We spent last weekend in Amsterdam and had an absolute blast! Here is how we spent just 48 hours in this amazing city, and some dos and don’ts if you ever plan to go.

How we got there

Amsterdam is only a 3 hour train ride from Brussels! We took the train after work on Friday from the Brussels-Midi station to Amsterdam Central station. We live just two stops away from Brussels-Midi via the metro. The train we took was just a regular train, not a high speed train. Some may opt in for first-class tickets to have more space, but I thought second-class was sufficient for only a 3 hour ride. We caught the late afternoon train back on Sunday, but there are plenty of options depending on how early/late you want to get back. I think next time we would drive, because it would be cheaper and the same amount of time. And by we, I mean Ben would drive 😉

Where we stayed

We stayed at the ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera. This is a 3-star hotel and the staff were very friendly. The rooms were small, which is very typical for Europe. However, they were clean and that’s the most important thing to me! The name of the hotel was deceiving, as were weren’t really in the city center. We were only two stops away via public transport, but I think next time we would stay in Jordaan. Many people opt in to stay at hostels, which is a cheaper alternative if that’s something you’re into!

Where we dined

Rosario Cocina Mexicana – After dropping off our suitcases, this was our first meal on Friday night and it was incredible. All of their dishes are sharing dishes and are the size of a starter, so they recommend ordering 6. I had the best piña colada and tacos there. It had been sooo long since we had Mexican food! Definitely make a reservation because the restaurant is very small and jam-packed.

De Carrousel Pannenkoeken – Not even going to lie, we ate here twice LOL. This breakfast restaurant serves up famous Dutch pancakes with just about any topping you can imagine. The tables inside are set around an old-fashioned carousel ride, and you seat yourself once a table becomes available. I wasn’t sure if this was a total tourist trap or not, but I overheard someone behind me saying that he comes here often and brings visitors, too. Regardless, you have to eat Dutch pancakes at some point throughout your time in Amsterdam.

Moeders – On Saturday night, we had a classic Dutch meal at Moeders. Translating to Mothers, this place features photos of moms on every inch of each wall. I wish we had found this place sooner to bring a picture of my mom and mother-in-law. We had a hodge podge of stews, potatoes, apple sauce, cabbage, and finished the meal off with a piece of Dutch apple pie. Definitely recommend.

The Burger Room – This Wizard of Oz themed restaurant serves gargantuan burgers of all kinds, plus they have Parmesan fries and onion rings so you can’t go wrong. Loved the vibes in here and if you are nearby, I would recommend stopping here. But don’t go out of your way, as it’s very pricey and I’m sure there’s other great burgers in the city.

What we did there

Heineken experience & rooftop – this interactive tour through the former brewery and tasting room is a must do! It was seriously so fun and we even participated in a beer challenge & of course Ben won! We added on the rooftop experience which gave us a great view of the entire city. If you go in the winter, maybe skip the rooftop but I’m sure it’s amazing in the summer/warmer months.

Flagship Canal Cruise in Classic Boat – we had a live guide with drinks and Dutch cheese. Although this was more of a booze cruise, the canal ride was a great way to see the city and learn some fun facts. There’s plenty of options for canal rides based on your interests.

Anne Frank Museum – this was truly so powerful. I was emotional through out our entire time as we learned all about Anne Frank’s life, walked throughout her house, saw where she hid for 2 years, and even saw her journal. It’s another reminder of how every day in our lives is a gift and we need to be appreciative of all that we have. If this interests you, book your tickets as far out as possible. They release the tickets for 6 weeks out and they sell out fast.

Van Gogh Museum – learning all about Van Gogh and his troubled life was very intriguing. He struggled to find his way until he became a painter at 27. He only painted for 10 years until he ended his life. We added on the audio guide, but I would recommend you just do the highlights otherwise you can find yourself in this museum for 3 hours and there’s so much to do in a short weekend.

How much we spent

• Trains tickets roundtrip = $90 per person
• Transportation pass for 48 hours = €15 per person
• Hotel = $440
• Anne Frank museum = €16 per person
• Canal ride = €30 per person
• Heineken experience & rooftop = €25 per person
• Van Gogh museum = €20 per person
• Food costs = I don’t want to know lol

Dos & Don’ts

• Do: make reservations for dinner and museums
• Don’t: stand or walk in the bike lane otherwise you will get hit. Did you know there’s over 1.2 million bikes in Amsterdam? 20,000 each year are taken out of the canals (and resold)
• Do: be prepared to be scarred for life if you walk through the Red Light District 😂
• Don’t: walk into a “coffee shop” and expect to have coffee. It’s actually a cannabis shop. If you’re looking for caffeine, find a cafe
• Do: carry around €,50 or €1 when going to the bars if you want to use the restroom. Unless you’re a guy, there’s public urinals on some street corners🤣

We had an incredible time and I’m sure we will go back with friends and family that want to visit!