A Canberra Girl’s Guide to Amsterdam
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From boating along the canals, bicycle filled streets and museums for just about anything and everything – Amsterdam is quirky yet beautiful city that you have to tick off at least once on your European adventures.
A friend once told me that if Stockholm and Copenhagen had a child, then it would be Amsterdam, and ever since visiting this city, I can’t see it any other way. As the Netherland’s capital, Amsterdam is a vibrant hub for all things fashion, art and lifestyle and a welcoming home to many internationals.
Nicknamed the “Venice of the north”, Amsterdam is famously known for its UNESCO World Heritage canal ring, although I would argue that there are many more gems that make up its this city’s wonderful character and stylish reputation.
Below is my food and activity guide for exploring the streets of Amsterdam.
Where to eat.
SAINT-JEAN Bakery
So, you might be picking up on a common theme if you have had the chance to read my previous articles and that is, I am always on the hunt to find the best bakeries in the cities I visit, and, I think I hit the nail on the head in Amsterdam when visiting SAINT-JEAN Bakery.
This small corner bakery is completely vegan and serves both sweet and savoury treats. From pistachio brioche slices, spiced cheese croissants to THE MOST DELICIOUS seasonal cruffins this chic bakery makes the perfect mid-morning snack stop. When I visited, I got a seasonal cruffin filled passionfruit and ginger cream, and to date, I’m not lying when I say this was the best pastry that I have ever eaten.
Despite having to queue both times I visited Saint Jean, the wait was very much worth it!
Bitterballen at a brown café
If you want the true Dutch evening experience, you must go to what they call a ‘bruin café’. If I was to compare a bruin café to something in Australia, I would tell you to think of that country town pub that serves your classic chicken schnitty and always has its regular customers.
One thing I found when wandering the streets of Amsterdam is that it is very easy to get swept up in the classic tourist experiences and lose touch with the culture of the city. So, paying a visit to one of these cafes, immersing yourself with some locals will sure give you that authentic Netherlands experience.
With a Heineken in hand, try order some ‘bitterballen’. These savoury snacks filled with a meat ragu, coated in a fried batter, and served with mustard, are highly addictive and the perfect bite-sized treat to have with pre-dinner drinks. If you’re a vegetarian have no fear, most brown cafés serve a meat-free alternative to make sure you don’t miss out on these classics.
Zero-Zero
I’m not sure about you, but locating a good place for lunch is the one thing I always struggle with when travelling. Maybe it’s because we are so used to our lunchtime routines back home that it’s hard to find that exact match for our cravings in a foreign country with a completely different cuisine or maybe it’s simply finding a budget-friendly place is so difficult, especially when eating out every day on vacation. Whatever it is, I found you the perfect eatery in Amsterdam where you can get great value for money and a scrumptious bite all at the same time – say hello to Zero Zero.
This funky sandwich shop currently has two locations in central Amsterdam and is famous for their homemade sourdough schiacciata (a lighter, flatter version of focaccia). Serving Italian-inspired sandwiches topped with everything from mortadella, stracciatella and pesto, the Zero Zero experience is perfectly filling and flavourful.
When I visited I went vegetarian and ordered the Zucchine – grilled zucchini, stracchino with thyme and oregano, basil pesto and balsamic – and it was absolutely delicious!
Where to visit.
Boothclub Amsterdam
Tucked away on Raamsteeg 2, Boothclub Amsterdam is the city’s must-visit vintage photobooth. Trending all over TikTok and Instagram, retro photobooth’s have made a comeback and are a cute way to create memories with your loved ones. For just $9, jump behind the curtain here at, Boothclub Amsterdam and capture a black & white souvenir to remember your travels.
Flagship Amsterdam – Canal Tour
Okay, I know I am one to avoid recommending the super touristy activities when visiting a new city, however the Flagship Amsterdam is one experience I will say is worth the money.
This $30 tour allows you to cruise along Amsterdam’s famous canals and soak up the sun in style. With a bar onboard you can even indulge in a chilled drink as your tour guide shares the history of city and shows you all the important sights. Flagship Amsterdam offers multiple tours each day departing from as early as 10am and as late as 10pm, so this experience as an easy activity to book last-minute and fit in the schedule.
If you aren’t visiting Amsterdam in the summer like I did, these canals tours still run in the cooler months with covered saloon boats and blankets to keep you warm.
Note: There are plenty of canal tour companies to choose from, however, we found Flagship Amsterdam to be the cheapest and best reviewed.
De Pijp Neighbourhood
Located south of Amsterdam’s city centre and part of the Amsterdam-Zuid borough, is boho neighbourhood, De Pijp. In the three days that had to explore Amsterdam, De Pijp was by far my favourite part, with boutiques a plenty, tasty eateries and a buzzing social scene.
Like any former working-class district in a major city, De Pijp has embraced its history and earnt its name as the grungy yet funky residential area for the youngsters in the Netherlands. Just under 30 minutes by foot from central station, visiting this neighbourhood is a great way to get out of the crowded city streets and experience an area that is loved by locals just as much as it is by tourists.
Rijksmuseum
Why not cross off two activities in one when walking to De Pijp and make a pit-stop by Rijksmuseum?
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and is definitely a bucket-list activity for our art-lovers out there. Showcasing over 8,000 pieces of art, including works from Van Gough and Rembrandt, the Rijksmuseum is a venue bursting with creativity and history.
While I decided not to go inside the Rijksmuseum during my visit to Amsterdam, I did explore the museum’s gardens. Open free to the public every day from 9am-6pm, these beautiful gardens offer a calm escape and with rows of colourful flowers it makes an aesthetic spot to take photos of during the summer season.
Tip: For those visiting during the summer holidays, you can pay $8 and join the museum’s outdoor painting workshops.
