These are the Most Unique Things to Do in Amsterdam

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Amsterdam started as a fishing village in the 12^th century, and, since the middle ages, it has been an important centre for commerce and art. These days, Amsterdam is known for its unique architecture – the tall, narrow buildings interspersed with canals and bridges – as well as its liberalism and vibrant nightlife. Amsterdam is the place to explore fascinating museums and learn about the lives and works of famous Dutch masters like Rembrandt or Van Gogh. A few days in the city gives you a nice appreciation of the Dutch capital.

However, Amsterdam is also home to some pretty unique things that you don’t find in many other capital cities of the world. Enchanting markets, bicycle tours, and red-light district are just some of them. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique things to do in Amsterdam.

Enjoy and explore the canals

One of the best, unique things to do in Amsterdam is to take a canal cruise. The city has over 100 km of canals altogether, and from the water you can get a truly special view of this “Venice of the North”, as Amsterdam is sometimes affectionately called. Because of the canals, Amsterdam is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The canals were originally made for transportation, defense, and drainage. These days, they’re used for transportation (one might describe it as “decorative” transportation), certainly, but they are also home to many people. House boats are widespread and popular in Amsterdam, and while walking the city streets or taking in the views from a canal boat, you can admire this pretty unique way of living.

I would recommend booking a canal cruise ticket that allows you to hop on and off various boats using a whole range of canal cruise operators. This is definitely one of the most special things you can do in Amsterdam, and in the whole of Europe when it comes to that.

Cycling around Amsterdam

As far as European capital cities go, Amsterdam is one of the best ones to explore by bicycle. The whole of Netherlands is known for fantastic cycling. It’s just in the culture; bicycle roads are fabulous everywhere, and the country is pretty flat which makes cycling around easy.

There are special bicycle lanes, bicycle parking, and even traffic lights for cyclists in most cities, and bike repair shops are abundant. There are several places to rent a bike from, especially around Central Station, Dam Square, and other places that are popular among visitors. We recommend companies such as Yellow Bike and Rent A Bike.

Of course, a few words of advice before you head out into the bicycle (and other) traffic: firstly, it may take a moment to get the hang of the basic “bicycling rules” with regards to cars and pedestrians. Main thing is to just keep your wits about you, and if in doubt, give way or wait a little moment. Secondly, although the Netherlands is a relatively safe country, it is still good to remember that bicycle theft does happen. Your bike will likely come with a lock – it is definitely best to use it wherever you go.

Lastly, don’t feel restricted to exploring just the city centre; by bike, you can cover longer distances with ease. A bicycle might be a great way to explore Amsterdam Oost, the Jordaan District and further west. If you’re feeling very fit and adventurous, you could even make a day trip to Zandvoort by the North Sea.

Red light district

When speaking about unique things to do in Amsterdam, red-light district really ought to be mentioned. It is not in every city that you can visit a suburb that has such an abundance of adult entertainment, not to speak of legal prostitution. It is one aspect of Amsterdam that sets it apart from most other European cities.

I do find the red-light district is a little bit overrated, though. Sure, it is interesting to see erotic workers in the windows along the streets, or to visit a sex museum or an erotic theatre. But otherwise, it’s just another part of Amsterdam with similar picturesque buildings, canals, and bridges like everywhere else in the city. People live and work here, and there are nice restaurants scattered around the area, as well.

Of course, there are also lots of special Amsterdam coffee shops here – in Amsterdam, they are licensed to allow consumption of marijuana on the premises. All in all, if nothing else but to curb your curiosity, a walk through the red-light district is certainly a unique thing to do in Amsterdam.

Bar hopping

Okay, bar hopping is not unique to only Amsterdam, of course – but the city is, undoubtedly, home to some pretty unique pubs, bars, and nightclubs. In fact, many of the characterful pubs and music venues of the city are world famous. For this reason, bar hopping is certainly one of the special things to do in Amsterdam.

Naturally, you’ll find lots of places in Amsterdam where you can enjoy delicious Dutch and Belgian beers. For example, Brouwerij ‘t IJ in Amsterdam Oost is an organic craft brewery located at a 300-year old windmill. Meanwhile, at Café Belgique, in the centre of Amsterdam, you can sample a great selection of Belgian beers.

The surroundings of Leidseplein are also full of fantastic bars, pubs, and music venues. Some of the best known of them include Paradiso club and music venue, and one of the greatest old-style pubs in Amsterdam, Le Pub. Proeflokaal Arendsnest is another place well worth visiting. They serve only Dutch beer, and a great number of them, as well.

If you specifically enjoy cocktails, I can highly recommend trying out Flying Dutchmen Cocktails in central Amsterdam. Their cocktail menu contains some truly tasty, creative gems, but they also serve lovely wines and beers.

Outdoor markets

It so happens that Amsterdam is home to some of the best outdoor markets I’ve ever encountered. Some of them focus on something specific, like the flower market, while others are places where you can find a mix of items, from clothes to books and antiques.

Waterlooplein market

This is one of the largest and perhaps the oldest outdoor market in Amsterdam. Waterlooplein market has for long been a mecca for the lovers of old or special things. Nowadays, you’ll still find old books and vintage clothing at the market, but in between you’ll also find music-related items, bags, jewelry, more modern clothing, art, and more. The market has around 300 stalls altogether, and it is open six days a week.

Bloemenmarkt

One of the most unique things to do in Amsterdam is visit the world’s only floating flower market. Bloemenmarkt is located by Singel, one of the city’s main canals that some hundreds of years ago used to be a moat around the city centre. At this colorful market you can buy tulips, tulip bulbs, flower seeds, and other small souvenirs.

Markets in Jordaan area

Nordemaarkt in Jordaan area, just to the west of the city centre, is open every Saturday, and it is a market mainly focusing on vintage items and clothing. Meanwhile, Lindengracht Market, also open on Saturdays, has a whole range of things on offer, from traditional Dutch food such as stroopwafels, cheese, or fresh fish to flowers, clothing, and more. The whole Jordaan area is actually lovely to explore. It consists of lots of atmospheric small streets bordered with quaint cafés, shops, and art galleries.

Finally, close to Jordaan, at Spui, you’ll find amazing book shops. The main square at Spui also turns into an outdoor book market every Friday. I personally love to visit this charming old books market that attracts locals and visitors to come together in celebration of stories and the written word.

Unusual museums in Amsterdam

Anne Frank House

You’ll likely have heard about Anne Frank and her famous diaries. Anne was a German-born Jewish girl who hid from the nazis with her family in a building in Amsterdam, during World War II. This building, now called Anne Frank House, is located in Jordaan area of Amsterdam, and it is open to visitors.

It can be quite an emotional visit, learning about the difficult two years that Anne and her family were hiding here, along with what happened afterward. The events were detailed in Anne Frank’s diaries that were posthumously published by the girl’s father. Anne Frank House is, however, an important place to visit. I highly recommend it, and I also recommend booking in advance, as the place is rather small and usually only small groups can enter at once.

Madame Tussauds & Kattenkabinet

There are lots of other rather unique museums to visit in Amsterdam. At Madame Tussauds, you can admire lifelike wax figures. Or, if you’re a friend of cats, visiting Kattenkabinet is a thing for you. This museum is dedicated completely to cats. Here you’ll find drawings, paintings, and sculptures about cats, by various famous or lesser known artists.

Pancake cafés / restaurants

One other rather unique Amsterdam thing to do is enjoy Dutch pancakes, poffertjes, or stroopwafels. The Dutch in general have lots of unique snack foods, savory and sweet. Pancakes are just one thing that Amsterdam is rather famous for. You can enjoy pancakes in sweet or savory form, and you can buy them from street vendors as well as enjoy them at high-end cafés.

Traditional Dutch pancakes

What is the difference between the various kinds of pancakes, you might ask? The Dutch pancake is more a crèpe-like, thin, large and round pancake that can be enjoyed with simple toppings such as syrup or sugar but is also often served with more complicated toppings.

In many pancake cafés, you can order pancakes with toppings such as bacon and apple or smoked salmon and eggs. Or, you can also enjoy a more traditional strawberry and ice cream pancake, a banana and cream pancake, or pretty much anything else you can dream of.

One of the best pancake restaurants in Amsterdam is Upstairs Pannenkoeken. This tiny, characterful 2^nd floor restaurant is in a 16^th century Dutch building. You’ll need to make a reservation by phone beforehand. Another wonderful option is Pancakes Amsterdam. They serve great quality pancakes, with gluten free and vegan versions as well, and they have several locations scattered around the city. Or, for a rather unique experience indeed, you could book a tour on board of Pannenkoekenboot – pancakes on the water.

Poffertjes

Poffertjes are small, spoon-size, fluffy pancakes served usually with butter and powdered sugar. These tiny pancakes are generally made from the same dough as the larger Dutch pancakes, but they’re just prepared and presented differently. They are absolutely heavenly when served warm – mouthwatering in their fluffiness, in fact.

One of the best places to enjoy poffertjes is Pat’s Poffertjes close to the Royal Palace. Pancakes Amsterdam also serves wonderful poffertjes.

Stroopwafels

Stroopwafels are one Dutch pancake-like treat you might know. They are sold in many places around the world as a Dutch delicacy. This slightly crunchy, syrup-filled round biscuit is my personal favorite. You can buy huge ones from many street vendors in Amsterdam, or you can also buy a big pack of delicious stroopwafels from the supermarket for not much money at all.

The tip that no one tells you about is to heat your stroopwafel if you buy a pack from the supermarket.

Belgian waffle

Finally, a Belgian waffle is also rather famous. More thick than a pancake, a Belgian waffle is traditionally eaten with just some powdered sugar. However, these days in Amsterdam you’ll find lots of little pancake or waffle cafés offering Belgian waffles with some imaginary, colorful toppings indeed. I can highly recommend trying one (or a few).

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