Weekend in Amsterdam: A local's perspective
When it is best to visit?
Now, that's a good question! It really depends on what you'd like doing during your stay. Generally, keep in mind that Amsterdam can be quite of a wet city. Highest temperatures are usually registered between May and August -- but every year, the city knows how to surprise it's inhabitants.
If you'd like to have a unique experience, consider visiting during these dates / periods:
❄️ December / January: The city is fully decorated with Christmas lights. You can go ice-skating at Museumplein, take a cruise on the canals while seeing all the art installations of the "Amsterdam Light Festival" or see the huge Christmas tree in Dam Square
🌷March / April / May: Spring is tulip's season. You can get the opportunity to visit the notorious Keukenhof tulip fields
🧡 April 27th: On this date, Amsterdammers celebrate King's day. It's the Dutch national holiday celebrating the King's birthday. Locals get on the streets celebrating all day, the famous parade takes place, and the city turns Orange (the country's official color)
🎛️ On the 3rd week of October, the city hosts ADE. Amsterdam Dance Event is the leading electronic music platform and the biggest club festival in the world. It hosts over 450 music events every year, featuring over 2000 artists across over 100 venues, playing 24/7 for five days
Which airport is it best to fly into?
✈️ Amsterdam (AMS): This is by far the best option to get to the city. However, being an international airport, specifically one of the main airports in Europe, airport taxes (and therefore flights) tend to be more expensive.
✈️ Eindhoven (EIN): Eindhoven is a city situated in the southern part of The Netherlands. Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and WizzAir fly into this airport, thus flights may be cheaper. However, keep into account that your journey to Amsterdam will be more expensive: Approx 50€ per person back and forth by public transport (bus + train)
✈️ Rotterdam (RTM): Rotterdam is a city situated approx 50km from Amsterdam. As it is only a smaller airport, only few flights fly into this airport, mostly during high season. Arriving into Amsterdam by public transport will also still cost approx 40€ per person back and forth by public transport (bus + train)
Where to stay within the city?
While it really depends on the budget you may have for your gate-away, here are some recommendations:
📍 City Centre
📍 East
📍 De Pijp
📍 West
✨ A special stay
What are the best museums to visit?
🎨 Keeping it classic
There are some of the most known museums of the city, traditionally a "must visit". Specifically for these museums, make sure you reserve your entrance online at least a couple of weeks before your stay in Amsterdam otherwise tickets may be sold out.
🎠 Not the usual
What are Amsterdam's best green areas?
Amsterdam is famous for its big parks, where locals and tourists go walking, running, bike riding - and why not - rollerskating! When the sun's out, be sure, Amsterdammers will be out snacking in the parks 🌞
Night out in the capital of techno music?
Best places where to eat?
Check out my guide "Best places where to eat in Amsterdam: A local's perspective" 🍴🥡🥞
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