Walking Tour of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a fun place to walk around, but if you’re going to walk it all in one day, good shoes will be your best friend. Walking through these sights is more than enough for one day, so don’t expect to enter any of the museums or sights along the way. Save the wandering for day two after you’ve gotten your bearings. If you are short on time (or energy), this itinerary can be biked in just two hours.
Start the morning out in Jordaan, the trendy district in the west. A great place to scout a brunch spot, or pick up one of a kind souvenirs, this neighbourhood will be calling you back. But for now, head down Prinsengracht to see the Anne Frank Huis, Westerkerk, and even the Tulip Museum. I’ll have a review on the Anne Frank Huis soon, as it was one of the museums I did visit!
Just south, you will find the Nine Streets: weave in and down through the three canals for some excellent shopping. We found a beautiful Turkish textiles shop, a few vintage stores, and art shops. Continuing to follow the canal south until you hit the tram line, follow it south and you’ll come across Leidseplein. This square is another great place for restaurants, or you can catch the tram to the inner city.From here, you can make your way into Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s favourite place to lay on the grass. It’s nothing much but greenery, but it can be a nice escape from all the stone. Van Baerlestraat will take you to Museumplein. Stop here to check out all of the biggest museums in the city, including Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. By now, the I Amsterdam sign will be covered in tourists. Take your picture south of the pond to get all the letters in!
Walking Stadhouderskade (Heineken Experience here) to Weteringlaan and then allll the way north will land you at the famous Bloemenmarkt. More of a tourist trap then anything, it’s still worth a look.
Continuing north will bring you into the Red Light District. The canals and buildings here are worth the trip even if you aren’t into hemp products and scantily clad women.
Detour west down Damstraat for a look at Koninklijk Paleis and Dam Square.
Back through the Red Light District, you can see the Nieumarkt or the Oude Kerk.
Finish the night off here or venture elsewhere, depending on your idea of a good night. I headed back to my AirBnB for a glass of wine.
