7 tips for a fun day out in Amsterdam

When I am in Amsterdam, I always feel that there are more tourists than residents. Especially around the city center. Especially the 9 Streets is bursting with tourists because an Instagram-worthy snack bar went viral on TikTok. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Amsterdam has other places that are great fun for the “tourist at home.” We give tips for a day out in Amsterdam!

Amsterdam around Dam Square

The most famous square in Amsterdam is Dam Square. Here you will find the Paleis op de Dam, which by the way is worth a visit, the Nieuwe Kerk where there are regularly exciting performances, wax museum Madame Tussauds, or shopping paradise the Bijenkorf. From Dam Square you can walk straight into the Kalverstraat, where you can also do some fantastic shopping. This historic street is the bustling heart of the city. Would you like to know more about the buildings along this street? Then take the Kalver Audio Tour.

Grab a terrace? The Nieuwmarkt!

After a long walk through the city, with or without shopping, it is time for something tasty on a cozy terrace. The Nieuwmarkt is the place to be! Everything takes place around the Waag: a beautiful building that resembles a small castle. Today it houses a restaurant where you can enjoy the terrace in the summer. This used to be a place that housed several guilds.

These are reflected in the bricks in the building. But also around the square it is great to stay at one of the many cozy terraces. For example, during our day out in Amsterdam we had a delicious lunch at Lokaal ‘t Loosje. Enjoy a beer at Café Stevens or sip a delicious cocktail at Café Cuba. This cozy square regularly hosts markets and if you’re totally lucky, you’ll be spontaneously treated to live music.

A piece of China in the Red Light District

The Red Light District in Amsterdam may not be the first place you think of to go with the family, but the Zeedijk is more than worth a visit. By the way, you can also get there from the Prins Hendrikkade. The Zeedijk used to be the place where sailors went to drink and sleep. Nowadays, this is also Amsterdam’s China Town, complete with the Chinese He Hua Temple. Definitely worth checking out. In addition, you can enjoy delicious Asian food on the Zeedijk and enjoy the many pubs and conviviality.

The Warmoesstraat – great shopping

The Warmoesstraat is one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam. In addition to the many stores and places to eat, you’ll also see old buildings all around you. You might know the Warmoesstraat as a fan of Baantjer, because Bureau Warmoesstraat was located here. This used to be a vegetable market, named after an old (and probably forgotten) vegetable. The coffee and tea trade flourished here as well. Truly a cozy street where you can feast your eyes.

Around the Old Church

A little square that I did not know before but surprised me very pleasantly was the little square around the Old Church of Amsterdam (Oudekerksplein). The church building itself is no longer used as a church but as an art hall. You can do an audio tour there. Not cheap, but fun because the Oude Kerk is one of the oldest buildings (1306) in Amsterdam. By the way, with the museum card you can enter for free. There is a cozy terrace, the Koffie Schenkerij, attached to it where you can quite appropriately get coffee and cake.

Oudezijds Voorburgwal

From the Oudekerksplein you can easily walk via the Oudezijds Voorburgwal to the Zeedijk. This part of Amsterdam is also very cozy. Among other things, you will pass a bakery that sells Eberhartjes. These are cookies named after perhaps the most beloved mayor of Amsterdam: Eberhart van der Laan.

The Museum Square

Art and culture lovers should spend their day out in Amsterdam in and around the Museumplein. Besides the Rijksmuseum, you will also find the Van Gogh Museum, the Moco Museum and the Stedelijk Museum here. Museumplein also lends itself perfectly to a day of relaxation. On a nice day, it really is a cozy place where you can people watch, eat and drink and just frisbee on the lawn.

Extra tip: discover the dark side of Amsterdam

Do you love walking and love history? Then do one of the two dark city walks in Amsterdam from The Little Walk of Horrors. There is a Red Light District route and a Canal route. Both routes are between 4 and 5 km and they lead you past places with a bloody history or ghost story. The nice thing about these city walks is that they are completely offline (you receive a booklet with beautiful pictures and a detailed description per location), you decide how long you take (take as many breaks as you want) and you can do the walk with a maximum of 6 people! Order your so-called Horrorwalk today!

Photos: OpstapmetLisa and www.canva.com