Amsterdam: More Bikes Than Shade
Amsterdam is the 1st stop on our Backpacking Through Europe Adventure: 9 countries, 14 days. It was to be the 2nd, but I’ll refrain from ranting about our disappointing airline delay. Once we got going and were rerouted to catch up to our itinerary, our exciting trip was underway!! Eeeekkkk! Good thing! There is an enormous amount of time and effort in Planning and Packing for a European Backpacking Adventure.
Amsterdam is the bicycle capital of the world. The city of bicycles. Honestly I’ve never seen so many bicycles. There are multiple lots jam packed with bikes. People are riding bikes by the droves. Sitting in the Starbucks and later at a cafe overlooking the canal, it was a constant stream of cyclists.
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We loved the canals. In lots of places, there are apartment buildings lining the canals. Many of the people living in the buildings have boats parked out in the canal. There are also boathouses out in the canals. I’m always intrigued by the various accommodations that people make home. (The Realtor in me again?)
I think Amsterdam is really a nice city. On the street side of the canals, it’s almost park-like with trees, grass and sidewalks. Amsterdam Central, the railway station, is very clean and comfortable with a mall, restaurants and an open air feel with breezeways. Don’t expect restrooms in the shops or restaurants tho. Nope! We are in Europe, the paying of toilets has begun. Ugh! Just look for the lines at the turnstiles in the main breezeway. Although the train station is modern and updated, it is housed in a wonderful old building. Already loving the architecture in Europe.
We did not encounter anything shady. Not that we went to the Red Light District, or ‘coffee shops’ looking for anything either. Haha Mainly we just enjoyed touring around the city and taking in all of the amazing old architecture. When in Amsterdam, attractions to consider include Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Jordaan District, Heineken Experience and Keukenhof Gardens for tulips.
We utilized a hop on hop off bus to get around. It was pretty chilly and there was not a live guide so we just made the loop and didn’t hop off. Make sure that you research the Hoho companies well and what they have to offer. There are several options. We have come to appreciate the live guides. Our ticket actually included a boat tour on the canals as part of their service. We opted out, but I think this would be great, if a little warmer, and especially if the tulips are in bloom!
Big Dog’s Review: Our day in Amsterdam was spent taking a “jump on, jump off, bus tour”. It was cold that day so we stayed on the bus. Very interesting city with all the canals and beautiful architecture. A port city so it reminded me of Boston and it’s style of houses. Anne Frank and Vincent Van Gogh once lived there. We stayed away from the red light district, not our cup of tea. If you get the chance it’s a great place to visit for the day!
Wrap up: Leaving Amsterdam and heading to Brussels by train was painless. There is usually always some English speaking person to ask about platforms, etc. We had been hanging out with backpacks in Amsterdam all day and were ready to relax on our almost 3 hour (1st in Europe) train ride to Brussels.
On our way to Amsterdam 
I AMsterdam 
Canal Amsterdam 
Incredible number of bikes in Amsterdam 
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I love Amsterdam, one of my favorite cities. We went on a school trip in high school and we’re there for five days. My favorite sites were the Anne Frank House and all of the amazing old architecture.
What an incredible high school trip!
Your pictures are amazing! What a fun adventure that would be!
Thank you Stephanie!!
What a wonderful trip it seems you had! Beautiful photos, we hope to one day get there once our children are grown!
Thank you Jason! Enjoy your trip one of these days!
Love Amsterdam. Beautiful city, beautiful people.
I love that you said beautiful people 🙂
Looks amazing great pictures thank you for sharing
Thank you Jody!
Gorgeous pictures. Clean and comfortable is something I really cherish in a city – I am glad that is what you found.
Yes, loved it!
I would love to see Amsterdam someday…more than just its airport! HA! And the bike scene looks so cool!
Haha I understand!
Such a beautiful place! I’ve never been. Looks fun for sure!
I agree. Fun and beautiful!
This is some place I would love to visit one day!
Hopefully, the tulips will be in bloom when you go!
What an amazing city bike around!
Yes, I agree, Suzan!
I love the bikes and architecture! Beautiful. I could just walk around all day looking at it.
I could too, Charlotte!!
My best friend lives in Amsterdam, although I still have not gotten a chance to visit it. And they really bike A LOT over there. Thank you for sharing your pictures. Truly very beautiful place to visit.
That’s so cool! I hope you get to go visit. I’m sure there is a bike there waiting for you!
Amsterdam looks amazing. I would have been worried about getting run over by all those cyclists!
Haha that’s a good point! And you do have to watch as they are always whizzing by!!
Look at all the bikes! So wish our culture was less cars, more bikes!
I know! I need to ride more often myself.
Oh goodness I love Amsterdam! My husband has never been so it is on our travel list. Love your pictures and I look forward to hearing about Brussels!
Thank you Casandra!! Brussels post coming up Monday! 🙂
This looks like a great trip! All your pictures are perfect.. thanks for sharing this fun experience with us 😊 I thoroughly enjoyed it and am adding it to my bucket list!
Awe that’s great to hear! Enjoy your trip and I hope it’s soon!
It looks like an awesome time! I love all of the bikes!
It looks like an awesome time! I love all of the bikes!
Yes it was! So many…!!
My husband and son just visited Amsterdam in February. I need to go someday. Your pictures are great!
I’m glad they were able to go before things became crazy! Thank you! I bet they have some great pics as well 🙂
I’m glad to read the continuation of your journey. Looking forward to Brussels trip.
Thank you April!! Coming up Monday! 🙂
We were supposed to be here next month 🙁
I’m sorry! I hope you get to go soon, Cindy!
Amsterdam is such a wonderful place! Thanks for all your photos and tips for visiting!
Glad you enjoyed them!
What an incredible place to visit – it is definitely on my bucket list for some day <3 Thank you so much for sharing!
You are welcome, Hillari!
Your adventures and pictures always are so much fun and really make me feel like I am right there with you!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Holly! That’s so sweet of you to say!
What a fun way to see the city! I would love to go to Europe again!
Yes, us too!
Seems like a cool place to visit! Love all of your pictures especially the canal- it’s so beautiful!
Thanks Jill!!
Nice virtual tour!
Thank you Charlene!
love all the photos. i didn’t realize it was so green there!
Isn’t it pretty!
I would love to go to Amstermdam. It looks like a cool place with a lot to do.
Yes, would go back!
Thanks for showing us around Amsterdam
You are welcome!
We are going later this year. This was very helpful! Thank you.
Great! Enjoy your trip, Mandi!
We definitely want to visit Amsterdam some day; it looks like such a fun and unique city. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Gland you enjoyed it!
You really had a ball. Amsterdam is quite fascinating and I love how carefree it is there. I hope to travel there next year.
Yes hope you get to see the tulips in Holland!
Beautiful city! I loved riding around on a bike there!
Great city for biking (and scooting)!
Do love Holland, lived there for three years in the 70s. My best memory of Amsterdam is getting lost and one policeman giving me directions while the other directed the traffic around me. Incredible.
Thanks for checking out the post, Jack. Haha I’ve had to have police help when lost myself. But not 2 officers! That’s funny.