SteveA little introduction
Amsterdam is an easy place to get to if you are from the UK. It’s even easier if you are already based in central Europe as it’s only a car drive away! We’ve been to Amsterdam many times and thoroughly enjoy its diversity and features. It’s a really friendly city. Most people are aware of the main attractions that this city has, but here is our take on some alternative things to do in Amsterdam!
House of Bols
The House of Bols is a cocktail and genever experience like no other! It is to be found close to the museum quarter on Paulus Potterstraat. The closest tram stop is the Rijksmuseum, served by tram lines 2, 5 and 12. From there it’s just a brief walk following the street around to the right and it’s on the right.
Once you have paid the €16 admission fee, you get to take a self-tour around the experience. An audio guide is included if you wish. The admission fee also includes a free cocktail at the end of the experience in their bar. This makes it a real bargain, and a no brainer to visit!
Bols manufacture genever (Dutch Gin) and cocktail ingredients. The experience takes you through the process of how they make these, even going back to how it all started with Lucas Bols in his genever production. There is a dedicated genever room that tells the history of genever in the Netherlands. The ingredients room is interesting as well because it educates you on the elements used in production.
For me, the most interesting was the hall of taste. Here there are many products for you to actually smell to give you an idea of how they taste. After all, taste is apparently mostly based on smell!
At the end of the experience is the Mirror Bar. Here you can have your free cocktail made for you, and be able to purchase more to try if so inclined to. It’s a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours, especially if the weather is a bit iffy outside.
The 9 Streets
The 9 Streets (known as de 9 straatjes) is a funky little area of Amsterdam in the middle of the canal ring. The map marker above shows the middle of the 9 streets area. The narrow streets are filled with a range of small quirky shops, cafés and bars. It is quite an experience wandering through the area!
Many of the streets and canals look very similar, and it can be surprisingly easy to lose your bearings! In my opinion, the canals in this area are the most beautiful in all of Amsterdam. The canal belt itself is on the UNESCO world heritage list. Getting to the 9 Streets is easy. It’s a short walk from Centraal station, or the nearest tram stops are Spui or Dam. From these stops, it’s just a couple of minutes walk to the west and you are there!
The Canal belt surrounds the 9 Streets, with narrow alleys sandwiched in-between the Singel and Prinsengracht canals. Aside from the beauty of the canals themselves, you will find an array of unique boutique shops that you can lose yourself in for hours. You may also find a hidden bar or two so that you can hang with the locals!
The Christmas Markets
Amsterdam has a number of Christmas market events during the festive season. The largest one is called the Ice Village and is located in the Museumplein area close to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. The nearest tram stop is Rijksmuseum (tram lines 2, 5 and 12) and then it is just a short walk. Head for the crowds!
As well as the usual fare of food stalls, local gift stalls and entertainment – the big attraction is a temporary ice rink! This is very popular with locals and tourists alike. There are usually over 50 stalls at the Ice village and previously was open from mid-December to just after Christmas.
There are other smaller markets dotted around the city, and you can be sure that they will all have plenty of food and drink stalls to cater for everyone. Probably our favourite stall is the one selling Gluhwein. And on that note . . .
Gluhwein
Ahh, Gluhwein! Depending on where you are in Europe it is spelt many different ways! All you need to know is that this is referring to Mulled Wine as we know it in the UK. Gluhwein is strictly a German name, but whatever you call it – it is perfect whilst exploring on a cold day. It really is the taste of Christmas!
You will find small Gluhwein stalls all over Amsterdam in the Christmas season. One of the most central ones is at Rembrandtplein square (Rembrandtplein tram stop, lines 4 and 14). The square itself is surrounded by bars and restaurants, most with outdoor terraces. At Christmas time, the centre of the square has a small artificial ice rink and a couple of food stalls. The largest queues are always found at the Gluhwein stall!
Gluhwein is essentially a hot spiced wine. I’m not sure why, but it really is an ideal drink to enjoy whilst in a cold European city. It just seems to work. On our last trip in 2019, a cup of Gluhwein cost us the bargain price of €5.
Amsterdam Light Festival
We’ve often travelled to Amsterdam in December. Chiefly because my birthday falls between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. A few years ago we discovered the Amsterdam Light Festival as it usually runs from the start of December through to the middle of January.
Essentially it is all about light art. There are many light art displays all around the city, with some being static and some animated. The locations of the light art change every year, as does the art. The idea is that light art is displayed on a route that can be walked around, or seen via a canal boat. In fact, the main canal tour operators run trips throughout the evening so you can see it.
There are usually around 30 artworks every year, designed and created by artists from around the globe. The light art festival started in 2012 and has been growing in popularity ever since. During the festival, light art is displayed every evening. You might not see it all, but it really is a unique experience.
Usually, the light festival is held within the canal ring and is therefore easily accessible to anyone in the centre of the city. We’ve taken a canal tour in the evening which was really good. Just remember to take a warm coat with you, as it can get pretty cold after spending over an hour on the water!
Equally good is to walk along the streets and check out the light art close up. This, of course, costs nothing and allows you to stop off here and there to grab a drink in a bar and warm up!
Take a ride on Tram Line 2!
Public transport in Amsterdam is just brilliant. One of the best that we’ve ever come across actually, and a city where having a car in the centre of the city is a severe disadvantage! Our favourite, and the most useful for tourists, is the tram network. Amsterdam has an extensive tram network with 14 tram lines serving all parts of the city and beyond.
If time is short and you want to see some of the main areas and sights of Amsterdam, then take a ride on a tram on line 2! This is a great line for tourists and is always very popular. Like most lines, it starts at Centraal station and runs all the way to the end of the line in Nieuw Sloten. A day ticket for unlimited tram rides costs €8.
Along the way, the tram will take you by Dam Square, the shopping area of Keizergracht, the bars and restaurants of Leidseplein and the museums of Museumplein. One of the best parts of the route is where it runs over the main canal belt canals of Herengracht, Keizergracht and Prinsengracht. One moment you are running through a narrow shopping street, and the next you are going over some of the most beautiful canals in the world.
Visit a Proeflokaal
There are many places to get a drink in Amsterdam. A brown café, a coffeeshop, a bar. And then there is a Proeflokaal. This literally means ‘tasting room’ and there are many to be found hidden away around Amsterdam. Like most bars, it is a small cosy affair with a handful of tables and a few locals propping up the bar – or so we found in our experience!
Like a normal bar, you can expect an array of booze choices to pick from. Local beers, spirits, and some even serve food. What makes a Proeflokaal a bit special is that they have a huge amount of Dutch gin (Jenever) to sample. Like, tons of different choices. It’s a bit of a minefield trying to work out which one to choose if you are a tourist, but we found that the bar staff are only too happy to help and advise.
Jenever is sold in tulip-shaped glasses, and the bar staff will pour your choice to the very top of the glass so that it is level. As I’m told, traditionally you are supposed to lean over and take the first sip without touching the glass. Quite a lot of locals like to pair a shot of Jenever with a beer as well. A lot of Proeflokaal have their own distillery on site too.
Be warned, drink a few of these and you will certainly be feeling the effects! That said, it’s a perfect drink to warm up after wandering around a cold night in Amsterdam!
Wrapping up
So let me know what you think about our pick of some alternative things to do in Amsterdam! There is so much more to Amsterdam than coffeeshops and the Red Light district. I was going to add a section about a fantastic little handbag museum, although this has now closed permanently. One thing is for sure, once you have visited Amsterdam you will want to return again someday! We love the quirkiness of the city!
Why not check out our other posts about Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is on my list of places to visit, so it’s great to read about some lesser known spots. I’ll be bookmarking this for when I eventually visit.
I’ve always wanted to visit Amsterdam at Christmas and I love the sound of the Light Festival, so I’ll definitely have to make it over there at some point. Thanks for the tips!