Amsterdam is a city that has been on our bucket list for a long time. So, we took advantage of a romantic fall weekend to visit Amsterdam in 3 days. We share with you our must-sees and our good addresses for a first weekend in the Dutch capital.
As soon as we arrived, we went to Dam Square , the main square of Amsterdam. Located in the historic center, 750 meters from the Central Station, Dam Square is a very lively place. It is surrounded by very beautiful monuments such as the Royal Palace that we recommend you visit. City Hall in the 17th century became the Royal Palace at the beginning of the 19th Century , this palace is still used by the royal family of the Netherlands for official visits. During your visit, you will discover a very beautiful building and beautiful richly decorated rooms. The audio guide is really essential to understand the history of this monument.
Go shopping
For shopping, we highly recommend the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) district to discover pretty little shops near the canals. Far from the big brands, there are art galleries, decoration stores but also restaurants and cafes. It’s a really nice place!
You can also find what you are looking for on Kavelstraat , which is a busy shopping street with big brands. However, this shopping street has less charm than De 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets).
Strolling around the Beguinage
The Begijnhof in Amsterdam, like the Beguinage of Bruges, is a peaceful place. This courtyard was home to beguines (nuns) in the 14th century. Visitors can also see the small chapel there. Today, the traditional houses are privately owned. The visit is short, and visitors should remain quiet. Entry is free, and it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Take a trip to the Flower Market
Located on the Singel Canal, the famous flower market is worth a visit on a first visit to Amsterdam. Situated in the heart of the Rembrandtplein district, the Bloemenmarkt has been open year-round since the 19th century. A wide variety of flowers and plants are offered, such as the tulip, which is the national flower of the Netherlands. In autumn, you can mainly find bulbs, but in spring, the market looks like a real palette of colors!
Venturing into the Red Light District
The Red Light District is definitely a curiosity to visit during a weekend in Amsterdam. De Wallen is known for being the oldest district in the city but also that of prostitution. The women are exposed in windows illuminated with red neon at night, hence the name Red Light District. During the day, it is a district almost like any other bordered by pretty canals.
Strolling through the Jordaan
The Jordaan is a neighborhood that we really liked for its bohemian and quiet side. Here, you just have to let yourself be carried away and get lost in its alleys to discover the charm of its canals. It is certainly the most charming and pleasant neighborhood in Amsterdam!
Visit the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is a must-see during a weekend in Amsterdam. In any case, for us it is a visit that we absolutely wanted to make. We remember reading Anne Frank’s diary in our youth and how moved we were…
The visit to the Anne Frank House is very well organized and done with respect for the place. The audio guide retraces the story of this young Jewish girl and her family forced into hiding to escape the Nazis. It is a very poignant visit especially when you enter the annex…
Entrance tickets must be booked online on the official website . They go on sale every first Tuesday of the month. You must choose a specific day and time. Be careful, places go very quickly! (16€/adult, 7€/youth from 10 to 17 years old, 1€/child under 9 years old).
Take a Cruise on the Canals of Amsterdam
A canal cruise is a must-do activity when visiting Amsterdam. Seeing the city from the canals is another way to discover and learn about its history. For this cruise, we did not book our tickets in advance because we wanted to adapt to the weather. Despite the bright sunshine when we got on the boat, it rained all along our trip!! The weather is unpredictable in Amsterdam…fortunately the Amsterdammers are used to it and umbrellas are never far away.
Many companies offer these river trips to different locations in the city. We chose the KINboat company right near the Anne Frank House.
Spend the evening at Leidseplein
Leidseplein is certainly the liveliest square in Amsterdam. There are cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, theatres… If you want to party, enjoy a good restaurant or just have a drink, it’s a really nice place. In the summer, street artists perform on the square and in the winter a large ice rink is installed there.
