Travel Tips for Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 5/5 for solo female travellers

Amsterdam is a very unique city, known for its historic canals, iconic street markets, cycling, charm and of course, cannabis! I visited for 2 days in total, but I would recommend going for longer if you want to do some day trips.  

The city is accessible by foot, and I felt safe there including at night (however I wouldn’t stay out too late). I definitely recommend Amsterdam for anyone planning a solo trip.

How to get there

You can fly to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol from Ireland via a number of airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

You can fly direct from Dublin (the flight is about 1 hour 40 minutes) and Cork (1 hour 40 minutes). You can also fly from Shannon and Knock but there will be stop-overs.

I travelled to Amsterdam from Copenhagen in Denmark, and that flight took 1 hour 30 minutes.

Language, Currency & Weather

The official language of Amsterdam is Dutch, but most people will also speak English. It’s also possible to hear people speaking French and German.

The Euro is accepted in Amsterdam, as this is the currency used in the Netherlands. 

The weather in Amsterdam can vary. I have visited the city twice; once in June and once in September. My favourite time was the latter as summer in the city can be quite humid, with temperatures averaging around 23 degrees Celsius.

In winter, temperatures range between 0 and 6 degrees Celsius, and snow is likely.

Public Transport

Amsterdam’s public transport system is very convenient and easy to use. The network is operated by GVB and operates trains, trams, the metro, buses and ferries.

To get to and from the airport, there are frequent trains that bring you to the city centre in just under 20 minutes. 

You can pay for the services with OVpay, the public transport chip card (OV-Chipkaart) or the I amsterdam City Card. If you think you will be using the services a lot, you can get unlimited use for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours.

Where To Stay

I stayed with a friend when I visited Amsterdam, but there are plenty of options for accommodation. However, it is quite expensive to stay in the city, so prepare to spend some extra cash. 

I researched accommodation before I visited, and my top choices were Eden Hotel Amsterdam, the Ciao Papa Hotel or City Hotel Amsterdam, all located in the city centre.

ibis Amsterdam City West and Jaz in the City Amsterdam are also good options, but they are a bit away from the city centre.

If you are on a budget, there are lots of hostels to choose from, including Via Amsterdam, The Bee Hostel or Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Oost.

Where To Go & What To Do

There is lots to do and see in Amsterdam – it’s a fun, relaxed city! I would firstly advise you to book a walking or guided bike tour, as this is the best way to get to know the city and will help you pick out the places you want to explore the most.

After this, my top activities would be the Heineken experience, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, the Moco Museum, a city canal cruise, a tour of the red light district (the city’s oldest neighbourhood), a coffee shop tour and the Upside Down Amsterdam museum.

I would definitely try and secure a tour of Anne Frank’s House, but you will need to book in advance as it’s always reserved – I wasn’t lucky enough to secure a booking sadly.

If you’re interested in sport, book a tour of Johan Cruijff Arena (I went to see Beyoncé here) and it is very cool. I would also explore De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) in the Jordaan area, which has lots of cafés, boutiques, vintage stores and food shops. While in the area, pay a visit to Electric Ladyland which is a museum dedicated to fluorescent art.

The Foam Photography Museum is also worth a visit, as it hosts some of Amsterdam’s best exhibitions.

For day trips, it is possible to book tours to the Dutch countryside to the towns of Edam, Volendam, Marken and Zaanse Schans to learn about the culture and taste some delicious cheese.

What & Where To Eat

Speaking of cheese, pop in to Albert Cuyp Markt located in De Pijp. This is a street-length market that sells lots of food, clothes and souvenirs.

Meanwhile if you like beer, visit Amsterdam’s original microbrewery Brouwerij ’t IJ for some of the best beer you will ever taste!

I also popped in to De Hallen with my friend for some delicious food and lots of G&Ts – a great spot!

For dinner, travel to Vuurtoreneiland for an unforgettable experience (you will need to book in advance). A special boat brings you to a small island with an old fort and a lighthouse. You then dine in a large greenhouse, and the food is amazing.

For some Dutch cuisine, I visited Wilde Zwijnen which has delicious food and wine. Cradam is also a great spot for seafood and wine on the terrace.

For brunch, I visited Box Sociaal and their coffee is so good. Pesca is an excellent spot to grab food before you head out.

Overall, Amsterdam is a fun and vibrant city. It’s definitely worth a visit!