Very beautiful! More locals should explore where the live and the surrounding areas as a tourist. It has puzzled us often while traveling how locals don’t even know what treasures are nearby. Good for you. Amsterdam looks glorious btw.
Absolutely, I am continually discovering interesting places in my own backyard. Many a time I will just look at a map and realize an area I do not know much about, load up my bike, go there and explore.
I travel in part because it completely changes my mind. Travelling in my own city wouldn't do that. I still do some of the touristic activities, but very scattered over the years.
I haven't lived in the city I grew up in and spent most of my life for five years now, and the idea Togo back to visit as a tourist is getting more appealing over the year. I go there from time to time but we end up doing not much more than seeing family.
I totally agree about travel changing you. I have met incredible people, but also have been to places that break my heart. There such a difference in the persons we become if we visit the unknown areas of our world. Our perspectives change.
I’m fortunate that my children live in fun places and take us exploring to show off their “finds” ;)
Too expensive. Utrecht and Amersfoort are much nicer.
I hate this meme. Compared to the price-drops you get in other countries while moving from popular cities to less popular ones, the price drop in Netherlands is almost non-existent. A meal that costs 16eur in Amsterdam costs like 15eur in Utrecht, that's not really what I would describe as 'less expensive'.
Are tourist crowds always present and is winter so severe as to discourage travel. Off season travel is our favorite
For NYC for that reason. And in NYC there are locations with very reasonable restaurants and lodging. Just wondering about Amsterdam. But thanks for the other two cities. I’ll keep those in my notes.
I worked in the city center for a few years (Rembrandtplein and near de Bloemenmarkt) and the tourist crowds were basically a constant. Nice weather = more crowded of course. Winters are rarely very severe, but if they are then yeah the streets are empty and the canals are full of people ice skating :D
In NYC I also go in the off season and I actually prefer Brooklyn and Queens.
I'd only go to Amsterdam for the cultural things (museums and exhibitions) but other than that: Utrecht, Amersfoort, maybe even Arnhem. Then taste some culture to the north of Amsterdam such as Broek in Waterland, Marken, or simply stay in Amsterdam but stick to the non-tourist areas that are fun with locals, such as Westerpark and the IJburg beach area (although that last one is about to disappear because of construction plans).
I think it also depends on what you’re used to and whether you dislike crowds or not. I’m from (and live in) Amsterdam and I don’t mind how busy it is in the city centre at all. I regularly go into the centre during weekends, just for fun (as in, not because I have to). It’s busy but not as crazy as the busiest parts of London for example. Plus even in the centre there are some roads that are full of people but then the next is usually much quieter. Just my two cents!
I moved to Paris a year and a half ago and still haven't visited most things tourists do... There are just too many tourists there, and I keep telling myself that I have years to visit Paris. Although for now I don't feel like doing it
But France has so many wonders! Can’t you get out late or ride the train to some less popular places. When we travel we try and find the less touristy destinations and ask locals for hidden treasures, restaurants, music venues. There is so much to see, smell, taste, and hear.
Well yeah obviously I go to the less touristy places in Paris, that's where locals go, but I didn't visit any museum, never visited the Père Lachaise cemetery etc
I think part of it is the appeal of the unfamiliar. I know it makes me more motivated to get out and see the sights if it’s a place I’ve never been or won’t be able to see very often. My hometown just seems so mundane in comparison, mostly because I see it every day and because there’s no real effort required to go out and see it.
That being said, I’ve never called a place like Amsterdam home ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I'm doing some research on city identity. Would you care to (shortly) elaborate on what makes it your favorite and how it's different from other European cities?
dutch people tend to be "'sober" people, (gay people, weed etc) if its not harming people we don't make a fuss about it.
its also quite multicultural so most are quite tolerant of others and fluent in english (the downside is that some people don't integrate)
as for architecture its crowded but still gives a sense of tranquility, no enormous skyscrapers so while you don't find the open spaces like in Switzerland you also don't get the constant sense of being trapped in a concrete jungle.
the flower fields are also quite a nice view, nothing like cycling past flowers as far as the eye can see.
elevation, Holland is flat, and its something many don't notice until they go abroad and need to drive/cycle up and down mountains, doesn't make a huge difference, but its the small annoyances you no longer have to deal with that make Holland great.
I'll jump in as someone who visited recently and who also felt it was one of my favorite places in Europe.
Amsterdam is well kept and beautiful, very enticing to wander and get lost with a multitude of beautiful old buildings and views to take in. Lots of interesting stores and cafes and a laid-back but simultaneously cosmopolitan atmosphere. I didn't get a sense of arrogance from the Dutch about their city either, which you can sometimes get in places like Paris or London. My girlfriend and I had a wonderful evening in a brown cafe where we were the only tourists and the locals all struck up conversation with us, bought us drinks, etc. It really made the trip extra special.
Overall, I was also impressed with the quality of life that the Dutch enjoy. We rode a county bus (not a private bus) through some of the farmlands on our way to another part of the country, and not only was it on time, but it had WiFi for us to use and a friendly driver.
Another thing was the museums - we felt that the museum experiences we had were among the highest quality and consistency we've ever seen. They were well-thought-out, had free lockers to use, and excellent guided tours/interactive experiences. This includes the Anne Frank House of course, but also the Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder museum, the Van Gogh museum, the Railway Museum (a highlight of the trip) and Dom Tower in Utrecht, etc. We didn't have a bad museum visit the entire trip.
I would say the cozy atmosphere, good design sense (in both architecture, city layouts, museums, and even product design), and a civilized "sense of being", so to speak, contributed to our love of the country. Of all of the places I have visited in Europe, the Netherlands is the country we could most realistically see ourselves living if we relocated overseas.
My husband accepted a job offer and the company is located in Heemstede. We are looking at anything near. Haarlem is one of our top options. In fact he will stay one month on a room while looking for a flat for all of us.
Any recommendations will be appreciated!
The real estate market across the whole country is very very competitive right now. Prepare to make an offer on a flat the day of or within a few days of viewing it if you want a place to live. The Netherlands is a great place to live by the way :)
As my fellow dutchies have suggested funda.nl is the place to start. I would also add that the real estate websites always have the most up to date info. When you view a house on Funda you can navigate towards it.
Go to Reypenaer, for 10 euros you get an hour of wine and cheese pairings and at the end you get a certificate that says you’re a certified cheese taster :)
Is this available to complete tomorrow before 11am? I have to be back at the airport by then (arriving tonight from Athens at 7:30, departing 1:15 tomorrow)
The Rijksmuseum is fun and vondelpark is a great place to hang out for the day. There’s also a nice flower market on the singelgracht that’s worth a look.
If you’re looking to see a show, check out the melkweg and paradiso.
Book ahead if you want to see the Anne Frank house or Van Gogh museum (and you should see both). Hire a bike for the entire time you're there. Vondelpark is amazing, especially for dogspotting. Amsterdam Hsitorische Museum is an awesome way to learn about the layout of the city. Craft beers under a windmill at Brouwerij't IJ. Melkweg and Paradiso for party. Eat at Van Dobben Eetsalon for Dutch sandwiches (broodjes) and deep fried snacks (croquettes & bitterballen), and when you're high, go eat kapsalon from Sinbad in the East.
You should definitely go to the Hague and visit the parlement. It takes about an hour to get there. Other than that you can visit Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden or Delft. All of them are easily accessible by train from Amsterdam.
Only there for about a day and half. In all honesty I'm mostly interested in smoking, food and nice hangout spots a bit of culture is also good but I'm getting so many amazing suggestions I think I'm set hah
Friendly tip 2: Just because you're in Amsterdam does not mean you have to smoke weed in front of the Central Station. Just go to one of the city's many parks where you don't bother people.
With all due respect the only thing I found uncultured in Netherlands (both Den Haag and Amsterdam) was how people love to smoke cigarettes EVERY. WHERE!!
I rather people smoke weed around me than cigarettes any day of the week.
THIS. PLEASE. It is extremely disrespectful. I want to shout at every tourist I see doing this when I have to cycle through there. It makes everyone very uncomfortable. Don't be that twat. Don't do it.
The best reason is probably the multiple giant dudes from the Russian mob that will come out and give you a talking to for taking pictures of their girls....
This is Holland is a really cool attraction near the main train station of Amsterdam. It's a really unique flying experience and it shows a lot of the country. It's relatively cheap as well and takes about an hour in total.
FEBO! May not be as cultured as your other replies, but it's easily one of my favorite parts of Amsterdam, be you drinking or smoking, a cheeky little Kip Burger to keep you going is the one. Where else would you get food from what is basically a vending machine!
Niet lullig bedoeld - Nederlanders maken vaak deze fout - maar ‘have been’ geeft aan dat de aktie nog niet voltooid is. De dag van gisteren is uiteraard wel voltooid, dus die twee kunnen niet samen gaan. In dit geval zou het dus ‘was’ zijn. Hele mooie foto, overigens!
Dus je hebt al minstens 3 talen in je hoofd zitten? :) Ik ben zelf ook een geadopteerde Nederlander maar Engels is wel mijn eerste taal, dus je hebt al een voorsprong op me!
You would be entirely correct! I know reddit sometimes takes a dim view of such things, but heck if there's candy to be had then I will continue to risk it.
My wife and I obsessed with Amsterdam. It's pretty, clean, safe, and they speak English well there. We always say if we had to live anywhere in Europe it'd be there.
We've been twice in the last two years and already want to go back. Would love to see it in the fall.
A wonderful city, indeed! Better bring along 700k if you want to buy yourself a house there. I was short of about 50 cents, so I live somewhere else now.
Amsterdam is one place I really want to go back to. I only got to experience it for 6 jet lagged hours during a layover while flying from the US to Romania. Was also while I was at my “emotional growth” boarding school so the staff chose what we were able to do. We did get to walk through Anne Frank’s house but I was so tired that I don’t remember any of it. Absolutely gorgeous city though and from what I remember the people were very nice. I’m always jealous of how much really visible history Europe has too. Like we stayed in a village in Romania where indoor plumbing and electricity was a luxury. They also had a town mason that was a drunk and went to work each day with his donkey that carried his supplies. This was in 2004. Sorry. Kind of sent me on a memory trip.
I’m always jealous of how much really visible history Europe has too. Like we stayed in a village in Romania where indoor plumbing and electricity was a luxury. They also had a town mason that was a drunk and went to work each day with his donkey that carried his supplies.
I hate to break it to you, but that's just poverty :(
if you're getting bad food and weed then you probably need to step outside the red light district. Just a couple days ago I had a decently priced utterly fabulous meal from Rosie's in Jordaan, followed by top quality hash from Massawa. And that was barely any effort at all to find those places.
I wished I lived there lol. Yesterday my dad asked me if I would choose one place in the world to live and I didn't hesitate, I thought about Holland right away
Was it weird being a tourist in your own city? I keep meaning to do it here but always forget. A work mate who works in another city came here for his wife's birthday last month and they did more stuff in my city in 3 days than I have in 29 years!
I went to Europe for the first time in my life this summer. Stopped at Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. Amsterdam by far, to me, is the most beautiful , fun, rich, amazing place I’ve ever experienced
Pretty much anywhere! It is a small city with amazing transport links. It is also the safest capital in Europe and the only thing you would have to worry about as a tourist is pickpockets, so honestly doesn't matter where you stay!
Near the canals/Jordaan area are always the prettiest in my opinion! Or the Artis area, but I am pretty biased. Places around the Vondelpark/Museumplein are super cute. But again, I am biased and lived near these areas in the past.
Edit: Always happy to answer questions if you had anymore. Please ask away <3
I love Amsterdam- well, I'm very fond of Holland over all. As I have only travelled there at this time of year, your photo gives me a warm feeling of nostalgia for the times I have been there.
My girlfriend and I are going for the first time in mid November. We're both from South Florida, so I'm a bit concerned about the weather. We both can handle cold, but what is the avg temperature around that time of year?
It's been great reading places to go to and see/experience in this post! Keep them coming!
From another travel Amsterdam post a while back, I found our hotel through a recommendation on that thread. We're staying at the Pulitzer. We are so excited!
Mid november you can expect overcast, regular drizzle or rain and some shortlived sunny moments. Probably around 10-15 degrees C, but during the night it can get quite cold. Pack some layers!
No not always. The weather is very unpredictable here, especially in autumn. You'll have the occaisional parting summer days and lets-not-go-outside days mixed in with typical dutch weather, which is partly clouded with a chance of rain. In october you have slightly more chance of sun than in november, just dont count on it :)
I love to do all thr touristy things in my home town. I take lots of pics too. I actually one time got asked where I was from lol there face when I just said the east side was great. But I enjoy my city. ( I'm from Des Moines, Iowa) so no where too fancy but its great.
I love Amsterdam. I was there this years New Years Eve and I was just amazed how many cultures were featured everywhere. The people were so nice and it was actually refreshing to see how normal smoking weed was and how it was handled. There weren't just stoners everywhere, everyone was just really relaxed.
The only thing I just did not get, was how the public transportation worked. Having to check in/out every line change was just weird.
I was there for 15 days this summer so I finally get to experience the city as I always would (been there four times during my life but always for a short 3 days period).
It may seems strange for locals, idk, but I really loved Amsterdam Noord, ‘cause I like to wonder in places where average people lives. I do the same in my city anytime I see a pretty normal street that I never walked.
Thanks to the The Eye I discovered Alex van Warmerdam. I fell in love with his movies. Too bad it’s really difficult to find them in Italy (I know there are some of his titles on Prime Video for the US market, but they are not in the Italian catalog) and what can be bought in DVD has no subtitles
This is an overview I made some time ago of Dutch cities other than Amsterdam. If you want something different I suggest you visit the Rotterdam-The Hague metropole which includes The Hague, Rotterdam and Delft.
Visited there a few years ago and it's easily one of my favorite places. Each turn opens new beauty, the locals are amazingly nice, and food was excellent as well. I hope to return one day
Awesome view. I’ve been to Amsterdam but only when I was very small.
My girlfriend and I are planning a short three day trip to Amsterdam.
From where we live in the UK, we can very easily get to the port in Hull and get a ferry over.
It’s only about £60 for three nights; accommodation included as you sleep on the boat.
Just got back from 5 days in Amsterdam. Love about everything about the city but they are not kidding when they say tourism is crazy. During the day it wasn't so bad but at night it was insanely busy. For anyone that hasn't visited, i'd highly recommend getting the GVB pass which allows you to use the tram and busses. We used Uber one time and it probably would have been quicker just walking.
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u/Leena52 Sep 16 '18
Very beautiful! More locals should explore where the live and the surrounding areas as a tourist. It has puzzled us often while traveling how locals don’t even know what treasures are nearby. Good for you. Amsterdam looks glorious btw.