We traveled from London to Amsterdam by train on the Eurostar, stopping in Brussels for about an hour and a half. Allow yourself enough time to go through security going from London to another country, it was at the same level as airport security. However, once we were traveling throughout the European Union, it became incredibly easy to go from country to country. We were able to just walk in and out of the train station, no problem (not at all like airport security) and our tickets were only checked once one-way on the train.
All my places listed below are linked here! https://goo.gl/maps/jfVXh6GmiZhGGLhz5
We arrived in Amsterdam at around 4 and then went on a walking tour. A walking tour is planned in every city when traveling with EF, which is phenomenal to orient yourself right away. However, we got caught in the pouring rain! It rained the majority of the time we were in Amsterdam, so I honestly don’t have that many photos.
It’s so different from London but in the best way possible. I loved the architecture and the uniqueness of the canals. Our guide said that 78% of people in Amsterdam speak 3 languages – including English, which made it very easy to communicate and get around. Most signs also had English along with the native Dutch, and many menus had English options as well. We stayed at the Meininger Hostel West, which was in a quiet area of Amsterdam but just a quick train ride to the Central Station in the middle of town.
Bike tour
The next morning, we went on a bike tour! I would highly recommend doing this if you can. We got the chance to explore the countryside and also bike through the city. Bike culture is very prevalent in Amsterdam. It was interesting to see all the bikes lined up on the road and to see how few people wore helmets. I feel like American bike culture is so insistent on bike safety, but in the Netherlands, they bike so often that it’s much safer to bike there. Bike lanes are wide and not an annoyance to drivers (I believe) unlike in America.
Partway through the bike ride, we stopped at a place called the Roundabout for pancakes. They were gigantic and they’re thinner, so they’re rolled up with your fork to eat. We were even given powdered sugar, sprinkles and syrup to eat it with – the more sugar the better!
I Amsterdam, Canal Cruise and Ice Bar
We ended the ride by the Eye Museum’s I Amsterdam sign (you have to take the ferry across the water to get to it). There are multiple signs around the city but this is a great option that’s a little less crowded. We also got tickets for the Amsterdam Lookout and swing. It’s this rooftop with an amazing view of all of Amsterdam – highly recommend.
After the bike ride and eating lunch, we took a canal ride around the city. EF provided drinks and snacks, which made for a very fun ride. It’s a good way to see a lot of the city at one time, but I would recommend doing an open boat ride rather than an enclosed ride. Those looked packed and not much fun.
We then went to the Ice Bar – personally, I think this was a waste of money, but others had fun. They give you coats to wear with gloves but I was wearing sandals and honestly wasn’t even that cold! We ended the night stopping by Mama Pancake for pofferjus (baby puffy pancakes) and that was the best late-night snack.
Anne Frank Museum
The next day, we went to the Anne Frank Museum. I got my tickets three months in advance and that was enough, but I wouldn’t recommend waiting longer than that. We happened to be there on what would have been her 90th birthday – what a crazy coincidence. The Anne Frank Museum was incredibly moving. There really aren’t enough words to describe it. The end of the museum had a guestbook and a video with many notable people talking about how the museum impacted them. John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, had a quote that really stood out to me.
“The book was turned to the page with Anne Frank’s name, but what got me about it was the fact that right beneath her name there were four Aron Franks. FOUR. Four Aron Franks without museums, without historical markers, without anyone to mourn them. I silently resolved to remember and pray for the four Aron Franks as long as I was around.”
This really struck me. I wish I had time to visit the Jewish Historical Museum while I was there as well, to get a broader look at the impact of the Holocaust on Amsterdam itself and the entire Jewish population rather than just the Frank family and their counterparts. It’s still so shocking to me that something like this happened. Anne Frank’s words are so strong though and serve as such an important reminder of what she and many others endured.
Begijnhof, Bloemenmarkt and Kalverstraat
After the Anne Frank Museum, we went to Begijnhof. This is a group of historic buildings (basically apartments) that were founded in the Middle Ages. It used to be a community for religious women, like nuns but less strict. Now it is a space for only single (unmarried) women to live in. The history behind it is fascinating.
We also went to Bloemenmarkt, one of the more popular flower markets in Amsterdam. There were lots of souvenir options. If you want to buy flowers there, you can’t bring it back through customs, but many shops had websites that you could order things like tulip bulbs through. Then some of us went shopping down Kalverstraat and got stroopwafels (what Amsterdam is known for!) at van Wonderen, a famous waffle shop.
The night before, my camera battery charger had short-circuited and it was my only option for charging. I went to Kamera Express in desperate need of a charger and they were SO helpful! I am forever grateful to this shop for their help. Just another example of the friendliness I encountered while in Amsterdam.
Later that afternoon, we went to the area with the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, but the Van Gogh Museum was sold out. If I had more time, the Moco Modern Art Museum looked really interesting. It was pouring rain so museums were one of our only options that day.
World Press Photo Exhibit
I made the last-minute decision to visit the World Press Photo exhibit at De Nieuwe Kerk. This was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip! I spent two and a half hours there – it was absolutely fascinating. The photos were incredible and so moving to me. The exhibit itself is housed in an old church that functions as a museum. The church was one of the most beautiful churches I saw throughout the whole trip.
Amsterdam thoughts
I loved Amsterdam way more than I thought I would. I didn’t do too much research about Amsterdam compared to some of the other places on the trip beforehand, and I think that made it better. I was able to fully absorb the city instead of thinking about every touristy stop I had to see. The city was so clean (again!) and the metro was especially easy to navigate after London. I felt very comfortable and safe there. It was also a slower-paced portion of the trip, which was much needed after the rush of London.
xo, Hannah