TL;DR:
Amsterdam’s a small city, but that’s what makes it nice and cozy. It feels both like a capital and a village all in one.
You can bike anywhere in no time and there’s always something going on. It’s also mix of old history and a modern vibe, which keeps it interesting.
What I like most is that it feels relaxed here - not too big, not too rushed. When the sun’s out, everyone’s outside - on a terrace, in the park, or by the water with a drink.
People are pretty straightforward, but friendly once you get talking.
💬 Languages
Dutch. But English is very widely spoken
☀️ Best season
April for the tulip fields, July and August for warm and sunny weather, December for holiday charm!
💸 Currency
EUR (€)
🚌 Getting around
Public trams, buses and ferries are easily accessible. Tap on and off with your debit/credit cars. Bicycle, of course, but only if you are a confident cyclists. Taxi hailing apps like a Uber & Bolt are available.
📍Jordaan
It feels like the heart of Amsterdam without being too flashy. The canals there are narrower, the streets are full of little cafés and bars, and you can just wander around for hours.
It’s cozy, a bit quieter than the city center, and you still get that classic Amsterdam look with all the old houses leaning slightly over the water.
👄 Musts:
Farmers’ market every saturday with fresh organic produce, cheeses, bread and vintage stalls
Personal favorite, very laid-back bar with a grunge vibe, pool, pinball tables & a canal-side terrace
Main street through Jordaan, full of small shops, bakeries, and cafés. On Mondays, there’s also a huge market that's great for second-hand clothes and local finds.
Apple Pie, FEBO, Stamppot (Photo credit: Moeders)
Here are some of my must-eats, all 100% locally owned spots:
Bike through the neighborhoods
In my opinion, the best way to see Amsterdam. Just biking through the streets without a set plan or destination. You can rent bicycles in the city from these places
Vintage shops & markets
Many great finds not only in big markets like IJ-Hallen or Waterlooplein Markt, but also in Jordaan’s many vintage boutiques
Going to a big festival
Many big festivals take place in and around Amsterdam during the summer. I'd say it’s the best way to feel the city’s energy. Amsterdam Dance Event is a good one
Hang out in a park
Vondelpark, Westerpark or the smaller ones like Sarphatipark. Just reading, having a picnic or chilling with friends
Going to a local festival or pop-up event
There's always some small music, art, or cultural events going on. There's usually a lot of street posters, I’d recommend being on the lookout when you're visiting. Lepeltje Lepeltj is a good one to check out.
☕ #Culture 1: Don't mistake café for coffee shop! Coffee shops are for weed, whereas cafés are for coffee, beer and cozy hangouts.
🚲 #Culture 2: Bicycles outnumber people. Self explanatory but there are more bikes than residents in Amsterdam.
💬 #Culture 3: "Gezellig" My personal favorite dutch word! No direct english translation, but it’s basically cozy, friendly, fun, or just a nice vibe.
We’ve pinned all the spots mentioned in this guide so you can spend less time searching and more time exploring. Download the pre-pinned Google Map and wander Amsterdam like a local 👇🏻
Love this mini guide?
Mini guide curated by:
I'm Jari and I work for the Netherland's Ministry of Infrastructure, basically making sustainable mobility easy, comfortable and attractive! Besides the Netherlands, I've also lived in Canada and Benin, but still my homeland is what I know best!
Loved this mini guide? Dive deeper into island life with our full Bali travel e-guide.
See you at the next destination drop… Agra, India 🇮🇳 (Home of the Taj Mahal) on
4 November.
Till then
xoxo
Help share the love
If this mini guide’s a vibe, share it with your crew ✌🏻
Refer 1 person to access our database of every hotel, restaurant, tours and local gems featured in our newsletter.
Refer 10 people and score a free copy of our Bali e-guide!
