Bikes, Canals, and Charm: Amsterdam Through My Eyes

 Crisscrossed by charming canals, filled with the aroma of fresh stroopwafels, and humming with the sound of bicycle bells, Amsterdam is a city that effortlessly blends old world beauty with modern vibrance. Whether you're drawn in by its rich artistic heritage, quirky neighbourhoods or the sheer joy of getting lost among narrow lanes lined with crooked townhouses, this Dutch capital offers an adventure for every kind of traveler. 

I absolutely love Amsterdam, it will always have my heart. Whether it’s a chilled weekend away, a romantic trip, a family vacation or a crazy party weekend it has it all. 

I would say that I am not a good traveler so the fact that I can hop on a plane and be in the city within an hour from where I live is definitely something which appeals to me.

I think when you mention the city the first thing that springs to peoples minds is ‘weed’ when in actual fact this place is a lot more than that. Of course there’s numerous cafe’s where you can legally smoke the herb, if that’s your thing but it’s not even the most fun or interesting thing to do there. Here’s some of my favourite things I did whilst I was there: 

I hopped on one of the classic canal tours (because yes, when in Amsterdam, right?), and honestly, it was the perfect combo of sightseeing and chill. I’ve done two canal cruises and enjoyed both of them. First off—the views. Imagine centuries-old townhouses leaning ever so slightly,  little arched bridges popping up every few minutes and bikes zipping past. Every time we turned around a corner, there was another postcard-perfect scene just waiting to be snapped. Was it touristy? Absolutely. But also incredibly charming. It’s one of those things that earns its cliché status by genuinely delivering.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to step inside someone’s eccentric attic full of oddities from around the globe… welcome to Ripley’s Amsterdam. From the moment you walk in, it’s sensory overload in the best possible way. Think shrunken heads, a 7-meter-tall robot made entirely out of car parts, and a chair made of swords. Every room takes you down a different rabbit hole—some quirky, some creepy, and some that genuinely make you go, “Wait, is this real?” The vibe is part museum, part funhouse. There’s an optical illusion tunnel that made me question both gravity and my decision-making skills, and an interactive graffiti wall that’ll unleash your inner street artist. If you’ve got a playful spirit (or kids with wild imaginations), it’s pretty much a guaranteed hit.

We decided to embrace the dark side (history-wise) and stepped into the Amsterdam Dungeon—and honestly? It was a wild ride through the city’s eeriest chapters with just the right amount of humor to keep me from running for the exit. This is definitely my number one favourite thing I did whilst visiting. From the get-go, the place leans hard into the theatrics. We’re talking costumed actors, creepy lighting, creepy sounds, and an even creepier sense that someone’s about to jump out at you (they usually do). You shuffle from room to room as they whisk you through tales of witch trials, the plague, torture chambers, and other “fun” moments in Dutch history. The cast really makes it—somehow managing to be both hilarious and terrifying. Think haunted house meets interactive theatre meets history class taught by your most dramatic friend. Due to it’s nature, they don’t recommend children under ten to go and anyone under thirteen must be accompanied by an adult. 

The Moco museum, it’s like the cool, edgy cousin in the museum family—small, punchy, and full of attitude. The museum is packed with modern, contemporary, and street art, and yes, the Banksy collection is the star of the show. From the iconic Girl with Balloon to cheeky reworks of classical paintings, it’s a crash course in social commentary with a spray can. But it’s not just Banksy—there’s also a rotating lineup of artists like Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, and digital installations that feel like stepping into a neon dream.  The museum is bite-sized—you can see everything in about an hour or two, which is perfect if your feet are already protesting from all the canal wandering. It’s got a bit of a rebellious streak, which makes it feel more like a creative playground than a traditional gallery. If they were to get some new exhibitions when I next visit, I would definitely go again.

There’s plenty to do, most of which are family friendly too. It’s a place where you never feel bored. One of the more simpler things we did was just take a wander and looked in the shops that made up the city centre. Food wise there’s so much available for all dietary needs. I’m vegetarian and my friend who I went with is vegan and we never struggled to find somewhere to eat. In fact i’d say there was more choice over there than what we have over here in England, which was definitely a pleasant surprise. 

If you’re worried about getting around or finding the places you want to go to, then don’t. They have a great tram service which basically stops everywhere you could possibly want it to. We bought a seventy two hour ticket for 20 euros and it was worth it as we definitely made use of it in those four days we were there. 

Amsterdam is a city which has stolen my heart and will always remain so. I can’t wait to go back, as soon as possible. 

Stay spooky xo

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