In Amsterdam, bicycles outnumber people: more than a million bikes for 900,000 residents, and about 15,000 bikes fall into the canals every year. Walking here, first the bell rings reach your ears, then the canals catch your eye.
What is Amsterdam known for?
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, known for its canals, narrow brick houses, bicycles and museums. Its 17th-century canal ring is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the city is often called the Venice of the North. Over 1,200 bridges cross its canals, and many houses lean because they stand on wooden piles.
What did our two-day route look like?
Day one: Dam Square, Kalverstraat, Begijnhof, the Bloemenmarkt flower market, Rembrandtplein, the Waterlooplein flea market and Rembrandt House, the Red Light District and the Jordaan.
Day two, despite the rain: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Concertgebouw, the Heineken Experience, Albert Cuyp Market, Vondelpark and the De Gooyer windmill. We closed the day at Brouwerij ‘t IJ, right under the windmill.
Begijnhof is a quiet, historic courtyard in the middle of a lively city, and walking through it quietly is a sign of respect to those who live there.
Where did we eat and take breaks?
- Van Stapele: a small shop that makes a single cookie, crisp outside and filled with melting chocolate inside.
- Café Winkel: known for its apple pie.
- Café ‘t Smalle: a hidden canal-side corner for a calm break.
- Del Belhamel: a romantic dinner where canals meet.
- Brouwerij ‘t IJ: beside the De Gooyer windmill, built in 1725.
The Jordaan is a pleasant place to walk after a cookie: historic narrow streets, art galleries, boutique cafés and romantic canals.
Tips for walking and riding
Bike lanes are busy, so stay out of them on foot. On a motorcycle, remember that cyclists and trams are a major part of city traffic and stone surfaces can be slippery when wet.
For long walking days, Rider Healthcare makes a modal sock, and Galata Healthcare offers a daily body care cream. Educated Moto Riders organises trips and motorcycle tours for those who want to see Europe in a group.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Amsterdam Gezi Rehberi.