Amsterdam In Winter without kids - In a nutshell
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Pay attention ♥! The following post is a list of all things to do in Amsterdam, based on a comprehensive research I did before the trip.
In addition, there is a post that tells about the trip itself, including other recommendations, based on our experience.
Have fun 🙂
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The preparation post I did on Lithuania, “Lithuania in a nutshell,” gained quite a bit of popularity, and I received good feedback on it. That’s why I decided to make it a tradition, and write another post. This time on Amsterdam in the winter without children. In January 2020, Adi and I traveled there for our first romantic trip abroad since Gili was born, almost two years ago.
Why Amsterdam?
Because we wanted to go back there already since our second honeymoon in Amsterdam somewhere in 2008. We remember the city as a very romantic and … funny … 🙂
Why Amsterdam in winter?
Because a birthday is always a good excuse to escape abroad, and it happens to be that we were both born in the winter, two days apart.
Winter in Europe (December, January, February, March) is best suited to those who do not have a severe problem with low temperatures and snow. We solve this with 1001 layers of thermal clothing. Of course this guide is also valid on summer days, when it will be much less cold, and more crowded with tourists.
Besides, in winter you can catch the Amsterdam Light Festival that makes the city even more beautiful.
Why Amsterdam in winter without kids?
come on. You don’t really expect me to answer that, do you? They are very loved, cute and everything, But everybody needs a little time away …
A little background on the preparations so far. I bought the tickets almost a year in advance, in February 2019. It cost 270$ per ticket with El Al for a full 5 days.
Regarding the hotel, I was looking for a hotel where you can take a boiling bath while it’s freezing cold outside. There are not many such rooms in Amsterdam but we found one at the Mauro Mansion, with a rating of 9.4 on Booking.com. A hotel that is prohibited for children under 12. It costs € 595 for 4 nights. To see how I look for a hotel, take a look at this post.
Important clarification: Although I’ve been to Amsterdam four times, the post is mostly not based on personal experience. It collects everything you need to know before you arrive in Amsterdam. This is according to a comprehensive independent study I did, as of December 2019. The goal is to give a brief and concise overview, for those who do not have the will or time to drown in the sea of information on the Internet.
Whatever the case, I tried to avoid recommendations on the more well-known sites like Anna Frank House, Madame Tussauds and the Heineken / Rembrandt / Van Gogh Museum. I focused more on the new and lesser-known attractions.
A detailed post about all our experiences from the trip has been written and published. So let’s start. You have arrived in Amsterdam. What now? First of all, let’s understand how Amsterdam is built.
Getting around - Amsterdam in winter
Amsterdam is divided into several areas, and I have prepared a map to illustrate what it looks like. While you’re there, I recommend using Google Maps to get around.
?So what's where
Amsterdam Central Station (Amsterdam Centraal) – the place whrer you’ll arrive straight from the airport (assuming you didn’t rent a car). From there it’s about a 10 minutes walk to the Dam Square (marked with a red dot). Also, from there you can take a fairy to Amsterdam Noord for free.
Dam Square – a huge, always bustling square, with street performances, human sculptures, and lots of pigeons to feed. Just nearby you can find some tourist attractions. Among them are the Ripley Museum Believe It or Not (I understand it’s mostly recommended with kids), the Madame Tusso Museum with full wax celebs (nice if you’ve never been), and the royal palace (a little ugly on the outside, very fancy on the inside, recommended if you like palaces).
Transparency Statement: If you order tickets through some of the links in the post, you won’t lose anything (the price will be the same, or even cheaper), and I’ll earn a small commission to help me finance the investment in the blog. I would really appreciate it.
Amsterdam North (Noord)
Reach this area via a free ferry leaving the docks north of the main station (link to the ferry’s location here).
A’Dam Lookout + Over the Edge Swing – A viewpoint of Amsterdam, which features a cool attraction which is actually the highest swing in Europe. 100 meters above sea level, overlooking the entire city. Should be very romantic and impressive.
Price: 12.5 euros + 5 euros for pre-ordering the swing (you get a mobile e-card).
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This Is Holland – A cool flight simulator over the Netherlands in 5 dimensions, where you can really feel like flying, with wind blowing, fog and even smell.
Price: 16 euros. Pre-order tickets here (get a mobile e-card)
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you order a combined ticket for both of them together, it will cost you only 25 euros (this does not include the swing) – order here
EYE Film Museum – An impressive film museum that opened in 2009 and moved to a new building in 2012. It has several movie theaters, permanent and changing exhibitions, and all sorts of attractions such as touch screens where you can watch movie clips, a panoramic screen through which you can see the museum’s collection, art exhibitions, And more. To get there, head to the platform behind the central station, and look for the ferry that goes to Buiksloterweg, which will take you really close to the museum.
Price: 11 euros
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm (23 pm Fri-Sat)
The Red Light District
Prostitution in Amsterdam has been legal for 100 years. The red light district is mostly active at night, and has strip clubs, sex shows (a couple having sex in front of a crowd), pubs, restaurants, coffee shops… But the attraction for most people is the 300 store windows where women are engaged in prostitution, offering themselves to clients . Interesting, though a little embarrassing (and probably not appropriate) looking at these women as an attraction. There’s also a Chinatown area, so you will find quite a few nice Asian restaurants, such as the recommended “Bird” Thai restaurant.
The district itself also has an interesting Red Light Secrets museum, where you can learn a bit about the behind-the-scenes of prostitution. Experience what it’s like to sit in a room with a window to the street, and hear the stories of the prostitutes themselves. Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60h. Open every day from 10 am to midnight. Price on site: 10 Euro in the morning – Book tickets in advance here. Google Maps link here.
City Center
Amsterdam’s Dungeon – An attraction that will make you scream and laugh all the way. It’s actually a route of about 80 minutes where you are led from room to room in a group. It should illustrate medieval Europe, scare you, including actors in various costumes that will make a show, show you torture devices, witches, and all accompanied by sound and visual effects that should keep you alert all the time. For ages 10 and up.
Price: 24 euros, but you will receive a 4 euro discount if you book online.
Opening Hours: Every day from 11 am to 6 pm (19 pm)
Body Worlds Exhibition – What Makes Humans Happy? That’s what this museum is trying to teach us – The effect of happiness on our health. It does so through the study of the human body. Every floor is dedicated to a different area of the body (muscle, heart, mouth, digestive system, etc.) and delves into it with videos, 3D clips, and all kinds of interactive presentations, most notably 200 models of human bodies that showcase the complexity, vulnerability and wonder of the human body.
Price: 18 euros if you order online. The card includes a physical scan that will give you information about the fat mass, muscle mass, and fat percentage in your body.
Opening Hours: Every day from 9 am to 8 pm (Saturdays until 10 pm)
Best Places To Wander Around - Amsterdam in Winter
Rembrandt Square – marked on the map in blue dot. It’s another central square, which is actually a recreation area with bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs and the statue of Rembrandt.
Leidsplain Square – another, more enjoyable area for locals, which also includes Holland’s Casino & the Municipal Theater. 7 minutes walk from Vondelpark – a huge and wonderful park for a walk or bite ride in urban nature.
The square is very close to the Museum Quarter, where a large ice skating rink opens in the winter (open until Feb. 2nd, 2020). Even if you don’t know how to skate, you can use special treadmills to help you slide without falling. Click here for mobile tickets for 12 euros. Besides, you can visit the Reich Museum, Van Gogh Museum and the Municipal Museum here. Click on the links for details and order mobile tickets.
Canal Belt – A canal belt that surrounds the city center. There you will find the Leidstraat shopping pedestrian mall, the Anne Frank House, the 9th Street Complex (a complex of 9 picturesque streets with lots of cafes, galleries, designer boutiques, home decor stores, and more). The most popular streets are Hartenstraat, Huidenstraat, Reestraat, Runstraat and Wolvenstraat.
The Jordaan neighborhood – a really nice place to hang out. One of those neighborhoods that were once working class poor neighborhoods, but the accumulation of students and artists in the neighborhood made it a life-affirming place, with lots of cool graffiti, nice corners, cafes, galleries and more.
The Pijp District – Another young and recommended area for wandering, with plenty of coffeeshops, regular shops, restaurants and inviting pubs. There you can find the most famous market in Amsterdam – the Albert cuyp market (open every day from 9am to 5pm, and Sundays from 10am to 5pm), the Heineken Museum (where you can do a tour and learn how to prepare Heineken beer), Sarphati Park and more.
Coolest museums - Amsterdam in winter
Youseum – a kaleidoscopic artistic experience that is centered on you. A visit will take you about an hour and a half, and you must book tickets in advance for a specific day and time. It’s not really clear what it is, but I must say their site is intriguing.
Price: 19.95 euros
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 8 pm (Sunday and Monday to 5 pm)
Electric Lady Land – Yes yes, the ultraviolet flourascent lamp that you hung in your room as a teenager, and below it some delusional painting in rainbow colors that looked especially cool in the dark? Remember? So a whole (and small) museum dedicated entirely to this art, as you become part of the exhibition.
Price: 5 euros, and must book tickets in advance
Opening hours: Wednesday – Saturday – 14-18 pm.
Sex Museum – The Sex Museum is not far from Dam Square. It has 3 floors, and has different attractions and displays on different topics, such as sex in history, passion, the relationship between sex and the devil, etc. Open all week from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Erotic Museum – Located in the Red lights District. You will find a collection of various erotic photographs and paintings, a screening of a unique version of the film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, and more. Both museums are recommended, and the visit to this one is not very long.
Price: 7 euros.
Opening Hours: Every Day from 11 am to 1 pm (Friday-Saturday to 2 pm)
Moco Museum – A small museum of modern art. There is a free audio kit available at the entrance. It is worthwhile adding to the experience and understanding of the exhibits. By April 2020, the “Laugh Now” exhibit by the insidious and mysterious street art artist Banksy will be on display here. If you’re a street art lover, don’t miss out. It deals with consumerism, human rights, rule and liberty.
Price: 17.5 euros. Click here to order tickets that will also allow you to bypass the queue. Regular tickets without a bypass will cost you 14 euros if you book online through the museum’s website.
Opening hours: All week – 9 am to 8 pm (Friday-Saturday to 9 pm).
Best spa centers in Amsterdam - Amsterdam in winter
If you’re on a a romantic getaway, there’s no time together like time at the spa.
Spa 1001 – a place you can rent for two and a half hours or 5 hours. It has a sauna, jacuzzi, foot baths, living room, and more … and all just for you, with no one to bother you. It is worth booking in advance. Address: It’s best to get there by tram with line 17 from Dam Square. Google Maps link
Zuiver Amsterdam – An amazing spa center that belongs to the Spa Sport Hotel Zuiver. The stay is only in the nude, except for Thursdays and Tuesdays, where a bathing suit is required. Google Maps link.
Five city Spa – a spa center that mainly provides quality massages of all kinds. Address: 25 minutes on foot from Dam Square. In the Pipe neighborhood. Google Maps link.
Koan Float – Ever imagined what it felt like to be weightless? The uniqueness of this treatment center is that in addition to the massages, you are invited to experience a unique experience – floating tanks. You enter a tank with salt water, at body temperature, with the air and water at exactly the same temperature, so that you float, quietly, in pleasant water. At some point you do not feel which part of you is in the water, and which is not, completely weightless. Flooding has been scientifically proven to be relaxing, reducing stress, pain, sports injuries, and more. By the way, when I tried to book a place, there was a problem with the online booking system on the site, so I sent them an email and that’s how I booked a place. Address: 8 minutes from Dam Square, in the canal belt. Google Maps link,
Alternative nightlife - Amsterdam in winter
So electronic music dominates Amsterdam’s clubs, and Europe in general. But if you’re like me, miss a bit of rock and distortion, or live shows, there’s are some places to go.
Excalibur Café – Located in the Red ligths District. Rock and metal bar, with good atmosphere and beer. Google Maps link.
Café Soundgarden – Rock, beers, snooker table, darts, and good atmosphere. Located in the Jordaan neighborhood. Google Maps link.
Cafe the Minds – A punk / rock bar with a great atmosphere based on the music. 6 minutes from Dam Square. Google Maps link.
Best Coffeeshops in Amsterdam 2020 - Amsterdam in winter
We’ve will come to the main reason that many people come to town.
Everyone knows – If you want to smoke marijuana without fear of the law, Amsterdam is the best place do it in Europe. If you’re a stoner, and this is your first time in Amsterdam, It well may be that all the attractions I have listed so far will wait for another time. If you are in good company, then spending time at Coffeeshops with the finest marijuana, will give you enough laughs and experiences for four to five days.
At the same time, of course, I don’t recommend anyone to smoke marijuana. Especially if you’ve never smoked, do your homework on the effects of this stuff and decide if it’s right for you. If this is your first time, I encourage you to start slowly and to be with someone you trust. That’s because the weed in the Netherlands is strong.
So what are the best CoffeeShops in Amsterdam, as of 2020? Here are some for you, according to the most recent lists
Boerejongens – This CoffeeShop won first place in the 2019 CoffeeShops competition and is popular amongst the local population. The weed is considered very high quality and the staff is super nice. Feel free to ask questions, and also try the cookies if you are looking for a particularly strong affect (not recommended for beginners). Google Maps Link.
Tweede Kamer – a long-established CoffeeShop founded in 1985, one of the oldest in Amsterdam. It was the first to start weighing and packing the marijuana in front of customers, in the spirit of the transperancy. It is small (only 20 places), and the weed is considered very high quality. Google Maps Link.
Coffeeshop Amsterdam – Small coffee shop, 2 storeys. Close to Central Station. Known for good music, great atmosphere, and fine material. Their special cakes are considered the best in town, and you can also find Moonrock (50 euros per gram) here. Google Maps Link.
Happy Feelings – a small place with a relaxed atmosphere, a varied menu. One of the special things about it is that it also offers canal cruising, in what becomes a waterfront coffee shop. Google Maps Link.
Barney’s Coffeeshop – A cute little coffeeshop, housed in a 500-year-old structure. I wonder if the people who built it thought it would once be a stoner’s heaven..? However, it has already won several awards for marijuana quality, and it’s loved by tourists and locals alike. Google Maps Link.
Prix D’ami – The world’s largest CoffeeShop. 5 floors, each floor with a different concept. There is even a movie room on the last floor, sofas to get wasted on, breakfasts, sweets, good atmosphere. In short, everything you need for a good experience. Address: Close to Amsterdam Central, 6 minutes from Dam Square. Google Maps Link.
e1hulp – Last but not least, for anyone looking for Moonrock in Amsterdam – So here you can get it too. Moonrock is the most powerful marijuana in the world. For maximum extraction, it is recommended to smoke it with a pipe or bung (water pipe), rather than a joint. Google Maps link.
That’s not all, but I’ll stop here. If that’s not enough for you, here are four recommended lists, as of 2019 – 1, 2, 3, 4.
Six recommended vegan restaurants in Amsterdam, and dessert
After you smoke a little, I have a feeling you’ll be hungry, and if you’re a vegan, you’ve come to the right city. Clicking on any restaurant will take you to the menu, and clicking on the Google Maps link will take you there with the help of Google Maps.
Vegan junk food bar – This place is everywhere when talking about vegan, corrupt and delicious food in Amsterdam. Just look at the cheeseburger photos. 11 minutes from Dam Square. Google Maps link.
Mr. And Mrs Watson – A vegan restaurant best known for its famous cheese platter. 45 minutes on foot from Dam Square. Google Maps link.
Meatless District Amsterdam – A vegan restaurant with a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. 22 minutes on foot from Dam Square. Near the Jordaan neighborhood. Google Maps link.
Hard Rock Cafe – a non-vegan place, but they say the vegan burger there is divine, and better than the Beyond Burger. It’s called moving mountains burger. 20 minutes on foot from Dam Square. Near the Museum Square. Google Maps link.
Mooshka Vegan Soul food – pancakes, burgers, raffles, toasts and whatnot. 30 minutes on foot from Dam Square. Near the Pipe District. Google Maps link.
H/earth – a venture that combines live art and music studio with an Italian restaurant. The restaurant is located in the Albert Cuyp market (a famous, huge local market that sells almost everything). The food is excellent. There are soups, pastas, sushi, and tiramisu desserts. Everything is vegan except for some tiramisu. Recommended dishes are cashew pasta in pesto and coconut sauce, guacamole gnocchi in tomato sauce, black beans and corn cream and tomato soup, peppers and corn. Half an hour on foot from Dam Square. In the Pipe District. Google Maps link.
And for dessert … a dessert restaurant called Cakestix. Choose cake type, sauce and toppings. All of their cakes are vegan and they have a great selection – cheesecake, vanilla cake, chocolate cake, red cake, rainbow cake and more. And there are donuts too! 10 minutes from Dam Square, in the canal belt. Google Maps link.
* Another tip: Look for the Ekoplaza Nature Store for a variety of vegan products.
Best restaurants with vegetarian / vegan options
If you come with a non-vegan partner, here are some restaurants that will satisfy you both:
Le 4 Stagioni – A simple Italian restaurant that shows simple but special food (ravioli stuffed with avocado with salmon ..) and is open all day starting at 17 PM. Address: 35 minutes from Dam Square, near the Museum Square. Google Maps link. Other recommended Italian are Casa Di David (slightly expensive but fine), Vapiano (fast and cheap), La Lotte
The Avocado Show – If you’re a fan of the divine Nut, Avocado, don’t miss this restaurant. It is built on the purity of avocado and it has maddened Amsterdam. The reviews about the taste are mixed, but I think it’s worth trying as breakfast. 26 minutes from Dam Square, in the Pijp District. Google Maps link.
Sweets – Moak Pancakes – Pancakes Restaurant and more. Address: 12 minutes on foot from Dam Square in the Jewish Quarter. Google Maps link. Another recommended restaurant for sweet lovers, especially for apple pie lovers – Winkel 43. Address: 14 minutes on foot from Dam Square, in the Jordaan neighborhood. Google Maps link. Last but not least – because you can’t visit Amsterdam without the most famous cookie in the world, where it always has a long queue (they say it’s worth it, and the queue goes fast, so don’t give up) – Van Stapele. Google Maps link.
Kantjil & de tijger – Recommended Indonesian restaurant with lots of vegan options. 8 minutes on foot from Dam Square. Google Maps link. More Asian Restaurants: Zushi Sushi, Tomo Sushi, Bird (Thai)
That’s it for now! Hope I was helpful. I’d love to hear what you thought about the post in the comments below. In addition, if there are any things you think are missing from the post, write in the comments, and I’ll do the necessary research and add them.
Useful information
A useful guide to traveling in Amsterdam in English with all there is to do is in the inyourpocket website, and you can also download a printable version
Tracks for the different neighborhoods – the I amsterdam Maps & Routes app will take you easily on a variety of routes in the different neighborhoods of Amsterdam. Download link for Android and iPhone
Arrival from Amsterdam Central Airport – the easiest on the train (Platform 1 or 2) at a cost of about 5.5 euros. It takes about fifteen minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance if you are less than 30 days prior to travel.
Amsterdam Public Transport – Amsterdam is networked with an efficient public transport system that includes metro, tram and buses. I recommend downloading the GVB app that will help you get from one place to another (link to download on Android and iPhone). You can pre-book a ticket for a few days with which you can travel as much as you want by any means of public transport within the city.
Cycling – The most popular way to travel in Amsterdam is by bicycle. It has a network of bicycle routes. Just notice to cycle only the bike routes, and in the right direction. The FlickBike app will help you find a bike and wander around the city at 2 euros per hour (link to download for Android and iPhone).
If you happen to get a flat tire, use the FlatTire app to order a patch on the spot. Download link for Android and iPhone.
It always makes the locals smile when you try to speak the local language, so here are some basic phrases:
Hello – hello
Thanks – Danke
Good morning – Huda Mohanan
Good evening – Huda Evening
Good night – Voltrusta
