Got a few hours to kill in Amsterdam? Don’t want to waste time on getting bustickets, chipcards, timetables and risk getting on the wrong tram to nowhere? Here are some things to do, eat, see and enjoy if you’ve got just a very short time in Amsterdam. All within 15 minutes walking distance from central station, tops! Every tip comes with an address to type in your navigation. Something for everyone: from culture to schnulture, food to fab shopping, seeing a cockatoo at the station or an elephant at the zoo.
- Check out the ‘Wallen’, a.k.a. the red light district
I’m not suggesting you fancy to visit a prostitute on your holidays, but if you want to have a look at the infamous red light district: You might be surprised to find out that the red light district is close to the central station. At daytime you can enjoy the historic canals better; at nighttime it has more of the ‘red light’ atmosphere.
Centre of Wallen area: - Shop till you drop at The Bijenkorf
The biggest and most luxurious shopping mall in Amsterdam is The Bijenkorf (‘the bees’ hive’). Right at Dam Square this mall sells anything you’ll need. Their interior design floor is wonderful. Open 10’ish till 8 pm, some days 9 pm. On monday, open at 11.
Located at Dam 1 - Classic: the canal cruise
Ofcourse, a classic way to spend time is to take a canal cruise. Sit back, enjoy.
Many firms around the station offer cruises, like Lovers Canal Cruises at Prins Hendrikkade 25
- Foodies, have a Dutch lunch
Want a typical Dutch lunch and just relax? Head to the Nieuwmarkt area. On a Saturday there’s even a market on this historic square. If you’re in for it, head over to the typical Amsterdam cafe Stevens. Order a black coffee with ‘twee kroketten met brood‘ and be totally local.
Café Stevens is at Geldersekade 123, overlooking the Nieuwmarkt. - Madame Tussaud
I bloody hate that place, but hey, if you’re in for it you’re in luck: Madame Tussaud is right at Dam Square and you can get there within 10 minutes. Get your tickets online for a discount, or just walk into a Tours & Tickets shop on the way there for a deal.
Madame Tussauds is at Dam Square. Can’t be missed, right accross from Bijenkorf shopping mall.
The shortest route there leads you past Damrak 26, where a Tours & Tickets is located. - To the movies at Tuschinski
This gorgious movie theatre is a bit of a walk, 15 minutes full pass. But worth it if you love unique cinemas. You can check out what movies are playing online It’s a Dutch website, but if you scroll down you can see the timetable. ‘Vandaag’ means today. It shows today’s movies automatically, the other tabs are the other days. Interested? I’ve got some tips on visiting Tuschinski: read the blog here.
Located at the Reguliersbreestraat 26-34
- Free pontje to EYE
When exiting the station, head towards the other side where the ferries are. Take the one that goes to EYE (just ask anybody to point you to the right one). EYE is also a gorgious cinema, but mostly it is a modern piece of architectural eye candy, with a terrace overlooking the water of the IJ river.
You don’t need an address, you just need to look accross the water for the white building. - Peace & Quiet at the public library
Want to just stroll around and read a book? Head to the public library. It’s large, open to all and well… a fine place for some peace and quiet-time. Nice for kids too, as they’ve got video games and kids’ corner.
Address: Oosterdoksstraat 110
- Botanical Garden of Amsterdam or Artis Zoo
Is it a fifteen minute walk? Eh… maybe it’s twenty…five’ish. But come on, you can see elephants and the sea lions! And it’s located in the heart of the gorgious Planter’s area the ‘plantage buurt’. Read more about why you would visit the botanical gardens here.
The Zoo is at Plantage Kerklaan 38, botanical gardens at Plantage Middenlaan 2a. - Train station restaurant ‘1ste Klas’, quite a sight!
Topping the 2015 list of The Guardian, this restaurant is described as ‘a wonderful slice of 1880s glam, with monstrously high ceilings, wood-panelled walls and intricate paintings of wildlife.’ The place is situated at platform 1 and consists of two parts: the restaurant and the bar/brasserie. Both are good but the bar closes earlier and is usually a bit more quiet. So be sure to see which one you prefer by just taking a peek. Check the cockatoo at the bar.
Located at platform 1, at the central station itself. Close to the Burger King.
So, if you only have little time there is no reason why you wouldn’t make the most of it.
What do you like to do when you’re only a few hours around? Let me know in the comments.
