Canals, tulips by the bucket load, and a friendly vibe: there’s something about visiting Amsterdam like a solo traveller that makes it so appealing, even when you’ve not solo travelled much by yourself before. The place to find museums, galleries, and lots of great cafés, here’s your guide to being solo in Amsterdam, such as the best things to do in Amsterdam alone.
Wander across the canals of Amsterdam
One of the best things you can do in Amsterdam, as with many a European capital city, is to simply stroll along the canals, seeing where your feet lead you. Pretty to explore in every season, whereas in the spring you can expect to benefit from the delights of cherry blossoms, summer enables long and lazy walks around the city.
Come autumn and also the leaves turn a golden shade, making for time for you to snap plenty of beautiful travel photos (here’s how to avoid travel photography mistakes!) Winter, obviously, is the off-season, meaning fewer tourists and frequently cheaper hotel or hostel rates.
Whatever the situation, make sure to wander across the canals on your time in the town. Some of the best districts to understand more about range from the neighbourhood of Jordaan (which is now a UNESCO world heritage site) and The Negen Straatjes (the nine streets), which is the place to find lots of boutiques and eateries.
Make the right path to a small museum
If you want to escape the crowds of the city, i quickly would highly recommend skipping on the normal tourist must-sees and instead head to among the smaller museums the city has to offer. From 17th-century canal houses to artists ateliers, listed here are the best small museums in Amsterdam.
One of the best things to do in Amsterdam on your own is to look at Rembrandt’s House Museum (Rembradthuis). Situated close to the very heart of the city, this is actually the house in which the iconic Dutch master lived and helped some two decades. Check here to purchase your ticket in advance.
Another of my own favourites is Our Lord within the Attic (Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder). Situated on the fringes from the Red Light District and discovered towards the top of a four-story canal house, this clandestine church once operated during the persecution of Catholocism within the 17th-century. Today, you can wander around the 400-year old building and soak up a brief history. Check here to buy your tickets in advance.
Seek out Filming locations
From The Fault in Our Stars to scenes from the 007 film, Diamonds are Forever, Amsterdam has been used like a backdrop for many a movie location through the years. As a result, if you’re a movie buff the other of the greatest things you can do within the city would be to scout out a few of the more iconic movie locations from various films through the years.
Visit some hidden gems of Amsterdam
Grand canals aside, Amsterdam is well-known around the world for its typical brick facades and narrow canalside houses. One of the top well-known secret spots is the Begijnhof Amsterdam. One of the oldest hofjes in the city, the historic brick buildings originally operated like a Béguinage. Today, the area is free of charge to visit and it is ever-so-pretty.
Though you may think there are forget about secret spots in Amsterdam to discover, you'd be wrong! For instance, another of the best unusual and quirky sites within the city is an old prison within bridge. Torensluis (tower lock) is one of Amsterdam’s widest bridges and also the remains from the prison nowadays there are used to host art and culture events.
Elsewhere within the Dutch capital, another secret spot is Hortus Botanicus. This garden could be visited and was established in the 17th-century! Finally, for one of the greatest hidden cafés within the city, make sure to head to Café Chris, a bar that dates back more than three hundred and fifty years! Otherwise, look for second-hand books head to Oudemanhuispoort as well as for more secluded courtyards, check out the best hofjes in Amsterdam.
Visit the floating flower market
Canal houses aside, Amsterdam is most likely most synonymous with tulips. Head to Amsterdam throughout the proper time of the year, and you can even have a excursion from the city to savor the Keukenhof Gardens. Nevertheless, in the event you opt to visit during a different time of the year, you may still expect to enjoy lots of beautiful flower markets within the city centre itself.
For those who are true botanical lovers, be sure to go to the Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt). Founded during the 19th-century, this is the world’s only market available and can be found Muntplein and Koningsplein. If you wish to capture some stunning photos, be sure to head to the Bloemenmarkt because the place can, understandably, become pretty busy afterwards in the day!
Join an Amsterdam food tour
Fancy some company during your solo Amsterdam trip? Oftentimes, a terrific way to meet others is by partaking inside a guided excursion or organised tour. Some of the best group activities in the Dutch capital can be found in the form of foodie experiences, including walking tours and native speciality tastings. Here’s helpful tips for the most effective of Amsterdam food tours.
Take a day trip from Amsterdam
Some of the best from the Netherlands can be found outside this flat country’s capital. Don’t believe me? Plan an excursion from Amsterdam to 1 of the smaller (and yet just as lovely cities) the country has to offer. Inside an hour of Amsterdam, you can easily go to the political city of The Hague, the ceramic city of Delft, the university city of Leiden, and also the architectural city of Rotterdam.
Planning a solo visit to Amsterdam? Tips & Practical advice
Safety like a solo female traveller in Amsterdam first: Personally, i felt safe in Amsterdam and have spoken with lots of other solo female travellers who feel the same way. My sister recently took her very first solo trip and chose Amsterdam thanks to its easy-to-get-to location and insightful activities.
Amsterdam is simple to navigate by foot and plenty of people speak English. With this being said, be sure to keep an eye on your individual belongings at all times and just rent a bicycle (make certain it’s from the reputable place) if you’re comfortable with cycling!
If you’re planning for a solo visit to the Dutch capital, there are a number of things you’ll need to know prior to going. While you’ll manage to find English speakers virtually where you go in the Netherlands, you might well want to be prepared for situations where you need to know a little Dutch if you take an easy Dutch phrasebook along with you.
Secondly, I suggest planning the resort well ahead of time. With an increasing quantity of tourists visiting the city every year, the best hotels and guesthouses tend to sell out fast and thus you’ll want to book your home in which to stay Amsterdam ahead of time. Check the very best accommodation prices in Amsterdam here. For a far more unique Dutch experience during your stay in the town, consider booking a houseboat.
If you’re looking to visit many of the museums and cultural institutions in Amsterdam, you very well may be thinking about purchasing an I Amsterdam card. This pass permits you entry to over forty museums and free trains and buses while seeking the town. Highlights of the credit card likewise incorporate a free canal cruise and discounts on lots of other city attractions. Check I Amsterdam card prices here
Finally, here are my very best Amsterdam travel tips, including all of the things you need to know before visiting for the first time. For instance, are you aware that you should be ready for all weathers? Amsterdam has plenty of rain all year round, and there’s even the chance of snow in the winter.
