A quirky travellers guide to Amsterdam

This doesn't happen to me often, honestly, I'm not one of those travel bloggers who gets paid or sponsored for my trips, that would be crazy considering I just started this blog. However, once upon a time I did get free tickets from KLM to Amsterdam, and so I picked a date, booked a room via Airbnb, and suddenly this quirky traveller was walking alone in the streets of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.

In this guide I'll take you to five of the best places I went to:

1. CAFÉ RUK & PLUK

The Airbnb-dude I was staying at told me I should check out Ruk & Pluk, a unique popular café/bar where there's apparently always something to celebrate and where "worldly barmaids welcome you wholeheartedly". According to I amsterdam, a favorite hangout among Amsterdammers.

I don't know if this is true, because I chose a time to visit the bar when there were no guests, except me. And my barmaid was just an old lady who was doing her own thing. After taking my order, she went over to the slot machine, where she played until I left. Luckily, I love weird places like these. The decor was wild with a bunch of lights and there was a huge inflatable, excuse my language, dick - hanging from the ceiling. I just sat at my barstool laughing, afraid that the bar lady would hear me, but she was too far away.

Ruk & Pluk, a unique popular café/bar in Amsterdam.
 
2. MOCO MUSEUM

What I really loved about this museum was the fact that it didn't feel too museumy. The building itself was basically a house which I found extremely charming. It wasn't too big, which gave me enough time to see everything. Some of the art moved me, some of it just made me feel happy.

The Moco Museum shows a wide range of modern and contemporary art. When I was visiting they were featuring two of mye favorite artists; Banksy and Roy Lichtenstein. I might not look it, but I was very excited!

The Moco Museum in Amsterdam. This was the "Roy Lichtenstein room".
Shot by another solo traveller. Deadpan is my thing. 


3. RENATO'S OSTERIA

I met up with Angie, who's from Amsterdam, but who I first met in Los Angeles during an Airbnb-meetup, these meetups are cool and I highly recommend them!

Anyway, Angie and I when to eat some pasta. I don't remember much since it's been a while since I was in Amsterdam, but I do remember that the food was amazing and that I will go back to this place! I also remember the pasta being perfect when it comes to chewiness, because Angie commented on how al dente it was.

Renato's Osteria is an expansion of the popular Renato's Pizzeria in De Pjip, where you can find good wine with simple, homemade pasta served in a homely atmosphere. Be sure to book!

PS. The best breakfast spot? Bakers & Roasters, OMFG the food was so delicious!

4. BACK TO BLACK

Back to black is not just a coffee bar, but also a coffee roastery. I had already heard rumours about this place, and when I got there, the coffee shop was packed. But I had a plan. My plan was to have a cup of black coffee with a nice slice of juicy cake, at this very place. And I was not gonna back away. So I waited, and it didn't take too long before a seat was available.

The coffee was perfect, and the apple cake massive, but tasty, even though I don't really like apples in cake. I guess I just love the concept of apple pie and therefore end up trying it again and again. Anyway, my heart was at peace and I could start appreciating the colorful walls, the lovely art hanging around and the view out to the cute buildings and the canal. A few times I started to think about Amy Winehouse and got a bit melancholic.

Back to black is not just a coffee bar, but also a coffee roastery, in Amsterdam. Here you can get good coffee and a nice slice of cake.

5. HORTUS BOTANICUS

By now, if you have read my other posts or the "about me"-section on the side, you won't be surprised that I payed a botanical garden a visit. Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest in the world. It was founded in 1638 by the city to serve as an herb garden for doctors and apothecaries. This botanical garden contains more than six thousand tropical and indigenous trees and plants. The Palm House dates from 1912 and is renowned for its collection of cycads (seed plants with a long fossil history) (courtesy of Wikipedia).

Hortus Botanicus is a botanical garden in Amsterdam and it's one of the oldest in the world.

My favorite house was the Three Climate Greehouse. It was an eye-catcher with its ultramodern construction. But on the inside... Three different zones with different climates, representing the subtropics, the desert and the tropics. Each zone with its own temperature and humidity. I went through dry scrubland, the desert and the jungle, and this trip honestly made me sentimental.

I always get so surprised over how I don't get bored when I'm on vacation alone, like this Amsterdam-list could have been longer, but I'm not a fan of those 52 things do in La La Land-guides, because I think it's important to do some of your own discoveries as well. I guess it's because there's such an exciting world out there and no matter where you go you always meet some incredible people you can hang out with.

PS. Amsterdam is a cool place to have as a "base" and travel to other nearby cities. Next time I go - more daytrips!

Comments

  1. Thank for your tips. I will go there next month. Definitely will go to Moco Museum :)

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    1. You’re welcome! If you like museums, Stedelijk museum was nice too!

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  2. It looks like you discovered some really neat places! That is my favorite part of travelling, stumbling upon unique little spots like these.

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  3. I love botanical gardens and would love the opportunity to visit Hortus Botanicus. It looks like you had a wonderful time!

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  4. Some really cool and different places to visit in Amsterdam highlighted here. Love the look of the museum - cool pic!

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  5. Wow amazing places you were so lucky to visit! I absolutely loved seeing all of the photographs of the places you visited! DaisyGirl

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  6. This looks like it would be such an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing your favorite things to do!

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    1. Ur welcome, and thanks! Amsterdam has a lot to offer:)

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  7. Amsterdam is definitely a place for the quirky! It looks like you had a great time and pointed out some really unusual but fun places to visit!

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  8. I love Amsterdam, and the dick hanging from the ceiling is so funny, I love how they are so weird about everything! Thanks for the tip, I'll put this place on my "to visit list"!

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    1. Haha, I know! I hope you have a great time there when you visit!

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  9. Ooh, these are some interesting stops I haven't heard much about! I'll keep them in mind for our December visit.

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    Replies
    1. Cool! Had I found your blog earlier I would have researched some graveyard options for ya;) Ok, that sounded way more creepy than I meant, but you know what I mean 😂

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