Tulip or not tulip….the answer is to always tulip! Visiting Amsterdam during tulip season seems like a MUST. The best time to see tulips in Amsterdam is from March - May, especially mid April, according to their tourism websites.

Unfortunately, due to an unusually cold winter, visiting at the beginning of April proved to be too early to see the rolling fields of tulips. However, Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower gardens, in South Holland, was open (from March-May) and it was the next best thing.

FOOD and DRINK:

• Van Staple Koekmakerji: this is a very popular COOKIE in Amsterdam. What’s nice is that it’s warm and fresh, what I didn’t personally like was that it was very buttery/greasy and overly sweet for my tastebuds.

• Vlaams Fraterhuis Vleminckx I balanced out the sweet with this savory treat: fries with mayonnaise. Delicious!

• Micro brewery. Brouwerij De Prael: very cosy interior and again, packed. Great spot to rest sore feet, and enjoy the beer!

• van Wonderen Stroopwafels another famous stop; but this time the line was really too long!

• Zuid: beautifully plated and modern cuisine

• Poppa: tasty pastas and a cute resident cat, very cosy atmosphere

Of course, one can not miss the beautiful canals of Amsterdam. There are many scenic spots to take photos.

THINGS TO DO:

There are museums aplenty, it just depends on how much time you have to spend indoors vs. outdoors.

The last time I was in Amsterdam I visited the Rijks Museum and the Van Gogh Museum and loved both. I also visited the Anne Frank House as well as Rembrandt’s House and I would highly recommend making the time to visit both.

This time, I went to see the Banksy exhibit at the Moco. While it was a great escape from the rain, I learned that the exhibit is actually not authorized by Banksy and not curated in collaboration with the artist which made the whole visit feel very un-Banksy-like.

The famous “I amsterdam” sculpture is a popular spot to take photos; and I have a tip if you’re taking selfies - check out my highlights on my Instagram.

I would also recommend visiting the Albert Cuyp Market, I bought beautiful flowers there, this red beret, as well as had a delicious chicken sandwich from one of the local vendors (I can’t remember the name!).

Bloemenmarket, Amsterdam’s famous flower market, which are flower stalls that are on barges, floating on the Singel canal.

If you get a chance to do a day trip to the outskirts of Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans: touristy but scenic, town of Edam (yes, the CHEESE!)

Bicycles galore! Don’t forget to LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING, as the cyclists in Amsterdam are rather ruthless.

STAY:

We stayed in the outskirts at a hotel called Citizen M, and their morning breakfasts were INCREDIBLE!! The room itself is TINY in comparison to western hotels (after all the shower is in the middle of the room!) but it has a very comfortable bed and those breakfasts….wow! The last time in Amsterdam, I stayed at the Hilton which is much more in line with our western size of hotel.

Transit is very easy and efficient, and as in any foreign country you visit, always watch your personal belongings and always pay attention to your surroundings.

 Amsterdam at night is a different type of city. Also, DO NOT take photos in the Red Light District.

This is not a sponsored post.

Read more about Amsterdam here.