its important to have accessibility. great to hear transport is good

Nelly 21

We stayed in the Park Plaza near the train station, very central location. We had an issue with a rodent in room 1st night, this will explain why you see so many cats in commercial properties ... anyway when we mentioned this to reception they explained that with canals and construction in the area this is an issue in the city. We were upgraded to a beautiful room in another part of the hotel. No night time visitors in that room.

Amsterdam is a lovely city, I would second the comments watch out for the cyclists!

We had good fun there, enjoy!

Oh my God!!!! I think I'd have jumped out the window!!! lol!

Nelly 21

I used to live there but it was a long time ago so I'm not sure how much of this is still relevant.

If you have the money, go for as nice a hotel as you can afford. There's no point in staying in a cheap one. They are all horrible. You might as well be in a hostel where there's more atmosphere. Obviously that wouldn't work if you're on a family holiday but if you're on your own or with a partner or friends, there are some great hostels where you can get a private room. I stayed for quite a while in the Meeting Point hostel on Warmoestraat and also the Flying Pig on Nieuwendijk when I first moved there before I got sorted and both were great. Cleaner, friendlier and more buzz about them than any of the cheaper hotels.

Bikes are the way to go to get around. Just cycling around you'll discover so much on the smaller streets and canals.

To be honest, I didn't really do most of the regular touristy things like the museums, art galleries and canal boat trips but I've heard the Rijksmuseum and Nemo are supposed to be brilliant. There are also quite a few unusual museums.

If you like cats, you have to go and see the Poezenboot! It's a cross between a cat cafe and a cat rescue centre but it's on a canal boat. And if you like chess, there's the Max Euwe Centre. There's a giant chess board outside where there's almost constantly a game going on between some amazing players and lots of people hanging around to watch. Even if you don't like chess, it's quite a cool thing to see and it's not far from Leidseplein where you will no doubt end up at some point.

Not too far from there is the Vondelpark. I used to spend a lot of my free time there. It's quite a nice park and there used to be a brilliant atmosphere to just hang around. The Hortus botanical gardens are also really fabulous and so worth getting out to if you like that kind of thing.

One of my favourite places to eat of all time, including all the many places I have lived, is the Kam Yin on Warmoestraat. I still miss it and would nearly go back just to eat there. And get yourself some Kaassouffle from Febo, which is a chain fast food place you'll see all over the place.

If you're there for more than just a couple of days, there's so much more to see in the Netherlands than just Amsterdam and lots of places are just a short train journey. I agree with the above about Zandvoort and it will probably be very hot in July. Leiden, Delft, Gouda and Utrecht are all really lovely as well. Also, if you're looking for coffee shops you'll get stuff much cheaper in the smaller towns.

Like I said, it's a long time ago but I hope some of that helps anyway.

So much detail here, thank you so much!!!! Yes huge cat fan so that sounds great!!

igCorcaigh

Yeah, there are rats…

Nelly 21

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124164722#Comment_124164722

Good to know!!!!! (Jeepers)

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124144742#Comment_124144742

On this note, just be careful which one you go for. I've gone on boat rides in Amsterdam at night that were really gorgeous with the city all lit up.

I've also gone on boat rides in Amsterdam during the day in the blistering sun with no shaded area, with a hen party so bad we had to get off half way through!

The Black Oil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124164811#Comment_124164811

Good shout.

The boat from Those Dam Boat guys had a roof and its plastic windows were folded up due to the sun. I was the only non-American, the guide was from the US.

ktsul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124164718#Comment_124164718

Our first night, It was in thw middle of the night and I had left a half eaten bar of Milka chocolate bar the table. My OH at the time woke saying there was a noise, could hear the foil on the bar rustling. I refused to turn on the lights!! We clapped and made noise, I went back to sleep, must have been wrecked. In the am saw little gnaw marks on my choccie bar! We brought the 'evidence' to reception, receptionist advised us not to eat the bar 🤣 and changed our room, got a fabulous suite for the remainder and no night time visitors.

Part and parcel of city life.

I bought some tulip bulbs in the markets there, tgey are everywhere. My mother sowed a bed full of them, they were the most beautiful and unusual tulips that lasted fir years.

realdanbreen

I know hotels in Central Amsterdam can be a bit kippy. Would staying in the outskirts be a better idea?

JohnDoe2025

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124178700#Comment_124178700

Public transport system is excellent, so make sure you stay very near a busy station for ease of getting around.

Hoop66

If you think of the citycentre as a large "U" created by the 4 main canals, walking around that and going in and out on the side streets between them is an excellent way to pass a day. Lots of nice bars, eateries & coffee shops (if that's your thing).

brokenbad

Was in Amsterdam 4 years ago for a concert at the Ziggo Dome but it was a whistlestop visit (2 nights) with Covid restrictions still very much in place and not much time to sightsee apart from a quick walk around the city, a visit to the Heineken museum and a canal boat trip. We are travelling to Amsterdam again in April (family of 4) for a proper holiday and i cant believe the price of hotels in the city centre for what are basically glorified hostels - absolute extortion. We managed to get a family room in a hotel 10 mins walk from Centraal Station for 5 nights for € 1,935. If you want something a little more upmarket, expect to pay at least double that figure…..

huskerdu

I stayed in this place which is outside the canals in the suburbs but only 15 minutes from the centre by metro

https://www.volkshotel.nl/en/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=876745862&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7fbLBhDJARIsAOAqhscz3PaQna4uXBU-4Vw8diouBlh89QRX28wnTbYuJV8mv7LuhI8GV34aAkIQEALw_wcB
Any of the hotels in the area are much better value than the city centre