Travel Quickie: 24 Hours in Amsterdam

If someone asked what is my most favorite European city, I would probably say Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of those big cities that you will never get tired of exploring around at – the city just sparks this perpetual and rich historical vibe yet at the same time offers you a laidback modern atmosphere. Amsterdam is also known for its galleries, bars, and amazing architecture, and this is the type of city for all kind of travelers, including young and old, laidback and adventurous. And on this special section on my blog, I will write down briefly some of the things that you should probably do for your first time visit to Amsterdam or if you get only 24 hours time to spend in this vibrant city. Check these out!

09.00 am: Rent a bike

One of the things that I love the most about Amsterdam (or any Dutch cities in general) is the bike culture. There is something so fun about exploring various spots of the city with bike plus it’s such an eco-friendly way of transportation! So I do recommend you to explore Amsterdam in one-day trip using bike. I know, some people might say that it can be a little bit overwhelming biking in such big city as Amsterdam, but it’s actually real simple and you will have local experience in discovering the city! Just pay attention to the traffic rule, get your map ready, and explore!

09.30 am: Grab breakfast at Café de Jaren

A good day starts with a hearty breakfast. Head down to Café de Jaren, a beautiful terrace overlooking the Amstel River, and grab a croissant or two with a cup of coffee. The bright and spacious restaurant overlooking the water will give you chance to unwind and enjoy the morning life alongside Amsterdam’s canal and surely will pump your spirit up for the whole day of exploring.

10.00 am: Albert Cuyp Market

If you only have 24 hours to explore Amsterdam, forget any other markets on your itinerary and visit this one instead. With over 260 stalls, here you will feel the real Amsterdam feeling, the atmosphere, the coziness, and the diversity that make this good old Amsterdam Albert Cuyp Market oh-so-famous. Here you can buy almost anything might be looking for, from various fresh products until authentic Dutch souvenirs. Don’t leave without tasting a piece of Dutch cheese and some other Dutch’s traditional favorites, such as stroopwafel and poffertjes.

12.00 pm: Explore De Pijp Neighborhood

I can say that De Pijp is one of my most favorite spots in Amsterdam. The area consists of long and narrow streets, which leads to the nickname of the spot itself. High rents forced tenants to sublet rooms to students and artists bring the bohemian character to this area. Against all of the gentrification odds, De Pijp has managed to remain a wonderful melting pot of many cultures and nationalities.

01.30 pm: Stedelijk Museum

After exploring De Pijp Neighborhood, I recommend you to head to one of the famous museums in Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum. One of the unique things about this museum is its shape that resembles a huge bathtub that sparks controversies among locals passing the area – the pro ones seem to be happy with the new strange addition to the area while the others think it ruins the charm the old and historical buildings nearby. Either way, this makes the museum even more worth to visit as you can witness the contrast yourself from the outside as a quirk photo object or pay some ticket fee to snap some more modern and contemporary art installations and simply enjoy them.

03.00 pm: Visit Hortus Botanicus

To kill some more time before enjoying the city after dusk, go to one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, stroll through the greenhouses, and wander the leafy gardens. Depends on the month that you visit Amsterdam, you can still pay a visit to this place since there are many beautiful flowers in springtime and you can definitely enjoy some warmer time inside the greenhouse in wintertime. After day of exploring, you can also grab some cold drinks or enjoy small meals here surrounded by exotic plants.

04.30 pm: Have a picnic at Vondelpark

This is one of my most favorite places to have a chill time at in Amsterdam and, personally, late afternoon is the right time to visit it especially in the summer for the sun is pleasantly warm and the crowds mostly consist of cool young people who just need some times to unwind after long day in the city. You can stop at supermarket and grab some breads and beers and enjoy it while sitting on the warm grass at the park. You can also mingle with other group of people and do other fun things, like playing frisbee together (I did it many times and it’s hella fun!)

06.30 pm: Have dinner at Kantjil & De Tijger

Here comes the dinnertime, finally! One of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam (which I believe lot of locals agree) is an Indonesian restaurant located at an alley in Spuistraat. As an Indonesian, normally when I’m abroad, I would love to eat some local dishes but this restaurant is just so good serving traditional Indonesian dishes cooked with authentic herbs. I recommend this place also because of the fulfilling portion that surely will make you’re ready again to experience what the city can offer after dark. Try their chicken satay and beef rendang or their vegetables stir fry with tofu and tempeh for the vegetarians. So good!

07.30 pm: Red Light District

As corny as it might sound, Red Light District is such an experience especially for those visiting Amsterdam for the first time and never been to this place before. I don’t persuade you to do some ‘dirty business’ but walk along the district after dark when your sight is filled with glowing neon lights is somehow an interesting thing to do.

Go clubbing, bar hopping, or pub-crawling for the rest of the night

After all, you are restless wanderers with endless youth spirit and you are in one of the most vibrant and lively cities in the world so you might as well enjoy the rest of your night with some good quality beers or even stronger drinks. You can choose whether you want to just sit somewhere while having good convo with new people or directly banging yourself on the dance floor – Amsterdam has it all. My favorite is Leidseplein area with lots of cafes, restaurants, entertainment centers, and good music venues like Sugar Factory, Paradiso, and Melkweg.