Tips:
- Amsterdam is the perfect city to explore by bike. I recommend hiring bikes from rental shops, such as MacBikes, rather than hiring the 24/7 bikes through the app.
- To try a traditional Dutch snack, the herring sandwich is very popular. Order a “brogue haring” roll with onions and gherkins for the most authentic taste.
- There’s a big difference between a “cafe” and “coffeeshop” – because cafe means pub throughout the Netherlands and coffeeshop is where they sell something stroner.
- “Brown cafés” are the most authentic places to enjoy a drink in a pub in Amsterdam.
Day 1:
Keukenhof Gardens
Address: Bezoekadres, Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse
If planning a trip to Amsterdam over spring time, especially between 22 March 2018 – 13 May 2018, you must visit the Keukenhof Gardens. It’s the second largest flower garden in the world. It’s a place that comes alive with blooming tulips in every colour of the rainbow, with as many as 7 million flower bulbs in bloom every year. You can also take a boat cruise around the centre to see the wild tulips gardens in bloom.
To arrive at the gardens, you’ll need to take the bus 197 from the Rijksmuseum bus stop to Schiphol Airport train station. From the airport you’ll have to catch the Keukenhof Express (bus line 858) to the gardens. You won’t miss the brightly decorated bus!
Tip: they don’t allow food or drink at all on the bus, so finish any coffee cups before!
The buses run frequently every 15 mins past the hour and drop you directly at the park gate, the full journey should take around 30 mins. On weekends the roads can be much busier so it’s normally best to get an early bus to arrive at the park in the morning.
Tickets: It’s worth buying a combi-ticket (€24,50), which includes a bus ticket from Schipol and entrance into Keukenhof and is recommended to avoid queues on arrival.
The ticket office is open from 08:00 – 18:00. I recommended spending a minimum of 3 hrs here – there lots to see but if you’ve strapped for time you can visit for the morning.
Afternoon: Pancakes at Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis
Address: Grimburgwal 2, 1012 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you want to sample the best pancakes in the city, I strongly recommend exploring this gem of a place – the Upstairs Pancake House. This postcard size restaurant only has four tables, so it’s extremely intimate. What’s interesting is the authentic feel to its location. The house was originally built in 1539, so it has the steepest stair case in Amsterdam which you have to climb to enter. Inside, you’ll get to admire over 100 teapots hanging from the ceiling and portraits of the Dutch royals on the walls.
The menu ranges in price from €8-15 and includes plain, sweet and savory pancakes. We chose the special “Sufian” : bananas, cinnamon and cream – so delicious!
I would advise to ring in advance to book a table, as they do have limited walk-ins: https://upstairspannenkoeken.nl
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 12.00 – 06.00 (PM), Sunday: 12.00 – 5.00 (PM)
Bike riding at: Vondelpark
New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, and Amsterdam has Vondelpark; where tourists, cyclists, children, backpackers, picnickers can all enjoy some green space and open air. If you fancy taking to two wheels, the closest bike rental shop is Macbike near to the main entrance on Stadhouderskade. Open daily from 9am-6pm.
Exploring the “Museum District”:
Close to Vondelpark is the museum quarter, with its world-class museums and stupendously attractive architecture. It’s a mix of culture and couture with a neighbourhood that is home to some of the world’s most important artistic and historical treasures from the world’s largest collection by artist Vincent Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum showing off Rembrandts and Vermeers.
Entrance queues can be long, so I recommend trying to visit after 3pm or pre-booking afternoon tickets when the museums tend to be quieter. On Friday evenings the Van Gogh museum stays open late (until 10pm) hosting drinks and cultural events.
Van Gogh Museum: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rijksmuseum: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you’re a tourist visiting Amsterdam, there’s no doubt you’ll want a photo in front of the iconic “I Amsterdam” sign. The big letters can be found outside of the Rijksmuseum.
Evening: Foodhallen (indoor food market)
If you’re looking to enjoy an evening with a contemporary twist and are keen to sample a variety of foods, head to Amsterdam’s very own indoor food market, inspired by Borough Market in London and my favourite the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.
In a typically Dutch refined manner, and to keep up with their European counterparts, the city has converted their very own former repair shed for electric trams into a foodie heaven into a popular “gem” with locals. So despite feeling very modern and hip, there is also a history behind this former tram depot, which dates back to 1902.
The concept is street food and tapas, so it’s all about sampling and sharing, and it offers a different experience from the more traditional Danish restaurants. It’s an ideal place to sample from the 20 street food vendors serving up everything from artisanal burgers from some of Amsterdam’s best-loved kitchen to Vietnamese rolls and wood-fired pizzas.
Opening times: Monday-Thursday: 11am-11.30pm, Friday-Saturday: 11am-1am.
Address: Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam, Netherlands
For an evening nightcap: Here’s some hidden speakeasy’s:
Door 74:
For a 1920s-style bar with lots of classing dark wood and art deco interior, make it your evening mission to seek out Door 74. Hidden away, it’s easy to overlook this speakeasy bar where you have to ring the bell to enter. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, with well-trained staff who make some of the best cocktails in the city.
Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 74, 1017 BN Amsterdam (near Rembrandtsquare)
Tales & Spirits:
With chocolate raspberry cocktails and dark forest berry concoctions, Tales & Spirits, is a cocktail bar with an elegant menu. Located in the centre of Amsterdam, their focus is on innovative culinary and mixology techniques. Cocktails names include “Mango Unchained” and “Floats like a Butterfly”, showing there is so much cool creativity that makes this place feel extra special.
Address: Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7, 1012 TE Amsterdam, Netherlands
out of the office adventures 
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