My first trip to Amsterdam

Can you imagine this was my first time to visit Amsterdam? Are you asking yourself if I liked it? Well, if you are, then you missed the point of the title. It was my first, but definitely not the last time in this beautiful city.

Amsterdam has been on my bucket list for a long time and I finally made it to pay it a visit and to fall in love with it. I planned this short trip back in November, because I wanted it to be a surprise for my hubby´s 30th birthday. My plan was to organize a secret trip with his friends and, thinking about which city could be interesting to most of them, I thought Amsterdam would be a good idea. And I was right!

We decided to take a late flight on Thursday evening and not to make any plans at all. Our motto was: Let´s have fun and discover the city on foot! The only thing we organized in advance was our Airbnb accommodation, which turned to be amazing. Our apartment was situated in the Herengracht and had a gorgeous view of the canal, some of which can be seen in the pics below.

Even though the weather was miserable, we decided to stick to our “plan” and to discover the city on foot. It was such a fun strolling around the city and discovering the little streets, small cafes and restaurants. Looking back at the photos, I could say it was a street-food-trip. I seriously can’t remember the last time a had eaten that much and that often in a single day. However, to make a long story short, I´ll answer some questions which might be interesting for you.

My first impression?

Amsterdam looks casual, but it´s very organized. If you haven’t yet mastered the Dutch language, don’t worry. Everyone you meet will speak English better than you do. And the Dutch? Probably the friendliest people on this planet!

What I really liked about the city?

Huh! There are too many answers to this question. I was definitely impressed by the architecture. I loved its brick buildings, open skyline, rich history, and relaxed, easy going attitude towards life. It´s such a picturesque and romantic city, especially in the evening. If you decide to visit Amsterdam, there is a danger you´ll become an extremely romantic person.

What is a must-do for a food lover?

The Foodhallen!! Located in Amsterdam west, this place is what the name implies – a food heaven! This indoor food market has various vendors serving a variety of delicious food. It’s like food trucks in one location. Personal favorites include Bulls and Dogs, Viet View and The Butcher. Remember to take your credit card, as the most of the vendors only accept cards.

Could I move to Amsterdam?

If I ever decide to move to another European city, it´s gonna be Amsterdam. This city can get under your skin very easily and it has so much to offer.

Why I think you should visit Amsterdam?

Because you’ll fall in love! Amsterdam is not all about the coffee shops, the Van Gogh Museum and the Red Light District. There is so much more to discover and to see. The city is full of charming canals, cultural and fashion trends and delightful little streets worth exploring. I can´t wait to get back there in warmer {slightly less wet} weather and go on a bike ride.

If you’ve visited Amsterdam, what else would you recommend? How did you like it? 🙂