Amsterdam is one of a kind. Filled with tons of unique experiences, it’s a total gem of Europe and is rightfully one of the continent’s most visited cities. Its mix of traditional Victorian Era gabled houses, cultural gems, + forms of entertainment that are illegal in much of the rest of the world make this an unforgettable city. I spent 3 days alone in the city and put together a guide to having a kickass time at the one and only Amsterdam by yourself!
How to get there:
Bus, train, and plane connections hook the popular city up with pretty much anywhere in the world. There’s international direct flights here from everywhere: North America, Asia, Africa, and from all over Europe, too. I took a cheap €10 roundtrip bus ride from Brussels, Belgium, where I was also visiting for a long weekend getaway. Plug in “Amsterdam” in any search engine and you’ll easily find tons of different options to get there.
Where to stay:
Amsterdam has a neighborhood for everyone – whether you’re a party person and want to stay near the vibrant Red Light District, a culture nerd who prefers the world-famous Museum District, or simply came for the views of the awesome canals and touristy center and want to stay in the Centrum or Jordaan neighborhoods – where the charming old town surrounds you and you’re only a short walk away from every attraction. Me, I wanted the cheapest dorm I could find, so I stayed a bus ride away from the city center in the Meininger Amsterdam Hostel for €12. It’s located right outside of the bus station with a direct, maybe 20-ish minute bus ride to the center, which was a fine trade off in my opinion.
Getting around:
Once you’re in the center, Amsterdam is a very cozy city. By that I mean that it’s relatively small compared to other European capitals like London or Berlin, and the small-scale of the public spaces make you feel comfortable. There are very few buildings above 6 stories tall and all streets are pedestrian-friendly, making it an easy place for a solo traveler to walk around by foot. Bike culture is a huge part of Amsterdam’s character, and you’d be missing out on a central part of the city’s personality if you didn’t rent one to get around. They cost around €8-€10 for a day’s rental. There are bike paths everywhere, and you definitely have to be alert while walking around to the bikers passing at all times (and vice versa). There’s no need to take a taxi within city limits since everything is located close by.
What to do:
1. The Coffeeshops
The first thing I did when I got to Amsterdam was check out the coffeeshops, because duh. When I visited in 2015, recreational-use of marijuana was just starting to take off in my home country of the United States (and still is lagging), so I was eager to try perfectly legal weed. Some of the best and most popular coffeeshops (this is what they call stores where you can buy and smoke) in terms of fun ambiance and good food are Amnesia, Abraxas, and Coffeeshop Barney’s. I walked inside to several of these but didn’t end up staying as they were very very lively atmospheres filled with groups of friends – I was a solo traveler and just wanted a laid-back place to smoke. So instead, I found Coffeeshop Bimba, a smaller, chilled-out coffeeshop with more of a relaxing atmosphere. It was the perfect place to smoke a joint and meet other visitors, who tended to be either on their own like me or in pairs.
2. Red Light District
The Red Light District in Amsterdam is super entertaining street notorious around the whole world for its celebration of all things sex. Imagine intersections of canals lined with sex shops, erotic museums, strip clubs, and brothels where legal prostitutes strut their stuff in the windows for all to see. I had never seen anything like it in my life! It’s clean, safe, and touristy, and it’s definitely a must-do for any visit to Amsterdam, central to its care-free spirit. I had a blast walking around there myself, checking out different shops and museums. It’s a great place to meet other young travelers, but also perfectly fun if you’re on your own.
3. The Museums
Amsterdam is museum heaven, with everything from fine art to photography to historical museums. Short on money, I chose only one to splurge on – The Anne Frank House. I waited in line for 2 hours outside in the cold to see this, but it was entirely worth it. To see the house that she and her family hid from ultimate Nazi persecution was surreal. In the Secret Annex you can see the real rooms where the Frank family (and others) lived, along with markings on the walls of their heights over the time spent there and other fascinating information. €9.50 entrance fee. Other noteworthy museums include the Rijksmuseum, dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam. The Van Gough Museum is also a hit, featuring the largest collection of his works than anywhere else in the world. All of these museums are fabulous places to visit as a solo traveler, where you can lose yourself in your thoughts and zone out on the awesome exhibits and informational facts.
4. Visit other sights by walking around the city
Take a couple hours or even days to just walk around and soak up the unique atmosphere of Amsterdam – there really isn’t another city like it in the world. Stroll in and out of the many interconnected canals, get lost in the hip streets, and immerse yourself in the culture. The Jordaan neighborhood is the most charming of all in Amsterdam in my opinion, where it feels like you are stepping back in time with its narrow streets dotted with cool art galleries, cafes, and boutiques. Another prominent sight to see includes the “I Amsterdam” sign which you must take an obligatory Instagram photo with!
Here’s how I traveled to Amsterdam solo in 3 days, and had one hell of a good time! Would you add anything to my list?
