Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam doesn’t lack for grand, classical museums and galleries, but Rijksmuseum is the daddy of them all. Reopened in 2013 after a 10-year, €375 million refurbishment, this magnificent Gothic and Renaissance building is home to a phenomenal collection of Dutch masterworks from the Golden Age.

Canal Tour

One of Amsterdam’s must-do activities which, though a cliché, is still the best way to explore the city. Sure, Amsterdam’s bikes are iconic, but a canal tour requires zero physical effort, so you can finally relax. There’s a plethora of tour operators with boats, most of which depart from around Centraal.

Van Gogh Museum

Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries, this Gerrit Rietveld-designed building houses the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world. It’s just around the corner from the Rijksmuseum, and forms part of Amsterdam’s Holy Trinity of culture alongside the Stedelijk Museum next door.

What to eat

Stroopwafels

Once somewhat of a rarity outside of the Netherlands, it seems that stroopwafels have really made a go of it in the wider world recently. They were even featured on the Great British Bake Off! Still, they really are better here! If you’re not familiar with them, stroopwafels are deceptively simple – a very thin wafel, sliced open and filled with caramel.

Bitterballen

If you’re out and about, sampling local beer or something a little stronger, nothing will keep your hunger at bay quite like a portion of bitterballen. These little mini croquettes are served with mustard and maybe a kitschy Dutch flag toothpick or two.

This deep-fried staple is traditionally made with beef ragout, but you might get lucky to land at a bar that serves more modern varieties with shrimp, mushrooms, goat cheese or duck. Dying to hear more?  You’re in luck! We’ve got an entire blog post devoted exclusively to bitterballen.

Snert

The name might not sound the most appetizing, but a good old bowl of pea soup is just the right ticket to warm your bones after a cold, wet day in the Netherlands. Also called erwtensoep, you can find this thick and hearty treat at most low-key neighborhood pubs all autumn and winter.

Sources

https://www.timeout.com/amsterdam/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-amsterdam

Eating in Amsterdam: Your Must-Try Food Checklist