Best things to do in Amsterdam

Are you a last-minute planner like me? You have only a few days free from work, and you would like to do something that will recharge your energy. If you would like to see Amsterdam, but you don’t have a week to relax and see all the beautiful spots in Amsterdam.

These few days off will never be the same after this guide of the best things to do in Amsterdam. I’ll share the spots you should not miss in Amsterdam. If you like to combine those tips on what to do in Amsterdam with some unusual, hidden places of Amsterdam, you can check my previous blog post HERE.

Time for Airport

Whenever I have some days off, I desire to travel and move around areas I have never seen or visited before. That’s why going to airports is always magical to me. In addition to loving airplanes, I also love that feeling of uncertainty and new moments that I will experience.

If you have read my stories from Italy, you know that before I set out on my journey through Italy on a motorcycle, my dear friend from primary school, Tokyo invited me.

My planning what to do in Amsterdam

I booked an overnight stay in Ponte di Piave for a week. Still, in the meantime, I had to pull out some documentation for Italy chaos, such as an international license, insurance, transferring ownership of the engine I was driving, etc. I also needed to get some things I needed for the trip, so I had a week to do it.

However, my thinking does not work that way. For me, it’s a lost week. And so I decided to respond to my dear friend and visit him in Amsterdam.

I haven’t seen him in years, and I haven’t seen Amsterdam either. Great combination! I only had a day and a half to plan everything. I found a plane ticket. All I had to do was look at what I would like to see and experience in Amsterdam.

How to choose where to go and what to do in Amsterdam

Sometimes you need to relax and discover some places on the go, and sometimes there will be places you don’t want to miss.

For example, suppose you desire to visit Anne Frank’s house, one of the most famous places to visit in Amsterdam, and for this kind of attraction you have to book in advance, and I am not talking about a few days in advance. Sometimes it has to be a few months in advance. I guess it depends on the season.

A mixture of planned attraction and free time to explore is the best option, in my opinion, if you would like to feel the atmosphere, blend with Dutch’s and be relaxed.

Art & History

Who loves the atmosphere of museums, the smell of old furniture, fantastic art from different periods, you should visit a few places. My favorite spots places I wanted to see are:

Muiderslot Castle – the best spot to see on a rainy day

Muiderslot castle, located 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, for more than 700 years old, surrounded by water and castle gardens, offers a memorable experience.

The Muiderslot was built in 1285. Since then castle was occupied, demolished, and rebuilt. When you pass through corridors, you can see and feel a middle-aged atmosphere.

Gardens

Do not forget to walk through the gardens —the perfect spot for walking or eating something.

Activities in Muiderslot

What Muiderslot offer is a complete experience. You can have dinner at the castle or visit some events like concerts and food tasting, where you can try food prepared just like in middle age.

Rijsk museum

The Rijksmuseum you can find is close to Vondelpark. A few masterpieces make this museum so essential and famous worldwide. Those s significant art creations are Van Gogh’s self-portrait, Rembrandt’s Night watch, Vermeer’s little street, etc.

One more spot is significant not to miss, and that is Asian Art and part of the museum that makes it essential.

Sometimes I find it very useful when there is a lot to see that renting audio guides or applications that museums offer is quite helpful.

Rembrandt Museum

A trip through Rembranth’s house puts you in the middle of this extraordinary artist’s life history. If you want to escape from this century and go back to the 17th century, grab some good cookies and take a few hours to learn something new and enjoy the art.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Museum is one of the most famous museums in Europe and the world. You can find the most extensive collection of Van Gogh art.

Audio Guide

I recommend getting the audio tour as you walk through, too, because you may have trouble approaching very close to the paintings and reading the description.

The permanent collection

The permanent collection of Van Gogh includes over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 and more letters.

Art

You can see unique Japanese and French prints of Van Gogh paintings.

About

Find out about Vincent’s life and stories about him and his relationship with his brother.

Experiences

What a human being feels and experiences always stay in their mind. That is how we expand our horizons’ that is how we learn and awake our creativity. Let’s dive into a few experiences I had and enjoyed in Amsterdam.

House of Bols – Amsterdam

If you want to experience something new and get to know the core of Amsterdam, House of Bols is the first place for that.

It is a very interactive tour through the House of Bols, where you can awaken your senses for smell, taste, and sight.

You can learn how to make cocktails and genevers. And you can end up making your cocktail at the do-it-yourself bar.

If you stay a little longer in Amsterdam, you can attend their course held by experienced coaches with over ten years of experience.

You can hear the system online, but this type of education, at least in my opinion, should be live.

Mushrooms

Everyone knows that you can buy cannabis and mushrooms that have specific effects on the brain and body.

I want to tell you that you should not try this kind of experience if you are alone. You have to have a friend by your side in a situation like this.

Know yourself

Before you try mushrooms, you should be honest with yourself, what you want from mushrooms, how much you can handle the changes, especially in a mental sense.

You can buy mushrooms everywhere. The shop gives you a list of mushrooms with descriptions of mushrooms their effect on the brain and body.

I chose Mexicana with a slightly more significant effect on the brain and vision. The length of the impact of the mushrooms was longer than average.

My vision was sharper, and I felt like I was quickly scanning things around me. Also, when I looked in the mirror, I saw everything somehow more transparent. Everything was more evident, with pores on my face, wrinkles, and skin color. I also had extra energy.

As we say in Serbia, my friend added oil to the fire. He was joking with me all the time. I was not sure if I was hallucinating or if everything I saw was how it was. He didn’t help clarify :).

The effect of the mushrooms probably lasted because I took more than recommended. The instructions say it will take half an hour for the action to begin. And after that time, I didn’t feel any change. I took more.

The taste was ok, earthy, at first I didn’t mind so much, but then I was not too fond of it after 20 minutes.

Interestingly, you can see everything when you focus on something or someone, and you do not have something to distract you.

I know, it sounds crazy. The on y problem I came across was that I wasn’t sure what I saw was real or just a hallucination.

Chilling on the street

The street is the perfect environment to chill and catch up with your friend about all ideas and happenings in your life. Share your thoughts that you usually don’t have time for it.

Grab some nice cheese, beer, wine, juice, chocolate, whatever makes you happy, and enjoy the perfect afternoon in Amsterdam.

NDSM (Amsterdam North)

It’s a great place to have some fun. It is a cultural hotspot where you can find some bars and restaurants and happenings throughout the year. Many artists love to express themselves and organize many festivals, exhibitions, and performances.

Tokyo and I have been to some small festivals, chilling, and spent some lovely afternoons in the sun.

Food & Drinks

Reypenaer cheese store

So a fabulous store where you can taste the cheese. And you don’t know which one is the best. There are so unique, mainly with a strong flavor, so you have to like that taste. But, before you buy it, you can try it and decide what type of taste inspired you that day.

De Zotte – Belgium beer pub

I am not fun of beers, but I like the atmosphere in beer pubs. You can find around 80, maybe more primarily, different Belgian beers if you love beer. You can combine beer with delicious food.

Sometimes it is just a perfect place to rest from all-day walking through Amsterdam.

RamenYA restaurant

When the weather is not the best, you walk a lot, trying to experience beautiful museums, galleries, and art spots.

One of the best places to have a break, worm up and summarise what you saw is Ramen – Ya Japanese Noodle bar, a great spot to visit in Amsterdam.

I love Japanese cuisine, especially worm and delicious RAMEN. An idyllic spot to rest for a bit and enjoy the Japanese design

Nothing without friends

You can travel alone, but the best feeling is traveling with friends. All your experiences to share with somebody who might think differently from you. But that is the point. It’s great to hear different opinions about things you see or emotions about art, culture, etc.

I hope you like some of my ideas on spending a few days in Amsterdam. I would like it if you shared yours with me. You can follow my Instagram, Fb, or Pinterest account to see what is coming next.

Do not miss my videos on YouTube -> MIYA Elsewhere.