A few tips for a lekker trip, from two Saffers who now call Amsterdam home.
Since moving to the Netherlands from South Africa back in 2016, we are often asked by friends and family about where to stay, what to bring, or what to do when they come and visit. And so over the years we have been updating and sharing a very clunky Google document with all our tips.
Today it is raining in Amsterdam again, so it is the perfect time to make our guide a bit more "mooi". We hope some of the tips in our updated version will help you to have an even more lekker trip!
Cheers!
Stevie and Belinda
P.S. we only added places we have been to ourselves or have it on good advice. There are probably many more great places out there!
Practical bits to sort out before you land, so you can get straight to the lekker part.
Free wifi is available in most cafes and restaurants. As a precaution we recommend downloading offline maps.
Pinnen? In Amsterdam, many places are cashless, accepting only card payments. Some stores, like Albert Heijn, do not accept VISA or American Express. Maestro and Mastercard are commonly used in the Netherlands.
Either purchase a ticket on the tram or bus, or use your credit card to check in and check out.
TIP: when exiting trams, press the green button to open the door. Enter at the front or larger doors at the back to avoid getting stuck or reprimanded by the conductor. But if you do get stuck — just go with it.We would recommend you cycle everywhere. Yes! Even if it is raining! There are many places to rent a bicycle — if you plan to stay for a longer timeframe consider Swapfiets (18 euros a month!)
TIP: right hand is the slow lane.You can rent a small car with Green Wheels if you feel brave enough to drive. However be warned, parking is hell of expensive!
Pak daai k-way reënjas in! Look, it rains a lot. So be prepared. Like the Dutch say, "you are not made of sugar." If you forgot yours, splurge on a raincoat at Rains or America Today.
Hopefully you don't need to see a doctor, but in case you do, we recommend the Expat Doctor at Amsterdam Centraal Station. You don't need an appointment and they also offer home visits.
The city is small compared to what we're used to in South Africa — east to west is 10km (don't quote me on that). You'll walk a lot more than you think — forget 10,000 steps, you can easily crack 20,000. Bring comfortable shoes! The cobblestones will make you regret a boot with a heel. No one really dresses up here — think jeans and tekkies. Jeanekkies.
TIP: if you're reading this in advance and live in SA, try to exercise a little before coming — it'll make the walking more bearable.Everywhere is relatively safe in Amsterdam. Of course still look after your valuables — the occasional pickpocket does happen. However, I have lost my wallet twice and found it both times with everything in it. If you find yourself in the same situation, go on iLost — you may just find it.
In Amsterdam almost everyone switches over to English. You can say "Morgen" for good morning, "Fijne dag" for have a good day, "Prima" for ok. But English will do.
Tipping isn't really a thing here, because waiters get paid a decent wage. However I still do it, and stick to 10%.
P.S. there aren't a lot of waiters on staff at restaurants, so be ready to be on European time and wait longer than you would in SA. Patience baby… And for many restaurants in this guide, try to make a reservation online!Make peace with the fact that very basic accommodation is going to cost you a penny.
It is further out, but there are also hotels at Sloterdijk which is more affordable.
One fun fact we heard about Amsterdam Noord is that there are 2 kids for every adult. The area used to be largely industrial and is busy undergoing a lot of gentrification — lately considered one of the hippest places to go.
If you'd like some Instagrammable pictures, consider the NXT Museum. It's some distance out so you'll need to bike or take a ferry.
Catch a coffee or go to an exhibition or watch the latest film here.
Very touristy but nonetheless a fun activity. This is Stevie and his mom on the swing!
Go to Walhalla Brewery or pop in by Oedipus for a beer tasting (would also recommend the burgers!)
If you like Mexican cuisine — a bit expensive but great vibes and tasty food. Alternatively try Bacalar.
Very trendy place to go — watch people skate while you enjoy your bisque.
Situated in an old church — we had the gnocchi!
Feeling creative? Want to leave your mark in Amsterdam — sign up for the graffiti workshop in Noord.
Check out STRAAT for graffiti and street art.
It has existed for 400 years and is very big — you pay entrance to go in. We aren't really into second hand stuff (gasp!) but if you LOVE thrifting this could be your jam.
If the weather is great, go to Pllek. Kick off your shoes and watch the Ij. DJs start to play mid-afternoon. We've had birthday parties here — it can host big groups.
Right across the market — typical Dutch restaurant level of food, soup and burgers.
Museumplein — nothing beats cycling past the Rijksmuseum while someone plays guitar or sax. You don't need to be a culture vulture to go to the museums — the art and the building itself are something to behold.
Generally has great exhibitions — interactive or with movement, which is just different from classical art.
Stevie and I aren't culture vultures, but even we can appreciate how magnificent De Nachtwacht is in person. Van Gogh has its own museum in the same area — have a coffee afterwards and drink in the architecture.
If you love classical music, book a show at the beautiful Concertgebouw. One of the best shows I saw was a choir combined with an orchestra. Goosebumps!
Nearby Museumplein is Loetje — a very popular chain restaurant. People say it's overrated, but what's wrong with a place guaranteed to give you a good portion and a great meal?
Over Xmas, grab a bite at the food trucks and ice skate on the rink. Otherwise, pop into Albert Heijn for snacks and drinks and enjoy the lawn and the view of the Rijksmuseum.
GREAT! We have yet to hear from anyone who didn't like it, and some have gone back twice or thrice. If you're a group or couple of friends, go try it!
A stone's throw from Museumplein — if I were you, I'd skip lunch or breakfast at the museum area and hop over to De Pijp instead. This neighbourhood is less about activities and more about eating, and drinking and eating and drinking… And did we mention eating?
Hardcore beer fans will tell you not to go — we disagree. You can't come to Amsterdam and not go to Heineken, same as you can't go to Ireland and skip Guinness. Afterwards, go to Berkhout bar for a fluitje!
Still thirsty for a tasting? We ended up here at 11am after winning the Rugby World Cup, and their burgers saved many lives that day! What a jol! (or alternatively Gollem Proeflokaal)
Glou Glou pours natural wines with a cosy vibe — squish in during winter or catch the terrace in summer. At Raleigh & Ramsey, tap your card to try different wines or champagnes, then head to Albert Cuypmarkt for a taco.
Israeli goodness! Order all the plates and share.
In an old church — tasty Indian cuisine.
Fresh cheeses, wines, sandwiches and soups to go.
They make pastries for the royal family — treat yourself to a slice of lemon meringue after lunch at Bar Do nearby.
Yes, it looks a bit dodge because it's inside the Dirk shopping centre, but if you're after value for money and the best Lebanese falafel wrap of your LIFE, there's no better place.
Also worth it: Bar Mash (Thai, great portions), Cabron (10/10, do reserve!).
Now we're getting closer to the center, where you're likely to spend most of your time. So much to do and see here — let's break it down, starting with activities, beer and snacks.
Bands, bands, bands! Now is your chance to catch your favourite band while they're still relevant…
Rent a boat and commandeer it yourself (easy and cheaper) — get snacks and drinks, seeing Amsterdam from the canals hits different. Or book with Those Damn Boat Guys — hilarious with facts about Amsterdam.
Oh no, it's raining! Book a movie — just for the fact you can take wine in and see a film in a gorgeous old-timey theatre.
Located in the De L'Europe hotel (splurge for a night if you have the money). Named after Freddy Heineken, who loved the bar so much he bought the hotel. Great snacks and the waiters make you feel like an honorary guest!
Doesn't matter where — try haring with "zuur en ui". Looks worse than it tastes (don't order it with bread, just eat it like that!)
We almost don't want to add it — this is our place! As old as when it started, 100s of years ago. Order a biertje and gehaktballen… or bitterballen. Feeling adventurous? Order a Dutch brandy with coke.
Stroll the Nine Streets with a coffee in hand. Take the kids (or just the view) up NEMO. Shop Dam Square & Kalverstraat. Catch impromptu singing at Torpedo Theater (max 30 people).
The best French bistro — you have to reserve.
Hands down the best pasta place in town. Multiple courses paired with wine. (Also great: Mappa — pasta, pasta, pasta.)
Sit outside on the church benches and enjoy their amazing nachos and beers from the Monks. Personal favourite: the white beer "Witte Antonia".
Great tasting miso ramen — or alternatively go to Fou Fow Ramen.
On the terrace in the sun — nothing can beat it.
More favourites: Cafe Parlotte (chef-recommended!), Bier Fabriek (peanuts and beers), Lotti's (lunch, cocktails, and DJs), Van Kerkwijk (can't book, but as Dutch as it gets), De Zotte (100s of Belgian beers), Winkel 43 (touristy queues, but the appeltaart met slagroom is worth it), Oriental City (cheap, tasty Chinese), The Seafood Bar, Lebanese Sajera, Ashoka (Indian, live for the cheese naan), Pata Negra (transported to Spain), Greenwoods (great breakfast), Cafe Aent Water and Cafe de Prins (classic Dutch brown bars).
This section covers Vondelpark, Singel and Overtoom. Get your bicycle and cycle around the park — there's no better way. Amsterdam has many beautiful parks, and here are a couple of places nearby for dining while you explore.
Voted the best pizza in town.
Perfect for a drink in the sun. Venturing in to picnic? Bring something for your bum — the water tends to seep through.
Famous trees for a famous picture, starting at Jacob.
Grab a pastry at Klopper and Stolk or the famous Linnick, before getting a coffee at one of the food trucks / Sticky Fingers / Wakuli down the road. Grab a toasty at TOASTI, or try Night Kitchen (shared plates, great interior) and Toko Kokita (Indonesian, value for money, always a queue).
Now let's head south to Amsterdamse Bos — again, we recommend you do this by bicycle. One of the most beautiful parks in the city.
At the time of writing there's been a pause on the Parkrun at the Bos — check the website for updates, otherwise run or cycle yourself through the many routes.
Hire a SUP board and go supping on the meer.
In summer there are live music events and theatre, plus a course for kids to navigate through. The Kinderboerderij is a great spot for kids — think petting farm and pancakes.
So it's section 10 and by now you've given in and gotten the bicycle. Let's head east and the Amstel area — beautiful part of Amsterdam, including cycling all along the Amstel, which is what Amstel beer is named after!
Great, very local and typical Dutch place for lunch and wine.
For a Michelin-star experience — all food served is what's in season, from their own garden.
If you make it here, you MUST eat at Ron Indonesian restaurant — the best food ever. Then hop over the water to Vrije Handel and drink a fluitje with the locals.
Start your day with breakfast at Box Sociaal before a stroll to Artis. Enjoy a glass of champagne on the terrace at De Plantage.
Fancy a game of pétanque after tasting some local beer at Brouwerij IJ?
Also worth a stop: De Ysbreeker (great for lunch, dinner or drinks), and Amstelpark — our version of Kirstenbosch, on a smaller scale but so beautiful in summer. For local comedy, try MEZRAB, or BIMHUIS for jazz.
We're sure there are many more things we've left out, but hope this has helped you a little bit.
Not our personal favourite, but if you came all this way and want to see the windmills or make your own clog shoes, head to Zaanse Schans. (It ended up being a hit with our parents.)
Think Maboneng or the neighbourhoods of JHB — eat to your heart's content. Or level up and take the train to Rotterdam for the Markthallen, which is Food Hallen XL.
Book in advance for a relatively cheap 3-hour train straight to the centre of Paris. Maastricht is a beautiful little town about 2 hours away. Brugge is easy to reach (personally we prefer Antwerp — some will come for us about that!). Or see where Delft Blauw comes from with a trip to Delft.
Westergasfabriek and Houthavens are also lovely areas to explore. And if it's VERY LATE — there's always a piano bar.