Amsterdam boasts a fairytale landscape equipped with museums, marijuana, tulips and cheese. If you’re planning a trip to the seductive city, you’ll want to have a rough idea of what to do while you’re there. And where better to get advice from than the locals. Yep, experts out on the field with knowledge of the best places to go and the best things to do (and what not to do). We’ve picked out the most helpful blogs to help you explore the city in the best way…
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1 UNCLOGGED IN AMSTERDAM
This helpful little blog is written by an American expat who now lives in Holland. She shares the city’s hidden gems, sexy secrets and seasonal happenings. Scroll through and you’ll find some really helpful guides from ‘35 Tips To Seeing Amsterdam on a Budget’ to ‘Amsterdam’s 10 Worst Tourist Traps’. Just don’t forget to thank us for introducing you...
2 YOUR LITTLE BLACK BOOK
If you want to know all about Amsterdam’s hot-spots, this blog is for you. This ultra-modern city guide was set up in 2012 by local Anne de Buck. It’s updated all the time with places to eat, drink and sleep. Not to mention her brilliant weekend guides which are packed with fun-filled things to do in the city each week (perfect if you want to know what’s going on when you happen to visit). From the best clubs to where to get the best pancakes, she covers everything a young traveller would want to know.
3 AMSTERDAM FOODIE
As you can guess, Amsterdam Foodie is a food-based blog, providing excellent (and honest) reviews of eateries in Amsterdam from veggie joints, brunch spots, Asian food and much much more. The Brit behind the blog, Vicky Hampton (who lives in Amsterdam), even features her pick of ‘Restaurant of the Month’. Whether you’re looking for burgers or affordable cocktails, she’ll point you in the right direction!
4 I WANDER AND ROAM
While this blog provides guides to many cities, it focuses hugely on Amsterdam as it’s where the blog owner Claire Bissell resides. Claire is a Brit who moved to Amsterdam after falling in love with a Dutchman. She writes a range of different things from where to get the best beer, where to find the best coffee, and a beginner’s guide to cycling in the city! Her articles are well-written, informative and fun - enjoy!
5 CRAVINGS IN AMSTERDAM
This blog makes our tummy rumble every time we look at it. Peru-born Poula is the food aficionado who created this blog. We wish we had her life as she goes around Amsterdam tasting delicious food at all kinds of restaurants from healthy snack bars to more upmarket joints! Her pictures of food are mouth-wateringly incredible. But the blog’s not all fine dining. You can even find out where to get a massage in the city.
6 A WANDERLUST FOR LIFE
This expat couple celebrated their ‘Amsterversary’ last September, that’s 3 years since they moved to the Dutch city to live the European lifestyle. A Wanderlust For Life shares their tips and tricks for a visit to Amsterdam, with top ideas for some great day trips from the city. Part of the reason they moved to Europe was to have the freedom to see foreign cities within hours, meaning their city guides don’t just stop at Amsterdam. Check out this blog for some seriously tempting travel inspiration and inside knowledge on the Dutch capital.
7 AMSTERDAMIAN
Amsterdamian takes you on a journey through Amsterdam’s hidden streets and special secret gems through snippets of everyday Dutch life and amazing photographs. Dana is Romanian and has been living in Amsterdam and blogging about it since 2010. Her blog will have you itching for a trip to the city so you can capture moments like she has for yourself. She even makes the gloomiest days look magical! Talk about selling the city.
8 AMSTERDIVE
Amsterdam based actress Ana, originally from Portugal, has been blogging about her expat life since 2013. A lot of what she writes about is the city’s culture - from being a woman in Amsterdam to her personal struggles with the language. Her stories are captivating and her cafe picks are always spot on, making her blog the perfect read before a trip to the Netherlands.
9 BITTERBALLENBRUID
Bitterballenbruid isn’t quite ALL about Amsterdam, but it certainly is about all things Dutch (especially her favourite meat-based snack, bitterballen). There’s a lot of talk about Dutch must-eats and a number of posts which debunk Dutch stereotypes, as well as tips for Amsterdam of course. Hayley moved to The Netherlands to be with her husband back in 2014 and has been blogging about all her loves (and hates) of the country ever since.
10 CULTURE TOURIST
Amsterdam based blogger Tea created her blog Culture Tourist to pass on her love of art and travel to the world. This blog is perfect for culture vultures looking to seek out the best cultural spots in Europe, although Tea puts a special emphasis on her hometown in the Netherlands. She’s got all the top tips and fun facts for those that are looking to get their cultural fix in Amsterdam. Trust us, you’ll definitely want to follow her advice.