Amsterdam has a long history of being very popular with travellers of all ages and budgets, but specifically with younger travellers who are starting off their eurorailing, backpacking adventures.
The capital of the Netherlands has loads of things to see, do and experience including plenty of culture, open spaces, and world famous nightlife that hens and stags from around the continent travel in to enjoy.
Due to its location and being the hub of KLM airline, Amsterdam is super easy to get to both on local, low-cost airlines throughout Europe and internationally via the massive Schiphol Airport. Once in the city, travel around like a local on two wheels or take the train to one of the many connecting cities around the continent.
Being such a young traveller-centric city, there are plenty of amazing, affordable and interesting hostels for you to choose from. If you have HostelPass, (and why wouldn’t you when you can save up to 40% off hostels, experiences and transfers for just £29.99 per year) you can get discounted stays on loads of great hostels; including ClinkNoord, Generator, Cocomama, and their new eco-friendly, Ecomama, which has a teepee in the communal area filled with relaxing cushions – sounds cosy and amazing.
So, with Amsterdam being such a cool place to spend your time, how can you spend it wisely? Here’s the five best things to do in Amsterdam!
1. Explore the city with a quest
It’s one thing to either explore Amsterdam by foot or take in the streets on two wheels like one of the locals, but even if you wander around with a local guide, it can sometimes be a little bit dry after about half an hour or so.
If you want a fun and unique way to see Amsterdam, why not try a Questo City Exploration Game? Follow the various clues and challenges as you learn and uncover different parts of the city and solve its mysteries. You can choose from city-wide outdoor quests, or location specific ones that take place in museums, castles and other landmarks. P.S. You can also get 25% off Questo games with HostelPass.
2. Take some time in the Vondelpark
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature? Then it’s time for you to check out Amsterdam’s biggest park, Vondelpark. Sprawling across 47 hectares of gorgeous greenery and trails, it’s a great spot to relax, chill out, have a picnic or just kick back with some friends.
You’ll also find an open-air theatre, a playground and a beautiful rose garden that are all worth checking out, especially when there’s plays or concerts going on. With a giant lake snaking its way through the park, it’s a tranquil place to while away the hours, especially if you’re in Amsterdam during the summer.
3. Reflect in the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is possibly one of the most famous places to visit in the whole of Amsterdam due to its tragic, but poignant historic impact. Located in the centre of the city, this is where the entire Frank family hid from the Nazis during the second world war. The majority of us know what happened next.
The house opened as a museum in 1960 and due to the amount of exhibits and artefacts on display, as well as the opportunity to walk the footsteps of history, it’s consistently the third most visited attraction in Amsterdam. Despite its tragic past, the Anne Frank House is well worth a visit and will give you a sobering perspective on Europe’s fairly recent history.
4. Get off the beaten track in the Moco Museum
It’s a pretty universal fact that Amsterdam is jam packed with museums and galleries, from the Van Gogh museum to the Rijksmuseum to Stedelijks Museum, any culture lover will absolutely be in their element here.
That being said, if you’re looking for something a little bit more modern, contemporary and altogether more quirky, then you have got to check out the Moco Museum. Featuring pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Tracey Emin, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, if you love art that’s colourful, provocative and a bit different to anything else you’ll see in Amsterdam, you need to check out the Moco.
For an added treat, if you have HostelPass, you get a massive 20% off entry to the Moco Museum! So not only is it a great, culturally-enriching place to visit in Amsterdam, it’s also a bargain.
5. Hit up Albert Cuyp Market
Are you feeling hungry? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with what claims to be the largest daytime market in the whole of Europe – Albert Cuyp Market. This market has been a staple of the Amsterdam culinary and shopping scene for over a century and is one of the busiest places in the city for a reason.
You can of course get traditional Dutch fare and produce – you have to check out the mountains of delicious cheeses – but as the country and city have become more multicultural, there are plenty of stalls selling international foods, dishes and produce for you to enjoy.
The Albert Cuyp is frequented by both locals and visitors alike, with tons of souvenirs stores available for the tourists and many locals getting their regular groceries in this market. If nothing else, it’s a great place to come grab some food and people watch.
So, there you have it – the five best things to do in Amsterdam. Whether you’re looking for culture and history, you’re looking to kick back and relax in nature, see the city in a new way or just eat some tasty, exciting food, there’s truly something for everyone in this traveller’s favourite.
Before you start booking your trip to Amsterdam, don’t forget to grab yourself a HostelPass to get all these amazing savings and more. It’ll be the best travel decision you make!
