The 17 Most Unique Things to do in Amsterdam

We got back from Amsterdam last week and we’re in love!

We had been wanting to visit Amsterdam for the past few years and are happy to say that we finally made that a reality.

When we first started traveling we thought Amsterdam was only the Red Light District and legal marijuana. We were worried that it would be super touristy and filled with hoards of fanny-pack wearing people (no offense to the fanny-pack lovers 😉

But we kept hearing about how amazing it was from friends of friends and looked more into it. Soon after that, we moved Amsterdam to the top of the list.

Not only is the city picture-perfect with all those adorable canals, but there are so many amazing things to do in Amsterdam (other than the RLD and legal drugs 😛 )q

Here are our favorite, most-unique picks for Amsterdam things to do!

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1. Rent a bike

First things, first. You need a bike.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam, it will take you about two seconds to notice the mass amounts of bikes everywhere. Since the city streets can be quite small and winding, it’s actually easier (and faster) to travel by bike than any other form of transport. Most locals own bikes – and bike to and from work also!

We got our bikes from a small shop next to our hotel and paid about €10 per day, including the cost of insurance.

It was such a great experience and I know you’ll love it too! Just be sure to stay safe while riding!

When you rent yours, also make sure they give you a bike lock and chain.

You know, so the bike doesn’t accidentally go missing.

Traveling by bicycle was such a great way to see the city in a short time and experience it like a local. Just be sure to watch for traffic and use the bike lane instead of the sidewalk!

2. Check out the cheese!

The Reypenaer Cheese Tasting was such a great experience IMO.

Anyone who loves cheese & wine (and if you don’t then what’s wrong with you?? Just kidding – kinda 😛 ) will have an amazing time here. Not only did we learn so much about pairing cheese & wine, but we got to eat so.much.cheese and drink 3 different glasses of wine!

Doesn’t that sounds like the perfect way to spend the afternoon? And all for under 20 Euro. Read our complete review here!

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3. Rent a canal boat

Renting a canal boat is AH-MAY-ZING!

It was such a unique way to see the city and gave us some of the most picture-perfect views of the canals.

I would definitely recommend doing this when you first get into the city since it helps you to get a feel for the different areas of the city. We went with Mokumboot and had a fabulous time on our private boat. Hint hint – we started our trip right before sunset and got to see the city all lit up at night as well! We even did a whole review on them which you can read about right here.

4. Wynand Fockink

If you don’t know about this place in advance, you might just miss it!

This tucked away distillery and tasting tavern has been around since the 17th century and continues to attract locals every day.

We had a private tasting which included all different types of liquors and genevers, all produced on-site. Not only will you get to taste local spirits at Wynand Fockink, but the tiny on-site distillery is pretty amazing, too!

5. Check on the museums

Okay so we all know that Amsterdam is home to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House, but did you know there are over 75 museums in Amsterdam?

That’s a crazy number of museums!

If you like museums and plan on visiting during your trip, I would definitely recommend buying your tickets ahead of time to make sure you get in!

We actually wanted to go to the Anne Frank House but waited too long and the tickets sold out 🙁

Make sure to get your tickets early and skip the line!

6. The Red Light District

Did ya’ really think we were going to skip the RLD? Of course not!

Seeing this area all lit up at night was beyond interesting, even just to walk around.

Not only is prostitution legal there, but there’s no shortage of sex shows and other interesting shops to venture into. A few tips, though, if you’re going to head into this area at night:

Watch your belongings! As you can imagine, the crowd that usually hangs out there may not be the most ~~sober~~ polite
Do not, and I repeat, do not take pictures. Not only is it really disrespectful, but if any of the girls catch you, they will make a scene
The boxes with blue/purple lights are different than the red light boxes. If you visit in person it’s pretty easy to tell what the difference is…

7. Vondlepark

If you need an escape from the city, or want to find an awesome outdoor space, bike your way to Vondlepark for some downtime.

The park is super serene, even with the variety of events they have going on. We picked up some pastries and coffee before heading over and then sat by the lake to listen to the daytime mini-concert that Sunday.

It was so relaxing – we even forgot to take photos (face-palm)

8. Eat at the Foodhallen

A hall for food? Yupp.

After biking the entire city in one day, we were ready to eat. This place was perfect since it’s casual and not overrun by tourists.

The Foodhallen is a bit outside of the main city center, but totally worth the extra commute. Basically it’s a huge warehouse-type-thing with a bunch of different food & drink vendors.

There’s Asian food, pizza, burgers, seafood, etc. You could honestly eat at this place every day of your trip and not get bored.

There are only 2 tips I have, though, if you’re planning on visiting. 1 – Get there early. This place gets crowded and seating is limited. And 2 – find a table and then send someone from your group to go get the food.

We made both of these mistakes **facepalm** and instantly regretted it. Not only did we show up late (around 9.30 – 10 pm), but we bought our food and then tried to find a place to sit and eat. Needless to say we ended up walking around for a while carrying our food (and getting hangry in the process!) Such a rookie mistake!

9. Coffeeshops

Okay, so weed is legal in Amsterdam, you already knew that.

But where do you go to buy it?

Presumably you would go to a marijuana dispensery.

Nope. Stores that sell legal pot in Amsterdam are called coffeeshops.

Where do you go to by coffee? Cafés.

If you are looking to indulge, you definitely won’t have a hard time finding it. Not only are there tons of places to buy soft drugs, but if you’re walking down the street, you will be able to smell it as you walk by.

A quick Google search will produce several results no matter where you are in the city, ranging anywhere from downright sleezy hole-in-the-wall places to super expensive looking establishments.

Choose wisely 😉

10. Picnic by the canals

Now, if you’re in Amsterdam and even step foot outside your hotel, you’re bound to run into entire neighborhoods of cute little canals.

Sometimes you’ll find hoards of bikes parked along the sides, or you’ll get lucky and find a clearing to just sit and watch the city.

It was so easy to get caught up in the fast-paced movement of the city that we almost forgot to just take a break and relax.

Thankfully, we took a few moments to just walk around and sit down on the edge of the canals, watching the entire city go by. If you’re looking for something relaxing to do, grab a blanket and some snacks and just relax by the water.

And don’t forget to snap a couple pics!

11. Hang out at a gay bar

Did you know that Amsterdam has a very large number of gay bars and clubs?

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as how the city is so progressive.

Not only are you bound to run into them (you’ll know since the pride flag is proudly on display) but you’ll also want to check them out since everyone inside always seems to be having such a fabulous time.

12. Hortus Botanicus

This garden is actually the oldest botanical garden in the entire country!

It’s a super serene place to visit if you’re looking for some much-needed down time, and is definitely one of the more peaceful options on our list.

Entrance is relatively inexpensive at € 7.50 (€ 3.00 for kids above 4 years old) and the garden has several exhibitions going on year round. If you need a place to just chill for a while, this is a great option.

13. The Bloemenmarket

This flower market is actually the world’s only floating flower market. It’s set up so that the actual market is on boats, but the street-side of the market is easily accessible from the road.

You may not even notice it’s floating until after you cross the street!

Since we visited in September, we weren’t able to see the flowers in bloom, but it was still interesting to explore all the different types of bulbs they have for sale.

If you’re planning on taking some back home with you make sure they’re approved for travel, just so you won’t have any issues with customs.

14. NDSM

This area of the city is actually across the bay and was originally the home to many Dutch shipbuilding companies.

Now it’s been transformed into an artsy neighborhood flooded with local artists, music venues, and some pretty awesome things to do.

We ended up missing out on this one, but it’s definitely on our list for next time!

15. The Albert Cuyp Market

If you like thrift markets, then you will love this place.

To be completely honest, we ventured into this area looking for stroopwaffles – and we we’re not disappointed.

In addition, we found some pretty cool little tents with local crafts and a bunch of farm-stand looking tents with locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Of course, like any thrift market, you will find some not-so-unique things (like mass produced wigs and undergarments) but there are a bunch of restaurants around there too, if you’re looking to take a break from the crowds.

16. Concertgebouw

This concert hall is home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, regarded as one of the best orchestras in the world.

Of course, the acoustics of the actual building also count towards this, having been designed especially for the orchestra.

If you’re looking to see a concert here (but not looking to spend a lot) check their calendar for the list of free lunchtime concerts during the months of September – June.

And if you’re under the age of 30, they have special discounts for regular concerts also! Pays to be young, huh? 😛

17. Climb the Iamsterdam sign

If you want a photo with no one else in it besides you, we highly suggest getting there super early in the morning (before all the tourists wake up.)

But if you end up there around mid-afternoon like we did, you can still get a pretty great shot. And of course, make an attempt to climb up the letters!

So what did you think? Did we convince you yet?

We are absolutely head over heels for the city, but if you need a little more persuading, you can check out the rest of our Amsterdam photos that are sure to make you book your ticket!

And don’t forget to subscribe for access to our free travel resource library! It will help you plan your Amsterdam trip like a pro and it only takes 5 seconds!

Happy travels!

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