Advencheer!

Amsterdam oh Amsterdam… who doesn’t love this city?

I get it that some people might find this city a bit too crowded or even too wild after a little while… but one can’t deny the charm of this city that is a home to 165 canals with 100+ km length in total.

In Amsterdam, I was hosted for 3 nights by a very old friend of mine, Andrea Franken. We went to the same elementary school in Jakarta back in the 90’s and now she’s doing her master’s degree in University of Amsterdam. It’s crazy how time flies, isn’t it? We were literally children, and now look at us now — 2 grown ups who still look and act like children sometimes.

Just kidding 😀

PS: You know what, Andrea, I think you are the Dutch version of Anggun ♥

So here are my version of 10 places to visit in Amsterdam:

1. I amsterdam
   What is it? It’s actually the official portal website of the City of Amsterdam, but it’s also a group of big red and white letters forming the words: I amsterdam.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum.
   What are surrounding it? Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum.
   What’s it good for? Meeting people, taking photos, and picnic.

   

   

   ♥

2. Dam Square
   What is it? It’s the town square of Amsterdam.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Dam.
   What are surrounding it? Madame Tussauds, Royal Palace, National Monument, high-end and low-end clothing stores.
   What’s it good for? Meeting people, taking photos, and shopping.

   

   

   

   ♥

3. Rembrandtplein
   What is it? It’s a major square in square in central Amsterdam, named after the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Rembrandtplein.
   What are surrounding it? Booking.com Headquarter Office, night clubs, restaurants.
   What’s it good for? Meeting people, taking photos, and nightlife/clubbing.

   

   ♥

4. SkyLounge Amsterdam, DoubleTree by Hilton
   What is it? It’s an award winning roof-top lounge bar in DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, overlooking the unique metropolis of Amsterdam.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Centraal Station.
   What are surrounding it? Amsterdam Centraal, MediaMarkt Amsterdam Centrum.
   What’s it good for? Meeting people, taking photos, city viewing, and afternoon tea.

   

   

   

   ♥

5. Sonny Falafel & Vlaamse Frites
   What is it? It’s a small shop in De Pijp area, selling vegetarian falafel and super delicious patat frites!
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Albert Cuypstraat.
   What are surrounding it? Sarphatipark, Albert Cuyp street market, Heineken Experience.
   What’s it good for? Trying local snack.

   

   

   ♥

6. Amsterdam Cheese Company (Kalverstraat branch)
   What is it? It’s a brand that has 4 stores around Amsterdam, selling Dutch cheese, jams, mustards, stroopwafels, fig cakes, date cakes, and Delftware.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Spui.
   What are surrounding it? Amsterdam Museum, various shops.
   What’s it good for? Trying local food and buying typical-Dutch souvenirs.

   

   

   ♥

7. FEBO (Leidsestraat branch)
   What is it? It’s a chain of Dutch walk-up fast food restaurant using vending machines to serve the snacks such as krokets, frikandellen, hamburgers, Kaassoufflés, and similar items.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Prinsengracht (Leidsestraat).
   What are surrounding it? Movie and performing art theaters — e.g. Pathé City, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, The Waterhole, Melkweg, Theater Bellevue, and DeLaMar Theater.
   What’s it good for? Trying local snack.

   

   

   

   ♥

8. Hunter’s The Pub
   What is it? It’s the very first original Hunter’s place, a brand that owns bars and coffeeshops around Amsterdam. Hunter’s The Pub used to be a “coffeeshop” but then it was transformed into a pub per 1 June 2015.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Dam.
   What are surrounding it? Damrak, Amsterdam Centraal Station, MaskshopVenice.com.
   What’s it good for? Trying local snack and nightlife.

   

   

   ♥

9. De Wallen
   What is it? It’s the largest and most well-known red light district in Amsterdam.
   What’s the nearest tram station/stop? Amsterdam, Central; Amsterdam, Dam; Amsterdam, Spui.
   What are surrounding it? Sex shops, peep shows, brothels, condom shop, sex museum, etc.
   What’s it good for? Unique experience, understanding that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands.

   

   

   

   ♥

10. “Coffeeshop”
    What is it? It’s NOT a coffee shop! In the Netherlands, people call those places like Starbucks as café. Coffeeshop is a place where the sale of cannabis (weed) for personal consumption by the public is tolerated by the local authorities.
    What’s the nearest tram station/stop? (depends which coffeeshop you visit)
    What are surrounding it? (depends which coffeeshop you visit)
    What’s it good for? Unique experience, understanding that weed is legal in the Netherlands.

    

    

    

    ♥

NOTE: It’s important to know that by listing De Wallen and “coffeeshop” here, it does not mean that I’m suggesting you to try the prostitutes (I obviously didn’t) or the weed (this one I did, though)! Especially De Wallen, I don’t want you to think that this area is all about prostitution. Understanding that some things are legal somewhere else does not mean you have to be part of it as well. There are also shops and restaurants there, and most of the people visiting De Wallen end up having meal or shopping stuff only. But then again, if you’re curious to try something else, it’s your call, dude. Not my business!

∞

If you have been to Amsterdam, what other places you think I should visit if I come back to this city next time? Share your suggestions here by leaving a comment below. Or if you haven’t been there, let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to explain more about my experience! 🙂

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