The CLC Guidebook to: Amsterdam

A charming, cosmopolitan city just a short hop from the UK, the Dutch capital offers a wealth of culture to drink in, and much else besides. Calling to mind tableaux of twinkling canals and peals of bicycle bells, Amsterdam is the perfect city for a student getaway, offering something for everyone.

Stay

A popular bookend for Interrail trips, Amsterdam is packed with hostels which are a great option to meet other travellers and often have their own buzzy bars and even ‘coffee shops’. Different locations offer different vibes, but Amsterdam is very walkable so the neighbourhood doesn’t matter hugely, and female-only dorms are available. Beyond hostels, cheap Airbnb deals can be found well in advance. The Bulldog — an old, iconic hostel with bar and smoking room. Located near the Red Light District and Centraal Station. Flying Pig — with a branch near Centraal Station (‘Downtown’) as well as one in the more genteel Museumkwartier (‘Uptown’), take your pick. The latter is housed in an iconic mansion, with smoking room, bar with Happy Hour and the perfect location for culture vultures. Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark — another beautiful building a stone’s throw from the clubs and bars of Leidseplein.

Eat & Drink

Local specialties include Vlaamse Frites (Flemish Fries), generous cones of chips accompanied by a staggering array of sauces. Honourable mentions include classic mayonnaise, curry sauce, and Satesaus (Satay sauce) — Vlaamse Friteshaus Vleminckx or Fabel Friet. Bitterballen are hearty meat croquettes (usually beef); comforting, served with mustard and the perfect accompaniment to the typical biertjes (small glasses of beer) — try De Zotte for a local Dutchy vibe. Pickled herring is a traditional choice if you are feeling brave — Volendammer Haringhandel is next to the impressive Waterstones on Kalverstraat.

Indonesian cuisine is to the Dutch as Indian is to the British, and always a good option for vegetarians and vegans (who are well catered to in Amsterdam) — Kantijl en de Tijger is fantastic and filling, but there are cheaper options to be found. You’ll have little trouble finding ‘coffeeshops’ in Amsterdam, but for the kind that comes in a cup, the quaint De 9 Straatjes is the spot — try one of the oldest, Café Chris.

Nightlife

Leidseplein is the famous spot for nightlife, options including Amsterdamned and the Melkweg. The latter venue is housed in an old industrial building and often offers free entry (try Techno Tuesdays). Brown bars provide a classic Dutch and Belgian vibe; hearty snacks and impressive beer menus — De Zotte in the canals, Café de Tuin in the Jordaan, 't Paardje in studenty De Pijp. The bar of the Hotel Pulitzer is on the pricey side, but is on the doorstep of the Jordaan with views of the Keizersgracht.

See

Gathered round the Museumplein are Amsterdam’s cultural heavyweights. After a window shop on ritzy P.C. Hooftstraat, head to the Rijkmuseum (Golden Age classics and much more), Stedelijk Museum (modern art), Van Gogh Museum and the MoCo (modern and contemporary). Stedelijk and Van Gogh have 50% student discounts, the Rijks does not. In the narrow streets of the Red Light District, you’ll find the Sexmuseum, light-hearted but thought-provoking.

The Anne Frank House is an incredibly poignant visit, emotional and eerily silent, and located next to the 400-year-old Westerkerk whose bells she wrote about. Book in advance and be prepared to queue.

Heineken Experience for tours and history of the iconic Dutch brewery, or the smaller Brouwerij Het IJ runs free English tours 3.30pm Friday-Sunday.

Do

Though famous as a spot for herbal indulgence, the Vondelpark is beautiful and the perfect locale for a picnic or a coffee. Likewise Sarphatipark. Rent bikes for the full Dutch experience, but beware the cycle lanes are not for the uninitiated. Canal Boat trips afford a view of Amsterdam from the ubiquitous water.

Wander De 9 Straatjes for vintage clothes at much more reasonable prices than the UK — Bij Ons Vintage, Zipper, Episode. Straddling the city’s main canals, this is the perfect district to wile away an afternoon.

Overture

De Avonden (‘The Evenings’), by Gerard Reve — little known outside The Netherlands, this has become a modern Dutch classic. A tale set in postwar Amsterdam, it follows protagonist Frits for 10 days as he goes cynically about his dreary life. Full of Kafkaesque dark humour, this is an evocative entrée to a relatively unknown literature.

Phrasebook

The Dutch are virtually bilingual and will speak to you in English, but here are some phrases for those feeling confident:

“A beer, please” - Een biertje, alstublieft (ayn-beertchuh-alstoobleeft)
“Cheers!” - Proost! (prohst)
“What is your name?” - Hoe heet je? (hoo-hayt-yuh)
“Thank you” - Dank je wel (dahnk-yuh-vehl)
“Good bye” - Tot ziens (toht-seens)

En route

Amsterdam is entirely walkable, but for use of the trams and buses, the Iamsterdam City Card includes access to some (but not all) museums and attractions. Alternatively GVB Day Cards can be a cheaper alternative.

It is now reachable by Eurostar from London St. Pancras, making it ideal as the first port of call for an Interrail trip. Book early while there are still seats. Direct onward connections run to Paris and Berlin, as well as overnight with NightJet to Vienna, Munich and Zurich (save on a night of accommodation with very cheap Interrail fares).

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a quick train or bus from the city and connected to most major U.K. cities.

Affordability

Amsterdam is an expensive city, comparable to London for drinks, food and accommodation. Book travel and rooms early and save on food at Albert Heijn or other reasonably priced supermarkets across the city.

See also: Postcard from Amsterdam