The capital of the Netherlands is a strange mixture of beautiful North European architecture, world-class museums, drugs and debauchery, making it somewhere that everyone should visit at least once.

Touching down late Thursday evening, myself along with a couple of friends prepared ourselves for a long weekends in the stag/hen do hot-spot of Amsterdam, a city famous for bicycles, trams, drugs and legalised prostitution.

The city itself isn’t massive, so getting around it pretty straight forward apart from the cyclists and trams coming from seemingly every direction, though once you have learnt to have eyes in the back of your head, you’re all set to wander around the narrow streets and canals that make Amsterdam such an aesthetically pleasing place to visit.

Luckily for us, the weather wasn’t what you would expect for April, staying warm and sunny for pretty much the entirety of our stay, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore without fear of getting drenched or staying indoors all day, be it browsing one of the tulip markets, posing at the I Am Amsterdam sign or just enjoying a Heineken by the canal side,

The canals are the lifeblood of most major cities, but with the exception of maybe Venice, Amsterdam by far makes the most of its watery veins, with almost every type of water going vessel imaginable meandering its way along the waterways and under the numerous bridges, so much so that you will almost certainly get Déjà-vu when crossing over so many in such a short amount of time.

You can’t come to Amsterdam and not visit the famous Red Light district, where row after row of beautiful women stand behind glass doors, trying to entice anyone to join them for €50 worth of fun behind a curtain, it’s hard to get your head around what would drive someone to want to do that as a job, but a visit to Red Light Secrets (Museum of Prostitution) really helps shed light on life both sides of that glass panel, well worth a visit when in the area and home to the only windows in that part of town that you can photograph freely, with photographing the girls a strict no-no.

If museums are your thing, then Amsterdam is the place for you, there seems to be one on practically every street, from flowers to beer, torture to art, everything and anything can be learnt about or used as an excuse to pass the time, we managed to visit 6 in the sort time we were there, but by far the most famous and time-consuming was the Anne Frank House, an unassuming building behind a church, where one of the most powerful stories of WW2 was born.

You would be hard pressed not to find someone who leaves the Anne Frank House without feeling both upset and ashamed at humanity’s history, it’s a powerful experience visiting the place a group or men, women and children believed would keep them safe. Hiding away from the barbarism that raged outside, hoping in vain that they would one day be able to escape the clutches of the Nazis.

If you plan to visit, then book ahead and be warned that it sells out 3 months in advance, otherwise you like us will spend 3 hours of your life in a slow-moving queue, meandering from one side of the square to another, but trust me, it’s all worth it in the end.
Another thing you will find of every street corner is a shop selling either cakes, chocolate or cheese, Amsterdam really is a place where you could put on a few pounds if you ain’t careful.
Amsterdam is a city of stark contrast, a place where stag-do’s and sightseers flock yearly to visit the museums, check out the architecture or experience the sex shows alike, its a place where if you wander aimlessly you could find party central or a hidden gem even in the middle of the afternoon. the city really revels in it’s split personality and I love it.




Love it
It’s a place I’d love to go only for the cheese, chocolate and canals. And of course the architecture. Looks great! Nicely written. 🙂
I’ve never been but would love to go! Your pictures look beautiful.
Thank you, Its well worth going, doesn’t break the bank either
Pedir tiempo muerto.
you took some lovely photos. why can’t you photograph the girls in the red light district? good to know about the museum. i had never heard of it.
Oh I love duckstore!
Thats actually the only thing I collect when I travel, ducks 🙂
Amsterdam has such an amazing vibe. I love the architecture and the water going through the city like that!
Wow! Amsterdam is one of the very first places I have on my list and this makes me want to travel so much more
I’ve always loved traveling when I was younger and Amsterdam was on my list. Would love to see it sometime. It seems exciting.
Amsterdam is one of those cities I want to visit in my lifetime. I love the old buildings. They are full of character.
I have read and heard about Amsterdam a lot. It’s on my bucket list. Your pictures are amazing. I love reading travel posts
We love Amsterdam and there is so much to do and see. I always say to everyone you must put this on your bucket list.
Airline prices from Chicago to Amsterdam are cheap right now! I’d love to fly over but with the virus scare, I think I’ll stay put. However, I have put this beautiful city on my list.
Always caught my attention I always wanted to go to Amsterdam. I find it so historical pure. The architecture is so enchanting the flowers are so vivid the food looks delicious.
Such a beautiful place and I know there is so much to do there. The food looks delish.
I would love to visit the capital of the Netherlands and have similar experiences!
I love all your pictures…This has inspired me to visit Amsterdam. Love the duck shop!!xx
Yyyyooooo…if I ever go to the Netherlands, there is no way I am leaving without living or staying at the Red Light district.
omg it’s my dream hope I will have a chance to visit, as dreams come true, yeap?! amazing city and amazing country. one love!
I’ve been in Amsterdam many times. Magical town. So many great sights to see and places to visit. Love your photos. Thanks for sharing this!