Caldi E Freddi | I like sandwiches. Also I like good coffee. And pizza. Thankfully for me, this Italian deli sells all three right in the city center. You can’t sit inside though, it’s take-out only. And during lunch time the queue get’s pretty long but it’s totally worth it.

De Carrousel | American pancakes are too thick, French pancakes are too thin, that’s why we have the Dutch pancakes. They are just perfect and kids love ‘em. Especially the small pancakes called ‘poffertjes’.

Cafe Kadijk | The best food you can eat in London is probably Indian, the best you can eat in Amsterdam is definitely Indonesian. This brown cafe style Indonesian restaurant will have you stuff yourself more than you probably should.

Albina | There is this Suriname-Chinese place I literally eat once a week. It’s cheap, it’s quick and it’s a lot. Please don’t share this place with other tourists and don’t give ’em reviews. Let’s keep this our secret 😉

Albina | Kroketten (croquettes) and bitterballen are a real Dutch culinary and party masterpiece. They are deep-fried minced meatballs, that pair well with a nice cold beer. Most cafes have them, but I like to get mine at this unpretentious snack haven.

Proeflokaal A. van Wees | London Dry Gin was the answer to the Dutch jenever drink that became popular among English sailors. It was simply that good. At this bar they still distill jenever themselves along the scenic Herengracht.

Mata Hari | An exceptionally sophisticated establishment with Art Deco light fittings, painted nymphs, an upright piano and an extensive collection of stuffed birds. Fancy, friendly, fun.

De Prael | If you want to enjoy a local beer, this is the place to be. With typical Dutch bitterballen, 6 beers on tap and 12 bottled beers to choose from this place is ideal for Amsterdam. In contrast to the location by the same name in the Red Light District, the one in de Pijp will be able to host you without a reservation.

Pilsvogel | If you want to grab a beer in an area with bustling nightlife, start your evening here, after that hop to the other bars around de Pijp area.

The Rijksmuseum | THE museum of Amsterdam has the most comprehensive collection of any museum in the Netherlands. From Rembrandt to Vermeer, from the middel ages to the avant-garde, the Rijksmuseum has got it on show. You can spend a full day in here, if not more. Personally I get giggly after about 45 minutes but maybe you last longer. FUN FACT, in the middle ages they loved portraying baby Jesus with the face of an adult because as the son of god he couldn’t be naïve and childlike right? Baby Jesus had to look all-knowing. Resulting in very weird paintings which I LOVE.

Paleis op de Dam | Smackdab next to our meeting & ending point, is this royal palace. More than just a pretty building, the Dam Palace was an architectural masterpiece of its time and still has one of the most impressive collections of sculptures inside of any Dutch museum. They really went all out. (Get Tickets)

The Grachtenmuseum | Ever wondered how they made the canals? Or how they drove wooden poles 20 meters into the ground? This is the place to find out. €15 for an excellent 45-minute audio-visual tour. (Get Tickets) 

Museum Van Gogh | Vincent van Gogh was one of the most brilliant painters in Dutch History. His emotional interpretations of reality give an insight into the lucid beauty in his otherwise tortured life. Fun fact, metal painting tubes were only just invented, so Vincent was one of the first painters who was able to paint outside of the house. (Get Tickets)

Maritime Museum | The Maritime Museum is the place to be if you love maritime history, featuring huge paintings of sea battles and innovations in navigation. Covering the Dutch Golden Age, the VOC (Dutch East-Indian Company), the museum balances colonial history with post-colonial insight. (Get Tickets)

Kalverstraat | Personally, I can’t afford it but this street is a great place for high end and top brand shopping.

Uniqlo | You underestimated the shitty weather in the Netherlands and you quickly need a new thermo shirt or warm coat. Go here for inexpensive everyday basics.

The 9 Streets | This is where I go for unique, one-of-a-kind boutiques & lunch!

Noordermarkt | For unexpected treasures, visit this market on a Saturday or Monday. In the same neighborhood, Jordaan, there are many second hand stores.

The Dampkring | An award-winning coffeeshop that featured in Ocean’s 12 and is definitely one of the best.

Amnesia | A classic! I uses to know why it was called Amnesia, but I forgot.

Vondelpark | The Amsterdam city park is an absolute must see while you are in town. It is legal to drink in Dutch city parks, so buy yourself a six pack or a cold bottle of rose, bring a blanket and treat your feet to some grass.

Amsterdamse Bos | Boasting 2,500 acres of green, this forest is bursting with lakes, ponds, streams, gardens and sporting activities. Great for walking. Great for wildlife. Totally man-made. From scratch. Classic Dutch.

Oosterpark | This lovely park is a bit further out in the East, but close to a very nice neighbourhood around the Javastraat. An absolute must when you are tired of all the tourists.

Brugges | On a convertible bus, embark on a 3-hour journey from Amsterdam to Bruges. Receive a 1-hour guide to show you around, with ample time to explore the city and shop. You even get to experience being in another country for a day. (Go to Brugge)

Zaanse Schans & Marken | The area of Zaanse Schans is quite touristy, but it is also so lovely that a visit is a must. It provides significant insights into the lowlands that the Netherlands represents. Therefore, consider taking a trip there, either by public transport or even by bike. If you want to save yourself the hassle, opt for this bus tour.  (Get Tickets)

The Hague & Rotterdam & Madurodam | If you want to see a lot in one day, then this is your tour. You get to explore other cities like The Hague and Rotterdam, which are almost as beautiful as Amsterdam. (see the Netherlands)

Mezrab | This international theater caters mainly to expats in Amsterdam. They have tip-based storytelling and comedy evenings which have a great welcoming vibe. If you are traveling alone and want to make friends visit their website and see what’s on next.

Rent a bike | Bikes are the GOAT. They are cheap, fast and as long as you don’t drink too much, you can get away of drinking and driving. There are tons of places you can rent bikes but make sure NOT to rent yellow or red bikes. Locals will recognise your bike and be a lot less patient 😉

Traditional villages | Visit Durgerdam and Holysloot. Beautiful villages that show you the authentic Dutch countryside.

Flag Ship | Your visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without taking a boat trip. For a quality tour with excellent service, I highly recommend this company.

Escape Room Amsterdam | From the Roald Dahl-inspired Chocolate Factory to the horrific Cabin In The Woods, each themed room has a unique challenge.