There is no question about it: Holland is stunningly beautiful. Most people who fly all the way to the Netherlands dream of exploring different towns that dot the countryside. While there is a lot to explore across Holland, I found myself spellbound by Amsterdamâs charm. After returning from a recent weekend trip to AMS, I compiled a list of the best things we did in Amsterdam to help pave the way for other non-revs interested in visiting after me. I present to you my non-rev weekend guide to visiting Amsterdam!
Why visit Amsterdam now?
Traveling internationally during the COVID-19 era means navigating an ever-changing world of entry requirements & policy updates. When it comes to easy-to-reach destinations, the Netherlandsâ border opening is a model for simplicity: travelers from âsafeâ countries/regions can enter the Netherlands without needing to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Flying into AMS is just as easy nowadays as it was pre-pandemic!
Who flies to Amsterdam from the US?
All 3 of our countryâs legacy carriers fly into AMS from the United States. You can catch a non-stop flight to AMS from any of these domestic airports:
- American Airlines: DFW or PHL
- Delta Air Lines: ATL, MSP, or JFK
- United Airlines: ORD or EWR
If you want to explore ZED fare options, there are a number of international carriers that you can choose from. KLM is the obvious choice (AMS is their home base), but the usual suspects like British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and Qatar Airways provide regular service into AMS from their hubs.
How to get from AMS to Amsterdam
Once you arrive in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (aka AMS), getting to AMS is incredibly easy. I used Rome2Rio, one of my favorite apps for non-rev travel, to help me get a feel for the train timetable.
You can take a 20-minute train ride straight from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal train station. This is the best option if you are staying on the north side of the Canal District. The Dutch Railways station is easy to find as you exit Schiphol Airport, and the fare should be less than 6 euros.
If you plan on staying further south, a 30-minute ride on Connexxion Bus N97 from the airport to the Museumplein transit station. This stop will get you close to Vondelpark if your hotel is on that side of town. This Connexxion bus fare will run you about 4 euros from Schiphol Airport.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
The lovely thing about Amsterdam is just how easy it is to get around. The city is incredibly bike friendly & the transit system is relatively extensive, so you should be able to get wherever you need to go. We do have a couple neighborhood recommendations if you are open to some ideas:
Old Centre
The oldest area of Amsterdam is centered around Dam Square and the neighboring areas. The Old Centre is home to a large number of shops & restaurants. This is also where you will find the Royal Palace & infamous Red Light District. You can expect this area to skew a bit on the touristy side.
I knew that I had an early morning flight leaving AMS, so I chose to stay near this area to be close to the Amsterdam Centraal train station.
Oud-Zuid
Staying a bit further away from the city center will afford you a less crowded environment. Oud-Zuid, which translates to Old South, is an affluent borough of Amsterdam that is home to many of the cityâs gems.
De Pijp is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Amsterdam, so you can expect a smorgasbord of cute cafes & inventive restaurants here.
The Museum Quarter lies just west of De Pijp where you will find the world-famous Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and Van Gogh Museum. This district also borders Vondelpark.
Where to eat in Amsterdam
Now we get to the exciting stuff! Wherever we travel, we love getting recommendations from locals & travelers alike. Here are some of our favorite stops from our weekend in Amsterdam.
Box Sociaal
If you like brunch burgers, this is your spot. The staff here is ridiculously amicable, and the Australian-inspired menu has unique offerings (but you canât go wrong with the buttermilk chicken Sociaal Standaard).
The filtered coffee is superb, too. Box Sociaal sources their coffee beans from a local roastery so it is worlds better than drab diner drip.
Bakers & Roasters
If you are looking for a more straight-forward breakfast joint, look no further than Bakers & Roasters. This brunch spot draws inspiration for its menu from New Zealand & Brazil. People rave about the eggs benedict here, and the fresh options look just as good.
Make sure to save some room for dessert because the sweets look delectable here. I havenât had it myself, but I heard that their Mississippi mud cake is incredible.
The Pancake Bakery
Equally as good for breakfast as it is for an afternoon meal, the storied Pancake Bakery has been open for nearly 50 years in a 17th century warehouse. If you only stop at one pancake house during your weekend in Amsterdam, make it this one.
Stop in early for a traditional Dutch breakfast or come later in the day to enjoy a savory crepe. Either way, donât forget to stop & appreciate the location as you scarf down your pancake.
Warung Barokah
You havenât truly visited Amsterdam until you have had Indonesian food. Everyone seems to have their favorite spot, but Warung Barokah was recommended to me for its authenticity.
This cozy restaurant canât fit more than a dozen people inside, but the staff here will take care of you. If itâs available, I recommend grabbing a bowl of bakso (meatball soup).
Restaurant Moeders
Dutch food may not appeal to everyone, but those wanting to try a traditional meal have to stop by the quirky Restaurant Moeders. Their house special covers all your bases for a home-cooked Dutch dish.
The walls of Moeders (which is Dutch for âmothersâ) are covered in framed pictures of different moms. Their menu even states that you can bring in pictures of your mom to help them decorate!
What to do in Amsterdam
There is no shortage of things to do in the city, but you will have to pick & choose your adventure if you are only here for a day or two. Here are some of the highlights of our weekend trip in Amsterdam.
1) Visit Museums & Historic Sites
Amsterdam plays host to amazing museums & historic sites. I couldnât fit them into my itinerary so I skipped them all, but it would be impossible to do a write up on Amsterdam without mentioning them as a point of interest.
Rijksmuseum
This museum showcases the artwork of great Dutch artists like Rembrandt & Vermeer. Tickets are free for children & 20 euros for adults.
Van Gogh Museum
If you enjoy Van Goghâs work, this is the largest collection of his art with hundreds of paintings & drawings on display. Children get in free, but adults over the age of 18 can expect to pay 19 euros.
Stedelijk Museum
Take a step into the world of modern & contemporary art by visiting the Stedelijk Museum. Children can enter without a fee, and adult tickets go for 20 euros.
Anne Frank House
Located in the city center, this is where you can immerse yourself in the world that the Frank family endured. The lessons learned here will stick with you forever.
Be prepared for long lines & crowds when arriving with your ticket.
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Do you enjoy learning about monarchies? The Royal Palace offers tours where they detail the history of the Netherlands.
2) Brewery Hopping
Whenever I land somewhere new, it isnât long before I find myself on the hunt for a local beer. Thankfully, there are plenty of beer gardens to pick from within the city limits. Here are the ones we visited during our recent weekend in Amsterdam.
Heineken Experience
You canât talk about beer in Holland without bringing up Heineken. Their green bottles are an icon all around the world, and Heineken lovers can take a tour of Heinekenâs oldest brewery-turned-museum in Amsterdam.
Brouwerij ât IJ
This unpronounceable brewery has been on my list since I tried a pint of their beer on the Dutch island of Bonaire. Their Belgian-inspired ales are my favorite; I just couldnât get into their IPA offerings.
Itâs worth noting that this beer garden sits in the shadow of the biggest wooden windmill in the Netherlands. The inside walls are even lined with vintage beer memorabilia, so this brewery has great picture potential.
Amsterdam Brewboys
A relative newcomer to the Amsterdam craft beer scene, the Brewboys opened up shop right next door to the larger Brouwerij ât IJ. They are so close together that we accidentally walked in here thinking it was the ât IJ beer garden.
I am glad we did because the staff here is incredible. You can tell they are passionate about the beer they made, and we spent just as much time drinking as we did talking shop with them.
Brouwerij De Prael
This gem of a brewery is tucked away in an alleyway near the canals. They easily had the largest selection out of all the breweries we visited, so adventurous beer drinkers will love this place. I donât often get a chance to try barleywine or rauchbier, but De Prael was able to scratch those itches for me.
Bierfabriek Amsterdam
The last place we visited before we tapped out was a hip join that had a pretty robust menu filled with grilled food. The beer list consisted of only a handful of options, but the pilsner was decent and we were told the porter had just won an award.
3) Red Light District
What more can I say that hasnât already been shared a million times over about Amsterdamâs Red Light District? You have to see it for yourself & no words can accurately capture what it feels like to be there.
I initially wanted to avoid the area entirely because I thought it carried a stigma, but I am glad we spent a night bar-hopping here. In my mind, it felt like a civilized version of Bourbon Street (or a less family-friendly San Antonio Riverwalk).
4) Picnic in the Park
When the weather is nice outside in Amsterdam, you better take advantage of it! Picnicking in the park is a great way to sample some of the local snacks & fare while lounging in Amsterdamâs beautiful parks.
Grab cheese from Fromagerie Abraham Kef & pack picnic gear in a bag before heading out to one of these spots:
Vondelpark is the largest part & offers plenty of different picnic spots, but you can expect this to be the busiest park you experience.
Rembrandt Park isnât far from Vondelpark but offers a more relaxed vibe.
Westerpark sits a bit further north and is often filled with students & locals.
Wertheimpark is a small urban park that offers a grassy hill overlooking a waterway.
Final Thoughts on our Weekend in Amsterdam
One weekend in Amsterdam isnât enough to see everything the city has to offer, but it doesnât mean we canât try! The last time I visited Amsterdam, I was on the ground for less than 30 hours total. That didnât stop me from exploring the city one drink at a time.
If you find yourself on an AMS layover or decide to fly over for a quick non-rev getaway, I hope these pointers help you plan out your itinerary.
Have you found a hidden gem in Amsterdam? Let me know in the comments so I can add it to my go-to list!
