Chloe and I chose to meet in Amsterdam purely out of convenience. She was going to be in Brussels for a couple of weeks and flights from Oslo to Amsterdam had the best times, so we decided to book flights there. So I’m sorry, Amsterdam, but this visit actually had nothing to do with wanting to see you.
But sometimes that’s the best way to visit a place – with zero plans or expectations. This trip was about us, not Amsterdam, so we were pleasantly surprised when it actually ended up being a whole lot about Amsterdam as well. Because, oh my goodness, what a beautiful city!
We accidentally ended up in Amsterdam during EuroPride, which when I saw how crowded the trains were had me a little worried, but it ended up being sort of perfect. We peeked through the crowds around the parade for a bit, and then as soon as we walked away from the canal with the parade the rest of the city was wonderfully quiet.
The travel blogger in me of course had big plans to explore quirky bits of the city, like this crane hotel in Amserdam Noord, so that I could write a super helpful weekend guide to visiting the city based on my 72 hours of expertise, but the blogger in me never wins. So instead we just wandered around.
I love that despite being such a touristy city, a peaceful Amsterdam is always a turn down a small side street away. I guess it helps that Amsterdam has so many pretty streets, so if you walk away from the shops and cafés it’s really easy to find a beautiful space to yourself.
We pretty much spent the entire weekend wandering through Amsterdam and forgetting to do all the touristy things one is supposed to do in the city (then again, I’ve always hated museums).
I did take a bunch of photos in the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood and we attempted to sample some stroopwafels at the Albert Cuyp Market, though we somehow left with a carton of strawberries instead – whoops! We did at least buy a bag of poffertjes to fry up back in our Airbnb kitchen, and they were delicious.
And it turns out Amsterdam is the perfect place to café hop!
Mostly though this little weekend trip made me realize that wherever I next move to in Norway, I want it to have easy access to an airport. One of the nicest things about living in Europe is being so close to so many gorgeous and totally different countries, and I want to take advantage!
Luckily Dan visited Amsterdam the weekend after I did (we should really learn to coordinate our schedules) and he came home with the same determination to be closer to an airport – as well as a package of stroopwafels from his friend Michelle!
Debbie says
Great photos!
http://www.livealittle.gr/2016/08/the-amazing-exibition-dmmplanets-by.html
Silvia says
Thanks!
Cate says
I can’t wait to visit Amsterdam one day!
Silvia says
I hope you love it as much as I did!
Gail Harris says
My daughter and I were there July 2015 to celebrate my 69th birthday. Loved everything about the city. Made at least 200 photos. Traveled from there to Haarlem, Delft and Bruges, Belgium. Would do it again, in a heartbeat!
Silvia says
It sounds like the perfect birthday! I would also return in a heartbeat.
Nynke says
Your sunny, green, vibrant, pretty pictures totally make me want to hop on a train and hang out in Amsterdam! And I want this summer to go on forever… I will make sure to do some nice hanging out at a streetside café at my earliest convenience. Thanks for the inspiration!
Also, I’m sure you were a perfectly lovely and charming tourist 😉
Silvia says
Yesss hang out at all the streetside cafes so I can live vicariously through you!
Emily says
So fun! I just visited in June and was only there for around 48 hours but saw so much. It was a second trip so even though we did go to two museums we had a lot of unplanned time where we just wandered around, found places to eat, and enjoyed ourselves. I love that you were there for Pride! I’m sure it gave the city such an air of excitement.
Silvia says
There definitely was a lot of excitement around Pride. A lucky coincidence!
Dominique says
Weekend trips in Europe are the best! I live in the Netherlands and work in the south of Amsterdam, yet I’ve never explored the city like I should do for my blog. One day though… one day… 🙂
Silvia says
Haha isn’t that always the way? I get so many emails from people asking for tips about places in Norway, but I’ve actually traveled so little here!
Christine says
Gorgeous! I have a friend who lives in Amsterdam and I have been wanting to visit her for ages. This post makes me want to book tickets right now.
Silvia says
You shoooould Amsterdam is amazing!
Jennifer says
Just curious if you’ve ever been to Amsterdam in the winter? We have a trip booked for my 40th birthday at the end of February. We start out in Iceland to see the Northern Lights, then off to Amsterdam and finish in Copenhagen. I’ve already read your post about Copenhagen in winter and I’m super excited!
Silvia says
Yes! It was cold and wet when I was there, but sometimes it gets snow and magical. Hopefully you are lucky with the weather.