Experience Amsterdam Through The Eyes Of A Local
Introducing Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam, where history merges with the contemporary and the picturesque canals tell tales of centuries ago. As a local, I want to take you beyond the windmills, tulips, and red light district and help you discover why so many people want to live here.
Before we dive into the guide itself, I want to give you some background on the city. Amsterdam's roots trace back to the 12th century when fishermen built a dam on the Amstel River, giving birth to the city we know today. The city wasn't nearly as important to the country as it is today, but over the centuries it grew into the global hub of trade (the first stock was invented here by the VOC), culture, but also pain. If you wander around the city, especially on the canals, you'll find traces of this everywhere on the front of the houses. For example - did you know the higher the stairs, the higher the wealth of those who built them? And try to look for small heads next to the doors, and try to understand what they meant to the original owners. The city has also housed numerous great artists such as Van Gogh and Van Rhijn leaving many museums to discover.
Amsterdam has always been a mixture of culture, religion, and ethnicity and was home to a large Jewish community. When the Netherlands was occupied in 1940 during the Second World War, the Jewish community was slowly being exiled and deported, as we've not only read in Anne Frank's diary but can also be seen in many places in Amsterdam. My neighbors even found a hiding spot in their attic - it just shows how real it still is.
In the most recent years, Amsterdam became a spot where freedom is celebrated, cultures come together (mainly due to the exponentially growing expat community), and a new culture was created. The locals love a good Espresso Martini, Oyster/ Wine bar, or techno festival and are also called 'Yuppen' by outsiders. Being a 'Yup' myself, I'm here to guide you through town.
🛏️ The best places to stay
Amsterdam is not cheap to stay, especially as they have banned Airbnb from most places in the city. If you are on a low budget, try booking a place in another city close by such as Haarlem or Zaandam (but keep in mind that the whole country isn't cheap). There are also plenty of good hostels available, but keep in mind that Amsterdam can be a party city and you'll risk sharing a bunk bed with drunk teenagers.
Here are my personal recommendations to stay in high-end or mid-range budgets:
High-end
Mid-range
🍲 Eating like a local
Us Dutchies are not particularly famous for our cuisine, so you'll find the restaurants I recommend are mostly international cuisine. However, I have included some local food activities to try out Stroopwafels, fries, bitterballen, all the good stuff 😉.
Coffee & Breakfast
Restaurants
Local Dutch food
🏛️ Museums and other activities
Of course, you can still do the standard recommended activities in Amsterdam such as the Anne Frank house and the flower market, but if you're looking to explore the cool edges of the cities and see what the locals do on a Sunday, here's a list of fun activities:
Have a great trip! Be sure to subscribe to my Thatch account and my Instagram @travelwithlovi so you don't miss any new guides and tips, in Amsterdam and beyond.
Love, Lotte 👋
The home for unique & authentic travel
